Making the most of Cardiff
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
By car, coach or water taxi, the new and developing port lies only minutes from the city centre.
Cardiff International Airport is the nearest airport, at 16 kilometres. Cardiff Central, the closest railway station, is 1.5 kilometres away, while Cardiff city centre is also 1.5 kilometres from the port.
Cardiff is Europe's youngest and fastest-growing capital city, and few places feel as vibrant or lively. Its wealth of leading attractions makes sightseeing especially enjoyable, with highlights including the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Castle, the National Museum of Wales and the peaceful Alexandra Gardens.
Getting around
Take the open-top hop-on, hop-off bus tour around the city centre and Bay.
The main sights sit fairly close together in Cardiff's compact central area, so exploring on foot is straightforward.
During the summer season, the River Taff Waterbus offers a different way to travel, running regularly between the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Bay and Penarth. Tickets are around £4.
Food and shopping
Cardiff fully deserves its standing as one of the UK's leading shopping destinations. The shopping centre is largely covered and almost entirely pedestrianised; despite its compact size, it contains stylish department stores, designer shops and historic arcades, a combination visitors particularly enjoy.
Money
Across the UK, the currency is the pound (£), while pounds may also be called quid. Scottish banknotes can be frowned upon elsewhere in the UK, so exchange them before leaving Scotland.
Cash machines, or ATMs, are widely available and are informally known as 'holes in the wall'; they generally issue £10 and £20 notes.
Most restaurants and shops accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro.
Staying connected
English is spoken nationwide, although accents can sometimes be strong.
Free WiFi is available in most cafés and restaurants.
For local emergencies, call 999; the EU-wide number 112 also works.
Opening Hours and
General shopping hours are as follows:
Small shops trade 6 or 7 days per week, usually from 10am to 6pm. Larger stores generally remain open until 9PM, while hypermarkets are often open 24/7.