Newport Passport Office: Olympia House
The Wales passport office. Serves all of Wales plus the South West of England, with consistently among the shortest waits in the UK network.
In one paragraph
Olympia House, Upper Dock Street, Newport NP20 1XA. Five minutes from Newport station. Fast track GBP 166.50, premium same-day GBP 239.50. The only passport office in Wales; also a strong fallback for the South West of England. Book at gov.uk/book-a-passport-appointment.
Address and Catchment
Olympia House
Upper Dock Street
Newport NP20 1XA
- All of Wales (Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, Aberystwyth)
- Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire
- Wider South West (Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset)
- South Worcestershire and Herefordshire (when Birmingham routes route via Newport)
Olympia House is in central Newport, a few hundred metres from the train station. The walk from the station is straightforward: exit, follow Upper Dock Street, and the office is on your left.
Why South West English Applicants Often Choose Newport
Bristol residents often discover Newport is significantly easier and quicker than Globe House London for fast track and premium same-day:
| From | Newport | London Globe House | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Temple Meads | 30 min train, £10 to £20 return | 1 hr 40 min train, £80 to £180 return | Newport (much cheaper) |
| Bath Spa | 50 min train (via Bristol) | 1 hr 30 min direct | Newport (often cheaper) |
| Exeter | 1 hr 30 min train | 2 hr 5 min train | Newport (similar time, often quieter) |
| Plymouth | 2 hr 30 min train | 3 hr 5 min train | Either works |
| Swindon | 50 min train (via Bristol) | 1 hr 5 min direct | Equal; check slot availability |
Bristol travellers in particular benefit from the GBP 70 to GBP 150 train-fare saving on the round trip versus a Globe House appointment. Plus Newport tends to have shorter waits.
Getting There from Across Wales
| From | Mode | Approx return | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff | Transport for Wales to Newport | £8 to £15 | 12 minutes |
| Swansea | GWR / TfW to Newport | £25 to £40 | 1 hr 5 min |
| Aberystwyth | TfW to Cardiff, then Newport | £40 to £80 | 3 hr 30 min |
| Bangor / Wrexham | TfW via Crewe / Cardiff | £60 to £140 | 4 to 5 hours |
| Cardiff Airport | Bus T9 to Cardiff Central, then train | £15 to £25 | 1 hr 15 min |
Service Tiers
Adult fee. Child GBP 135.50. About 1 week to courier delivery.
Adults only. Collect within 4 hours.
What to Bring
- PEX reference from your application confirmation email
- Current or expired passport
- Two signed photos meeting GOV.UK photo standard
- Proof of travel for fast track or premium
- For child applications: child present, birth certificate, both parents' ID
- For name changes: marriage certificate, deed poll, court order
Olympia House requires standard security screening at reception. Allow 10 minutes for that before your appointment time.
Where to Wait During Premium Same-Day
Newport has a compact city centre with several reasonable options for the 4-hour collection window:
- Friars Walk shopping centre (cafes, retail, toilets) is 5 minutes from the office.
- Newport Market has been redeveloped into a food hall; good for lunch.
- The Riverfront Theatre and surrounding civic centre area is a short walk.
- Tredegar Park (15-minute walk) is the green-space option for fair weather.
- For overnight stays, the Holiday Inn Express Newport and Premier Inn Newport are both close. Many premium same-day applicants drive home the same day after collecting.
Booking Pattern
Generally good to excellent availability
Newport is consistently among the shortest-wait UK passport offices. Same-week slots are common even in summer. Slots get tighter in late June through August but rarely vanish more than 1 to 2 weeks ahead. November to March is genuinely quiet.