# CWL — Cardiff International Airport > Machine-readable reference for CWL. Single-airport scope. Re-fetch when content_generated_at changes. Canonical: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl HTML page: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl Markdown alt: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl.md JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/CWL.json (includes live arrivals + weather) Sitemap: https://airport.flights/sitemap-airports.xml Last refreshed: 2026-06-14T07:25:26.901+00:00 --- ## Identity - Name: Cardiff International Airport - IATA: CWL - ICAO: EGFF - City: Cardiff - Country: GB (GB) - Timezone: Europe/London - Distance from city: 19 km (12 mi) south-west of Cardiff city centre - Runways: 1 - Terminals: 1 - Annual passengers: 1.6M - Official website: https://cardiff-airport.com ## Overview Welcome Cardiff International Airport (CWL) is more than just the primary gateway to Wales; it’s a rare find among national capital airports. Located 19 km south-west of Cardiff, this small-scale airport offers a more relaxed experience, where you can go from curb to gate in under 20 minutes on a typical day. Security queues are often described as “a breeze,” routinely cleared in under 10 minutes, making it feel like a friendly regional airfield rather than a typical busy capital-city hub. With the charm of attentive staff and quiet spaces, CWL is an airport where your journey is underpinned by efficiency and surprising tranquility. At a glance Annual Passengers: 1.6 million Runways: 1 Terminals: T1 Airlines: Ryanair, TUI Airways, Vueling Distance from City Centre: 19 km (12 mi) Operating as a single-terminal airport, Cardiff International caters to a modest crowd, making it easy to navigate through its facilities. The overall ambiance has been praised by travelers who appreciate an airport vibe reminiscent of a big village rather than a city hub. Terminals & layout Cardiff Airport houses just one terminal, T1. It hosts airlines such as Ryanair, TUI Airways, and Vueling, ensuring a… ## Terminals (1) - **Cardiff Airport Terminal** — airlines: Ryanair, TUI Airways, Vueling URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/terminals/t1 ## Dining (13) - **51° Executive Lounge** — T1 · Lounge · Business · $$$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/51-executive-lounge-t1 - **Bar 51** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/bar-51 - **Burger King** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/burger-king - **Caffi Cotê** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/caffi-cote - **Caffi Cwtch** — $$ · open for all flights URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/caffi-cwtch - **Costa Coffee** — T1 · Café · Coffee Shop · $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/costa-coffee-t1 - **Greggs** — T1 · Fast Food · Bakery · $ · Daily: 4.00am - 5.00pm URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/greggs-t1 - **Tap & Brew** — T1 · Bar · Craft Beer · $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/tap-brew-t1 - **The Beer House** — T1 · $$ · open for all flights URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/the-beer-house - **The Smokehouse** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/the-smokehouse - **WHSmith** — T1 · Retail · Convenience Store · $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/whsmith-t1 - **World Duty Free** — T1 · Retail · Duty-Free URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/world-duty-free-t1 - **Y Castell** — T1 · Bar · Restaurant · $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/restaurants/y-castell-t1 ## Lounges (1) - **51° Executive Lounge** — Main Terminal · access: Terminal, paid access and airline invitations · Approximately 05:00–17:00 depending on flight schedule URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/lounges/51-executive-lounge ## Shops (12) - **51° Executive Lounge** — T1 · Lounge URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/51-executive-lounge-t1 - **ATM Global** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/atm-global - **Costa Coffee** — T1 · Food URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/costa-coffee-t1 - **Greggs** — T1 · Food URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/greggs-t1 - **Tap & Brew** — T1 · Food URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/tap-brew-t1 - **Travel Money Wales** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/travel-money-wales - **Travelex** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/travelex - **WHSmith Books** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/whsmith-books - **WHSmith** — T1 · Retail URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/whsmith-t1 - **WHSmith Travel** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/whsmith-travel - **World Duty Free** — T1 · Duty Free URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/world-duty-free-t1 - **Y Castell** — T1 · Food URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/shops/y-castell-t1 ## Parking (10) - **Airparks Cardiff** — Off airport URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/airparks-cardiff - **Airparks Meet and Greet** — Off airport valet URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/airparks-meet-and-greet - **Car Park 1** — Long stay · £15/day, £3 for up to 10 minutes, £3 for every 10 minutes thereafter/hr, £75/week · 0.3 mi URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/car-park-1 - **Car Park 2** — Long stay · £12/day, £3 for up to 10 minutes, £3 for every 10 minutes thereafter/hr, £60/week · 0.5 mi URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/car-park-2 - **Days Inn Cardiff Parking** — Hotel park and ride URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/days-inn-cardiff-parking - **Drop Off & Pick Up** — £3 for up to 10 minutes, £3 for every 10 minutes thereafter/hr · next to terminal URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/drop-off-and-pick-up - **Express Park** — Short stay · £20/day, £3 for up to 10 minutes, £3 for every 10 minutes thereafter/hr, £100/week · next to terminal URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/express-park - **Long Stay Car Park** — Official long stay URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/long-stay-car-park - **On Airport Car Parking** — Official long stay pre‑book URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/on-airport-car-parking - **Premium Parking** — Valet · £30/day, £5 for up to 10 minutes, £5 for every 10 minutes thereafter/hr, £150/week · next to terminal URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/parking/premium-parking ## Ground transport (8) - **905 Rail Link** — Bus shuttle · 5-10 min from Rhoose station to terminal · $2-5 · Timed to rail services (roughly every 30-60 min, not 24/7) URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/905-rail-link - **Great Western Railway Services** — Train · 1h50-2h from London Paddington to Cardiff Central on GWR, then ~40-45 min to the airport via Rhoose and 905 · GWR London–Cardiff roughly every 30 min in daytime URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/great-western-railway-services - **Local Taxis Cardiff** — Taxi · 25-35 min from central Cardiff depending on traffic · $25-40 from central Cardiff to the airport (typical quotes reported by locals) · On demand; pre‑booking strongly advised early morning/late night URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/local-taxis-cardiff - **National Express Coaches** — Coach · Coach journey times vary widely by origin; Cardiff Coach Station to Cardiff Central rail is ~10-20 min walk or short local bus · National Express services into Cardiff typically every 1-2 hours from major cities; no direct services to Cardiff Airport URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/national-express-coaches - **Rhoose Cardiff International** — Train · 30-35 min from Cardiff Central to Rhoose, plus 5-10 min on 905 · $5-10 from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Airport including 905 bus · About every 30 min in daytime, limited late evenings URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/rhoose-cardiff-international - **T9 Cardiff Airport Express** — Bus URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/t9-cardiff-airport-express - **Transport for Wales Services** — Train · 35-45 min Cardiff Central to Cardiff Airport including 905 · $5-10 from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Airport including 905 bus · About every 30 min daytime, hourly evenings/Sundays on rail leg URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/transport-for-wales-services - **Uber** — Rideshare · 25-35 min between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Airport by road · On demand; availability fluctuates with driver supply URL: https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/transport/uber ## Insider tips - _Time_: Security is usually cleared in under 10 minutes, so skip priority lanes unless traveling between 05:30 and 07:30. - _Avoid_: If dining post-security, expect potential delays during the TUI/Ryanair morning rush; arrive early if you crave a hot breakfast. - _Local_: Tap & Brew bar offers a lovely selection of Welsh craft ales and a calm environment rarely found in airport bars. - _Insider_: The landside arrivals area offers a quiet work spot with easy coffee access; a great alternative during busy departure times. - _Money_: Save 30-40% on car rentals by booking directly with Hertz or Enterprise rather than via airlines’ site links. - _Quiet_: For plane spotters, the area near the long-stay car park offers excellent runway views away from busy terminal sides. - _Time_: Use the 905 shuttle at Rhoose station instead of walking to the terminal; the route is longer and less luggage-friendly than it appears on maps. --- ## Live data Live arrivals, departures, and weather are not in this static reference. Fetch: - https://airport.flights/api/airport/CWL.json — JSON with current live boards + weather (12h cache) - https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/arrivals — HTML page with live arrivals - https://airport.flights/airport/cwl/departures — HTML page with live departures