Caerau is a former mining village north of Maesteg in Bridgend county, south Wales. It is bordered by Spelter and Dyffryn to the south, Brynheulog to the west, Caerau mountain to the east and Cymer to the north. Nearby towns and villages include Blaengwynfi, Blaengarw, Pontycymer, Britton Ferry, Port Talbot, Dyffryn, Blaengarw, Bettws, Sarn and Llangynwyd.
The village is just under 2km south of the Afan river, which runs into the sea at Port Talbot.
Although Caerau used to have its own railway station, a bus now connects it to Maesteg railway station, which has links to Cardiff Central, Cheltenham Spa, Neath and Gloucester.