A taxi from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham covers around 55 miles and takes about 65 to 80 minutes, with an indicative fare of £120 to £160. A cheaper alternative is the direct National Express coach, which runs a handful of times a day from around £15.50 one way and takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes to just under 2 hours depending on the service. Checked 2026.
Taxi: cost and journey time
Cheltenham is one of the longer runs from Bristol Airport, at roughly 55 miles, mostly along the M5, taking about 65 to 80 minutes in normal traffic. As with any longer route, fares are indicative rather than fixed on our routes table, so confirm the exact price with your chosen operator when you book. Expect somewhere in the region of £120 to £160 for a standard saloon, with executive or larger vehicles priced higher, and always ask for a fixed quote in advance for a journey this length rather than relying on the meter. See the full routes and fares table.
A taxi makes the most sense when you're travelling with luggage, at an awkward hour, or heading somewhere in Cheltenham that isn't a short walk from the coach or rail station, since it's a door-to-door option the whole way.
Direct coach: the cheaper option
National Express runs a direct coach route between Bristol Airport and Cheltenham, which is the most straightforward public transport option since it avoids changing at Bristol city centre. Fares start from around £15.50 one way when booked ahead, and the service runs a handful of times a day rather than continuously, with journey times ranging from about 1 hour 25 minutes on the fastest service up to just under 2 hours depending on the specific journey and stops. Because it's not a high-frequency service, check the timetable against your flight time before relying on it, particularly for an early morning or late evening arrival.
Train plus bus: the alternative for rail travellers
If you'd rather travel by rail for part of the journey, the practical route is the A1 Airport Flyer coach from the airport to Bristol Temple Meads, from £9.50 and taking around 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a direct train from Temple Meads to Cheltenham Spa. This combination typically takes a little over an hour once you add the connection, and can work out similarly priced to the direct coach depending on the train fare on the day. It's a reasonable option if you're already planning to use the Flyer or want more frequent departures than the direct coach offers.
Comparing your options
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | ~£120 to £160 | 65 to 80 min | Door-to-door, luggage, odd hours |
| Direct coach | from ~£15.50 | ~1h25 to under 2h | Budget travel, no changes |
| Flyer + train | from ~£9.50 + rail fare | ~1h to 1h20 | Rail travellers, frequent departures |
Which to choose
For a family or group with luggage, or a flight landing very early or late when coach frequency drops, a pre-booked fixed-price taxi is the least stressful option, even at the higher cost, since it removes any risk of missing a connection. For solo or budget travel where time isn't tight, the direct coach is the clear value pick. If you're already comfortable navigating a rail connection and want more flexibility on departure times, the Flyer-plus-train combination is worth comparing against the coach on the day, since prices and availability shift.
FAQs
Is there a direct train from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
No. Bristol Airport has no railway station at all, so any rail journey starts with the A1 Airport Flyer coach to Bristol Temple Meads, then a train onward to Cheltenham Spa.
How far in advance should I book the coach?
Booking ahead online generally secures the lowest fare and guarantees a seat, since the direct service doesn't run continuously throughout the day.
Is a taxi fare to Cheltenham fixed or metered?
Most pre-booked operators offer a fixed price agreed before you travel, which is worth confirming, since a journey of this length on a meter can vary more with traffic than a shorter city-centre trip.
What's the cheapest way to get from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
The direct National Express coach, from around £15.50, is normally the cheapest single option, though the Flyer-plus-train combination can be competitive depending on the rail fare booked.
Does the coach run at night for a late flight?
The direct Bristol Airport to Cheltenham coach does not run around the clock, so for a late-night landing, check the timetable in advance or plan on a taxi instead.
Compare fixed-price taxi fares on the taxis page, or check the public transport page for full coach and Flyer timetables.
Is there a direct train from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
No. Bristol Airport has no railway station at all, so any rail journey starts with the A1 Airport Flyer coach to Bristol Temple Meads, then a train onward to Cheltenham Spa.
How far in advance should I book the coach?
Booking ahead online generally secures the lowest fare and guarantees a seat, since the direct service doesn't run continuously throughout the day.
Is a taxi fare to Cheltenham fixed or metered?
Most pre-booked operators offer a fixed price agreed before you travel, which is worth confirming, since a journey of this length on a meter can vary more with traffic than a shorter city-centre trip.
What's the cheapest way to get from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham?
The direct National Express coach, from around £15.50, is normally the cheapest single option, though the Flyer-plus-train combination can be competitive depending on the rail fare booked.
Does the coach run at night for a late flight?
The direct Bristol Airport to Cheltenham coach does not run around the clock, so for a late-night landing, check the timetable in advance or plan on a taxi instead.
Need a taxi to or from Bristol Airport? Get a fixed-price taxi →
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Updated 13 August 2026 by the Bristol Airport Guide team. Bristol Airport Guide is an independent guide, not affiliated with Bristol Airport. Confirm details with the official airport or operator before you travel.