Bristol Airport (BRS)
Bristol Airport (BRS) is the UK's eighth busiest airport and the primary gateway for the South West of England, handling around 10 million passengers per year. Set on a plateau at Lulsgate Bottom in North Somerset, 8 miles south-west of Bristol city centre, it serves a broad catchment area including Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Devon, Wales and the wider South West.
The airport operates a single terminal and has seen significant passenger growth driven by easyJet and Ryanair's European network expansion. For leisure travellers from the South West, BRS avoids the need to travel to London Heathrow or Gatwick for popular European sun routes. Faro, Alicante, Malaga, Ibiza and Amsterdam are consistently among the most booked routes.
Bristol's own 1903 Lounge — named in honour of the Bristol Aeroplane Company founded in that year — is a distinctive feature, giving the airport a sense of local identity rather than the anonymous branding found at most UK regional airports.
Single terminal — all airlines in one place
⚠️ Security queues can build at BRS during peak summer periods — arrive at least 2 hours before departure in July and August.
Most popular routes
One terminal — compact and manageable
Bristol Airport operates a single terminal building. All check-in desks, security, departure gates and arrivals are in one place. Despite handling 10 million passengers per year, the terminal is relatively compact — from kerb to gate typically takes 20–35 minutes at normal times.
The terminal has undergone several expansion phases to cope with passenger growth, with further expansion plans (subject to planning approval) intended to increase capacity significantly. Current airside facilities include the 1903 Lounge, duty-free retail, a range of bars and restaurants, and departure gate areas on the upper floor.
Transport to Bristol Airport
| Airport Flyer A1 (Bristol) | ~45 min to Bristol city centre / Temple Meads · £10 single |
| Airport Flyer (Bath) | ~50 min to Bath city centre · from £11.50 single |
| Taxi to Bristol city centre | ~25–40 min · approx £30–35 |
| Taxi to Bath | ~40 min · approx £50 |
| Rideshare (Uber/Bolt) | Available · approx £25–35 to Bristol |
| Drive from Bristol | 8 miles SW · A38 South · follow airport signs |
Compare parking options
Pre-booking is essential — BRS is popular and car parks regularly sell out in peak summer. Book several weeks in advance for July and August travel.
Which airlines fly from Bristol?
Bristol Airport FAQs
Take the Airport Flyer A1 coach, which departs from directly outside the terminal and arrives at Bristol city centre (and Temple Meads railway station) in around 45 minutes. Tickets cost approximately £10 single. Taxis cost £30–35 and take 25–40 minutes. There is no direct rail link to the airport itself.
The Airport Flyer coach serves Bath as well as Bristol. It takes approximately 50 minutes to Bath city centre from the airport and costs around £11.50 single. Alternatively, taxis are available from the rank outside arrivals — expect to pay around £50 for a direct taxi to Bath.
No — Bristol Airport does not have a railway station despite many years of proposals and campaigning. The Airport Flyer coach to Bristol Temple Meads (45 minutes, £10) is the best option for connecting to the national rail network. The airport has been one of the most significant without a rail link in the UK.
The main airlines are easyJet (largest operator — extensive European and UK network), Ryanair (budget European routes), TUI (holiday charters), Jet2 (holidays and scheduled flights), British Airways (Heathrow connections and European routes), and Wizz Air (budget Central/Eastern Europe).
Yes — the 1903 Lounge (named after the founding year of the Bristol Aeroplane Company) is airside and open to any passenger for a fee. Pre-book online for the best price. Access also via Priority Pass. The lounge serves hot food, free drinks, fast Wi-Fi and has comfortable seating.
Bristol Airport has had planning approval to expand passenger capacity from around 10 million to 12 million passengers per year via terminal extensions and infrastructure works. The plans have faced environmental opposition and legal challenges over the years. Check Bristol Airport's official website for the latest update on development works during your visit.
Pre-booked Long Stay starts from around £5/day (free shuttle bus) up to £15/day for Silver Zone (walking distance). Always pre-book — on-the-day prices are much higher and car parks sell out in July and August. For a 2-week holiday, Long Stay pre-booked works out around £70 total.
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for short-haul European flights. In July and August and during school half-terms, allow 2.5 hours — security queues at BRS can be lengthy. The Airport Flyer has regular services and journey time should be factored in on top of your arrival target.