Aquabus river cruises
Aquabus runs water-taxi river cruises between Bute Park in Cardiff city centre and Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay. The boats follow the River Taff past the Principality Stadium, turning the trip between the castle and the Bay into a sightseeing outing of its own.
Photos
Stuart Mullaney
The route
Boats leave from Bute Park, in the castle grounds, and sail down the Taff past the Principality Stadium before arriving at Mermaid Quay in the Bay. In the Bay, look for the boat Hydro 1 with its white and blue flags near the Celtic Ring on Roald Dahl Plas. If you stay on board for the return leg, the full round trip takes about an hour.
Who it suits
It is an easy way for families to link the two halves of a Cardiff day without a bus or a long walk. Pushchairs are welcome, the boats are fully wheelchair accessible, and dogs and bicycles travel free, so you can cruise one way and cycle or walk back along the Taff Trail.
Making a day of it
A good plan is to visit Cardiff Castle in the morning, walk through Bute Park to the landing stage and take the boat to the Bay for lunch and the waterfront. Alternatively, start at Mermaid Quay and cruise up to the city centre for the castle and shops. Departures run regularly through the day, but check the timetable before you set out.
Highlights
- Water taxi between Bute Park and Mermaid Quay
- Passes the Principality Stadium on the River Taff
- Round trip of about an hour
- Dogs and bikes travel free
Good to know
- Tickets can be booked online; one-way, return and family fares are available.
- Boats are fully wheelchair accessible and pushchairs are welcome.
- In the Bay, the pick-up point is near the Celtic Ring on Roald Dahl Plas.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: aquabus.co.uk