Travel & Parking

ABP Newport Marathon Festival | NEWPORT, WALES

PARKING

CITY CENTRE PARKING

Details on parking options in the city, offered by Newport City Council can be found here. Travel and parking will be extremely busy, so please arrive in plenty of time to ensure you do not miss the start of your race.

For a stress-free experience and to avoid city centre congestion, we suggest using one of our official Park & Ride services (details below).

Please note the following are not available for use due to the event:

  • Emlyn Street
  • Riverfront
  • Friars Walk Car Park

All other city centre car parks, including the Kingsway Car Park will be fully accessible (except between 08:30 – 10:30).


EVENT PARK & RIDE SERVICE 

To reduce congestion and make your day hassle-free, we’re offering two official Park & Ride services. Both provide quick access from the M4 and ensure an easy exit after the event – with no traffic headaches. The cost is £13 per vehicle.

The price includes a return bus transfer to/from the City Centre (less than a 5-minute walk from the race start/finish) for all of the passengers in your vehicle. Disabled parking spaces are also available.

Please note: the service is only available to those who have pre-booked, those arriving on foot will NOT be able to use the service.

The Park and Ride will operate between 06:00-17:00 and you must return to collect your car before 17:00 (last bus leaves at 16:40). Access to the car park will not be permitted outside these times. If you plan to stay in the city centre beyond 17:00 – we advise using alternative city-centre car parks. The first return bus from the city centre will be at 11:00.

Those using the Office of National Statistics Park & Ride will be dropped and collected near the Dolmon Theatre. Those using the Celtic Manor Park & Ride will be dropped and collected at Millennium Walk. The services will operate regularly, departing once a bus is full.

You’ll receive a reminder email on the Friday evening of event weekend confirming your booking and registration plate – show this at the car park. Print it if possible.

Allow plenty of time to park and travel to the start. Arrive early to avoid traffic and prepare stress-free. Marathon and Half runners should be on a bus by 07:30, 10K runners by 08:00.

Spaces are limited and the portal will close once full. Book early – on-the-day booking is not available.

PARK & RIDE – VEHICLE CHANGES & MISPLACED EMAILS

If you need to bring a different vehicle, you will need to change the registration plate on your booking or you will be unable to access the car park. This will need to be done by 4pm on Friday of event weekend.


TRAVEL

Please be aware that thousands of people will be aiming for the start of the race at the same time as you. Please allow plenty of time to arrive in time for the start of your race (9:00 am marathon & half marathon, 9:45 am 10K).

BY TRAIN

The race start line is a 15-minute walk from Newport railway station.

Newport railway station enjoys excellent rail connections between a number of major cities and regions within 2-3 hours travel.

With so many participants and spectators travelling to Newport over the race weekend, one of the most reliable, stress-free and cost-effective ways to travel and avoid congestion is by travelling by train in advance of race day – why not make a weekend of it?

Early Sunday morning train services are extremely limited. The first train of the day from Cardiff will get you into Newport for approximately 08:40am, which is tight with the start of the marathon race at 09:00am. This service may be suitable for 10K or Family Mile runners, but please be aware it is likely this service will be extremely busy and check for any delays or planned engineering work closer to the time. No trains from the Midlands, Bristol/South West will arrive in Newport in time for the event.

Check www.nationalrail.co.uk  or www.trainline.com for timetables and prices from around the UK.

BY CAR

When travelling by car please be aware that congestion into the city may well be possible on the day of the race and during road closures. Please leave extra time to arrive well before the race to avoid congestion and find suitable parking. We are offering a Park & Ride service (please see above for more details).

BY BUS

Coach services into the city will be affected by road closures in place for the event, so if you are travelling on the morning of the event please check with your coach provider, and note that you may be dropped off further from the city centre than usual.

Travelling to Newport by bus in the days prior to the race is cheap and easy from a number of major cities and regions. You can travel by National Express Coach from most UK cities. There are also Megabus routes into Newport from London, Swansea, Birmingham Airport, Manchester and Newcastle.

BY BIKE

Travelling by bike to the start of the race is easy, sustainable and practical if you live within a reasonable distance from Newport City Centre.

Sustrans Cymru have a number of maps, routes and advice on their website for anyone unsure of the best route into Newport.

Station Bike Storage will also be available offering safe and secure bike storage next to the entrance of Station gym in Cambrian Centre.

BY PLANE
Cardiff International Airport

The airport is situated 15km South West of Cardiff city centre. Once you’ve arrived you can travel to Newport by taxi, train or bus (via Cardiff City Centre). Taxis are located just outside the arrival hall. For train tickets and times, please check https://tfw.wales/. If you’re travelling by bus the T9 will take you to and from the airport to the Centre of Cardiff and Cardiff Bay (www.trawscymru.info/t9/).

Compare flight prices at www.skyscanner.net

Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport is a 50-minute drive from Newport or an hour on the train or bus. With regular links to Newport and a variety of European airlines flying to Bristol, the airport is a convenient and closely located option for many.

For more information on getting to and from the airport, click here.

Compare flight prices at www.skyscanner.net

Other Airports within two-three hours of Newport include London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester.