LOCAL TRAVEL CARDIFF
Getting around town and to your university will most likely be done on foot, by bus, or via use of a bike on cycle routes that most university towns have. Some towns also have a subway system such as London (Underground), Glasgow (Subway), Newcastle (Tyne and Wear Metro) or Birmingham (Midland Metro). Other cities have a Tram network such as Edinburgh, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield. In these particular cities, you will find that the various modes of transportation are linked under one payment system such as is the case with the Oyster Card which can be used to access the Underground as well as any of the red public buses in London. Click on your city below and find out how to secure your preferred mode of transport.
Bike
Where can I buy or hire a bike?
You can find excellent deals on brand new or second-hand bikes online on Gumtree. With Gumtree, you can pay only on collection and in cash. So do not feel the need to advance any money to any seller even if they demand this.
If you would rather hire one, you may look to Brompton Hire.
Bus
If you are between 16-21 years old, you may want to apply for a free mytravelpass which saves 30% off each bus journey. Several operators serve the city centre, campus and surrounding areas (including Newport). They include Cardiff Bus, Stagecoach and Adventure Travel.
If you are heading into Newport, you may want to consider Newport Bus.
Plan your bus journey and routes using CITYMAPPER.
Taxi
Train
Can I get Student Discounts on Rail Travel?
Access to the rest of Wales and the wider UK is served by an extensive rail network from Cardiff Central Station. We highly recommend you apply for the 16-25 Railcard which saves you 1/3rd off the price of any rail ticket. If you are older than 25, do not worry. You can apply as a mature student. It costs only £30 for the whole year and is renewable if you are staying beyond a year. You can apply here.
Where can I buy train tickets?
Once you have got your Railcard, we recommend you use the Trainline ticketing platform to buy your ticket. You can download the app here and not only get tickets but also check timetables and updates.
REMEMBER!!! Before checking-out, make sure you include your Railcard in order for your 1/3rd discount to be applied. Also remember to carry your Railcard with you (whether physical or digital) as it will be checked on the train by the train conductor.