Cardiff is a compact city making it very easy to get around. You won't need to bring a car with you, everything can be accessed either on foot, by bike or using public transport. Most University Residences are within walking distance of the city centre and the majority of academic buildings. Residences located further are connected by regular bus services.

Cardiff is a great city to live in but we encourage you all to look after yourselves when you go out at night. Make sure you travel home with friends or in groups after dark. You can also take advantage of our safe taxi scheme even if you don’t have any money to get home.

Walking

You can get to most things on foot so we would recommend leaving your car at home when you move to University. Parking can be difficult (and costly!) as many residential streets operate under the council permit scheme so your feet are your best mode of transport!

Cycling

Cycling is another great way to get around the city. Check out these top tips to ensure your bike is safe while you're here. You can also find out more information about protecting your bike by visiting south-wales.police.uk/. We recommend that you get your bike marked and registered for free at Immobilise.com. 

OVO Bikes

Cardiff’s on-street bicycle hire scheme is now called OVO Bikes. You can benefit from free membership and free cycle hire for up to 30 minutes per trip on standard bikes. Cyclists have a range of membership options available to them (casual, monthly or annual). Students can take advantage of free annual memberships, with 30 minutes free per trip by. You can now also hire OVO e-bikes for only £1 for a half hour. Don’t forget to return your OVO Bike to an official station. OVO e-bikes must be returned to an official Electric Station. Any OVO Bike returned outside an official station will be subject to a £10 / £20 (Standard / Electric) fine.

How to register for your free OVO Bikes membership

Public Transport

Cardiff has an affordable bus and train service for anything further afield. 

Cardiff Bus: An adult single costs just £2.00 in Cardiff city centre or you can get an all day "Day to Go" ticket for £4.00. There are also weekly and monthly options if you're planning on using the bus every day. You can pay for your travel either by cash, contactless payment or iff card. You can find out more information on paying for your fare on the Cardiff Bus website.

TfW Rail Services operates the Wales and Borders Rail Service. You can book tickets or find information relating to your journey including route maps, timetables, station information at Transport for Wales Rail .You can take the train to Cardiff Bay or Barry if you fancy a visit to the seaside. TfW Rail also covers the valley lines in case you'd like to start exploring outside of Cardiff.

Other local public transport operators include Adventure Travel, Stagecoach, Great Western Railway, and Cross Country trains.

Enterprise Car Club

Sometimes public transport just isn’t suitable for the journey people need to make – a car or van is necessary. Car clubs give you access to a vehicle without the costs and hassles that come with actually owning it. 

Residential Parking

If you do choose to bring a car to Cardiff, please be aware that some residential areas require a vehicles to be registered to a Residential Parking Permit scheme. For more information on the Council Residents Parking Scheme please visit cardiff.gov.uk or call the Councils contact centre on 02920872087. 

Residents parking permits can only be legally obtained if you permanently reside at the address being applied for and proof of residence is required. You may be required to provide additional proof that the vehicle being registered is connected to the permanent resident at the property. The Council may take legal action against any person that is found to have obtained permits fraudulently for a property that they do not reside at. 

More info