Cardiff Airport Short Stay Parking

Short stay at Cardiff

At Cardiff, short stay means two things: a night or two away, and a quick stop to meet a flight.

For a short trip, Car Park 1 is the obvious choice: it is the official car park nearest departures. For a pick-up or a quick goodbye, Car Park 2 lets you stop free for a short time, which beats the paid zone outside the terminal.

Short trip prices

Eight days with our code; a short trip costs less.

Sample eight-day prices. Search at the top for your dates.

Car Park 1 for short trips

Car Park 1 is the closest self-park to departures, a walk of a few minutes.

You keep your keys, the barrier reads your plate, and there are Blue Badge bays and an assistance call point. For a night or two away, the price difference from Car Park 2 is small. See Official Car Park 1.

Car Park 2 for pick-ups

Car Park 2 is the airport's free short-stop area for the first 20 minutes.

After that, the airport charges £6 up to 40 minutes, £8 up to an hour and £10 up to two hours. For a delayed arrival, that is still far cheaper than the forecourt. See Official Car Park 2.

The drop-off zone

The terminal drop-off zone is for setting down only, and it is charged.

Since 1 July 2026, the zone costs £4.50 for up to ten minutes and the same for each ten minutes after. For anything longer than a quick goodbye, use a car park. Our drop-off and pick-up guide has the details.

Day trips and business

Cardiff's routes suit short business trips and weekend breaks.

For a same-day return or one night away, Car Park 1 puts you at check-in within minutes of parking. Express Park suits a tight schedule even better: hand over the keys and walk in.

City breaks

A long weekend is the classic Cardiff short stay.

Book Car Park 1 or Car Park 2 for the exact dates, including the evening you land. Over two or three nights the gap between them is only a few pounds, so choose on the walk you prefer.

Short stay or long stay

At most airports, short stay costs far more per day; at Cardiff, the difference is modest.

Car Park 1 and Car Park 2 are both close to the terminal. For a long holiday, Car Park 2 is better value; for a short trip, Car Park 1's shorter walk is worth the small premium.

Accessibility

The airport says dedicated parking and assistance are available in Car Parks 1 and 2, with ramp access to the terminal.

Car Park 1 also has a Special Assistance call point connected to the terminal team. Book assistance through your airline before you fly for help from the car park to the aircraft.

Meeting a flight

Check the arrival time before you leave home.

Flights are often early or late. Leave when the flight shows as landed, park in Car Park 2, and walk to arrivals. Agree a meeting point with your passenger in case phones are flat after the flight.

Turning up without a booking

Turning up is possible, but booking ahead costs less.

Booked prices are lower than the airport's turn-up rates, and our code takes 30% off the booked price. For a trip of a night or more, book online before you set off.

Security

Resellers describe barrier control, CCTV and staff patrols at the official car parks.

Take valuables with you, and do not leave bags on show, even for a short stop.

Our view

Car Park 1 for a short trip, Car Park 2 for a pick-up.

Both are run by the airport and both are close. The paid zone outside the terminal is for a quick drop only.

Changing a booking

Short trips change often, so keep the booking flexible.

Bookings made with us can be cancelled up to 72 hours before arrival. When a meeting moves or a flight time changes, amend the dates before you travel rather than paying extra on the day.

Arriving for a short trip

For a night or two, arrive with time to spare but not hours.

Cardiff is a small airport, and the walk from Car Park 1 to departures is short. Most travellers need no more than ten minutes from the barrier to the check-in queue. On a busy summer morning, allow a little more for security.

Coming back

Walk back from arrivals to the car park.

The barrier reads your plate on the way out, so there is no ticket to find. For a pick-up that runs past the free period in Car Park 2, pay the tariff as the airport's signs explain before you leave.

Short trips in winter

A dark evening landing is when a short walk counts.

Car Park 1 is the nearest self-park to arrivals, and that matters on a wet night in January. Keep a scraper in the car for frosty mornings on the plateau.

Electric cars

We could not confirm public EV charging in the car parks we sell at Cardiff.

Charge before you set off; the drive from Cardiff or Swansea is well within the range of most electric cars, and there are rapid chargers on the main routes to the airport.

Collecting family

Meeting relatives off a flight is the most common short stay of all.

Arrive a few minutes after the flight lands, park in Car Park 2 and walk to arrivals. With grandparents or young children, the dedicated spaces and ramp access in the official car parks make the walk easier. When the flight is delayed, wait in the car rather than on the kerb.

Students and term-time trips

Students heading home or back to university often travel light and on short notice.

A night or two in Car Park 1 or 2 suits a parent dropping off and collecting later. For a one-way drop, the zone outside the terminal is quick, but keep it to a few minutes.

Three tips for short stays

Small habits make short trips easier.

Book the exact dates, including the evening you land. Note which car park you used before you walk away. And check the flight before you leave to collect anyone, so you do not pay for time spent waiting.

Help from our team

Call 0333 5678 678 with your booking reference.

Our team can help with changes to a short stay booking, or with choosing between Car Park 1 and Car Park 2 for your dates.

Short stay at Cardiff: common questions