You can get to Bristol by plane to Bristol Airport (BRS), by train to Bristol Temple Meads, or by long-distance coach to Bristol Bus & Coach Station. From London, the train is quicker, whilst the coach is usually cheaper.

Arriving by train in the evening? The Holiday Inn Express Bristol City Centre is opposite Temple Meads. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the station, and in the morning you can head into the city centre.

Flying into Bristol Airport? You’ll find specific stops, tickets and options for late-night arrivals in our guide to transport from Bristol Airport to the city centre.

Flying to Bristol

The most convenient way to visit the city is to fly directly to Bristol Airport.

It has connections to a number of European cities, particularly thanks to easyJet and Ryanair. If you’re travelling from more remote parts of Britain, it’s worth comparing domestic flights as well.

When choosing a flight, compare the total cost of your journey to Bristol. A cheaper flight to London may end up costing more once you’ve added the cost of transport, luggage and any accommodation.

Search for flights to Bristol

How do I get from Bristol Airport to the city centre?

The airport does not have a railway station. The direct A1 Airport Flyer bus runs into the city, stopping at Temple Meads and the main coach station.

We’ve set out the details in a separate section: Transport from Bristol Airport – fares, stops and the journey to the city centre.

If you have a very early flight, the Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport might be a good option. You can walk to the terminal, saving you a night-time journey from the city. For exploring Bristol itself, it’s more practical to stay in the city centre.

Is it worth flying into London?

Yes, if the price or flight time is significantly better. For a short weekend break, however, you should first compare direct flights to BRS: from a London airport, you’ll still have a few hours’ journey ahead of you.

From Heathrow Airport to Bristol

The easiest option is usually a direct long-distance coach. You don’t need to go into central London to catch a coach to Bristol.

• National Express: the journey to the centre of Bristol takes around 2–3 hours; one-way tickets start at 12,90 gbp.
• FlixBus: check their services too. When making your selection, check the arrival stop in Bristol.
• Train: There is no direct rail link from Heathrow to Bristol. You can travel via London Paddington, for example, or take the RailAir coach to Reading and then catch a train from there.
• Boarding the bus: this depends on the terminal and the specific service. When searching, select your terminal and follow the instructions on your ticket.

You can find specific departure times and ticket prices from Heathrow on the National Express website. For comparison, check out FlixBus’s offers as well.

From Gatwick Airport to Bristol

The journey from Gatwick is longer. It’s mainly worth it if the savings on the flight ticket outweigh the cost and time of the onward journey.

• National Express: also offers direct buses that go via Heathrow. Allow around 3.5–5 hours depending on the service; prices start at 18,60 gbp.
• FlixBus: be sure to check their timetable and exact arrival point for your chosen dates.
• Train: the journey requires a change, for example at Reading. Enter ‘Gatwick Airport → Bristol Temple Meads’ directly into the search engine.
• Compare prices via nationalexpress.com or flixbus.com.

For Stansted and Luton airports, check your onward journey before buying your ticket. For Bristol itself, these options are less convenient, and a cheap ticket may not necessarily mean a cheaper journey overall.

Train or bus to Bristol?

From London, the train often saves an hour or more compared to the coach. From Cardiff, the difference is smaller, so the ticket price and the location of the departure station play a bigger role.

The table below compares journeys to Bristol, not to BRS Airport.

Where are you travelling from?	Train to Temple Meads	Long-distance coach to the city
London	1.5–2 hours; from 18,40 gbp	2.5–3.5 hours; from 4,99 gbp
Birmingham	about 1.5 hours; from 13,50 gbp	2–2.5 hours; from 5,90 gbp
Cardiff	45–60 mins; from 7,50 gbp	1–1.5 hours; from 4,50 gbp
Manchester	about 3 hours; from 20 gbp	4–6.5 hours; from 8,49 gbp
Newquay	4–5 hours; from 32,20 gbp	4.5–6 hours; from 13,99 gbp
Exeter	1–1.5 hours; from 6,70 gbp	2–2.5 hours; from 6,49 gbp
Liverpool	3.5–4.5 hours; from 28,90 gbp	5–8 hours; from 14,48 gbp
Oxford	1.5–2 hours; from 13 gbp	4–5 hours; from 12,98 gbp

From Newquay and Liverpool, expect to change trains.

From Oxford, the availability of direct trains and services requiring a change varies depending on the day. For buses from Oxford and Liverpool, also check for any changes; these can significantly lengthen your journey.

The prices shown are the lowest one-way fares available for an adult without a discount card, travelling in standard class by train. They apply only to some services, usually when booked in advance. Last-minute prices may be significantly higher. When comparing prices, please also check for a booking fee. We verified these prices in November 2026.

For a short stay, I’d opt for the train, provided the price difference isn’t too great. The coach makes more sense on a tight budget or if its departure time connects better with your flight.

• Check prices and book a train ticket – thetrainline.com
• Compare bus prices via nationalexpress.com or flixbus.com.

From London to Bristol

Trains and buses depart from different parts of London, so bear this in mind when calculating your total journey time.

• Train: Direct Great Western Railway services run from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads.
• National Express: services from Victoria Coach Station arrive at Bristol Bus & Coach Station.
• FlixBus: offers several London stops. Choose a specific service based on your location and check both stations on your ticket.

Compare prices for London–Bristol trains

For a cheaper journey, compare National Express coaches from London to Bristol with FlixBus services. Base your decision on both the final price and the arrival time.

By train from other cities

Direct trains to Temple Meads also run from Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester. To visit the city centre, search for ‘Bristol Temple Meads’, not just the general name ‘Bristol’.

You can compare available trains and ticket prices for your travel dates on Trainline.

When buying a ticket, it’s worth noting the different types of ticket.

• Advance: often the cheapest option, but ties you to a specific train.
• Off-Peak / Super Off-Peak: offers greater flexibility within the permitted times, routes and operators. The search engine will show you the specific restrictions.
• Anytime: suitable if you need flexibility when choosing your travel time. It tends to be more expensive.
• Return journey: compare a return ticket with two single tickets. The more cost-effective option varies depending on the route and fare.

If you’re travelling from mainland Europe on the Eurostar, you’ll arrive at St Pancras International in London. To catch the train to Bristol, you’ll then need to make your way to Paddington; this is not a change at the same station.

You can find out how tickets work in the article ‘The London Underground’.

By long-distance coach

For a journey to Bristol, compare National Express and FlixBus. The cheaper operator varies depending on the route, day and time of departure.

• Search for National Express tickets
• Search for FlixBus tickets

The bus is mainly worth it when there’s a significant difference in price compared to the train.

From Birmingham or Cardiff, the savings can be substantial, even if the journey takes longer. From Manchester, check the journey time for each specific service carefully: there are significant differences between departures.

Choose a destination within the city. Bristol Airport, Bristol Parkway and the UWE stop are not the same as Bristol city centre. Before paying, also check the number of changes, luggage allowance and the option to change your ticket.

Where are the train and bus stations?

The main railway and coach stations are located on opposite sides of the city centre. They are not part of a single shared terminal.

Stations	Location	Who it’s suitable for
Bristol Temple Meads	south-east of the historic centre	accessible by train and connected to the A1 airport link
Bristol Bus & Coach Station	Marlborough Street, near Broadmead	long-distance coaches and the A1 airport link
Bristol Parkway	northern outskirts of the city	north of Bristol and other rail connections

Bristol Temple Meads: the main station for the city centre

From Temple Meads, it takes about 15–20 minutes to walk to the Old City or Queen Square. Expect a longer walk to the harbour and more distant parts of the city centre.

For early departures or late arrivals, the Holiday Inn Express opposite the station is a good choice. If you’d prefer to stay close to restaurants and nightlife, you should also compare hotels further into the city centre.

Bristol Bus & Coach Station: the main coach station

The bus station on Marlborough Street is used by National Express and is currently also listed as a central stop by FlixBus. The Broadmead shopping area is just a few minutes’ walk away.

The Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre is about a 5-minute walk from the station. It’s handy if you arrive late by bus or are catching an early morning connection.

With FlixBus, always check the stop specified on your particular ticket. Older guides may mention Bond Street, and some services also serve other parts of the city.

Bristol Parkway: please note that this stop is outside the city centre

Parkway is situated on the northern outskirts of Bristol. For a typical stay in the city centre, Temple Meads is more convenient, although the search engine sometimes suggests a faster or cheaper connection to Parkway.

If you already have a ticket to Parkway, continue into the city centre by train to Bristol Temple Meads, which takes about 15–20 minutes. Check whether this journey is included in your ticket or if you need an additional one.

Travelling to Bristol by car

Bristol is situated on the M4 and M5 motorways. Travelling by car makes sense mainly if you’re continuing on to the south-west of England; if you’re just staying in the city, bear in mind the cost of parking.

Before you arrive, check your hotel’s parking conditions and the rules for Bristol’s Clean Air Zone. Some older cars are charged 9 gbp per day to enter the zone. The charge does not automatically apply to all vehicles.

You’ll find things to do after you arrive in the ‘What to do in Bristol’ section.