On foot

Cardiff may be a larger city in area compared to other Welsh cities, but it is very walkable. Much of the city center is completely pedestrianized, the results of citizen and governmental initiatives over the past 50 years. Currently many streets in the city center are either partially or completely pedestrianized, such as St Mary Street, The Hayes, High Street, and Queen Street. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Castle Street directly in front of Cardiff Castle was pedestrianized. Time will tell if that change will stick, but many Cardiff residents love the changes. The Mermaid Quay development around Cardiff Bay is completely pedestrianized as well.

By bus

Cardiff Bus (www.cardiffbus.com) is the main provider of bus transportation in Cardiff, with 52 lines serving all areas of the city. Five lines serve Cardiff Bay, and a whopping 50 of the 52 lines stop off somewhere in the city center, ranging from Principality Stadium to Central Square to Queen Street station to The Capitol Shopping Centre to St. David`s Dewi Sant Shopping Centre. For a full list of lines, with timetables and network maps, visit www.cardiffbus.com/services. Fares typically start at £2 one-way for adults, although for short distances on select lines, fares may be discounted. Fares start at £2.80 from Cardiff to Barry.

By commuter rail

Transport for Wales (www.tfwrail.wales) operates long-distance and commuter services for Cardiff and the rest of Glamorgan. As the city is so compact as it is, train rides are typically a one or two-station affair, unless your goal is to explore past Cardiff Bay and the city center. Commuter trains are based out of the Queen Street train station and go to Cardiff Bay, Treherbert, Coryton, Rhymney, Merthyr Tydfil, and Aberdare.

By taxi

It is easy to hail taxis from the street or to wait in line for one at a taxi rank. The professional London-level standard of taxi in Cardiff is going to present as a black late-model sedan, with its hood painted white, and a white light on top that says "TAXI" on the front and "CITY OF CARDIFF" and the taxi`s license number under it on the reverse. When the light is on, that means it is vacant and it can be hailed. There are taxi ranks outside Cardiff Central train station, on the opposite side of Duke Street from Cardiff Castle, and at the corner of Greyfriars Road and Park Place near the Cardiff Hilton. As far as reputable taxi companies go, Dragon Taxis (+44 29 2033 3333) and Capital Cabs (+44 29 2077 7777) come well-recommended. A typical two-to-three mile ride in Cardiff should cost about £10, not factoring in tip or any assistance with baggage. There is a £1 surcharge to taxi rides taken between midnight and 6 a.m.

By car

If there is any city in Wales that would be unfriendly to cars, it would be Cardiff. Not only is a sizable portion of the city center pedestrianized, inexpensive parking spots are at a premium. For example, parking at Cardiff train station runs £12.50 per day!

There are eight parking garages in Cardiff located on all sides of the city center where you can find cheap parking spots, but remember some garages are larger than others and offer more spots. Parking is available at these garages for £4 for up to four hours (Online pricing only; reserving a space in person is more expensive. You can purchase your parking passes in advance by going online to www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/cardiff.) Cardiff Castle and St. David`s Hall are close to the Westgate Street garage; the National Museum Cardiff and The Capitol Shopping Centre are close to Greyfriars garage; and Millennium Stadium is close to the NCP Stadium garage.

If you are picking up your rental car at Cardiff Airport, the rental car companies are located in the arrivals hall and outside next to the terminal and in the parking lot. Europcar is located in the arrivals terminal, Budget and National are located just to the side of the terminal, and Avis and Alamo are located in the parking lot.

By bicycle

Cardiff`s municipal government is very invested not just in green city initiatives but also public health initiatives, which include the promotion of walking in the city center and bicycling all over Wales`s capital. They also entered into a partnership with nextbike to offer bicycle rentals from dozens of convenient stations situated all over the city. Prices are £30 for a 24-hour bike rental, with a £5 refundable deposit fee. For more information, including a map of bike stations, visit www.nextbike.co.uk/en/cardiff.