There's no single direct bus from Bristol Airport to UWE Frenchay campus. The practical route is the A1 Airport Flyer coach into Bristol city centre or Temple Meads, then a connecting bus such as the 70 (which runs 24/7 between the city centre and Frenchay) or a Metrobus service (m1, m3 or m4), for a total journey of roughly 50 to 70 minutes depending on your connection. A direct taxi avoids the change but costs more than the airport's city-centre fare, since Frenchay is several miles further north. Checked against UWE Bristol's, First Bus's and Bristol Airport's own sites, October 2026.
The connecting bus route
Bristol Airport doesn't run a bus directly to Frenchay Campus. Instead:
- Take the A1 Airport Flyer from the airport to Bristol Bus Station or Bristol Temple Meads. It runs 24 hours a day, up to every 8 minutes at peak times, £9.50 single, and takes 30 to 40 minutes.
- From the city centre or Temple Meads, change onto a service to Frenchay Campus. First Bus runs several options:
| Service | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Bristol Temple Meads – City Centre – Ashley Down – Horfield – Filton Avenue – Frenchay Campus | Runs 24/7 between the city centre and Frenchay |
| 72 | Temple Meads – City Centre – University of Bristol – Cotham – Redland – Gloucester Road – Horfield – Lockleaze – Frenchay Campus | Daytime service |
| 73 | Hengrove – Temple Meads – City Centre – Gloucester Road – Horfield – Lockleaze – Frenchay Campus | Daytime service |
| m1 Metrobus | Hengrove Park – Bedminster – City Centre – Stoke Park – Frenchay Campus – Bradley Stoke – Aztec West – Cribbs Causeway | Up to every 10 minutes, Mon-Fri daytime |
| m3 Metrobus | City Centre – Stoke Park – Frenchay Campus – Emersons Green | Up to every 10 minutes, Mon-Fri daytime |
| m4 Metrobus | City Centre – Stoke Park – Frenchay Campus – Bristol Parkway – Cribbs Causeway | Up to every 10 minutes, Mon-Fri daytime |
Because the 70 runs around the clock, it's the most reliable option outside Monday-to-Friday daytime hours, when the Metrobus services are at their most frequent instead. Use the First Bus app or the Travelwest journey planner for live times and your exact connection, since onward timings vary depending on when your flight lands.
Door-to-door journey time
Allow a total of roughly 50 to 70 minutes if you're connecting by bus: around 30 to 40 minutes on the A1 Flyer into the centre or Temple Meads, plus a further 15 to 25 minutes on your connecting service to Frenchay, depending on which one you catch and how the timings line up. Build in extra time at the connection if you're unfamiliar with the city centre or Temple Meads bus stops, since the Flyer and the Frenchay-bound services don't necessarily use adjacent stands.
Taxi or rideshare direct to Frenchay
A taxi or Uber/Bolt avoids the change and takes you straight to the campus. Bristol Airport's own rank operator, Zoom Cars, charges roughly £35 to £55 for a trip into Bristol city centre off-peak; Frenchay is several miles further north than the centre, so expect a direct fare to the campus to run somewhat higher than that city-centre benchmark. Get a live quote from Zoom Cars, a pre-booked operator such as Tick Taxi, or a ride-hailing app before you travel, rather than assuming a specific figure, since none of these operators publish a fixed Frenchay fare.
A taxi is the more practical option with heavy luggage, specialist equipment, or if you're arriving outside the hours when the Metrobus services run frequently.
Long-distance coach direct to Frenchay
If you're travelling to UWE by coach rather than flying, it's worth knowing that Frenchay Campus has its own FlixBus and National Express stop, serving a range of UK cities including London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Exeter, Manchester and Leeds. This is a separate service from the coaches that call at Bristol Airport itself (covered in our long-distance coaches guide), so if you're flying into Bristol Airport specifically, you'll still need the airport-to-city connection above rather than a through-coach to campus.
Cycling and other options
Bristol is a well-established cycling city, and UWE publishes dedicated Frenchay Campus cycle routes, but cycling from the airport itself is a much longer and hillier ride than from the city centre, so it's only realistic if you're already planning a longer cycling trip rather than arriving with luggage straight off a flight.
Planning your trip
Download the First Bus app or the Travelwest journey planner before you travel so you can check live times for both legs of the journey and adjust if your flight is delayed. If you're attending an Open Day or arriving as a new international student, check UWE's own arrival and Open Day travel guidance, since the university sometimes runs separate arrangements (such as pick-up services from other airports) for specific dates.
For the wider range of ways to leave Bristol Airport, including driving directions and parking, see our Bristol Airport to city centre guide.
Bus routes, frequencies and fares can change, so check First Bus or Travelwest for live times on the day rather than relying on a fixed schedule. Checked October 2026.
FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Bristol Airport to UWE Frenchay campus?
No single direct service. Take the A1 Airport Flyer into the city centre or Temple Meads, then change onto bus route 70 (which runs 24/7) or a Metrobus service (m1, m3 or m4) to reach Frenchay.
How long does it take to get from Bristol Airport to UWE Frenchay by bus?
Roughly 50 to 70 minutes in total: about 30 to 40 minutes on the A1 Flyer, plus 15 to 25 minutes on the connecting service, depending on timings.
What's the quickest way from Bristol Airport to UWE Frenchay?
A direct taxi or rideshare, which avoids the change but costs more than the airport's city-centre taxi fare since Frenchay is further north. Get a live quote before booking.
Which bus runs most often to Frenchay Campus?
The Metrobus services m1, m3 and m4 run up to every 10 minutes on weekday daytimes. Outside those hours, bus route 70 runs 24/7 between the city centre and Frenchay.
Does National Express or FlixBus go directly from Bristol Airport to Frenchay Campus?
No. Frenchay Campus has its own separate FlixBus and National Express stop serving other UK cities, but that's a different service from the coaches that call at Bristol Airport itself.
Can I cycle from Bristol Airport to UWE Frenchay?
It's possible but a long, hilly ride not really practical with luggage straight off a flight. UWE's published cycle routes to Frenchay are designed from within the city, not from the airport.