Official Car Park 1 at a glance
Car Park 1 is the one to choose when the walk matters more than the last few pounds. It is the official car park closest to the terminal at Rhoose, a stroll of four to five minutes to the departures doors, and you keep your keys the whole time. It costs a little more than Car Park 2 for the same eight days.
Car Park 1 is run by Cardiff Airport and sits nearest the terminal of its three official car parks. From your space it is a short, level walk to the departures entrance, with no bus to wait for.
Cameras read your number plate on arrival and the barrier rises; it does the same when you leave. Resellers describe barrier-controlled entry and exit, CCTV and regular staff patrols.
Blue Badge holders have designated bays, and a Special Assistance call point connects to the terminal's assistance team, with a sheltered waiting area nearby. Cars must fit a standard bay; trailers, commercial vehicles and minibuses are not accepted.
Where it is
Cardiff Airport sits at Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, about 12 miles south-west of the city centre. From the M4, leave at junction 33 and follow the A4232 and the A4050 past Culverhouse Cross. At the airport, follow the signs for Car Park 1.
From the barrier to the check-in queue takes around ten minutes on a normal day.
- Official Car Park 1
Nearest official car park to departures - Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan CF62 3BD
What's included
What Official Car Park 1 gives you.
Keeping the car safe
Resellers describe barrier entry and exit, CCTV and regular patrols by staff. The airport does not publish a Park Mark award for its car parks on the pages we could check, so we do not claim one. Take valuables with you.
- Barrier Entry and Exit
- CCTV and Staff Patrols
- Number Plate Recognition
- Official Cardiff Airport Car Park
Car Park 1 or Car Park 2
Car Park 2 is the cheaper official choice, a couple of minutes further out, with an optional shuttle. For a week in the sun, the saving is worth having. With young children, heavy cases or a late landing, the shorter walk from Car Park 1 is the easier trip.
Help getting to the terminal
Passengers who need assistance can use the Special Assistance call point in the car park, which connects to the team in the terminal, and wait in the shelter while help arrives. Booking assistance with your airline before you fly makes the whole journey smoother.
Coming back late
Booking terms reported by resellers give a discretionary grace period of three hours on return, after which extra days are charged at £25 a day. Amend the booking before you fly when your return date moves.
Summer at Rhoose
Cardiff is a holiday airport first. From late spring to early autumn, the morning waves to Spain, Portugal, the Canaries and the Greek islands fill the closest spaces quickly, and Car Park 1 is the first to go. Book as soon as your flights are confirmed, and leave a little extra time on the A4050 on a Saturday morning.
Who Car Park 1 suits
The shortest walk with car seats and cases.
Blue Badge bays and a call point.
No shuttle to wait for.
The price gap is small over a few nights.
For a long holiday where every pound counts, Car Park 2 is the value pick. For everything else, Car Park 1 is the straightforward choice.
The night before
Car Park 1 needs very little planning.
Standard car that fits the bay.
Yours to keep.
Opens the barrier.
Cameras read your number plate at the barrier, so the registration on your Car Park 1 booking has to match the car you drive. Bookings made with us can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking.
Departure day
From the lane to the terminal at Official Car Park 1.
- Follow the signs for Car Park 1 at the airport.
- The barrier reads your plate and lifts.
- Park, lock up and keep your keys.
- Walk straight to departures.
Home again
Back at Rhoose, the car is only a few minutes away.
- Walk back from arrivals to Car Park 1.
- Find your car.
- Drive to the exit; the barrier reads your plate.
Worth knowing
The small print for Official Car Park 1, in plain words.
A standard bay; no trailers or minibuses.
Amend before you fly.
Within 24 hours of booking, on bookings made with us.
Booking ahead costs far less than the drive-up rate.
Car Park 1 price
Car Park 1 costs more than Car Park 2 and less than Express Park on our sample prices.
| Car park | Standard, 8 days | 8 days | Each day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Car Park 1 | £88.00 | £61.60 | £7.70 |
Sample eight-day prices. Search at the top for your dates.
Book Official Car Park 1 and save up to 80% on drive-up rates. Put your dates in the search at the top; add our code for up to 30% off selected products. Bookings made with us can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking.
Get Quote NowOfficial Car Park 1: common questions
A walk of four to five minutes, straight to departures.
Yes. You park yourself and keep your keys.
Yes. There are designated bays and a Special Assistance call point linked to the terminal.
Cars that fit a standard bay. Trailers, commercial vehicles and minibuses are not accepted.
No. They are separate car parks: Car Park 1 is closer and costs a little more; Car Park 2 is a slightly longer walk for less.
Other Cardiff options
The rest of the Cardiff products we sell, priced for the same eight days.
Every Cardiff option is on our Cardiff Airport parking page. For the cheaper official car park, see Official Car Park 2.
| Operator | Car park | Type | Transfer | 8-day price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Official Car Park 2 On-Airport · Official |
Park & Walk | Walk 5–7 min, keep keys | £54.60 £6.83/day |
 |
Official Express Park On-Airport · Official |
Meet & Greet | Keys at Priority Reception | £68.60 £8.58/day |
 |
Highwayman Parking (APH Park & Ride) Off-Airport · Fonmon, Rhoose |
Park & Ride | Shuttle every 15 min | £68.60 £8.58/day |
*Sample eight-day prices. Check your own dates in the search above.