Settling in · Cardiff
Landing in Cardiff? Start here.
The first fortnight in Cardiff, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
104 places in Cardiff worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
101a Plassey Street, Penarth, CF64 1EL
About 4 km away
St Helen’s Roman Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3FB
About 11 km away
Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint David
Christian, Roman catholic
Charles Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GB
Bethel Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Church Street, Bedwas, CF83 8ED
About 13 km away
St Barrwg
Christian, Anglican
Church Street, Bedwas, CF83 8AX
About 13 km away
Church of St John The Evangelist
Christian, Anglican
St John's Crescent, Cardiff, CF5 1NX
About 2 km away
Canton Uniting Church
Christian, United reformed, baptist
Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF5 1GY
About 2 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
South Wales Islamic Centre
Muslim
Alice Street, Cardiff, CF10 5LB
About 2 km away
Newport Central Jam'e Masjid
Muslim
63 Stow Hill, Newport, NP20 4DX
About 17 km away
Gurdwaras
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cardiff
About 7 km away
Pontprennau Primary School, Heol Pontprennau, Cardiff, CF23 BLL, Wales
Worship services: Tue 5:30pm · Sat 3:00pm · Sat 5:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Newport
About 17 km away
Llanthewy Road Newport Gwent, South Wales NP20-4LA
Worship services: Thu 6:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 2:00pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Total Asia Food
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00
Maesglas Newport, NP20 2NS
About 16 km away
Mega Bazaar
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
143-144 Commercial Road, Newport, NP20 2PJ
About 17 km away
Newport County AFC club shop
Sports. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:30; Su off
Unit 17, Newport, NP20 1DR
About 18 km away
Macey Sports
Sports. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off; PH off
169 Caerleon Road, Newport, NP19 7FX
About 19 km away
Total Asia Food
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
7 Lyon Close, Cardiff, CF11 8TZ
About 3 km away
Asia Halal Food Store
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
49 Commercial Road, Newport, NP20 2PE
About 17 km away
Afrotropiks Groceries
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Newport NP20 1EB
About 17 km away
Food and takeaways
Vegetarian Food Studio
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-20:00
115-117 Penarth Road, Cardiff, CF11 6JU
Mattancherry
Indian,kerala. restaurant
153 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF11 9AH
Keralacafe Cardiff
Curry, indian. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Sa 12:00-14:30, 17:30-22:30
153-155 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF24 4NH
About 2 km away
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8EG
About 2 km away
Good World Chinese Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant
Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8EG
About 2 km away
The Sultan
Mediterranean, turkish. restaurant. Hours: 09:00-23:00
Stuart Place, Cardiff, CF10 5BU
About 2 km away
Bay Leaf
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 17:30-23:00
28-30 High Street, Cardiff, CF5 2DZ
About 3 km away
Glass of Bandol
Chinese. restaurant
69 Merthyr Road, Cardiff, CF14 1DD
About 4 km away
Mowgli's
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 18:00-23:30; Fr,Sa 18:00-24:00
13 Penlline Road, Cardiff, CF14 2AA
About 5 km away
The India Gate
Indian. restaurant
17 Penlline Road, Cardiff, CF14 2AA
About 5 km away
Sports and clubs
Cardiff City House of Sport
Padel, soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball, futsal. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:30
Clos Parc Morgannwg, Cardiff, CF11 8AW
About 2 km away
CF11 Fitness
Fitness, football. Fitness centre
Jim Driscoll Way, Cardiff, CF11 7HB
About 2 km away
Bedwas Leisure Centre
Swimming, football, rugby, hockey. Sports centre. Hours: Mo 08:30-21:30; Tu 07:15-21:30; We 08:30-21:30; Th 07:15-21:00; Fr 08:30-20:30; Sa 08:30-14:00; Su 08:30-15:30
Newport Road, Bedwas, CF83 8BJ
About 12 km away
Sport Wales National Centre
Badminton, netball, table tennis, squash, weightlifting, fitness. Sports centre
Sophia Close, Cardiff, CF11 9SW
Rogerstone Welfare Ground
Cricket, soccer, football, tennis, table tennis, chess. Park. Hours: Oct 24-29 08:00-18:30; Oct 30-Nov 06 08:00-17:30; Nov 07-Feb 19 08:00-17:00
Tregwilym Road, Newport, NP10 9EQ
About 15 km away
Martial Arts and Fitness Centre
Martial arts, taekwondo, kickboxing. Hours: Mo 16:30-21:00; Tu 16:15-21:00; We 16:30-21:00; Th 16:15-21:00; Fr off; Sa 10:15-15:15; Su off
135 Chepstow Road, Newport, NP19 8GE
About 19 km away
Penarth Leisure Centre
Multi, swimming, fitness, badminton, basketball, volleyball, soccer. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00; PH 09:00-19:00
Andrew Road, Cardiff, CF64 2NS
About 4 km away
Gôl Football Centres
Soccer. Sports centre
Lawrenny Avenue, Cardiff, CF11 8BR
About 2 km away
Machen Rugby Club
Rugby, rugby union. Sport club. Hours: Mo-Tu 17:00-22:00; We 17:00-23:00; Th 17:00-22:00; Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-21:00
37 Chatham, Machen, CF83 8SB
About 13 km away
Ponthir Sports Club
Cricket. Sport club
Caerleon Road, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1GA
About 22 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Castle Tackle & Bait
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo Off; Tu-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su Off
Caerphilly CF83 1FN
About 11 km away
Dave Richards Angling Supplies
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
73 Church Road, Newport, NP19 7EH
About 18 km away
Steve’s Baits
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
86 Heather Road, Newport, NP19 7QX
About 20 km away
Holton Road Angling
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
242 Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4HS
About 10 km away
Tony's Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
14 Castle Street, Caerphilly, CF83 1NY
About 11 km away
Days out and things to do
Boulders Climbing Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo 16:30-22:30; Tu,Th,Fr 12:30-22:30; We 07:00-22:30; Sa 09:30-20:30; Su 09:30-18:30
Pengam Road, Cardiff, CF24 2RZ
About 3 km away
Supakart
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:00-21:00
Newport NP19 4SL
About 19 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Grangetown Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-18:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Havelock Place, Cardiff, CF11 6PA
India Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Sa 18:00-20:00; Su 12:30-14:00,18:00-20:00
Sanquhar Street, Cardiff, CF24 2AA
Butetown Pavilion Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa off; Su off
Dumballs Road, Cardiff, CF10 5FE
About 2 km away
Penylan Library and Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 09:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Penylan Road, Cardiff, CF23 5HW
About 2 km away
Tremorfa Community Hall
Community centre
91 Tweedsmuir Road, Cardiff, CF24 2QZ
About 3 km away
Llandaff Rowing Club Boathouse
Community centre
Bridge Road, Cardiff, CF5 2PT
About 4 km away
Rumney Partnership Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Th 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Fr off; Sa 09:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Su off
Llanstephan Road, Cardiff, CF3 3JA
About 5 km away
Dusty Shed
Community centre
460 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BZ
About 5 km away
Dusty Forge
Community centre
460 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BZ
About 5 km away
Castleton Village Hall
Community centre
Marshfield Road, Castleton, CF3 2UW
About 10 km away
1223 (Caerphilly) Squadron
Community centre. Hours: Mo 18:45-21:30; Tu off; We off; Th 18:45-21:30; Fr off; Sa off; Su off
R/O Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly, CF83 1AP
About 11 km away
Trecenydd Community Centre
Community centre
Second Avenue, Caerphilly, CF83 2SN
About 12 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Curly and wavy hair
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Kurd Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:00
3 High Street, Newbridge, Caerphilly, NP11 4AG
About 21 km away
Barbers and salons
Blush Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-17:00
25 High Street, Cardiff, CF5 2DY
About 3 km away
Kelvie Men's Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
50 High Street, Cardiff, CF5 2DZ
About 3 km away
Crop Shop Two - Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-16:30
102 Glebe Street, Penarth, CF64 1ED
About 4 km away
ICE Hair Team
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-18:00; We 09:00-19:00; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off
13 Station Road, Cardiff, CF14 5LS
About 6 km away
Blonde Ambition
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-18:30
117 Park Crescent, Barry, CF62 6HD
About 12 km away
Jule's Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:30,18:00-19:00; Tu off; We-Th 09:00-17:30,18:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-16:00,18:00-19:00; Su off
Glebe Road, Trethomas, CF83 8DT
About 12 km away
Royal Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-17:30; Su off
2 Newport Road, Trethomas, CF83 8BU
About 12 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Cardiff Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Mill Lane, Cardiff, CF10 1FL
Canton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu 09:00-17:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th off; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su off; Fr 09:00-17:00
Library Street, Cardiff, CF5 1QD
About 2 km away
Cathays Branch and Heritage Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-17:00; Th 10:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Tu 10:00-18:00; Fr off; Su off
Fairoak Road, Cardiff, CF24 4PW
About 2 km away
STAR Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-18:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-15:00; Su off
Muirton Road, Cardiff, CF24 2SJ
About 3 km away
Ely & Caerau Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BT
About 4 km away
Llanedeyrn Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-18:00; We 10:00-19:00; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Round Wood, Cardiff, CF23 9PN
About 4 km away
Fairwater Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-18:00; Tu off; We 09:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Doyle Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 3HU
About 4 km away
Rhiwbina Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Su "under renovation"
Pen y Dre, Cardiff, CF14 6EH
About 5 km away
Radyr Hub
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Tu 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; We 10:00-13:00,14:00-17:30; Th off; Fr 14:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; Su off
Park Road, Cardiff, CF15 8DF
About 7 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from Cardiff
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here