- What is the nearest train station to the Principality Stadium?
- Popular train routes to the Principality Stadium
- Buy tickets to the Principality Stadium
- Hotels near the Principality Stadium
Catching the train to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff couldn't be easier—with the city's main station literally just across the road, you'll be walking through the gates in minutes.
Built in 1999, this 74,000-capacity stadium sits right in the heart of the Welsh capital. While it's commonly known as the Millennium Stadium, these days the official name is the Principality Stadium. It's the proud home of the Wales national rugby team and also hosts concerts by some of the biggest names in music.
Whether you're heading to watch the rugby or to see your favourite singer or band perform, this guide covers everything you need to know about train travel to one of the region's most iconic venues. We'll show you the best routes from cities like Bristol, Birmingham, Coventry and London, plus all the practical details on fares, journey times and even where to stay.
Photo by Dominic Nelson
What is the nearest train station to the Principality Stadium?
Cardiff Central is the nearest station to the Principality Stadium and—at 0.2 miles away—it really couldn't be closer. Exit the station onto Central Square, head left towards the riverfront, and you're practically there. Although it's literally on the station's doorstep, don't forget the capacity is 74,000 people, so be sure to allow at least an hour to enter the ground for a rugby game or concert. There may be designated crowd-control routes in operation on event days.
As a major transport hub, Cardiff Central is served by Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry, with direct trains from major cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester. You can also reach other parts of the Cardiff area as well as many other regional stations, including Swansea and Bristol.
As one of Wales’s biggest transport hubs, the station's got everything you need, from cafés and shops to waiting areas and toilets. If you're a wheelchair user, you'll be pleased to know there is full step-free access via lifts and ramps to all platforms. Transport for Wales runs the station, and the ticket office opening times are Monday to Saturday from 05:40 to 21:30 and Sunday from 07:30 to 21:30.
The address is Cardiff Central Station, Central Square, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF10 1EP.
Popular train routes to the Principality Stadium
Bristol to the Principality Stadium trains
With just 50 miles separating these two major cities, catching the train from Bristol to Cardiff is quick, easy and affordable. Whether you're going for scrums or guitar riffs, there are frequent direct trains from Bristol's 2 major stations.
For the quickest journey, Bristol Parkway's your best bet—catch the once-per-hour Great Western Railway service that heads towards Carmarthen and you'll reach Cardiff within 30 minutes. From Bristol Temple Meads, it's a still-speedy 45 minutes with trains leaving every half hour, also with Great Western Railway.
Ticket prices cost between £15 and £18, but you could pay less if you have a Railcard. First Class is available on these services, giving you bigger seats with plug sockets, USB ports, extra legroom and a guaranteed table.
The earliest departure is 07:25, arriving at 08:00, giving you plenty of time to have a look around the city. For a 3 pm rugby game, the 12:58 from Bristol Parkway will get you in with enough time to soak up the atmosphere and take your seats before the first kick. Gates generally open at 5 pm for concerts, so if you're keen to catch the support acts, you'll want to take the 14:57 from Bristol Temple Meads.
Getting back is easy too. The last train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Parkway leaves at 21:18, while to Temple Meads it's 22:47. If you're going for a concert and don't want to miss the encore, you may want to consider booking a hotel in Cardiff for the evening. Otherwise, you'd need to leave a little early to catch the train.
Buy train tickets from Bristol to the Principality Stadium
Coventry to Principality Stadium trains
The train from Coventry to Cardiff takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes with a straightforward change at Birmingham New Street for most journeys. You'll catch West Midlands Trains to Birmingham, then hop onto a CrossCountry service straight through to Cardiff Central. Some services also stop at Bristol Parkway along the way, so you might have two changes instead of one.
First Class is available on the CrossCountry leg between Birmingham and Cardiff, where you'll enjoy reclining seats and a guaranteed table.
Prices for this 100-mile trip vary quite a bit—anywhere from £30 to £90 for a single, depending on when you travel and how far ahead you book. Luckily, you can knock a few pounds off the cost with split tickets. This means booking your Coventry to Birmingham and Birmingham to Cardiff legs separately. Do so, and you could get an off-peak single ticket for as low as £25. Don't forget, Trip.com automatically applies this discount for you.
If you want to queue for the front row of the concert and get within touching distance of your favourite band or singer, the earliest departure from Coventry is 06:45. This will get you into Cardiff by 09:25. For a 3 pm rugby game, the 11:45 from is perfect.
To travel back from Cardiff to Coventry on the same day, the latest train you can take leaves at 21:36. If you take this, you'll change in both Bristol and Birmingham before reaching home at 00:35. This works perfectly for a rugby game but is a little too early for a concert. Luckily, at the bottom of this page, you'll find a selection of hotels to stay the night.
Buy train tickets from Coventry to the Principality Stadium
Birmingham to the Principality Stadium trains
Whether you're heading for tries or tambourines, frequent direct trains from Birmingham to Cardiff make this 100-mile journey a cinch. CrossCountry operates hourly services from Birmingham New Street direct to Cardiff, getting you to the Principality Stadium in around 2 hours flat. If you want reclining seats and more comfort to get you in the mood for the rugby or the show, First Class is also available.
There are quick 1-stop routes, too, in case you want a wider choice of departure times. You can take the CrossCountry service towards Paignton, hop off at Bristol Parkway and connect onto the Great Western Railway train towards Carmarthen. This route also takes just 2 hours to Cardiff Central.
Ticket prices for either route range from £20 to £80, with the best deals available when booking off-peak fares in advance. If you're a super keen rugby or music fan and want to make a day of it, the earliest 2-hour departure is at 07:30 and will get you in at 09:25. There is an earlier service, but it takes 3 hours. Heading for an afternoon game? The 12:30 service is spot-on for a 3 pm match. For a concert, take the 14:30 departure and you'll be rolling in with half an hour to spare before the gates open.
The last direct train back from Cardiff to Birmingham leaves at 21:45, giving you plenty of time for post-rugby drinks and dinner. Your favourite artist will still be belting out tunes at that time, though, so think about booking a hotel if you're attending a concert.
Buy train tickets from Birmingham to the Principality Stadium
London to Principality Stadium trains
While it's further than Twickenham for a rugby game, travelling from London to Cardiff for the Principality Stadium is actually really easy. That's because Great Western Railway runs direct services from London Paddington to Cardiff Central, getting you to the Welsh capital in just 1 hour 50 minutes. With trains leaving every 30 minutes to Wales, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to departures.
Fares range from £32 to £110, with average prices around £80 for last-minute bookings. Don't forget, you generally always save when you book in advance and travel off-peak.
The first sensible departure is at 06:48 from Paddington, getting you in at 08:39 and just in time for a spot of breakfast. There's no need to leave so early, though—the 12:13 train is perfect if you're attending a 3 pm game. Great Western Railway offers First Class on their trains to Wales with reclining seats ideal for kicking back and watching the countryside whiz by outside.
The last train back from Cardiff to London leaves at 21:20 and gets in just after midnight. With frequent services and a super-quick journey time, it's perfectly doable as a rugby day trip from the capital. You'll want to think about staying the night if you're attending a concert, though.
Buy train tickets from London to the Principality Stadium
Photo by Visit Wales
Buy tickets to the Principality Stadium
Take a tour of the Principality Stadium and explore this iconic ground without the crowds. You can peek around the players' locker room, feel like a rugby star as you walk through the tunnel, and even step into the VIP box.
Hotels near the Principality Stadium
If you're travelling to a concert from cities farther afield, you'll want to think about booking a hotel in Cardiff. That way you can see the whole show without having to cut things short to dash off to the last trains. Why not make a city break out of it, too? Wales’s capital is surprisingly cosmopolitan and on Trip.com you'll find a huge selection of hotels at amazing prices.