How to Get to Bristol. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Major Airports for Bristol

Bristol Airport (BRS) is the main international airport for Bristol and the South West, located about 13 km (8 miles) south of the city center. It offers a good range of facilities and connections.

Connecting London Airports

London Heathrow (LHR): UK's largest, about 170 km (105 miles) east of Bristol.
London Gatwick (LGW): Second-busiest, around 220 km (137 miles) southeast.
London Stansted (STN) and London Luton (LTN): Mainly serve budget airlines for European routes.

Airlines and Routes

Bristol Airport (BRS) serves over 100 destinations, predominantly within Europe, with Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2.com as major operators. Long-haul travelers typically link through European hubs or London airports.

Seasonal Flight Availability & Tips

High Season (June-August, Christmas, Easter): Higher availability, significantly increased prices.
Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October): Good availability, moderate prices.
Low Season (November-March, excluding Christmas): Lower availability, often best prices.
Book flights several months in advance for better fares, especially during high season. Use flight comparison online platforms like Skyscanner or check airline sites directly.

Airport Connectivity

Bristol Airport (BRS) offers free Wi-Fi, different food and drink options, duty-free shopping, and currency exchange.

BRS City Transfer

The Airport Flyer Express Bus (A1 service) is the most popular option from BRS to Bristol city center (30-40 min, £9-£10 one-way).

London Airport Links

From London Heathrow (LHR), board the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line to Paddington, then GWR train to Bristol Temple Meads (1.5-2.5 hours total).

Tips for Air Travel

Saving on Flights

Consider services like Dollar Flight Club for flight deal alerts.
Book layover flights well in advance for better prices.
Be flexible with travel dates to find cheaper fares.
Consider flying into a larger European hub and connecting to BRS for unique itineraries.

Smooth Airport Experience

Arrive 2-3 hours before international departures from BRS, 1.5-2 hours for domestic.
Check-in online and use self-service bag drop if possible.
Have liquids (under 100ml in clear bag) and electronics accessible for security.
When traveling from London airports, book train or bus tickets in advance for cheaper fares.

Airport Facilities & Services

Food & Retail

Numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, duty-free shops, newsagents, and specialty stores at BRS.

Essential Services

Currency exchange, ATM machines, baby changing facilities, special assistance services, and a multi-faith prayer room.

Car Rental

Desks for major car rental companies found in the BRS terminal for convenient pick-up.

Land Transportation

Train Connections & Services

Bristol Temple Meads (BRS) is a major railway hub with excellent connections. Great Western Railway (GWR) is the main operator, connecting to London Paddington (approx. 1h 40m) and CrossCountry trains serve the Midlands and North.

Train Routes & Booking

Frequent services to Bath Spa (10-15 min) and Cardiff Central (45 min).
Book "Advance" tickets several months ahead via GWR.com or Nationalrail.co.uk for significant savings.
Consider a Railcard (e.g., 16-25, Two Together, Senior) for 1/3 off most fares if planning extensive UK train travel.

Long-Distance Bus Options

Long-distance coaches provide a more budget-friendly alternative to train travel. Bristol Bus & Coach Station serves as the main hub for these services.

Major Operators & Booking

National Express and Megabus have wide-ranging networks across the UK.
Connects Bristol to major cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff) and all major airports.
Book tickets online via operator websites or at the bus station; advance booking usually secures lower fares.

Self-Driving & Car Rental

Driving offers flexibility for exploring the region. Requirements: valid driving license (IDP needed if non-UK license is not in English), minimum age 21 (surcharge under 25), credit card for deposit.

Driving Information

Drive on the left side of the road; speed limits in miles per hour (mph).
Bristol city center has heavy traffic, one-way systems, and bus lanes.
Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in city center; older vehicles charged daily. Check Bristol.gov.uk/clean-air-zone.

Road Conditions & Safety

Roads in and around Bristol are generally well-maintained. Rural roads, especially in areas like the Mendip Hills or Cotswolds, can be narrow, winding, and sometimes steep.

Driving Safety Tips

Be extra cautious when managing a car on the left if you are accustomed to driving on the right.
Parking in the heart of the city is limited and expensive; use Park and Ride services (DiscoverCars.com).
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal and strictly enforced.

Sea/River Arrivals Limited Passenger Use

Bristol's Floating Harbour is mainly for leisure vessels and internal city transit.
It is not serve as a port for international passenger ferries or major cruise ships.
Avonmouth Docks are mainly commercial, not for passenger services.

Nearest major passenger ferry terminals for international services are further afield (e.g., Portsmouth or Plymouth).
Bristol Ferry Boats operate local services on the Floating Harbour for scenic cruises and access to waterside attractions.
Immigration procedures for international arrivals are not applicable at Bristol's harbor.

Departure Information

Airport Departure Procedures

No specific exit fees or taxes are levied directly on passengers leaving from UK airports. Air Passenger Duty (APD) is typically included in your airline ticket price.

Timing for Bristol Airport BRS

International Flights (outside UK/Ireland): Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.
Domestic Flights / Flights to Ireland / Schengen Area: Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure.
Allow sufficient time for check-in, bag drop, security screening, and passport control.

Station Departure Procedures

For train or long-distance bus departures, allow ample time to find your platform or check in and load luggage, especially during busy periods.

Timing for Train & Bus Departures

Train (Bristol Temple Meads): Arrive at least 15-20 minutes before departure.
Long-distance Bus (Bristol Bus AND Coach Station): Arrive at least 15-30 minutes before departure.
Confirm your flight or train status and departure terminal/platform before leaving.

Airport Retail

Shops, duty-free for international travelers, newsagents, and specialty stores at Bristol Airport (BRS).

Food & Refreshments

Numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars are available for departing travelers at BRS, Bristol Temple Meads, and Bristol Public TRANSPORT and Coach Station.

Airport Transfers

From Bristol Airport BRS

The Airport Flyer Express Bus (A1 service) is the most popular and convenient transfer option. It operates frequently throughout the day and night.

Details for Airport Flyer

Frequency: Every 10-20 minutes.
Journey Time: Approximately 30-40 minutes to city center.
Cost: Approximately £9-£10 one-way. Buy tickets on board or via the First Bus app.

Taxi and Ride-Share

Taxis are available outside the BRS terminal. Ride-share services like Uber and Bolt also operate from the airport.

Options and Costs

Journey Time: 20-30 minutes to city center.
Cost: Approximately £30-£45, depending on destination and time of day.
Car rental: various companies operate from the airport; collect your pre-booked vehicle directly.

London Airport to Bristol Connections

From London Heathrow LHR

Take Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line to London Paddington, after that a GWR train to Bristol Temple Meads.

From London Gatwick LGW

Take Gatwick Express/Southern Rail to London Victoria, then Underground to Paddington, then GWR to Bristol Temple Meads.

National Express Coaches

Direct coach services from Heathrow Central Bus Station and Gatwick terminals to Bristol Public TRANSPORT and Coach Station.

Seamless Travel Tips

Consider booking train or bus tickets from London airports to Bristol in advance. This often secures cheaper fares, though it may offer less flexibility.

How to Get to Bristol