It’s easy to get here from overseas, either directly or via one of the UK’s major hubs. You can fly to Cardiff from several European cities, or cross to North or West Wales by ferry from Ireland. And we’re not far from the main London airports either.
It’s easy to get here from overseas, either directly or via one of the UK’s major hubs.
By air
Cardiff Airport has both direct routes and more than 900 connecting destinations worldwide through hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol and Barcelona.
Alternatively, you could fly to London, or one of the UK's regional international airports, continuing your journey by road or rail. London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport are less than three hours from Wales by car, coach or train. Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport are all very handy for North and Mid Wales. Bristol Airport is around an hour and a half from Cardiff by bus and train or by car.
If you have arrived at Heathrow or Gatwick airport, you can travel to Wales via rail on the London services mentioned below.
The Eurostar links Paris, Lille and Brussels with London St Pancras. From London St Pancras you can travel to the south of the country via the London Paddington services. For North and Mid Wales depart from London Euston.
National Rail Enquiries is a source of information for all passenger rail services in the UK.
By ferry
There are several ferry crossings from Ireland to Wales each day, taking less time than you might expect.
Dublin > Holyhead (2hrs)
Rosslare > Pembroke (4hrs)
Dublin > Holyhead (3hrs 15mins)
Rosslare > Fishguard (3hrs 30mins)
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Holyhead on Anglesey almost every week between May and September.
By cruise ship
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Holyhead on Anglesey almost every week between May and September. Cruise lines calling in include Royal Caribbean, Viking, Ponant, Windstar, FTI cruise line, Princess, Holland America, TUI, Silverseas, Saga and NCL.
Find out more at Cruise Wales.
Dedicated pages for overseas visitors
There are websites giving information to visitors from a number of locations. We have a Visit Wales website for visitors from Canada and USA, and a Visit Wales website in Germany in German.
The Wales.com website gives general information about Wales, with pages available in French, German, Spanish as well as English.
If you're an international visitor, the UK Government's Visa and Immigration guidance provides information for travellers requiring a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.
From November 2024, the UK Government has stopped issuing physical documents such as Biometric Resident Permits (BRPs) in order to move to a fully digital UK and Borders Immigration System. Any overseas travellers wishing to travel to the UK will now need to create a UKVI account, apply and be accepted for an eVisa before coming to the UK.
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling. Visitors can find out when they need an ETA to travel and can apply on UK Government's guide to entering and staying in the UK webpage.
For information relating to Covid-19 and travelling to Wales from outside of the UK please see the Welsh Government coronavirus guidance.
