All systems By city South Wales Metro
Tram-train and urban rail, in delivery
South Wales Metro
The Valley Lines north of Cardiff are being rebuilt into a metro: electrified, re-signalled, and worked by tram-trains that can run on both street-style light rail and heavy rail track. Parts are complete and running at metro frequencies, parts are still under construction, so the experience varies noticeably by line.
Which ticket should you buy?
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Ticket options
Single, Cardiff local
£2.70
Best for Short trips within the city
Covers Cardiff Central, Queen Street and the city stations.
Single, Valleys to Cardiff
£6.90
Best for Merthyr, Aberdare or Treherbert into the city
Varies by distance; the Valley lines are long.
Cardiff Day Ranger
£7.30
Best for A day around the capital
Unlimited travel on rail across the Cardiff area.
Valleys Day Explorer
£13.80
Best for Exploring the Valleys by rail
Covers the full Core Valley Lines network for a day.
Multiflex, 12 journeys
From £27.00
Best for Part-time commuters
Twelve singles bought together at a discount, used within a month.
Fares checked May 2026. Confirm on the operator’s own fares page before you buy.
Where you tap
There is usually nothing to tap. Board first and buy from the conductor when you are asked.
Is the day ticket worth it?
Comparing the Single, Cardiff local at £2.70 with the Cardiff Day Ranger at £7.30, travelling within Cardiff. The day ticket becomes the cheaper choice from your third journey onwards.
| Journeys in a day | Singles cost | Against the day ticket |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £2.70 | £4.60 cheaper |
| 2 | £5.40 | £1.90 cheaper |
| 3 | £8.10 | 80p more |
| 4 | £10.80 | £3.50 more |
How to pay
- Contactless at Cardiff-area gatelines
- The Transport for Wales app for mobile tickets
- Ticket machines at staffed stations; conductors on board elsewhere
Concessions
- Under 5s travel free.
- Children 5–15 pay half the adult fare.
- Residents of Wales aged 60 and over travel free on local buses, though not on these rail services.
Worth knowing
- Frequencies differ a lot by line — the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr routes have been upgraded most, so check before assuming a turn-up-and-go service.
- Cardiff Queen Street, not Central, is the interchange for most Valley Lines services.
- On a match or event day the network is extremely busy and ticket barriers at Central are managed one way; allow far more time than usual.
Photos
Common questions
- How much is a single on the South Wales Metro?
- The cheapest single listed is £2.70 (Single, Cardiff local).
- Is a day ticket worth it on the South Wales Metro?
- It pays for itself on your third journey. The Cardiff Day Ranger costs £7.30 and the Single, Cardiff local £2.70, so 3 singles come to £8.10.
- Do I need to tap out on the South Wales Metro?
- There is usually nothing to tap. Board first and buy from the conductor when you are asked.
- Can I pay with a contactless card on the South Wales Metro?
- Yes. Contactless at Cardiff-area gatelines.
- What do children pay on the South Wales Metro?
- Under 5s travel free.