Cardiff Central railway station

Cardiff Central is the largest railway station in Wales, located south of the city center in Butetown. The entrance hall from the 1930s features marble columns and clean Art Deco lines, while eight platforms stretch behind under a glass roof.

The first station opened in 1850 after the River Taff was redirected to create dry building ground. The current Art Deco building was inaugurated in 1934, replacing the original Victorian structure.

The main entrance still displays the initials GWR, reminding visitors of the era when the Great Western Railway carried Welsh coal to England. Today travelers pass through the hall on their way to rugby matches or shopping in the city center.

Platforms can be reached through two underground passages from either side of the tracks, with the northern exit leading to the city center. Lifts connect all levels to the trains, and both entrances remain open around the clock.

Platform 0 was added later between the original tracks and sits closer to the entrance than Platform 1. The two underground tunnels cross in the middle, allowing passengers to switch between them without returning to street level.

Location: Butetown

Official opening: 1850

Architectural style: Art Deco

Elevation above the sea: 9 m

GPS coordinates: 51.47566,-3.17919

Latest update: December 18, 2025 20:10