Bristol Airport (BRS) BRS: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Bristol Airport

Get straight from Bristol Airport to the city centre without dither—booking your ticket in advance means you can zoom through the airport and be on your way to the city. We, at Omio, have collected information on the facilities that you have after landing, and the main places worth stopping at in the city centre to make planning your trip easier.

Travel from Bristol city center to Bristol Airport

Bristol is a famous maritime city, but also has close connections with aviation, with planes built at nearby Filton since 1910. Bristol Airport opened in 1957 on the site of an old RAF base and is now the main hub for air transport in the West Country. It is also the only UK airport owned by the pension fund of schoolteachers in Ontario. Passengers heading out to the airport from Bristol city center can take Airport Flyer Express buses day and night taking  a little over half an hour to reach the terminal. The airport bus service is well integrated with local bus and train connections in central Bristol.  For passengers in a hurry, a taxi journey can sometimes save the day, although they are equally vulnerable to occasional congestion on the main route to the airport.   

What's the best way to get to the airport from the city center?

The Airport Flyer Express bus service is the quickest option for travel from Bristol city center to Bristol Airport. The service operates 24 hours a day, with five or six departures an hour at peak times. The Airport Flyer departs from the bus station  in the center of Bristol and stops at Temple Meads rail station en route to the airport, via the Bedminster region of the city.  First Group AirConnect  departures from the city center via Bedminster offer alternative bus connections to the airport. Taxi services are a more expensive option but offer faster journey times to the terminal for travelers who are running late for their flight departure. 

How far is it from the city center to the airport?

Bristol Airport is located at Lulsgate Bottom on North Somerset, about eight miles (13 kilometers) southwest of Bristol city center.  Airport Flyer Express and AirConnect bus services take around 35-40 minutes to complete the trip to the terminal. The bus route heads out from the city center via Bedminster on the A38 Bridgwater Road and is subject to congested traffic conditions at peak times, notably in the late afternoon and early evening. Taxis from the city center can usually make the trip in 20-30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. 

What facilities are there at the airport?

Bristol Airport is the principal hub for the West Country and offers most of the facilities expected of a modern international airport.  There are long and short stay parking lots close to the terminal, currency exchange desks,  an on-site hotel and ATMs.  There is step-free access to the main terminal. Dining options include New York Italian cuisine, Mexican street food, a traditional British pub, fast food chains, soup and sandwich stores, a bakery and coffee shops. In addition to duty free shopping outlets there are fashion boutiques, sports stores, electronics stores, news vendors and book shops. Business facilities at the airport include executive lounges and free WiFi.  

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

All vehicles on the Airport Flyer Express bus service to Bristol Airport are wheelchair accessible with folding wheelchair ramps and raised kerbs at the stops to allow easy boarding.  At the airport, the special assistance desk is in the Arrivals concourse opposite Cafe Ritazza. There is also a special assistance reception area at the Silver Zone car park. Passengers who have requested assistance can use a dedicated lane through security. The terminal has elevators between levels, and accessible bathrooms, including  the Changing Places facility designed for passengers with limited mobility.  

Local tips: how to travel to the airport like a local

Airport Flyer Express bus transfers are the most convenient way to reach the airport, with connections available from the city's main bus station and rail terminus. The buses are equipped with ample luggage space and depart at frequent intervals, so there is rarely a long wait for the next service. Return tickets are valid for a month and provide a notable saving on two single tickets. Airport Flyer tickets also allow a local area bus connection within the Bristol Inner Zone. Taxis are the most expensive option for airport transfers, but might be a necessary Plan B when time is at a premium.