Trains to the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide will give you some handy tips and tricks for getting public transport to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

Scott Houghton

Published: July 7, 2025

Updated: August 13, 2026

Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, also known as the Utilita Arena Cardiff for sponsorship purposes, is the Welsh capital’s largest purpose-built exhibition hall. The hall is a multi-purpose venue that has hosted numerous national and international events, including sports, concerts, and comedy performances since its doors opened in 1993.

The arena can be found right in the centre of Cardiff City Centre. It’s only an eleven-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station, located in Central Square, which is also near Cardiff Bus Interchange. So, whether you’re travelling to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena to laugh your lungs out, see a walloping, rebel-rousing concert, or for a spot of darts, it makes sense to get there by rail, as it’s convenient, quick, and close to the arena.

This article will delve into more details about the arena, outline the best ways to get there by rail, and offer some helpful travel tips to ensure a smooth journey and help you save a few pounds.

About the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff: the essentials

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff has been used by just about every kind of event you can think of. It’s a very versatile space that can accommodate 7,500 spectators for a standing event or 5,000 for a fully seated event.

Over the years, the venue has hosted a wide range of events, including comedy performances by Lee Evans, concerts by acts such as George Ezra, Liam Gallagher, The Killers, Kylie Minogue, and The 1975. As well, it’s hosted WWE professional wrestling, Premier League Darts, and Welsh Open Snooker.

How to get to the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff by train?

Fortunately, getting to the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff is super easy, whether you’re travelling in from England, Wales, or the neighbouring area of Cardiff. It’s only a ten-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station.

Cardiff Central is a mainline train station that links Cardiff with England. The main train operators from this station are Transport for Wales, CrossCountry, and Great Western Railway. In the future, Lumo may also run services from this station. Here are some popular routes to the stadium:

1: Swansea to Cardiff Central

Two train operators can get you from Swansea to Cardiff Central: Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway. Each can take anywhere from fifty minutes to one hour and ten minutes.

2: London Paddington to Cardiff Central

The journey from London Paddington to Cardiff Central Station takes just under two hours, specifically around one hour and fifty minutes. This is when travelling with the Great Western Railway.

3: Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central

On average, it only takes about forty-five minutes to get from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central when travelling with Great Western Railway.

What to do at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff?

There’s plenty to keep you entertained around Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, as it’s slap bang in the middle of Cardiff City Centre. First of all, right beside the arena, you’ll find St David’s Dewi Sant, one of the premier shopping destinations in Wales and the third largest shopping centre in the UK. It’s a great place to go if you get to Cardiff with plenty of time to spare before your event or fancy a bite to eat before your show.

Cardiff is also packed with shopping arcades near the arena. For example, to name just a few, there are Castle Quarter Arcades, Morgan Quarter, The Hayes, and the Royal Arcade, which is even located in a Grade II listed building and opened in 1858. Many of these arcades sell a wide range of products, from big brands to medium-tier curiosities and small, independent artisanal wares.

If you’re thinking about having dinner before the big event, Cardiff has all kinds of restaurants nearby that can tickle your tastebuds. These range from Cardiff’s first Michelin star restaurant, Gorse, to top Italian staples Terra Mare and Franco Manca.

Travel tips for visiting the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff

Events of all kinds can lead to long queues, busy crowds, and sometimes frustrating delays. You’ve travelled all this way for your event, and you want to get to the arena with a minimum amount of waiting. We understand. In a big city like Cardiff, this can take some prior planning to pull off.

The best advice possible to give yourself plenty of time, just in case there are any delays or any long queues. That way, you can provide yourself with something extra breathing space and avoid a minor niggle ruining your entire night. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff advises that you get to the arena as early as you can, as sometimes there can be long queues. Which makes sense, that way, you can get to your seats smoothly and grab a drink beforehand.

When booking train tickets, it really pays to book early. You can save money by booking them before the price increases due to demand, and you can also secure the seats you want and have your route sorted, rather than waiting until the last minute and worrying. Travelling off-peak can also mean you secure a cheaper fare. This might be a good idea if you want to hang out in Cardiff before your event.

Don’t forget to add your Railcard before buying your tickets; otherwise, you could be missing out on precious savings.

Conclusion

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about visiting the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. From its central location and versatile event offerings to the convenience of reaching it via Cardiff Central Station, attending events here is made easy.

The guide also highlights nearby attractions, dining options, and shopping experiences to enhance your visit. By planning and considering travel tips, such as early ticket booking and off-peak travel, you can ensure a smooth and budget-friendly trip. Enjoy your time at one of Cardiff's premier venues, knowing you're well-prepared for a memorable experience.