Cost of Living in Cardiff for International Students

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, attracts thousands of visitors every day. Numerous international students also come to Cardiff to acquire higher education. There are four major institutes for higher education in Cardiff. These institutes include the University of South Wales, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. 

When international students come to Cardiff, they need to manage their living expenses. So, it will be good for them to learn about the cost of living in Cardiff in advance. So, here, you will know about some major living expenses students need to pay in Cardiff. 

Cost of Groceries 

Groceries are the major items to use for or to prepare meals. So, here, you can read about the prices of some major groceries. 

• Regular milk (1 liter): £1.30 

• Loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams): £1.14 

• White rice (1 kg): £2.05 

• Local cheese (1 kg): £7.44 

• Water (1.5 liter bottle): £1.11 

• Apples (1 kg): £2.01 

• Bananas (1 kg): £1.24 

• Oranges (1 kg): £2.99 

• Tomatoes (1 kg): £3.45 

• Potatoes (1 kg): £1.15 

• Onions (1 kg): £0.84 

• Lettuce (1 head): £0.88 

Costs of Eating Out 

Students also like to go to eat out in restaurants from time to time. So, here are the prices of meals in restaurants in Cardiff. 

• A meal in an inexpensive restaurant: £15 

• Meals for 2 people in a midrange restaurant: £60 

• McMeal in McDonalds: £7 

Rents of Accommodation 

The rent of accommodation is a major expense for students living in Cardiff. The rent depends on the housing option you choose. Like other cities, different housing options are available for international students in Cardiff. 

You can rent on-campus accommodation in Cardiff. The rent of Cardiff University accommodation starts from £132 per week, which we can take as an example of on-campus accommodation. An off-campus Cardiff student accommodation costs from £115 per week to £300 per week. 

You can also rent a private apartment room in Cardiff. The rent of a private apartment accommodation in Cardiff starts from £98 per week. There are various options available, which are lower than £450 per week. You can also get very high-priced private apartment accommodations. A high price even goes up to £4,600 per month. 

If you are willing to observe Cardiff’s culture closely, then you can choose to stay with a family in Cardiff. Many families in Cardiff provide homestays for students. You can get a homestay between £30 per night and £75 per night. 

Cost of Public Transport 

Public transport is a major expense for students, especially for students who live far from their universities. You would also like to visit significant landmarks in Cardiff from time to time. For this also, you may need public transport. Below, you can read the prices of public transport in Cardiff. 

 1. Buses 

There is a comprehensive bus service available in Cardiff. The prices include: 

2. Trains 

Local train services are also available in Cardiff. Here are the prices. 

3. Cycling 

Cardiff provides excellent cycling infrastructure to everyone. A bicycle can be bought in Cardiff for around £50-£150. You can also bicycle at the prices starting at £1 per 30 minutes. A bicycle can be rented from local services such as Nextbike. If you take a subscription of £10 per month, you can get it free for the first 30 minutes. 

4. Taxis 

• Typical fares:  

• For a short trip: £3-£4  

• For a longer trip across the city: around £10-£15 for longer trips across the city. 

Utility Bills 

You may find some utility bills covered under your accommodation rent. But, in some houses, you may have to pay for them by yourself. The total monthly cost of the basic utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage can be £231.90 if you live in an 85m2 apartment. For a mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data, you may need to pay £11.11 per month. The price of 60MBPS or more internet with unlimited data may be £30 in Cardiff.