A taxi from Bristol Airport to Nailsea costs around £27 on average and takes about 17 minutes; to Clevedon it is around £37 and 26 minutes; to Portishead it is around £41 and 29 minutes (source: Uber route data, checked 2026). The Airport Flyer A2 bus covers all three towns for an adult single fare of £5, running roughly hourly, 24 hours a day.
These three North Somerset towns sit close together just north-west of the airport, and the same bus route and similar taxi pricing pattern applies to all of them. Here is how the costs and journey times compare, and how to decide between the bus and a taxi.
Airport Flyer A2: fares, route and timing
The A2 Airport Flyer is Bristol Airport's own bus service to Portishead, and it calls at Nailsea and Backwell and Clevedon on the way. It runs up to every hour, 24 hours a day, which makes it one of the few public transport options that reliably covers very early or very late flights on this side of the airport.
Fares (checked 2026, source: Bristol Airport):
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult single | £5 |
| Adult return | £7 |
| Child single (5-15) | £4 |
| Child return | £5 |
| Group return (5 passengers) | £20 |
| Student single | £4 |
| Student return | £5 |
Returns are valid for one month. Children aged 0 to 4 travel free when accompanied. Residents with a postcode in BS40, BS48, BS49 or BS41 8 can travel free with a Diamond Card plus the airport's concessionary travel scheme card, which is worth knowing if you live locally and are collecting or dropping off a passenger rather than flying yourself.
The bus picks up and sets down at the airport's Public Transport Interchange, the same building used by the A1 service into central Bristol, and tickets can be bought at the rail ticket machine on the arrivals concourse or on board.
Taxi and ride-hailing cost by town
Because Nailsea, Clevedon and Portishead are at different distances from the airport, taxi fares vary more than the flat bus fare does. These are average on-demand prices from ride-hailing data, checked 2026; a pre-booked private hire fare for the same trip is often similar or slightly cheaper once agreed in advance.
| Destination | Distance | Average taxi time | Average taxi price | Flyer A2 single |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nailsea | About 9km | 17 minutes | About £27 | £5 |
| Clevedon | About 16km | 26 minutes | About £37 | £5 |
| Portishead | About 19km | 29 minutes | About £41 | £5 |
These are on-demand averages and will move with time of day, traffic and how many flights have just landed. A pre-booked operator that quotes a fixed price before you travel removes that uncertainty, which matters more here than on the short hop into central Bristol because there is no train option on this side of the airport, only the coach and taxis.
Bus or taxi: which makes sense?
For one or two people with light luggage and a bit of time either side of the flight, the A2 is hard to beat on price at £5 to £7. It runs around the clock, so it also covers early departures and late arrivals that would otherwise mean a costly middle-of-the-night taxi.
A taxi earns its higher price when you are travelling with a group, have heavy luggage, need door-to-door timing for a tight connection, or are arriving very early morning to a house rather than a bus stop. For a family of four with cases, the taxi's roughly £27 to £41 total often works out close to or cheaper than four Flyer fares once you add the walk from the nearest stop.
If your journey continues beyond these three towns, for example into Bath or onward by rail, the same A2 service connects with local trains at Nailsea & Backwell station, and our public transport guide covers the other Flyer routes and how they link up.
Booking a taxi for Nailsea, Clevedon or Portishead
North Somerset is well covered by local private hire firms based in Portishead and Clevedon that specialise in this exact route, alongside the airport's own rank. Whichever you choose, a fixed quote agreed before you travel is worth asking for on this longer run, since the ride-hailing average above can rise at peak times in the same way it does on other routes. Our guide to choosing a Bristol Airport taxi sets out the questions worth asking before you book, and the taxis and ride-hailing page covers where to find the rank and app pickup point on arrival.
FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Bristol Airport to Portishead?
Yes. The A2 Airport Flyer runs directly between the airport and Portishead, calling at Clevedon, Nailsea and Backwell on the way, up to every hour, 24 hours a day.
How much is the bus from Bristol Airport to Clevedon?
An adult single on the A2 Flyer is £5 to any stop on the route, including Clevedon, with a return at £7.
Is a taxi to Nailsea cheaper than the bus?
Not for one traveller. The bus is £5, against an average taxi price of around £27. A taxi becomes more competitive for a group of three or more travelling together with luggage.
Does the A2 Flyer run early enough for a first flight out?
Yes, it runs 24 hours a day, though services drop to roughly hourly outside peak times, so check the timetable against your check-in time before relying on it for a very early departure.
Can I connect to a train from the A2 route?
Yes. Nailsea & Backwell station is on the route and has services toward Bristol Temple Meads and beyond, so the Flyer can be used as the first leg of a rail journey.
Do local residents get a discount on the Flyer?
Yes. Residents of postcode areas BS40, BS48, BS49 and BS41 8 travel free on the Flyer with a Diamond Card and the airport's own concessionary travel scheme card.
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Updated 15 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.