How to get to Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is at the far end of south-west Wales, and travel takes longer than the map suggests. The usual routes are a drive from Cardiff Airport (CWL) or Bristol Airport (BRS), a train from Cardiff Central to Tenby or Haverfordwest, or a ferry from Rosslare in Ireland to Fishguard.
Visitors from Germany and the USA normally need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the UK instead of a visa. It costs £20 since 8 April 2026, is valid for several trips for up to 2 years or until the passport expires, and is not a guarantee of entry. Once you are there, a car makes the coast easier, but the summer buses work for walkers. See Pembrokeshire tours if you prefer a guided day.
Our pick: coach from Heathrow to Cardiff
A simple first leg if you land at Heathrow, with the onward journey to Pembrokeshire still to plan.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and transfers in Pembrokeshire
Guided day trips, boat tours and activities once you arrive, with current prices and availability.
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
The closest airport for most visitors.
Cardiff Airport has the code CWL. Airlines and routes change, so check current flights. From the airport, Tenby is about 87 miles by road and Haverfordwest about 91 miles. Plan on roughly 2 hours either way. Traffic, route and the time of day change this, so treat it as a planning figure.
Cardiff Airport is not Cardiff Central station. If you go on by train, allow time for the transfer between the two.
Taxi and transfer from Cardiff Airport (CWL)
Door to door, with no fixed price to quote.
A taxi or private transfer from CWL to Pembrokeshire is a long ride of roughly 2 hours. There is no standard fare, so ask for a fixed price before you book and confirm what it covers. A transfer suits a group or a late arrival. For a solo traveller, car hire or the train is often simpler to compare.
If you book a private transfer, give the flight number so the driver can follow delays, and check the pick-up point before you land.
Car hire and parking
Why many visitors drive.
Car hire at Cardiff Airport has its own rental building near the Short Stay car park. Availability and prices depend on the date, so book early for summer.
Tenby in summer
From 6 July to 11 September 2026, the walled town runs access zones from 11:00 to 17:30 each day. Different permits apply, so do not assume that the whole town is car-free or that you can drive up to a hotel.
Tenby multi-storey
From 1 May 2026 floors 1 to 3 charge round the clock. Summer rates run from 1 March to 31 October and start at £1 for 1 hour, rising to £10 for 24 hours. A winter tariff applies from 1 November.
Martin's Haven
For Skomer, the car park costs £4 for up to 3 hours and £8 for the day. Members of the National Trust park free. See the Skomer Island page.
Compare rental car prices at Cardiff Airport (CWL) for the drive to Pembrokeshire on Economybookings.com.
Bristol Airport (BRS)
A second option with a longer drive.
From Bristol Airport to Tenby it is roughly 133 miles, about 2.5 hours by road without traffic. Check which transfer options run on your day. Car hire has its own Car Rental Centre, reached by shuttle from Bay 1 of the Transport Interchange. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 06:00 to midnight and at night on request. Not every hire company is in the terminal.
Trains and ferries
By rail from Cardiff, by sea from Ireland.
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff Central to Haverfordwest | About 2.5 hours | Direct trains run, Transport for Wales |
| Cardiff Central to Tenby | About 2 hours to 2 hours 50 minutes | A summer 2026 example runs 06:44 to 09:34 on weekdays |
| Rosslare to Fishguard | 3 h 15 to 3 h 30 | A day sailing runs 14:00 to 17:30 |
| London to Tenby | – | Check the timetable for the day, do not assume a direct train |
For most visitors from outside Wales, flying into Cardiff and hiring a car gives the most freedom, and the train suits anyone who is staying in Tenby or Haverfordwest and plans day trips on foot or by bus. Always check the day's timetable before you book. Rail replacement buses can run for works or weather.
Getting there: common questions
What is the nearest airport to Pembrokeshire?
For most visitors, Cardiff Airport (CWL). Bristol (BRS) is a second option with a longer drive.
How long is the drive from Cardiff Airport to Tenby?
Roughly 2 hours by road. Traffic and the route change this.
Is there a direct train from Cardiff to Tenby?
Trains run from Cardiff Central to Tenby and Haverfordwest. Journey time is about 2 hours to 2 hours 50 minutes to Tenby, so check the day's timetable.
Do I need an ETA to visit Wales?
Visitors from Germany and the USA normally need an ETA instead of a visa. It costs £20 and is valid for up to 2 years or until the passport expires.
Can I arrive by ferry from Ireland?
Yes. The ferry runs from Rosslare to Fishguard in about 3 h 15 to 3 h 30. Read the Fishguard page for the town and port.