The highly anticipated 21st annual Six Nations championship is set to be bigger and better than ever, with 3 games taking place in Wales’ capital city. Thousands of fans will descend upon the streets of Cardiff as reigning champions Wales attempt to defend their title and claim a second consecutive Six Nations victory.

Along with a bustling atmosphere, fans travelling from far and wide and plenty of Six Nations cheer, match days also mean there will be road closures and public transport alterations in place across the city. Take a look at our 6 top tips to help you travel to, from and around Cardiff on match days with ease.

1. Make a game plan

There will be 3 games taking place at the Principality Stadium during the Six Nations:

• 1st February: Wales vs. Italy (14:15)
• 22nd February: Wales vs. France (16:45)
• 14th March: Wales vs. Scotland (14:15)

On each of these days, there will be a full city centre road closure to help keep rugby-goers and others joining in the celebrations as safe as possible. This means that a number of bus operators will be running a different to normal service (for example, using different bus stops and diversion routes). There will also be queuing systems in place at train stations.

To help make your travels in and around Cardiff as smooth as possible, it is best to plan your journey in advance. We will be updating our Six Nations Disruptions page as and when we receive information from operators in the lead up to these games, but please check this page regularly in case of any last-minute alterations.  

If these or any other disruptions affect your journey, a yellow warning triangle will appear on your Journey Planner results or Timetable page.

2. Stay in the loop with the latest travel updates

We will be retweeting any updates from operators notifying customers of last-minute disruptions or delays to services on our Twitter page @TravelineCymru from 7am until 8pm. This means you can keep up to date with any additional route diversions, traffic delays or service alterations that couldn’t be anticipated in advance.

Whether you’re going to the game, watching it at a pub or just making your way around Cardiff, we also advise leaving plenty of time for your public transport journey. There is likely to be heavy congestion in and around Cardiff, as well as busier than usual public transport services.

3. Any questions? We’ve got you covered

If you need any help planning your public transport journey before the game (or even whilst making your way around Cardiff on the day), one of our friendly advisors will be on hand to help.

You can give us a ring on 0800 464 00 00 from 7am until 8pm daily for free! Our advisors can let you know what route options are available for your journey, what diversions are in place and any other information you need to make your public transport journey with ease.

With so many people expected to be in Cardiff on the day, it’s also a good idea to save our number in case you have any difficulty accessing WiFi or data.

4. Stay close!

Cardiff will be extremely busy on match days, with thousands of people expected to join the celebrations both in the stadium and in surrounding pubs and bars. This also means that bus stops and train stations will be busier than usual, so make sure you stick with friends and family throughout the day to help ensure everyone has a safe and fun experience.

This is especially true in the case of young children, who are more likely to get swept up in the large crowds. You might want to consider allocating a meeting point in case anyone in your group does get lost.

Stay close and stay safe!

5. Keep an eye on your personal belongings

When making your way through large crowds on your way to and from the game, it’s important to keep your personal belongings with you at all times. Always remember to check the area where you have been stood or sat for your phone, bag, keys and any other personal belongings (including your match tickets!) before leaving a bus or train service.

If you do lose any belongings, your best option is to contact the operator of that bus or train service directly. We have a list of operators and links to their website (with all the contact information you need) on our Useful Links page.

6. Stay aware of your surroundings

It’s always important to stay aware of what’s happening around you on public transport, particularly on train services which are often bigger and busier (especially on game days!)

If you see anything suspicious or concerning whilst travelling to or from a game, you can discretely send the British Transport Police a message on 61016. Simply let them know what’s happening, where you are and they will be on hand to offer advice and help. If it is an emergency situation, you should call 999.

If you would like to report a non-emergency crime at a later date, you can fill out a report on the British Transport Police website.

We hope you have a brilliant time celebrating the 2020 Six Nations and a safe and easy public transport journey. Come on Wales!