A direct National Express coach links Bristol Airport to Cheltenham and Gloucester, with fares from £5.70 one-way, alongside a taxi option that takes 60 to 80 minutes and runs to an indicative £110 to £160. The coach is the cheaper and simpler choice for most solo and pair travellers; a taxi suits groups, heavy luggage, or a very early or late arrival when coach times don't line up. Checked 2026.
The direct coach: National Express
Bristol Airport has a direct National Express service to Gloucester, Cheltenham Arle Court park and ride, and on to Birmingham, which the airport and National Express expanded in December 2024 as part of a wider boost to airport coach links. Tickets started from £5.70 one-way when the enhanced service launched, and the route remains bookable through National Express and third-party coach search sites.
The coach calls at the airport's transport interchange, so there's no need to travel into Bristol first and change. Book ahead through nationalexpress.com for the best price, since walk-up fares on the day are usually higher, and note that fares rise closer to travel and at busy periods (race weeks at Cheltenham, for instance).
Journey time and where it stops
Expect a journey of a little over an hour to Cheltenham and a bit less to Gloucester, calling at Cheltenham Arle Court park and ride before continuing into Gloucestershire. Exact stop-by-stop timings vary by service, so check the live timetable on nationalexpress.com for your specific date, since National Express periodically adjusts frequency.
Taxi to Cheltenham or Gloucester
A taxi or pre-booked private hire is the direct, door-to-door option, useful outside coach operating hours or if you're carrying a lot of luggage.
| Destination | Approx distance | Driving time | Indicative taxi fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester | ~50 miles | 60 to 75 min | £110 to £150 |
| Cheltenham | ~55 miles | 65 to 80 min | £120 to £160 |
These fares are indicative, drawn from the same routes data published on our popular routes page, and should be confirmed with the operator when you book, since Bristol Airport is a long way from both towns and prices vary with time of day and demand. A pre-booked local firm that fixes the price and tracks your flight removes the risk of a surge fare if you land late.
Coach vs taxi: which to choose
For one or two people travelling light, the coach is dramatically cheaper: a fare from £5.70 against a taxi indicative from £110. The trade-off is timetable dependency; the coach runs a limited number of departures a day rather than around the clock, so it suits flights that land within its operating window.
A taxi wins when you're in a group of three or more (splitting an indicative £110 to £160 fare four ways can undercut four separate coach tickets), when you have heavy or awkward luggage, or when your flight lands very early or very late and no coach connects conveniently. It also takes you directly to a Cheltenham or Gloucester address rather than the Arle Court park and ride or a Gloucester stop.
If your trip coincides with a major event such as Cheltenham Festival, book both coach and taxi options well ahead, since fares and availability tighten sharply during race weeks.
Cheltenham Arle Court: a useful interchange
The coach's Cheltenham stop is Arle Court park and ride on the edge of town, not the town centre directly, so factor in a local bus, taxi, or a lift for the final leg if you're not driving on to Arle Court yourself. Gloucester's stop is more central; check the current stop location on National Express before you travel, as details can change.
Other ways to reach the wider region
If Cheltenham or Gloucester isn't your final stop, the airport's other routes may be more direct: see our guides to Bristol Airport to Bath, and to Exeter, Taunton and Plymouth, or the full popular routes page for every destination we cover.
FAQs
How much is the coach from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
Fares started from £5.70 one-way when National Express expanded the direct service in December 2024. Book ahead on nationalexpress.com for the best price, as fares rise closer to travel.
How long does the coach take from Bristol Airport to Gloucester?
Around an hour, with the exact time depending on the specific service and stops. Check the live National Express timetable for your date.
Is there a direct bus from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
Yes. National Express runs a direct coach calling at Cheltenham Arle Court park and ride, with no need to change in Bristol city centre.
How much is a taxi from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
An indicative £120 to £160 for the roughly 55-mile, 65 to 80 minute journey. This is not a fixed fare; confirm the exact price with the operator when you book.
Is a taxi or the coach cheaper to Gloucester?
The coach is far cheaper for one or two travellers, from £5.70 against an indicative £110 to £150 taxi fare. A taxi becomes more competitive per head for larger groups or when coach times don't suit your flight.