Car finance in Cardiff

Driving in Cardiff is on the whole fairly standard, but it’s worth bearing a few things in mind before setting off:

Traffic: Cardiff can experience heavy congestion during peak hours (7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.) and on event days, especially around Cardiff City Stadium, Principality Stadium, and St. David’s Centre. Key roads such as the A470, A4232, and North Road can be particularly busy during these times. Traffic can also build up near Queen Street and Westgate Street, especially on weekends.

Road Layout: The city centre features several one-way systems and pedestrianised areas, such as around Queen Street and The Hayes, which can make navigation challenging for new drivers. Using a GPS or navigation app is highly recommended to avoid confusion and to help make sure you can quickly find parking. On the subject of parking…

Parking: Cardiff has plenty of parking options, including multi-storey car parks near St. David’s Shopping Centre, Sophia Gardens, and Cardiff Bay. Park-and-ride facilities, such as those at Pentwyn and Leckwith, offer convenient alternatives for avoiding city centre traffic. On-street parking is also available but can be limited in popular areas.

Currently, there is no congestion charge or Clean Air Zone (CAZ) fee for driving into Cardiff. However, there are some important points to consider:

Future Clean Air Zone Plans: Cardiff City Council has discussed introducing a Clean Air Zone to reduce pollution, but as of 2024, no active charges or zones are in place. Keep an eye on updates from the Cardiff City Council website for any future developments.

Parking Charges: While there’s no charge for entering Cardiff itself, parking fees apply throughout the city centre. Popular locations like Castle Street, Sophia Gardens, and Cardiff Bay have pay-and-display or multi-storey parking, with costs varying depending on the time of day.

Event Days: On event days, such as rugby matches at Principality Stadium, temporary road closures and higher parking charges in some areas may affect access and costs. So it’s well worth checking Googling whether there’s any major events on in the city centre before setting off.

Speed limits in Cardiff vary depending on the type of road and location. Here’s a breakdown to help you stay within the legal limits:

20 mph zones: Many roads in Cardiff, particularly in residential areas and the city centre, now have a 20 mph limit as part of the city’s effort to improve road safety. Areas like Cathays, Roath, and around schools or parks often have these restrictions clearly signposted.

30 mph roads: Most urban roads in Cardiff outside the 20 mph zones are set at 30 mph, including main routes such as North Road (A470) and Cowbridge Road East (A4161).

40 mph roads: Some larger roads and dual carriageways in Cardiff, such as Llantrisant Road and sections of the A48 Eastern Avenue, have a 40 mph limit.

50 mph roads: Certain stretches of the A4232 (Cardiff Bay Link Road) and the A48(M), leading out of the city, are designated at 50 mph.

National Speed Limit (60/70 mph): The national speed limit applies on rural single carriageways (60 mph) and motorways or dual carriageways outside the city (70 mph). Key routes like the M4 motorway and parts of the A470 fall under these limits.

Always check for road signs, as temporary limits may be in place due to construction or events, especially around busy areas like Principality Stadium or Cardiff Bay. Automated speed cameras and mobile speed enforcement units are active across Cardiff so it’s well worth keeping an eye on your navigation apps for regular updates and notifications.