Settling in · Caerdydd
Landing in Caerdydd? Start here.
The first fortnight in Caerdydd, 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
85 places in Caerdydd 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.
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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
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Aberthaw Road, Cardiff, CF5 4HB
About 5 km away
Llandaff Cathedral
Christian, Anglican
The Cathedral Green, Cardiff, CF5 2LA
About 3 km away
St Michael & All Angels Church
Christian, Anglican
St Michaels Close, Michaelston-le-Pit, CF64 4HF
About 5 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Buddhist temples and centres
Synagogues
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 16 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-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
7 Lyon Close, Cardiff, CF11 8TZ
About 3 km away
Food and takeaways
Good World Chinese Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant
Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8EG
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 5 km away
The India Gate
Indian. restaurant
17 Penlline Road, Cardiff, CF14 2AA
About 5 km away
Ton Thai street food cafe
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Mo, Th 16:30-21:30; Fr-Su 12:00-15:00, 16:30-21:30
2D Merthyr Road, Tongwynlais, CF15 7LF
About 8 km away
1988 Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:00-22:30; Tu Off; We-Su 17:00-22:30
Beach Road, Barry, CF64 5UH
About 9 km away
Raj Of Barry
Indian. takeaway
57 Winston Road, Barry, CF62 9ST
About 10 km away
The Clay Pit
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:30
46 Plassey Street, Penarth, CF64 1EL
About 4 km away
Golden Dragon
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo,We-Fr 17:30-22:00; Sa 12:00-14:00,17:30-22:00; Su 17:30-22:00
55 Winston Road, Barry, CF62 9ST
About 10 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
Sport Wales National Centre
Badminton, netball, table tennis, squash, weightlifting, fitness. Sports centre
Sophia Close, Cardiff, CF11 9SW
Talybont 3G pitch
Soccer, rugby. Sports centre
12 Bevan Place, Cardiff, CF14 3UX
About 3 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 3 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Driving & Vehicle Standards Agency Driving Test Centre (Cardiff Llanishen)
Driving school
Lambourne Crescent, Cardiff, CF14 5GF
About 5 km away
Community and support groups
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 Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa off; Su off
Cardiff CF10 5HW
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
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
Dusty Shed
Community centre
460 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BZ
About 6 km away
Dusty Forge
Community centre
460 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BZ
About 6 km away
Trowbridge Community Centre
Community centre
91 Caernarvon Way, Cardiff, CF3 1RU
About 6 km away
Llanrumney Hub
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:30; Su off
Countisbury Avenue, Cardiff, CF3 5NQ
About 6 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Indigo & Co
Hairdresser
494 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF5 1BL
About 3 km away
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
Cinemas and libraries
Cardiff Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu,Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00; We 10:00-18:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Su off
Mill Lane, Cardiff, CF10 1FL
Arts and Social Studies Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-21:30; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 10:00-21:30
Cathays Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
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 2 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
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
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 5 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
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 Caerdydd
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