If you're driving to Bristol Airport, use postcode BS48 3DY for your sat nav, which covers the Multi-Storey and most other car parks. Silver Zone uses BS48 3DW and Short Stay uses BS48 3AQ, so check which car park you're heading for before you set off. From the M5 north, leave at Junction 18; from the south, leave at Junction 22 and follow the A38. Checked against Bristol Airport's own site, 2026.
What postcode do I use for Bristol Airport?
Bristol Airport doesn't use one single postcode for every sat nav, because the site spans several car parks on different approach roads. Use the table below rather than guessing:
| Car park | Postcode |
|---|---|
| Silver Zone (park and ride) | BS48 3DW |
| Multi-Storey Car Park | BS48 3DY |
| Short Stay Car Park | BS48 3AQ |
| All other car parks (Meet & Greet, Long Stay) | BS48 3DY |
If you only remember one postcode, BS48 3DY gets you to the terminal side of the airport and covers the Multi-Storey and most other car parks. Silver Zone, the budget park-and-ride option, is the one exception worth double-checking before you set off, since BS48 3DW routes to a different part of the site.
Which motorway junction do I use for Bristol Airport?
The junction you need depends on which direction you're coming from:
From the north (M5)
Leave the M5 at Junction 18 and follow the signs for the airport, marked A4 and A370 Bristol & Airport. Clean Air Zone charges can apply for older, non-compliant vehicles on this route through central Bristol.
From the south (M5)
Leave the M5 at Junction 22 and follow the A38 towards the airport.
From the M4 (east)
At Junction 20, join the M5 southbound. Exit at Junction 18 and follow the signs for the airport, marked A4 and A370. As with the northern M5 route, Clean Air Zone charges can apply for older vehicles.
From Bath and the south east
Follow the A4 towards Bristol, bear left onto the A4174, and continue to follow the signs for the airport.
From South Wales
Cross the M4 at the Second Severn Crossing. At Junction 22, branch left onto the M49, signposted South West, then take the A4, following the signs for A4 and A370 Bristol & Airport. Clean Air Zone charges can apply on this approach too.
What3words locations for Bristol Airport car parks
If your sat nav or phone supports what3words, it's more precise than a postcode, which can cover a wide area. Bristol Airport's own car park map publishes a code for every car park:
| Car park | what3words |
|---|---|
| Silver Zone | `///appointed.piled.blows` |
| Multi-Storey | `///truth.coffee.gems` |
| Meet & Greet | `///truth.coffee.gems` |
| Drop Off & Pick Up | `///dock.heads.flute` |
| Short Stay | `///instilled.animated.same` |
| Waiting Zone | `///medium.estate.robe` |
Will I be charged driving through Bristol's Clean Air Zone?
Bristol City Council operates a Clean Air Zone covering the centre of the city, with charges for some older, higher-emission vehicles. It mainly affects drivers whose route to or from the airport passes through central Bristol rather than sticking to the outer approach roads listed above. According to Bristol City Council, over 88% of vehicles entering the zone already meet the emissions standard and pay nothing. If you're driving an older vehicle, or picking someone up in one, use the government's vehicle checker before you travel. Our separate guide on how Bristol's Clean Air Zone affects an airport taxi covers who is charged and how to check, and much of it applies equally to a private car.
Driving to Bristol Airport at a glance
| From | Junction | Follow |
|---|---|---|
| M5 north | Junction 18 | A4 and A370, signed Bristol & Airport |
| M5 south | Junction 22 | A38 |
| M4 east | M5 Junction 18 (via M4 Junction 20) | A4 and A370 |
| Bath / south east | A4174 | Signs for Airport |
| South Wales | M49 via Second Severn Crossing | A4 and A370 |
Which car park should I use?
Bristol Airport has several car parks at different distances from the terminal and price points, summarised on our parking page. Silver Zone is the budget long-stay option with a free shuttle to the terminal, while the Multi-Storey Car Park is the closest self-park option, a 3 to 10 minute walk from the terminal doors, though it has a 2.1m height restriction. For a full price comparison, see Bristol Airport's car parks compared. Drivers with an electric vehicle should note that only the Multi-Storey car park has EV chargers, covered in our EV charging guide.
If you only need to set someone down or collect them, there's no free kerbside drop-off at the terminal itself. The drop-off page covers the paid Drop and Go zone and the free Waiting Zone alternative at the Car Rental Centre.
How do I check for roadworks before I drive to Bristol Airport?
Road layouts and local roadworks around the airport can change at short notice. The live map on one.network, referenced on the airport's own directions page, gives up-to-date information on current roadworks and closures in the area, worth checking shortly before you set off, particularly during roadworks season or bad weather.
If you'd rather not drive
Driving yourself means factoring in parking or drop-off charges on top of fuel, and traffic on the approach roads can be unpredictable at peak times. Our taxis page and public transport page cover pre-booked transfers and the 24-hour A1 Airport Flyer coach, both of which avoid the need to navigate or park at all.
Bristol Airport Guide is an independent travel guide, not affiliated with Bristol Airport. Postcodes, junctions and Clean Air Zone rules can change; confirm current details on Bristol Airport's own site before you travel.
FAQs
What is the postcode for Bristol Airport?
It depends on which car park you're using. BS48 3DY covers the Multi-Storey and most other car parks, BS48 3DW is for Silver Zone, and BS48 3AQ is for Short Stay. If in doubt, BS48 3DY gets you to the terminal side of the site.
Which motorway junction do I use for Bristol Airport from the M5 north?
Junction 18, then follow the signs for A4 and A370, Bristol & Airport.
Which motorway junction do I use for Bristol Airport from the M5 south?
Junction 22, then follow the A38 towards the airport.
Does Bristol's Clean Air Zone affect driving to the airport?
It can, if your route passes through central Bristol and your vehicle doesn't meet the zone's emissions standard. Over 88% of vehicles already pay nothing, but check your vehicle using the government's checker before you travel.
Is there a what3words location for Bristol Airport car parks?
Yes, every car park has its own code: Silver Zone is ///appointed.piled.blows, Multi-Storey and Meet & Greet both use ///truth.coffee.gems, Short Stay is ///instilled.animated.same, Drop Off & Pick Up is ///dock.heads.flute, and the Waiting Zone is ///medium.estate.robe.
How do I check for roadworks near Bristol Airport before I travel?
The live map on one.network covers current roadworks and closures in the area and is worth checking shortly before you set off.