The quick answer
Take the Airport Flyer A1 towards Bristol. It serves Bedminster, the Temple Meads area and the city centre, terminating at Bristol Bus Station. Adult tickets cost £9.50 ≈ €11.35 single or £16.00 ≈ €19.11 return.
The service runs day and night, except on Christmas Day. Allow around 30 to 55 minutes to the bus station, depending on the departure time, followed by the journey to your accommodation. Waiting times and traffic can make the trip longer.
After landing, the main question is where to get off. A hotel near Temple Meads, an address in the Old City and somewhere to stay in Clifton each involve a different final leg. Find your address before boarding the bus.
Which option should you choose?
| Option | Price | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| A1 · adult | £9.50 ≈ €11.35 single £16.00 ≈ €19.11 return | Solo travellers or couples staying within easy reach of its stops. |
| A1 · group | £32.00 ≈ €38.22 return for up to five people | Family or friends travelling together; compare the total price for your group. |
| Official taxi | Fare quoted | For a direct journey to your accommodation, lots of luggage or an address far from a bus stop. |
Taxi journey times and prices depend on your address and traffic. You receive a quote before booking.
Taking the Airport Flyer A1
- Follow the signs for transportFrom the terminal, follow the signs to the Transport Interchange. Look for ‘Airport Flyer A1 — Bristol’ and the bay shown on the departure screens that day.
- Check the destination before boardingSeveral buses serve the airport. The A1 is the route you need for this journey to Bristol city centre; other services have different routes and destinations.
- Choose the right ticketSingle, return or Group Return: compare before buying. Tickets are available in the First Bus app, on the Flyer website and from the driver.
- Plan the final legFind your accommodation’s address on a map and choose the best stop. In the city centre, stops can differ by direction of travel.
The advertised frequency can be as high as one departure every eight minutes, but don’t rely on that throughout the day: buses run less often at night. Check the First Bus timetable for departures on your travel date.
Official A1 tickets and route map
See ticket options, the route and purchase links on the airport’s Airport Flyer page.
How much do tickets cost?
| A1 ticket | Single | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £9.50 ≈ €11.35 | £16.00 ≈ €19.11 |
| Child aged 5–15 | £6.50 ≈ €7.76 | £9.50 ≈ €11.35 |
| Accompanied child under 5 | Free | Free |
| Group Return, up to 5 people | — | £32.00 ≈ €38.22 for the group |
The group ticket can offer good value if several of you are travelling. Three adults pay £32.00 ≈ €38.22 instead of £48.00 ≈ €57.33 for a return journey. Two adults and two children aged 5–15 also pay £32.00 ≈ €38.22 with this option, compared with £51.00 ≈ €60.91 for individual tickets.
For two adults, both options cost £32.00 ≈ €38.22, so the group ticket brings no saving. Check the expiry date on your ticket for the return journey, especially if you are staying for close to a month.
Where can you buy tickets?
You can get your tickets ready in the First Bus app before leaving the terminal. To buy on board, have cash in pounds sterling or a contactless payment method ready. Some foreign cards may be declined; First does not include American Express in its list of accepted cards.
If you need to take another First bus afterwards, pay attention to how you buy your ticket: the airport’s page mentions a connecting journey within three hours with an app mTicket or Tap On Tap Off. It says this option is not yet available with tickets bought on the Flyer website. Check this before you buy.
For a stay of several days: make sure you choose a return ticket that covers your dates. Tap On Tap Off is used in particular for adult single journeys and same-day returns; do not confuse it with a return ticket for your stay.
To buy a single A1 journey in advance, this GetYourGuide offer is another option. Compare it with the official tickets shown above: it includes neither the return journey nor a group ticket.
Where should you get off in Bristol?
The route passes through several areas before terminating at Bristol Bus Station. The best stop depends on your exact address, the direction of travel and how far you are willing to go with your luggage.
| Your destination | Stop from the airport | Getting to your accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Meads and nearby streets | Temple Meads Station · T6 | The stop is in front of the station. Walk to the station entrance or your accommodation nearby. |
| Old City and King Street | Queen Square · Q2 or The Centre · C2 | From Queen Square, walk towards King Street; from The Centre, Baldwin Street leads towards the Old City. Choose according to your accommodation’s street. |
| Harbourside and Wapping Wharf | Queen Square · Q2 | Walk towards Prince Street. The route to M Shed and Wapping Wharf crosses Prince Street Bridge; check which side of the harbour your address is on. |
| Broadmead and the northern city centre | Bristol Bus Station | This terminus is useful for Broadmead: continue on foot according to your address. For accommodation further away, plan a local bus or taxi. |
| Clifton | The Centre · C2, then a connection | The A1 does not climb up to Clifton. Find your onward bus and its departure stop in the First Bus journey planner, or take a taxi. See the transport guide for more advice. |
These stops are for travel from the airport into the city. Check the current A1 map and any diversions before travelling. At the terminal, follow signs to the Transport Interchange; use the stand shown locally.
A late flight or night-time arrival
The A1 runs 24 hours a day, except on Christmas Day. A late arrival does not automatically mean taking a taxi. However, allow for a potentially longer wait than during the day, followed by the journey from the bus stop to your accommodation.
Before you travel, check three things: the bus service at your arrival time, your accommodation’s late check-in arrangements and the final journey from the stop. With tired children or plenty of luggage, compare the total bus fare with a taxi quote for a journey direct to your address.
A taxi to your accommodation
Zoom Cars has been the airport’s official taxi partner since February 2026. Older guides still mention Arrow Cars, so pick-up information may be out of date.
A taxi takes you straight to your destination. Ask for a quote, giving your address, passenger numbers and luggage. If you need a child seat or an accessible vehicle, mention it before booking and ask the operator to confirm availability.
Prices vary between Bristol addresses. Compare the final quote with the cost of bus tickets for your group, including every planned journey. The airport website provides booking arrangements and contact details.
Returning to the airport
For the journey back to Bristol Airport, look for The Centre C1 or Queen Square Q1, rather than arrival stops C2 and Q2. At Temple Meads, the map shows T6 in both directions: check the destination displayed on the bus. Check the timetable and diversions, allow time to walk from your accommodation and make sure your ticket is still valid.
- Work back from your airline’s required arrival timeHow early you need to arrive depends on your flight, luggage and the instructions you receive. Work back from that time to decide when to leave your accommodation.
- Allow for the whole journeyThe walk to the stop, waiting for the bus, the bus ride and reaching the terminal all take time. The estimated 30 to 55 minutes does not cover every stage.
- Allow for trafficThe road journey can take longer. For an early departure or an important flight, consider earlier buses instead of relying on the last possible service.
Practical questions
Is there a direct train from Bristol Airport?
There is no railway station in the airport terminal. To catch a train, one option is to take the A1 bus to the Bristol Temple Meads area. Then allow time to walk to the station and a buffer for your connection.
Does the A1 run all night?
Yes, the service is advertised as running 24 hours a day, except on Christmas Day. Departures are less frequent in the middle of the night. Check the timetable for your travel date; ‘up to every eight minutes’ does not mean a departure every eight minutes at all hours.
Is the group ticket worth it for two adults?
Two adult return tickets cost £32.00 ≈ €38.22 in total, the same as a Group Return. For three adults, the group ticket costs £32.00 ≈ €38.22 rather than £48.00 ≈ €57.33. The group, limited to five people, must travel together.
Can you pay on the bus?
First Bus says tickets can be bought from the driver with cash in pounds sterling or contactless payment. Some foreign cards may not be accepted. You can also prepare your purchase in the First Bus app; explicitly ask for the group ticket if that is the option you want.
Does the A1 serve Clifton directly?
The A1 links the airport with the city centre stops on its route, via Bedminster and the Temple Meads area. For Clifton, allow for another journey from the stop where you get off, or compare the price of a taxi to your accommodation’s address.
How long is the return ticket valid?
Check the expiry date on the ticket and the conditions for the ticket format you choose. First Bus mentions a return within 30 days of purchase; the airport’s pages also use the wording ‘one month’. For a stay close to that length, confirm validity before buying.