Cardiff Travel Facts

The Basics

City Name: Cardiff

Where is it located?: Cardiff is in Wales in the southeastern part of the country, on the coast and near England.

Why do people go there?: The youngest of Europe’s capitals (50 years old in 2005), the city has spent a lot of money to make Wales’ capital a place to go. These modern buildings (”Millenium” is a major catch-phrase) and focus on vibrant city life turned Cardiff into a “Centre of Culture” and is shortlisted for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2008.

How do travelers get there?: Trains in the UK are expensive, but most head up this way from London, although you can fly or drive.

Currency: Pound

City Code: 1222

Population: 300,000

Languages: English, Welsh

Travel Information

Neighborhoods: Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff Bay & Atlantic Wharf, Canton, Pontcanna, Roath

Attractions: Caerphilly Castle, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Castle

Accommodations: Cardiff Hostels, Cardiff Hotels

Tourist Office: See Main Office in London: English Tourist Board, Thames Tower, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9EL, Telephone: 0800 192 192 free call in England, Web site: http: //www.travelengland.org.uk/

Off-the-beaten-path: Castell Coch, Barry Island, Village of Llandaff, ‘Pompeii Garden’ in Dyffryn

Health Issues: The main health problems that Cardiff is facing at the present are poor health and life expectancy of underprivileged populations and avoidable diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Tips for Visiting

When to go: July and August are the busiest months and are best avoided due to staggeringly high prices and numbers of tourists. Shoulder seasons are still enjoyable, although you should bring a rain coat any time of the year.

Common Phrases: Shwd ydych chi? = How are you? (formal); Rwy’n iawn. = I am fine; Ble ydy’n ty bach? = Where’s the toilet? (Is that right Sioni?); Ble ydyn ni’n mynd? = Where are we going?: Arwen dw i. = I am Arwen; Dydw i ddim yn deall——–I don’t understand; Dydw i ddim yn gwybod ——–I don’t know

City Specific Events: Great British Cheese Festival every Septemer

How to get around?: Cardiff is well-provided with an wide-ranging bus network and a local rail network that gives services connecting majority of Cardiff to the business district and mainline rail services.

Good to know: Cardiff is the youngest capital city of Europe.

Cheapest airport to fly into: The main airport for travelers taking flights to Cardiff is the Cardiff International Airport

Need more information?: Check out the Cardiff travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.