Park and ride at Cardiff
Cardiff has one park and ride: Highwayman Parking at Fonmon, now trading as APH Cardiff Park & Ride.
You drive to the site just outside Rhoose, leave your keys with staff, and ride a shuttle to the terminal. Unusually, it is not the cheapest way to park here: the airport's own Car Park 2 costs less and is a short walk.
Prices
Eight days.
| Car park | Standard, 8 days | 8 days | Each day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highwayman Parking (APH Park & Ride) | £98.00 | £68.60 | £8.58 |
| Official Car Park 2 | £78.00 | £54.60 | £6.83 |
Sample eight-day prices. Search at the top for your dates.
The Fonmon site
The car park is at Fonmon, Rhoose, a few minutes by road from the airport.
It was long known as Highwayman Parking, and many booking sites still use that name. Under APH it is sold as APH Cardiff Park & Ride. Your confirmation gives the postcode and the name to look for at the gate. See Highwayman Parking (APH Cardiff Park & Ride).
The shuttle
The shuttle takes a few minutes and runs through the day and night.
APH says it runs every quarter of an hour, 24 hours a day, except on Christmas Day. On return, wait at the pick-up point shown in your confirmation.
Keys
At Fonmon, you leave your keys with staff, who park the car.
That differs from the official Car Parks 1 and 2, where you park yourself and keep the keys. Leave the spare at home and take valuables with you.
Trailers
Park and ride is the practical choice for a trailer.
APH accepts trailers, which count as two spaces, so book twice for the same dates. The official car parks take standard vehicles only.
The official shuttle alternative
Car Park 2 has an optional shuttle of its own.
Most people walk from Car Park 2, but the shuttle helps with heavy luggage. It is the lowest price we sell at Cardiff, run by the airport, and you keep your keys. See Official Car Park 2.
Park and ride or the airport's car parks
Choose park and ride for a trailer or a staffed site; choose the airport for price and a short walk.
At most UK airports, park and ride is the budget option. At Cardiff, the airport's own car parks are so close and so reasonably priced that the independent site competes on service rather than price.
How long to allow
Allow 20 to 30 minutes from arriving at Fonmon to reaching check-in.
That covers checking in at reception, a short wait for the shuttle and the ride. On a busy summer Saturday, add a little more.
Night flights
The shuttle runs through the night, so early departures and late landings are covered.
For a flight at dawn, the shuttle avoids waiting in the dark at a bus stop; the site is staffed, and the ride is short.
Security
APH describes floodlighting, CCTV and regular patrols at Fonmon.
We report those claims as the operator's own; we have not inspected the site. The official car parks are described by resellers as barrier-controlled with CCTV and patrols.
Families
With children, the shuttle adds a step at each end.
Car Park 2 or Car Park 1 may be easier, with a short walk and no loading on and off a bus. For a family with a trailer or a roof box, Fonmon is the better fit. We bring the options together on our Cardiff long stay parking page.
Our view
Book Highwayman for a trailer or a staffed site; otherwise the airport's Car Park 2 is better value.
Both are close to the terminal and both are open around the clock.
Arriving at Fonmon
Turn off for Fonmon before you reach the airport and use the postcode in your confirmation.
Check in at reception, hand over the keys and take the shuttle. The site is signed from the lane; allow a few extra minutes the first time you go.
Coming home
After arrivals, wait at the shuttle pick-up point shown in your confirmation.
The next shuttle is never long, and the ride back to Fonmon is short. Staff return your keys, and you drive away.
Drivers from the Vale and the west
Fonmon sits on the Rhoose side of the airport.
For drivers coming along the coast from Llantwit Major, Bridgend or further west, it is a natural stop on the way in. For those coming from Cardiff and the M4, the airport's own car parks are on the route too.
In winter
A staffed site helps on dark evenings.
The shuttle takes you straight back to the car, and staff are on hand. Keep a scraper in the car; frost is common on the higher ground above the coast.
Why the name changed
Highwayman was a local name for the Fonmon site before APH took it on.
Both names refer to the same car park. Booking sites differ in which they use, so do not be surprised to see both.
Booking
Search your dates at the top of the page.
The code takes up to 30% off Highwayman and other selected products we sell at Cardiff. Bookings made with us can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking. We keep the current code and the saving at each car park on our Cardiff parking discount codes page.
What park and ride means here
Park and ride usually means a large site some way from the airport, with a bus.
At Cardiff, the one park and ride site is close to the runway, so the ride is short and frequent. It is more like a staffed car park with a shuttle than the long transfers found at big airports, and it keeps the car off the airport for those who prefer that.
Changes and cancellations
Bookings made with us can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking.
When a return flight moves, amend the booking so the dates match. Staff at Fonmon can help on the day, but an amendment in advance is simpler and avoids extra charges.
Groups travelling together
Two cars, one trip: park and ride can suit groups.
Families travelling in two cars can park together at Fonmon and share the shuttle. Book each car separately, with its own registration, because the gate staff check both.
Packing for the shuttle
The shuttle is short, but luggage still has to go on and off.
Pack so each person can carry their own bag, and keep travel documents in hand luggage rather than in a case in the hold of the shuttle. Staff can help with heavy items.
Help from our team
Call 0333 5678 678 with your booking reference.
Our team can help with changes to a Highwayman booking and with questions about any other Cardiff product we sell.
Park and ride at Cardiff: common questions
Yes. Highwayman Parking at Fonmon, now APH Cardiff Park & Ride, runs a shuttle to the terminal.
Every quarter of an hour, 24 hours a day, except Christmas Day, per APH.
Five to seven minutes.
Not on our sample prices: Car Park 2 costs less. Park and ride suits trailers and drivers who want staff to park the car.
Yes, an optional one, though most people walk.
Ready to book? The search at the top compares every Cardiff product we sell. Cancel free within 24 hours of booking. Booking in advance can save you up to 80% on drive-up prices.