Travel advice for Wales v Italy game
How are you getting to today's Six Nations game in Cardiff?
Last updated 15th Mar 2024
Have you launched your military-style planning to get into Cardiff for the Six Nations Wales v Italy game this weekend?
If not, here's our round-up of how best to get into the capital on Saturday (March 16).
With the kick-off taking place at 2.15pm - there will be a full city centre road closure from 10.15am until 6.15pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely.
The M4 is expected to be very busy - please plan ahead - and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the former Toy's R Us site car park in the Sports Village.
Gates open at 12pm, those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to plan their journey and get in early. Please pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales, in particular the bag policy (no large bags permitted) before travelling into the city.
Road closures
From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans.
The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure which will take place at 10.15am until 6.15pm.
• Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
• Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
• Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment.)
• Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted.)
• The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
• Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way will be access for buses only during the times of the road closures. This is to ensure that there is reliable access for buses to the satellite points in Churchill Way.
• Additionally, Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the game finishes and up to hour after the final whistle on safety grounds for train passengers arriving and departing from the train station.
Additions:
Civic Centre: Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks.
Roads affected include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Trains
Transport for Wales will be providing additional capacity where possible on routes in/out of Cardiff on Saturday 16 March but services are expected to be very busy so please allow plenty of time for your journey.
Post-event queues for mainline rail services will be on Central Square and queues for Valleys services will be to the rear of the station. Cardiff Queen Street will close at 14:45 except for accessible access and passengers that wish to travel to Cardiff Bay
If you have any issues on the railway, please speak to a conductor or, for more serious matters, you can text the British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always call 999.
Park & Ride facilities
The event park & ride facilities will be at Toy's R Us in the Sports Village, Cardiff Bay - CF11 0JS.
The drop of point in the city centre is Callaghan Square.
The park & ride site will open shortly before 9am, with the first bus leaving at 9am. The last bus from the city centre will be at 8.30pm with the site closing soon after.
The cost is £12. Cash only.
Civic Centre Event Day Parking (Cars and Coaches)
Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre.
Cost: £20 payable on the day for cars and £30 for coaches - card payments are also now available.
Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight.
Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens
Sophia Gardens (cars)
(Approximately, 0.5 mile walk to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2).
Sophia Gardens Event Day Parking
Getting there: Exit junction 32 off the M4
Cost: £20 for cars and £30 for coaches - card payments are now available.
Parking time: Car park opens at 8.00am and closes at 12 midnight.
Please note: Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 7.00pm all vehicles are left on site at the owner's risk. Cardiff Council will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined.
Buses
Bus services will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place
Please visit the relevant bus operator's website for more information about your specific bus routes.
For Stagecoach services, please visit: Welcome to Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
For Cardiff Bus services, please visit: https://www.cardiffbus.com/principality-stadium
For NAT services, please visit: https://www.natgroup.co.uk/
National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.
Can you cycle or walk?
Those who live locally in Cardiff may want to travel by bicycle or walk. Research shows us that 52% of car trips made in the Welsh capital are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes.
We also know that 28% of Cardiff residents who currently do not cycle would like to do so.
When the roads are congested this makes cycling an even more attractive option as travel by bicycle would be quicker than a car during rush hours or during big events.
Shopping Parking
City centre car parks are also available: North Road Car Parks, St David's Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road.)
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks.
Taxis
St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the House of Fraser building) will close at 10.15am and will re-open at 6.15pm.