Ruth Haines
Wales is easily accessible from the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe, with Cardiff Airport being the largest airport in the country. There are no direct flights to Wales from outside Europe, so it's best to fly to England and continue overland. Heathrow and Gatwick are the most popular airports for international arrivals, but Manchester is considered the gateway to North Wales, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Manchester Airport, and Birmingham Airport are all convenient for North and Mid-Wales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports with direct flights to Cardiff Airport (Wales) | London City Airport (LCY), Belfast International Airport (BFS), Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) |
| Airlines that fly to Cardiff Airport from the UK | Flybe |
| Cardiff Airport's direct routes | Amsterdam, Paris, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast, Anglesey, Doha |
| Cardiff Airport's connecting destinations | Amsterdam Schiphol, Barcelona, over 900 other destinations |
| Airports with direct flights to Manchester Airport (closest airport to North Wales) | Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston |
| Airlines that fly to Manchester Airport | Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus, Singapore Airlines, PLAY |
| Airports with direct flights to Heathrow Airport | Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Jo'burg, Cape Town |
| Airlines that fly to Heathrow Airport | British Airways, Air Canada, South African Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Ethiopian, KLM, Lufthansa |
| Airports with direct flights to Gatwick Airport | N/A |
| Airports with direct flights to London City Airport | N/A |
| Airports with direct flights to Bristol Airport | N/A |
| Ferry routes to Wales | Holyhead to Dublin, Fishguard or Pembroke to Rosslare |
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What You'll Learn
Cardiff Airport from North America
Cardiff Airport has direct routes and over 900 connecting destinations worldwide through hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol and Barcelona. There are direct flights to Cardiff Airport from Amsterdam, Málaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Antalya, Dalaman, Dublin, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Faro. However, there are no direct flights to Cardiff Airport from outside Europe.
Travellers from North America have a handful of options for flying into Wales. Virgin Atlantic offers direct flights to Manchester Airport from Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, and Orlando. Aer Lingus also flies non-stop from Orlando and New York to Manchester, and Singapore Airlines operates flights between Houston and Manchester. Manchester Airport is less than an hour's drive from North Wales, making it the ideal gateway to North Wales.
Connecting flights are available to Cardiff Airport from Toronto, Vancouver, and most US cities via Ireland (Aer Lingus) and Holland (Delta - KLM). Additionally, the low-cost Icelandic carrier PLAY offers flights between Cardiff and Reykjavik from October 10 to November 20, with the option of connecting flights from North America.
When travelling to Wales from North America, it is important to note that airfares are typically highest from May to August, coinciding with the best weather in Wales. Fares drop during the shoulder seasons of September and April and further during the low season from October to March, excluding Christmas and New Year when prices surge.
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Manchester Airport for North Wales
Manchester Airport is a great option for travellers heading to North Wales. Located just 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Manchester city centre, the airport is less than an hour's drive from North Wales. The scenic A55 road will take you to many towns and landmarks in North Wales, including Bangor, Llandudno, and Anglesey.
While there are no direct trains from Manchester Airport to North Wales, you can easily reach your destination by catching a transfer in Chester. Regular train services connect Chester to Bangor, Llandudno, Rhyl, and Holyhead. Alternatively, you can take a coach from the airport to Liverpool and then travel onwards to destinations across the North Welsh coastline.
For those travelling from North America, Manchester Airport is a convenient gateway to North Wales. Virgin Atlantic offers direct flights from Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, and Orlando. Aer Lingus also provides non-stop services from Orlando and New York, while Singapore Airlines flies between Houston and Manchester. These options make Manchester a convenient entry point for exploring North Wales.
Manchester Airport is also a useful hub for travellers wishing to explore other parts of the UK. Trains operated by Transport for Wales connect the airport to Manchester Piccadilly, Crewe, Wigan, and Blackpool North, as well as Holyhead and Llandudno in Wales. With its convenient location and transport links, Manchester Airport is an ideal starting point for exploring North Wales and beyond.
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Heathrow or Gatwick for London
Wales has great international connections and is easily accessible from overseas. Cardiff Airport has direct routes and connecting flights from worldwide hubs such as Amsterdam Schiphol and Barcelona.
London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport are less than three hours from Wales by car, coach, or train. Heathrow and Gatwick are the two largest and busiest airports in London, handling the majority of long-haul and international flights. They serve as major international gateways, offering extensive connectivity. However, they cater to different traveller profiles and flight types.
If you are travelling long-haul or internationally with a major airline, prioritising speed and convenience to Central London, and seeking extensive airport facilities, Heathrow may be the preferred option. Heathrow is heavily slot-constrained, which has led to the need for alternate London airports, a role primarily fulfilled by Gatwick.
On the other hand, if you are travelling with a low-cost carrier or to a European destination, seeking cheaper flight tickets, and don't mind a slightly longer journey to Central London, Gatwick could be more suitable. While Gatwick has a full range of short intra-Europe flights, it does not have the same exposure to longer routes as Heathrow.
Therefore, when deciding between Heathrow or Gatwick for London, consider your travel priorities, such as airline preference, budget, desired flight routes, and the importance of airport facilities.
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Bristol Airport for Cardiff
Bristol Airport is located 46 miles from Cardiff, and there are several ways to travel between the two. The fastest way to get to Bristol Airport from Cardiff is to drive, which takes approximately 1 hour 2 minutes and costs $15-$22.
If you don't have access to a car, you can take the train and bus. This journey takes approximately 1 hour 19 minutes and involves taking the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads, and then taking a bus from Temple Meads Station to the Airport Terminal.
Alternatively, you can take a direct bus from Cardiff to Bristol Airport. Buses depart from Kingsway GD station and arrive at the Airport Bus Station every 15 minutes. This journey takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes and costs $10-$26.
For those who frequently travel between Cardiff and Bristol Airport, purchasing a Season Ticket for the train may be a good option, as it can save you money.
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Anglesey Airport for Cardiff
Travelling between Cardiff and Anglesey is straightforward, with a distance of 221 km between the two airports. The most popular airline for this route is Eastern Airways, which operates 4 direct flights weekly. The flight takes around 50 minutes.
If you are travelling from Cardiff, you can depart from Cardiff Airport, or Cardiff - University, Cardiff - Sophia Gardens, Cardiff - Kingsway Stop GB, or Cardiff - Kingsway Stop GQ. Cardiff Airport is the main airport in Cardiff and is also served by Heathrow, Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, and London City.
The main airport in Anglesey is Anglesey Airport, also served by Dublin, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool John Lennon, Leeds Bradford, and East Midlands.
If you prefer not to fly, there are other options for travelling between Anglesey and Cardiff. The Holyhead-Cardiff rail service offers an attractive alternative, with new rail carriages featuring Wi-Fi, comfortable workspaces, and onboard catering. This option is also better for the environment, as the air service between Anglesey and Cardiff had a more negative impact on the environment than any other form of travel between the two locations.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no direct flights to Wales from outside Europe. However, you can fly into London or Manchester and continue overland from there. London Heathrow and Gatwick are less than three hours from Wales by car, coach or train. Manchester Airport is less than an hour from North Wales by car.
London City Airport (LCY) offers nonstop flights to Cardiff Airport (CWL). Belfast International Airport (BFS) and Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) also offer direct flights to Cardiff.
You can travel to Wales by ferry from Ireland. There are several crossings from Dublin to Holyhead every day, with the quickest ferries taking just two hours. You can also take a ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard or Pembroke.
