A coach or minibus over 16 seats dropping off or collecting a group at Bristol Airport must pre-book the Bus & Coach Park, at £20 inclusive of VAT for a reserved slot; without a booking, a bay costs £30 for 30 minutes if space is available, paid on entry. Vehicles up to 16 seats that are over 2.5m tall, such as a standard minibus, use the separate Minibus & Over Height Car Park instead, from £9.50, on a walk-in basis. Facts checked directly against Bristol Airport's own site, checked November 2026.
Who needs the Bus & Coach Park?
This is the facility for coach drivers, tour group leaders, school trip organisers, wedding parties and anyone else dropping off or collecting a group of passengers at Bristol Airport in a vehicle with more than 16 seats. It's a different product from hiring a minibus as a passenger yourself, which our minibus and group transfer prices guide covers; this page is about where a coach or large vehicle actually parks once it reaches the airport.
How much does the Bus & Coach Park cost?
| Booking type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked slot (over 16 seats) | £20, inclusive of VAT | Valid for the date and time shown on your booking confirmation |
| Walk-up, no booking (over 16 seats) | £30 for 30 minutes | Only if a bay happens to be available; cashless, paid on entry |
| Minibus/Over Height Car Park (up to 16 seats, over 2.5m) | From £9.50 for up to 5 minutes, rising to £30 for 40-60 minutes | Walk-in, no booking needed, maximum stay one hour |
Operators who don't buy an online permit in advance for a vehicle over 16 seats may simply be refused access and turned away, so pre-booking isn't just the cheaper option, it's the reliable one. Coaches are allowed a maximum of 30 minutes in the bus parking bay; overstaying results in a fixed parking charge.
How do you book the Bus & Coach Park?
Book online in advance of travel. You'll need to provide:
- Your vehicle registration number
- The operating company name (or, if you're working on behalf of another operator, that company's name)
- The flight number you're meeting, and the time your group is scheduled to be collected
- Payment, by credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (the Bus & Coach Park is cashless)
Book a time slot based on your group's actual arrival or departure flight time rather than an estimate, since your £20 permit is valid for the specific date and time on your confirmation.
Where do coaches go on arrival at Bristol Airport?
Follow the signage for the Bus & Coach Park once you reach the airport site. One important routing note for anyone driving a coach or large vehicle to Bristol Airport: all unscheduled bus or coach services must enter and exit the airport via the A38 / North Side Road roundabout, rather than the main terminal approach used by cars.
What if my vehicle is a minibus rather than a full coach?
It depends on seats and height, not just the word you use for the vehicle:
- Up to 16 seats and under 2.5m tall: use the standard Drop Off & Pick Up car park like any car, from £8.50 for up to 10 minutes, covered in our drop-off guide.
- Up to 16 seats and over 2.5m tall: use the Minibus & Over Height Car Park, a short walk from the terminal, from £9.50 for up to 5 minutes, rising to £30 for 40 to 60 minutes, with a one-hour maximum stay. No booking is needed for this one. Our campervan and tall vehicle guide covers this car park's full pricing and signage in detail.
- Over 16 seats, any height: you need the pre-booked Bus & Coach Park covered on this page, regardless of the vehicle's height.
Can I just turn up without booking the Bus & Coach Park?
You can try, but it's a real risk for a vehicle over 16 seats. Bristol Airport's own guidance is that operators without an advance permit may be refused access and turned away entirely if the site has reached capacity. If a bay does happen to be free, you'll pay £30 for 30 minutes on entry rather than the cheaper £20 pre-booked rate, and you're still capped at the same 30-minute limit. For a one-off school trip, wedding party or tour group, booking the day before travel removes that risk for a small, fixed cost.