Travel for Students
Please note: Students to the University should note that car parking is very limited at all campuses, particularly at the start of the autumn term. The University strongly recommends that you consider alternative travel arrangements to driving wherever possible.
All campuses are easily accessible by road and serviced by regular public transport links, with regular train services running between Merthyr and Cardiff every 12 minutes at peak times and frequent bus services between Pontypridd and Llantrisant stopping outside the Treforest campus approximately every 15 minutes. Regular train and bus services run between Pontypridd, Cardiff and Treforest. More information on all the public transport services available can be found below. For full route plans and times visit Traveline Cymru.
A shuttle bus service also runs between the Treforest and Glyntaff campuses.
Bus Travel
Shuttle Bus Travel
Train Travel
Car Sharing
Cycling
Walking
Car Travel
Parking Options
Directions to the University of Glamorgan Campuses
Bus Travel
The University’s main campuses in Treforest, Merthyr, Glyntaff and Cardiff are served by a number of bus services, including services to Church Village, Beddau, Llantrisant, Pontypridd, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff.
At the Treforest Campus, bus stops are located outside the main campus on Llantwit Road and Brook Street. Near the Glyntaff Campus, bus stops are located on Pentrbach Road and Cardiff Road. At the Merthyr College Campus there is a bus station located directly opposite the college. At the Atrium Campus there is a bus stop directly opposite the Atrium Building. At the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama there is a bus stop located along North Road.
Bus Routes and Timetables
Further details of bus routes and timetables can be obtained from Traveline Cymru
Get Cheaper Bus Travel With First
We are now part of the First Bus Corporate Travel Club. This means that if you already travel by bus, you could save money on a regular monthly season ticket. And if you don’t have a bus ticket, now might be the time to consider making the switch to bus travel.
Sign up before 31 March 2012 and get Unlimited travel across South and West Wales from less than £1.35 per day, for the next 12 months!
As part of the Glamorgan Group (UoG, RWCMD, Merthyr Tydfil College) Travel Plan and in conjunction with the First Bus Corporate Travel Club, a discount on Staff Bus Travel is available to get unlimited travel across South and West Wales.
Bus services and timetables included in the scheme can be found at First Bus Timetables
It’s easy to sign up, just call the First Bus Travel hotline on 0844 854 2569 or for more information visit First Bus Travel
Train Travel
Treforest station is just five minutes walk from the main campus and 10 minutes walk from the Glyntaff Campus.
Cardiff Queen’s Street Station is just five minutes walk from the Atrium Campus and 20 minutes walk from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Campus.
Merthyr Tydfil Station is 10 minutes walk from Merthyr Tydfil College.
There is a frequent service both southbound and northbound, with approximately five trains each hour up to Pontypridd and on to Merthyr Tydfil or Aberdare and five trains each hour to Cardiff and on to Barry, Penarth or Bridgend. Browse the latest information and travel updates online with Trainline or National Rail Enquiries
34% Discount on Annual Train Season Tickets for Glamorgan Group Students
As part of the Glamorgan Group (UoG, RWCMD, Merthyr Tydfil College) Travel Plan and in conjunction with Arriva Trains Wales, we are able to offer a 34% discount on Student Annual Train Season Tickets. Tickets are only available where Arriva Trains Wales services operate but are valid for travel on the Valley Lines route services, detailed on the Rail Map below:
Finding your individual journey prices can be found below:
Purchasing your ticket can be carried out at any staffed station within the Valley Lines route, not through the University. Once you have the price and enrolled, visit your Faculty Advice Shop to obtain a 'Discounted Annual Season Ticket Scheme’ letter. Take this letter, together with your enrolment card, a passport sized photo and your payment to any staffed station within the Valley Lines route.
The Valleys Student Railcard Offered by Arriva Trains Wales, this railcard costs £9 per year and gives 26% off all day tickets and 10% off all season tickets (i.e. weekly and monthly) on Arriva services and key Valleys & Cardiff local routes. For more information visit Arriva Trains Wales
16-25 Railcard
Costs £28 for 1 year (or £65 for 3 years) and gives 33% off fares in Britain. It is available to 16-25 year olds and mature students over the age of 26 who are in full time education. There are terms and conditions associated. It is possible to use this railcard on the Valleys trains, provided it is after 10am. For more information visit 16 to 25 Railcard
Car Sharing
Students are encouraged to arrange their own car shares as traffic and parking congestion are a regular issue at the University. Students can use the Glamlife Marketplace for finding and offering car sharing opportunities, or alternatively visit the website Liftshare.
How do I arrange a car share to travel to and from University?
Advertise Yourself
Whether you drive yourself and would like to share the cost of your commute with your fellow students, or you don’t drive and would like a lift to study, you can arrange to car share either by asking around the students on your course, or by enquiring University-wide by posting a request on the highly popular Noticeboard on Student Glamlife (just click on 'add notice’ from the front page and follow instructions).
Charge
Work out what you’d normally spend on petrol (and tolls if applicable) getting to study, and divide that by the number of people in the car. Remember to include your own share of the costs. From Cardiff to Pontypridd costs around £10-15 a week in an average car (not including tax and maintenance, but generally this is the driver’s responsibility).
Useful Information on Car Sharing
- Car sharing does not invalidate your insurance, as long as you don’t charge your passengers more than the running costs of the journey. Please do check with your insurance company however for clarification.
- You don’t have to take anyone who asks: if you’d only feel happy sharing with someone of the same sex, or someone you know, for example, just specify it in your advert.
- You don’t need to have a car to car share. If you just need a lift, advertise the fact to drivers on Glamlife and offer to pay them for the petrol.
- The University would benefit from student car sharing, the car-parks would have more space, the roads would be quieter, and as a result you may even get home quicker.
Student Voluntary Vehicle Registration Scheme
The University is creating a new Student Voluntary Vehicle Registration Scheme service for students (living both on and off campus at any of our campuses) to voluntarily register your car registration details in order to help the University contact you quickly regarding any issues that may arise with your car.
Parking (including disabled parking permits)
The University strongly recommends that you consider alternative travel arrangements to driving wherever possible. We strongly encourage all students to use public transport where possible, please see the Parking page for further information on alternative ways to travel to our campuses.
Student Car Parking Permit
For students wishing to purchase an annual parking permit please complete the Annual Parking Permit Application Form and hand it into the QPark Security Gatehouse on the Treforest Campus. (Please note this is for Treforest and Glyntaff Campuses only. Fees are subject to change, for further information contact QPark Security Gatehouse on 01443 482057)
Cycling
Cycling to the University is easy thanks to a comprehensive network of cycle and bridlepaths connecting with Treforest and Cardiff from all directions. For full details on the National Cycle Network routes visit Sustrans
Bicycle shelters and stands
Covered cycle shelters are available across the University campuses:
At Treforest Campus bike stands are located near the sports centre, Brook St entrance, Ty Crawshay, LRC, J block entrance and Glamorgan Court. Two of the Glamorgan Court shelters, and the stand by J Block are secured with lockable gates. To obtain a key for the gate, contact David Williams on 01443 483559. Free showers are available in the sports centre for cyclists.
At ATRiuM the main cycle shelter is secured with a lockable gate. To obtain a key for the gate contact the Atrium Reception Desk on 01443 668543.
At Merthyr College, Glyntaff and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama there are cycle shelters located outside the main buildings.
At Lower Glyntaff Campus we now have a SEWTA funded covered bike shelter to provide secure storage of your bike.
Showers and lockers
Showers and lockers are available to cyclists on the ground floor of Forest Hall and in the Sport Centre in Treforest. There is no charge for using the showers in either location, lockers are coin operated or available to rent from the Sport Centre upon enquiry at reception.
Purchasing a bike
The Glamorgan Group (UoG, RWCMD, Merthyr Tydfil College) has negotiated an offer with local bike outlets within close proximity of each campus/institution. It has been agreed the listed bike outlets will offer up to 15% off bikes and bike equipment to staff and student members of the Glamorgan Group who produce the documentation listed below:
- Treforest & Glyntaff Campuses:- Cyclone Cycles Limited EC.Cycles
- Atrium Campus & Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama:- The Bike Shed
- Merthyr Tydfil College:- EC.Cycles Taff Vale Cycles
Please provide University of Glamorgan Identification using your Student Enrolment Card. Subject to Terms & Conditions.
Reconditioned Bikes
Cycle Training Wales provide a selection of reconditioned bikes at a reduced rate, visit Cycle Training Wales Recycling for more information.
Student Voluntary Bicycle Registration Scheme
The Estates and Facilities Department have set up a Bicycle Database. Students that cycle to the University can register their details with a description of their bicycle, enhancing the probability of bike recovery should it be lost or stolen.
Walking
One of the most important changes everyone can make to the parking issues at the University is to walk between campuses instead of driving. The most direct route from Treforest campus to Glyntaff is:-
- Leave Treforest campus via the Brook Street entrance, and turn right down Brook Street.
- Cross over the road and at the end turn left so that you are walking towards the station.
- Go into the station and cross over the railway using the pedestrian bridge.
- Once out of the station, cross over the road and walk down Castle Street (side street with Pink Shop on the corner).
- At the end of the road, cross over (Caution: Local residents have indicated this crossing point as one where extra care should be taken) the street and use the pedestrian crossing over the River Taff.
- Once over the river, turn left following the footpath alongside the river.
- Cross over the road at the end, and bear right so that you cross the closed slip roads.
- Follow the path up through the grass verge, and at the top of this small hill, cross over the road, and take the hard right turn into Cemetery Road.
- The Glyntaff campus is on the right-hand side.
Directions to the University of Glamorgan Campuses
Cardiff Campus
View ATRiuM and surroundings in a larger map
Our ATRiuM campus is a short walk from Cardiff Queen Street station. If you use satellite navigation, Google Maps or other websites for door-to-door travel planning, you may find the postcode of ATRiuM helpful: CF24 2FN.
Treforest Campus
View Treforest campus transport map in a larger map
Treforest campus is a short walk from Treforest railway station. If you use satellite navigation, Google Maps or other websites for door-to-door travel planning, you may find the postcode of our Treforest campus helpful: CF37 1DL.
Glyntaff Campus
View Treforest campus transport map in a larger map
Glyntaff campus is a short walk from Treforest railway station. If you use satellite navigation, Google Maps or other websites for door-to-door travel planning, you may find the postcode of our Glyntaff campus helpful: CF37 4BD.
Glamorgan Sport Park
View Tyn Y Wern in a larger map
Glamorgan Sport Park is situated at Tyn Y Wern playing fields, just off the Treforest Industrial Estate, near Treforest. The facility is a short walk from a bus stop, which offers connections to Treforest, Pontypridd, Cardiff and Caerphilly. Treforest Industrial Estate railway station, on the main line between Cardiff and Pontypridd, is also within walking distance. Please note, however, that not all trains on the Pontypridd to Cardiff route stop at Treforest Industrial Estate. If you use satellite navigation, Google Maps or other websites for door-to-door travel planning, you may find the postcode of our Glamorgan Sport Park helpful: CF37 5UP.
