What you should know before hiring a car in Cardiff
| Cardiff city centre | ||
| Cardiff Airport (CWL): 9 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Cardiff: practical information
Where to rent a car in Cardiff
Cardiff is the perfect city to step off from if you're spending your holidays in Wales. South Wales is at your fingertips, so is the coast with exciting towns and beaches within easy reach when you choose a Cardiff car hire for your holiday in Cardiff. If you're arriving on flights to Cardiff, then the most logical place to pick up your rental is at the airport. There are several car hire companies in Cardiff located at the airport including Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Enterprise and National Alamo.
You can also choose from Cardiff car rentals which are located in the city centre, or close to your hotel. In and around Millenium Stadium you'll find Avis, J&H Hire and Enterprise. There is a Budget located next to Grangetown Station. Europcar is located further down Penarth Road, closer to the river and the Grangetown Link.
Driving in Cardiff: parking and other tips
The general rule in Cardiff is that if you can afford to park in the city centre then do it. There are plenty of spaces and you won't have any trouble finding a centrally-located lot with available parking for your discount car hire in Cardiff. It can however be expensive. Even driving in the city centre isn't as cumbersome as other places around the UK, even more so during off-peak hours. There are three main car parks in the city centre: Castle Mews, North Road and Sophia Gardens. For up to 2 hours expect to pay £3, for more than 6 hours it's £8 at the Castle Mews lot. If you're parking all day, it's better to head to the North Road Car Park, it only costs £5/day.
It's also possible to park on-street in central Cardiff. Just drop the appropriate change in the Pay & Display meter. You need to pay from Monday to Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm and on Sundays 10:00-5:00pm. If you're staying at a hotel located in the city centre, then it's better to leave your one way car hire in Cardiff parked there and only use it when you plan to get out of the city.
Remember if you are crossing the bridge going in and out of Cardiff, the toll is £5.40 and can only be paid for in cash.
Road trips from Cardiff: what to do, what to see
Coastal towns
Let's go to the seaside! There are some very quaint seaside towns just outside of Cardiff which make for cool days out with your cheap Cardiff car rental. To the southwest of the Vale of Glamorgan, you'll find Penarth and Barry, which are totally Victorian in a very fashionable way. To the west is also Cowbridge, another Victorian town worth checking out.
Glamorgan Heritage Coast
Just 10 miles to the west of Cardiff is the stunningly beautiful Glamorgan Heritage Coast. It stretches all the way from Ogmore-by-Sea to Llantwit Major. The shore is flanked by cliffs, with great views across the Bristol Channel. The driving route itself is very scenic. It's worth packing a picnic lunch to eat on the way.
Hereford
Hereford is a beautiful and historic city along the Wye River, just 50 miles away. Curious travellers with a hankering for sights that are likely to be found in the English Heritage directory will love Hereford. The cathedral was built in 1079 and houses an original map of the world, drawn in the 13th century. There's also an incredible library there as well as an Elizabethan house downtown that has been perfectly preserved.