Bristol Airport
Also known as: BRS Airport, Bristol International Airport. Formerly Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport.
Private transfer from BRSSee pricesSee pricesAbout Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport (BRS) is the airport for Bristol and South West England. It stands at Lulsgate Bottom in North Somerset, on the A38 at the edge of the Mendip Hills, about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Bristol city center, and also serves Bath, Weston-super-Mare and much of Somerset.
easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI Airways all base aircraft here, with flights to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, the Canary Islands and cities across Europe, plus domestic routes to Scotland and Northern Ireland. KLM links Bristol with Amsterdam, Aer Lingus with Dublin and Cork, and Loganair and Aurigny fly to Jersey, Guernsey and Aberdeen. The airport handled about 10.8 million passengers in 2025.
All flights use one terminal, with one security area and a single departure lounge. There are no jet bridges: passengers walk or take a bus to the aircraft. A Transport Interchange with a multi-story parking garage and the bus and coach bays stands a short walk from the terminal.
The airport has no rail link. From here most travelers head into Bristol and Bristol Temple Meads station, east to Bath, to the coast at Weston-super-Mare, across the Severn to Cardiff, or north to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Owner
Macquarie Asset Management (55% since November 2025) with TCorp, the Australian Retirement Trust and StepStone
- Passengers per year
About 10.8 million in 2025
- Runway
One, 09/27, 2,011 m (6,598 ft)
- Opened
1 May 1957, as Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport
- Based airlines
easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI Airways
Arrival tips for Bristol Airport
Flights from outside the UK and Ireland arrive at the immigration hall, where eligible passport holders can use the eGates and others wait in line at the staffed desks. Most visitors, including those from the EU and the US, need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) approved before they fly. Flights from elsewhere in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands normally skip immigration.
Bristol has one terminal, so everyone collects bags in the same baggage hall and walks through customs, by the green or red channel, into the arrivals hall. Cash machines are available across the airport.
For onward travel, follow the signs to the Transport Interchange, a short walk from the terminal: the Airport Flyer buses to Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare, the coaches to Cardiff and Birmingham, the Drop Off & Pick Up parking garage and the car rental shuttle all leave from there. Cars cannot stop on the airport roads, so pre-booked drivers meet you in the arrivals hall or at the Interchange.
The UK uses pounds sterling and is on GMT, or BST (GMT+1) in summer.
Ground transportation
The A1 Airport Flyer is the quickest public option into Bristol; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage or for Bath, Cardiff and the Cotswolds.
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Book a transfer from BRSA1 Bristol Airport Flyer
Limited-stop bus from the Transport Interchange to Bedminster, Temple Meads station, the city center and Bristol Bus Station, running daily up to every 8 minutes. It can be busy with luggage at peak times.
A3 and A4 Airport Flyers
The A3 runs to Weston-super-Mare railway station via Congresbury and Worle, and the A4 runs hourly to Bath via South Bristol, Keynsham and Saltford, with more stops than the A1.
Coach to Cardiff and beyond
National Express and Flixbus coaches leave the Transport Interchange for Newport, Cardiff and Swansea, and for Birmingham via Gloucester and Cheltenham, a few times a day.
Taxi from Bristol airport
Zoom Cars is the airport's official taxi partner, with an office on the forecourt between the Transport Interchange and the terminal. Door to door, but a line can build when several flights land.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you on arrival and goes door to door, useful for families, groups and trips to Bath, Cardiff or the Cotswolds.
Rental car
Nine rental brands share the Car Rental Centre, reached by a shuttle bus from Bay 1 of the Transport Interchange.
Terminals
Terminal
The single passenger terminal for all flights, with check-in, one security area and one departure lounge. Passengers walk or take a bus to the aircraft.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aer Lingus, Aurigny, easyJet, Edelweiss Air, Jet2.com, KLM, Loganair, Pegasus Airlines, Ryanair, SunExpress, TUI Airways
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Currency exchange
Global Exchange has bureaux de change in the check-in concourse and the departure lounge.
Cash machines
Cash machines across the airport give 24-hour access to sterling and euros.
Shops and restaurants
Shops, cafés, restaurants and bars are in the departure lounge, including World Duty Free, which offers Reserve & Collect.
Fast Track security
A paid Fast Track lane gives priority at security, booked for a set date; children under 2 go free with an adult.
Car Rental Centre
Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, Thrifty and National share the Car Rental Centre, linked to Bay 1 of the Transport Interchange by a shuttle bus every 15 minutes from 06:00 to midnight and on demand overnight.
Transport Interchange
Opened in July 2025, a short walk from the terminal, with the bus and coach bays, the Drop Off & Pick Up parking garage and a multi-story parking garage.
Lost property
The airport runs a lost property service for items left in the terminal.
Airport lounges
Escape Lounge
On the mezzanine level of the departure lounge, after security: walk through duty free toward JD Sports and take the stairs or lift. Open to passengers of any airline and class, pre-booked, from 03:30 to 19:30 daily.
Essence by Escape Lounges
A second lounge run by Escape Lounges, which Priority Pass and DragonPass cardholders can pre-book online.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Tell your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before departure that you need assistance. Passengers with assistance check in at the Special Assistance reception desk.
Hidden disabilities
Hidden disability lanyards are available at Bristol Airport for passengers who may need extra time or help.
Service animals
Assistance dogs can travel; check the airport's traveling-with-animals guidance and your airline's rules before you fly.
Parking
All parking is on site and booked through the airport.
Multi-Storey
The parking garage on the Transport Interchange, a 3 to 10 minute walk from the terminal; you keep your key.
Short Stay
An 8 to 10 minute walk from the terminal, for stays of up to about 8 days.
Mid Stay
An 8 to 15 minute walk from the terminal, for stays of 8 days or more.
Silver Zone
Long-stay parking with a regular bus to the Transport Interchange; you leave your key.
Meet and Greet
Hand over your car near the terminal, a 3 to 5 minute walk, and it is parked for you.
Drop Off & Pick Up
On the top level of the Transport Interchange, for collections of up to 10 minutes; a free Waiting Zone near the Car Rental Centre takes stays of up to an hour.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bristol airport from the city center?
Bristol Airport is about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Bristol city center, at Lulsgate Bottom on the A38. The A1 Airport Flyer bus runs to Temple Meads station and the center up to every 8 minutes, and taxis and pre-booked cars leave from the Transport Interchange.
Does Bristol airport have a train station?
No. Bristol Airport has no rail link. The nearest main station is Bristol Temple Meads, reached by the A1 Airport Flyer bus, which runs daily up to every 8 minutes. The A3 Airport Flyer also runs to Weston-super-Mare railway station. A taxi or pre-booked car is the alternative with heavy luggage.
How do I get from Bristol airport to Bath?
The A4 Bath Airport Flyer runs hourly from the Transport Interchange to Bath, via South Bristol, Keynsham and Saltford. Alternatively, take the A1 to Temple Meads and a train to Bath Spa. A taxi or pre-booked car goes door to door, usually the easiest choice with luggage or late at night.
How do I get from Bristol airport to Cardiff?
National Express coach 216 and Flixbus coaches run from the Transport Interchange across the Severn to Newport and Cardiff, a few times a day. You can also take the A1 to Temple Meads and a train to Cardiff Central. A taxi or pre-booked car drives straight there over the Prince of Wales Bridge.
How many terminals does Bristol airport have?
Bristol Airport has one passenger terminal for all flights, with one security area and a single departure lounge. There are no jet bridges, so passengers walk or take a bus to the aircraft. The Transport Interchange, with the buses, coaches and parking garage, is a short walk away.
Which airlines fly from Bristol airport?
easyJet flies the most routes from Bristol, followed by Ryanair, Jet2.com and TUI Airways, all with aircraft based here. KLM flies to Amsterdam, Aer Lingus to Dublin and Cork, Loganair to Aberdeen and Jersey, Aurigny to Guernsey, Pegasus to Istanbul, SunExpress to Antalya and Edelweiss to Zurich in season.
Where are the taxis at Bristol airport?
Zoom Cars is the only taxi company with an official partnership with Bristol Airport. Its taxi office is on the forecourt between the Transport Interchange and the terminal, and pre-booked Zoom Cars taxis use dedicated bays at the Drop Off & Pick Up parking garage on the top level of the Transport Interchange.
Where do I meet someone collecting me at Bristol airport?
Cars cannot stop on the airport roads, so drivers collecting passengers use the Drop Off & Pick Up parking garage on the top level of the Transport Interchange, a 3 to 5 minute walk from the terminal. Short stops there are charged; a free Waiting Zone near the Car Rental Centre takes stays of up to an hour.
Do I need an ETA to fly into Bristol?
Most likely yes, unless you hold a British or Irish passport or a UK visa. Visitors from Europe, the US and other visa-free countries need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), enforced since February 2026, approved before they board. It covers stays of up to six months and also applies to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Is there a lounge at Bristol airport?
Yes. The Escape Lounge is on the mezzanine above the departure lounge, after security, open daily from 03:30 to 19:30 to passengers of any airline and class who pre-book. Escape Lounges also runs the Essence lounge, which Priority Pass and DragonPass cardholders can pre-book online.
Where do I pick up a rental car at Bristol airport?
Rental cars are at the Car Rental Centre, a short bus ride from the terminal. A shuttle runs from Bay 1 of the Transport Interchange every 15 minutes from 06:00 to midnight, and on demand overnight. Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, Thrifty and National all operate there.
Is Bristol airport the same as Bristol Lulsgate or Bristol International?
Yes. The airport opened in 1957 as Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport, was renamed Bristol International Airport in 1997 and has been Bristol Airport since 2010. Its code is BRS. It is unrelated to Tri-Cities Airport near Bristol, Tennessee, in the US, whose code is TRI.
Where can I park at Bristol airport?
All parking is on site. The Multi-Storey on the Transport Interchange and Meet and Greet are closest to the terminal, Short Stay and Mid Stay are an 8 to 15 minute walk, and the Silver Zone uses a regular bus. A Drop Off & Pick Up area and a free Waiting Zone serve collections.