Getting around Cardiff

Public transport

Cardiff Bus, (tel: +44 29 2066 6444; www.cardiffbus.com) owned by Cardiff council, is the main provider of services in and around the city. Buses run from 0500-2300. There are no night buses. You need to carry exact change to pay your fare.

Visitors can buy an iff card, a smartcard that can be loaded with money for single journeys or daily, monthly or weekly passes. You can also download the iff app, buy electronic tickets, and show your phone to pay your fare. A regular bendy bus service runs from the city centre to Cardiff Bay seven days a week.

First (tel: +44 871 200 2233; www.firstgroup.com/south-west-wales) operates regional bus services. A FirstDay pass, available on the bus, permits one day of unlimited travel on all First local buses (except shuttle services) within South Wales.

Local train services are run by Arriva Trains Wales (tel: +44 3333 211 202; www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk), which operate 0500-0030 on weekdays, starting later at the weekend and on public holidays.

Taxis

You can hail black and white taxis on the street in the city centre. There are taxi ranks at Cardiff Central Station as well as Wood Street, St Mary Street and Greyfriars Road. Taxi companies include Dragon Taxis (tel: +44 29 2033 3333) and Capital Cabs (tel: +44 29 207 7777). Cardiff Boat Tours (tel: 07445 440 874) runs commuter services between Cardiff Bay and the city centre.

Driving

Driving is relatively straightforward in Cardiff. There are park and ride services from the south, east and west, and pay-and-display car parks run by Cardiff City Council in the city centre. These include Castle Mews Car Park on North Road and Sophia Gardens Car Park on Lower Cathedral Road. Parking is also available at Havannah Street Car Park in Cardiff Bay.

Car hire

You usually have to be at least 21 years old to hire a car. Many companies apply a surcharge for drivers under 25. Overseas drivers may need an International Driving Permit if their licence isn't in English. City-based car hire companies include Avis (tel: +44 844 544 6047; www.avis.co.uk) and Hertz (tel: +44 29 2022 4548; www.hertz.co.uk).

Bicycle hire

Cardiff is a great city for cyclists. Popular routes include the leafy Taff Trail and Lloyd George Avenue, which link the city centre to Cardiff Bay. Bike hire is available from from Pedal Power, off Dogo Street (tel: +44 29 2039 0713; www.cardiffpedalpower.org), or Cardiff Bay Cardiff Cycle Tours, NosDa Hostel, Despenser Street (tel: +44 7500 564 389; www.cardiffcycletours.com).