Public transport in the city is by bus and the main provider is Cardiff Bus (tel: (029) 2066 6444; website: www.cardiffbus.com), which is based opposite the central bus station on Wood Street. Buses generally operate between 0530 and 2330 with reduced hours at the weekend and on public holidays. A system of colour-coded fare zones operates. Tickets are available for purchase on the bus and passengers must have the exact change. A variety of day, week or month tickets for travel either within the city limits or the wider region are available from the Cardiff Bus office. First Cymru (tel: (01792) 580 580; website: www.firstgroup.com) operates some regional bus services from 0500 to 2320. A First Day pass is available for one day of unlimited travel on all First local buses (except shuttle services) within South Wales. These may be purchased on the bus.

Local train services are run by Arriva Trains Wales (tel: 0870 9000 773; website: www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk), which operate around 0500-2430 on weekdays, starting later at the weekend and on public holidays. In addition to Cardiff Central, there are several local rail stations, including Cardiff Queen Street, Cardiff Bay and Cathays. Tickets are available for purchase at the station or on board. Those who would like to explore the region or even the rest of Wales further should consider buying a Flexi Pass (website: www.walesflexipass.co.uk), an eight-day card that entitles the holder to free travel on both buses and trains. It comes in regional and national versions.

General information on public transport throughout Wales is available from Traffig Cymru (tel: 0845 602 6020; website: www.traffic-wales.com).

All taxis can be hailed on the street, whether black hackney cabs or cars with company logos indicating that they are taxis. Alternatively, taxis can be ordered by telephone from any of dozens of firms in Cardiff, such as Black Cabs (tel: (029) 2034 3343), Central Taxis (tel: (029) 2066 6333) and Capital Cabs (tel: (029) 2077 7777). Visitors should expect to pay about £4-5 for a journey across town, plus tip of about 10 to 12% of the fare.

Driving in Cardiff is usually trouble free, although traffic becomes heavy during rush hours (Monday to Friday 0800-0900 and 1700-1800). Finding a parking space on the street can be more problematic, as many of the residential roads in the centre are for permit holders only. Although cars that contravene parking regulations may be towed away, a parking fine is more usual. There are ten or more large multi-storey car parks in and around the city centre, including three near Cardiff Central station and six more within a short walk. A park and ride bus runs on Saturday from Maritime Street on Cardiff Bay.

Regulations vary from company to company. However, in all cases drivers will require a valid driving licence to hire a car. This can usually be a national driving licence, although an International Driving Permit may be preferred if the licence is not in English. A credit card is essential. The minimum age to hire a car is 18 years, although this may be increased to 21 or 25 years, depending on the company. It is important for drivers to check the level of insurance included in the price of car hire.

In addition to Europcar, Avis and Hertz at the airport, city-based car hire companies include Avis, 14-22 Tudor Street, Riverside (tel: 0844 544 6047; website: www.avis.co.uk), 1car1.com, Unit M St Catherines Park, Pengam Road (tel: (029) 2045 0105; website: www.1car1.com) and Hertz, Bessemer Road (tel: (029) 2022 4548; website: www.hertz.co.uk).

Bicycles can be hired from Cardiff Caravan Park, Fields Park Road (tel: (029) 2039 8362). It offers easy access to Cardiff's parkland and the city centre and is close to the Taff Trail cycle route, which extends from Cardiff to Brecon with the majority of the trail (over 80km/50 miles) on traffic-free off-road paths.