Principality stadium

[HelenHen]

I'm taking my kids to their first 6 Nations match next year.

Accommodation is already quite expensive. Is it a reasonable option to drive to Cardiff early that morning and park for the day? We won't be in a rush after the match.

If not, can anyone recommend Accommodation close to Cardiff with good transport links, that may be reasonably priced?

Finally, we've been to many club matches, and sometimes if you hang around for a while, a few players come out and sign autographs/pose for photos for kids. Does this happen at international matches?

Any other tips and suggestions would be welcome 🙏

Thank you

Thank you.

I've been to Edinburgh before for a big match. The while city was booked up. I rang some of the smaller places and they gave me other numbers to call, who in turn gave me other numbers. Eventually I found a place that way. But I went down quite the rabbit hole in the meantime... I was given numbers for ex players and all 😆 it was a very pleasant afternoon

The water taxi website is down due to the WordPress debacle, but try phoning this number for details 07500 556556.

When checking the map, look for Aquabus Pier.

Future Inn is in easy reach of the Bay, it’s 5 mins round the corner. Lots of restaurants of all kinds, plus you can take a look at the Millennium Centre (opera house) and Pier Head Building. You can take a walk over the Barrage if it’s a nice day. There is also Techniquest in the bay, a science centre for 5-15 year olds.

Alternatively you could come into town and go to Cardiff Castle (well worth a tour) or walk around Bute Park if the weather is good. The shopping Arcades are also worth a look (Victorian). The Museum is nice too, got some stuff for kids, and it’s free.

Enjoy the city OP!

The atmosphere is absolutely brilliant, but to tell the truth you get a better view (but not experience) by watching on tv. We haven't been for a couple of years as too tiring (getting old!) But it is a real experience.

Fantastic, thank you. Would those restaurants at the bay also be really busy on match day, or would it be possible to walk in somewhere?

Haha I agree... but the kids haven't experienced it yet and I want them to experience it just once. It's far too expensive to become a regular thing anyway.

We're Quins ST holders. Our guilty pleasure is getting in after a 90 minute drive back from the Stoop and switching on TNT so can see all the action at the far end of the pitch that I missed.

I hear ya 😂 I know this well. I've been to all kinds of Ireland matches, and club matches too. It's definitely tougher to follow the match in the stadium.

I've hit a bit of a glitch. Future Inn have said I will have to move the car at checkout, which is a PITA!

Now I'm weighing up either moving the car at 9am on matchday, but to where? (Easy to walk to and from Principality with kids, and easy to exit for M4 later that evening) OR pay a lot more for Premier Inn Cardiff South and not worry about parking?

Why is nothing straightforward? 😂

We tend to use match day p&r which is down in the Bay somewhere (old Toy R Us?)

Small point, but the 20mph speed limit across Cardiff is designed to xstch as many away fans out as possible

Yes, thank you for the heads up. I tend to drive like an old lady anyway if I'm not familiar with a place... but 20 is definitely extreme. You'd be quicker walking 😂

So would the P&R be an option for me from Future Inn?

On the restaurants in the Bay - you could probably walk in if you don’t mind where you go. There’s a Pizza Express, a few Italians, a couple of pubs, etc - you’d always find somewhere and I’d expect the Bay to be much quieter than town centre on a match day.

Caerphilly is a 15 minute train ride to Cardiff with a free car park at the station. Hotels will likely be less expensive in the Caerphilly area.

Thank you. That sounds good.