A Welsh giant on and off camera

Ready to impress its 1.3 million passengers, Cardiff Airport is the biggest airport in Wales and has been named the UK’s second fastest growing airport.

If you tuned into ITV Cymru Wales’ Broadcast of ‘The Airport’ back in 2014, you’ll know that Cardiff Airport was the star of the show revealing all its fantastic features and £3 million upgrades.

Over the years this friendly airport has been the home for a number of flying clubs and small aviation operators. They’ve worked with helicopters, Cardiff Wales Flying Club and even introduced a flying school, perfect for aspiring pilots.

See the world with Cardiff Airport

Holiday the way you want to, take the whole family or book a spontaneous last minute holiday from Cardiff Airport. The choices are endless, especially with over 50 direct routes and 900 connecting destinations.

You could be spending a week or two soaking up the sun in Cyprus or a few days of nonstop partying in Ibiza. The sky’s your limit and to top it all off, this trusty airport only works with first-class tour operators you know and love. Your holiday needs will be catered to by big names like TUI and First Choice, get ready for those All Inclusive dreams to come true.

From tax-free goodies to scrumptious treats

Since the Welsh Government took ownership in 2013, the customer experience has continued to evolve. So you can expect your holidays from Cardiff Airport to be bigger and better than ever.

Huge improvements were made to their one and only terminal, providing you with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience and delectable dining. Not to mention a cheeky introduction to even more flight routes.

Once you’ve coasted through airport security, you’ll get a warm Welsh welcome by the customer service team. In fact, Cardiff Airport has a habit of going above and beyond. Make sure you take advantage of the handy features like the Buy Now, Collect on Return service.

That’s right, follow the lingering smell of your favourite fragrances in order to find Nuance Tax and Duty Free and leave the purchases you don’t want to take on holiday with you at the airport. Don’t worry, they’ll be stored safely and waiting for you upon your return.

It gets more tempting with shops like Fat Face, Superdry, Ray Ban gracing the terminal. After all, if you’ve bagged yourself a cheap holiday from Cardiff Airport, you may have a few extra pennies spare.

All that spending can work up an appetite. Grab a coffee from Caffee Ritazza or head straight for a homely meal at The Beer House. But, if you find yourself running to the departure gates on an empty stomach, Caffi Cwtch has your back with a grab-a-bite and eat-on-the -go menu.

Once you’ve picked up a good book from WH Smiths, you’ll need the ideal area to sit back and unwind. With that in mind, the Executive Lounge is the spot to escape thanks to the free Wi-Fi, private wash rooms and a light selection of complimentary snacks and alcoholic drinks on tap.

Easy access to Cardiff Airport

Blast those holiday tunes in the car and start your journey to Cardiff Airport in high spirits because when you pop postcode CF62 3BD into your sat nav, it couldn’t be easier to get there.

The airport is close to Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, west of Cardiff and just 15 minutes away from junction 33 on the M4. Sat-nav died? Don’t worry about getting lost, there’ll be plenty of signs leading you in the right direction.

There’s a free drop off area for those of you taking loved ones to the airport and also dedicated car parks to suit your travel needs. Spending a weekend in Rome? Look out for the short stay car park. If you’re heading on a two-week trip to the Caribbean, you’ll need to park in the long stay area.

Running every hour, you’ll find the rail link which connects you from Cardiff Central and Bridgend station to the airport. There’ll then be a short shuttle bus service which will take you directly to the terminal doors.

We know when you find a sensational All Inclusive holiday from Cardiff Airport it can be tempting to bring the whole gang. That’s why this airport came prepared with a coach service for over 40 people.

Alternatively you can get a bus which is just as easy and convenient, with good connections between the airport and Cardiff city centre. Just look out for the Cardiff Airport Express Bus Service.

Add some peace of mind

Despite the plenty of ways to get to Cardiff Airport, it’s always nice to have some peace of mind and get to the airport early. The day before is even better, you’ll also be able to revel in the perks of a night’s stay of a close-by hotel like Holiday Inn Express.

It couldn’t be more convenient, no early morning alarms or tackling that pesky traffic. Just a good night’s rest, a bar at your fingertips and some tasty treats, it’s also handy if you get hit with any delays because unlike everyone else, you’re in the comfort of your spacious hotel room.

If you want to get to know Cardiff city centre a bit more, you can always stay in one of the nearby B&Bs. Choose the Premier Inn or a cosy pub room in the Three Horseshoes, just 10 minutes away from the National Museum of Cardiff. Extend your holiday with a fun hotel stay.