Taunton is about 38 miles (61 km) south of Bristol Airport, and the fastest low-cost route is the A1 Flyer bus into Bristol Temple Meads (from £9.50, about 26 to 30 minutes) followed by a GWR train to Taunton (from around £5.50, average 52 minutes), for a combined fare from roughly £15 and a total journey of around 80 to 90 minutes. A direct taxi covers the same distance in about 65 minutes and is quoted from around £100 one way.
The main ways to travel
1. A1 Flyer bus + train (best value)
The A1 Flyer is a 24-hour express bus linking Bristol Airport directly to Bristol Temple Meads station, with an adult single at £9.50 and a journey time of roughly 26 to 30 minutes according to First Bus's published timetables.
From Temple Meads, GWR runs frequent direct trains south to Taunton. Trainline lists fares from £5.50 one way, with an average journey time of 52 minutes over the 37-mile rail route. Add walking and connection time at Temple Meads and you should budget around 80 to 90 minutes door-to-door.
Total: from about £15, roughly 80 to 90 minutes.
2. Direct taxi or private transfer
A direct taxi from the airport to Taunton covers around 38 miles by road and takes about 65 minutes, roughly 15 to 25 minutes faster than the bus-and-train combination once you account for the connection at Temple Meads. Bristol Airport Taxi, a local operator, quotes fares from around £100 one way for a standard car; this is a single operator's listed rate rather than a fixed regulated tariff, so confirm the current price and vehicle size when you book, particularly if you have extra luggage or need a larger vehicle.
For two or more people travelling together, a direct taxi can end up costing about the same per person as the train while saving 20 to 30 minutes and avoiding a connection.
3. Coach
There is no direct coach route from Bristol Airport to Taunton. National Express services to Taunton run from Bristol Bus Station, which would mean taking the A1 Flyer into the city first and then a coach onward, a longer and less convenient option than simply staying on the train from Temple Meads. For most travellers the train is the better choice on this route.
Bristol Airport to Taunton: options compared
| Option | Typical cost (single) | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Flyer + train | From about £15 | 80 to 90 min | Solo travellers, best value |
| Direct taxi/transfer | From about £100 | About 65 min | Groups, late arrivals, heavy luggage |
| A1 Flyer + coach | Not recommended | 2h+ | Only if trains are disrupted |
Which should you choose?
If cost matters most and you are comfortable with one change at Temple Meads, the bus-and-train route is the clear winner at under half the price of an average UK-average taxi fare for this kind of distance. If you land late at night, are travelling with young children, or want to go straight to a specific address in or around Taunton rather than the town centre, book a taxi in advance so a driver is waiting when you land.
Does the train run direct, or do I need to change?
Most Temple Meads to Taunton services run direct on the Bristol to Exeter/Penzance line, though it is worth checking the specific departure on GWR's timetable, since a small number of off-peak or early morning services involve a change.
Is it worth booking train tickets in advance?
Yes. The £5.50 fare quoted above is Trainline's lowest advertised price and tends to apply to advance, off-peak bookings. Buying an anytime single on the day, especially at busier times, will usually cost more, so book as soon as you know your travel date if you want the lowest fare.
What if my flight lands late at night?
The A1 Flyer runs all night, though overnight frequency drops to roughly every 15 to 30 minutes rather than the daytime service. Late-night GWR services to Taunton are less frequent too, so check the last train time before relying on this route for a very late arrival; a pre-booked taxi is the safer option after the last direct train has gone.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Bristol Airport to Taunton?
Not from the airport itself, since Bristol Airport has no railway station. You take the A1 Flyer bus (or a taxi) to Bristol Temple Meads, then a direct GWR train onward to Taunton.
How much does the train from Bristol Airport to Taunton cost?
The A1 Flyer to Temple Meads is £9.50, and GWR fares from Temple Meads to Taunton start from around £5.50, giving a combined fare from about £15 one way when both legs are booked as advance or off-peak tickets.
How long does the journey take?
Around 80 to 90 minutes door-to-door: roughly 30 minutes on the A1 Flyer, plus an average 52-minute train journey, plus walking and connection time at Temple Meads.
How much does a taxi from Bristol Airport to Taunton cost?
Local operators quote fixed fares from around £100 one way for the roughly 38-mile, 65-minute journey. Confirm the exact price, vehicle type and any luggage requirements when you book, since this is a single operator's listed rate rather than a metered or regulated fare.
Is a taxi faster than the train?
Yes, by around 15 to 25 minutes, since it avoids the connection at Temple Meads. For solo travellers the time saving usually is not worth the extra cost, but it can make sense for groups or late arrivals.
Is there a coach from Bristol Airport to Taunton?
Not directly. You would need to reach Bristol Bus Station first, making the train from Temple Meads the simpler and generally faster option.
Checked 2026.