National Express, FlixBus and Megabus all run coaches that stop directly at Bristol Airport's own Transport Interchange, not just at Bristol's city-centre bus station. National Express serves Birmingham, Cheltenham and Gloucester (route 100/104/106) and Cardiff and Newport (route 216). FlixBus runs Swansea to Newport via Cardiff. Megabus's South West Falcon links Plymouth, Exeter and Taunton. If your town isn't on a direct route, you can still connect via Bristol Bus Station using the A1 Airport Flyer. Checked against Bristol Airport's own site, October 2026.
Which coaches stop at the airport itself?
Bristol Airport's Transport Interchange, a short walk from the terminal, is a real coach stop in its own right, not just a shuttle-bus hub. The long-distance services calling there are:
| Operator | Route | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| National Express 100/104/106 | Birmingham – Cheltenham Arle Court Park & Ride – Gloucester – Bristol Airport | Up to 7 a day |
| National Express 216 | Cardiff Coach Station – Newport – Bristol Airport | Up to 6 a day |
| FlixBus | Swansea – Bridgend – Cardiff – Newport – Bristol Airport | Up to 12 a day |
| Megabus (South West Falcon) | Plymouth – Exeter – Taunton – Bristol Airport | Up to 20 a day |
These are through-services: you board or alight at the airport's own coach bays without needing to change at Bristol Bus Station or anywhere else in the city centre.
National Express at Bristol Airport
National Express runs two direct services into the airport. The 100/104/106 group connects Birmingham to Bristol Airport in around 2 hours 35 minutes, calling at Cheltenham Arle Court Park & Ride and Gloucester along the way, with up to 7 journeys a day. The 216 links Cardiff and Newport to the airport, with Newport to Bristol Airport taking about 50 minutes and Cardiff about 1 hour 20 minutes, and up to 6 to 10 services a day depending on the exact pairing. Both set down and pick up at the airport's Transport Interchange. Fares vary by date and how far ahead you book, so check the National Express journey planner for your specific trip rather than assuming a fixed price.
If your town isn't on either direct route, National Express also runs a much wider UK network through Bristol Bus Station in the city centre, connected to the airport by the 24-hour A1 Airport Flyer.
FlixBus at Bristol Airport
FlixBus calls directly at Bristol Airport on its Swansea to Newport corridor, routing through Bridgend and Cardiff, with up to 12 services a day. The stop is at the airport's Transport Interchange (address: Bristol Airport Bus Station, North Side Road, Bristol Airport, BS48 3AQ), and FlixBus confirms the stop is wheelchair accessible. Follow the signs for the Public Transport Interchange when you arrive at the terminal; check your ticket for the exact current bay number, since FlixBus has been phasing in a new bus and coach park at the airport and bay numbers have changed during that rollout.
FlixBus also has a separate, unrelated stop in Bristol city centre (Bristol Bus Station, Marlborough Street), so double-check your ticket says "Bristol Airport" rather than "Bristol Bus Station" if you're planning to board at the airport itself.
Megabus at Bristol Airport
Megabus's South West Falcon service is the one to know if you're travelling from Plymouth, Exeter or Taunton: it calls at Bristol Airport directly, with up to 20 services a day on the corridor, making it one of the more frequent long-distance options into the airport. For routes elsewhere in the UK, Megabus otherwise uses Bond Street in Bristol city centre, connected to the airport via the A1 Flyer in the same way as National Express.
Coaches that connect via the city centre instead
Not every long-distance operator reaches the airport directly. If you're coming from further afield in the UK, you may need to:
- Take your long-distance coach (National Express or Megabus) to Bristol Bus Station or Bond Street in the city centre.
- Transfer onto the A1 Airport Flyer, which runs 24 hours a day, up to every 8 minutes at peak times, for £9.50 single, between Bristol Bus Station, Temple Meads, Bedminster and the airport.
This adds roughly 30 to 40 minutes to your journey compared with a direct service, so check for a direct airport route first if timing matters.
Local and regional coach links
Beyond the long-distance operators above, Bristol Airport also has its own regional "Flyer" network run by First Bus, covering Portishead, Clevedon, Nailsea and Backwell (A2), Weston-super-Mare and Worle (A3), and Bath and Keynsham (A4), plus WESTlink, an on-demand minibus service bookable by app, website or phone for shorter local hops. These aren't long-distance coaches, but they're useful if your journey starts somewhere between the airport and a nearby town rather than a major city.
Booking and luggage
Book long-distance coach tickets directly through each operator's own site or app (nationalexpress.com, flixbus.co.uk, megabus.com) rather than a third-party reseller, so you can manage changes yourself if your flight time shifts. Standard checked luggage allowances apply (typically one large case and one small bag per passenger on these operators), and oversized sports or holiday equipment may need pre-booking or carry an extra charge, so check your operator's specific baggage policy before you travel, especially if you're carrying skis, a pushchair or a large instrument.
For the full range of ways to reach the airport, including taxis and driving, see our getting to Bristol Airport guide.
FAQs
Does National Express stop at Bristol Airport?
Yes. The 100/104/106 group runs from Birmingham via Cheltenham and Gloucester, and the 216 runs from Cardiff via Newport, both calling directly at the airport's Transport Interchange.
Does FlixBus stop at Bristol Airport?
Yes, on its Swansea–Bridgend–Cardiff–Newport corridor, with up to 12 services a day. The stop is wheelchair accessible; check your ticket for the current bay, since numbering has changed during the airport's bus park works.
Does Megabus go to Bristol Airport?
Yes, via the South West Falcon service linking Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton and the airport, with up to 20 services a day. Megabus's other UK routes use Bond Street in the city centre, connected by the A1 Flyer.
What if my town isn't served by a direct coach to Bristol Airport?
Take a National Express or Megabus service into Bristol Bus Station or Bond Street in the city centre, then transfer to the 24-hour A1 Airport Flyer for the final leg to the airport, adding roughly 30 to 40 minutes.
Where do long-distance coaches stop at Bristol Airport?
At the airport's own Transport Interchange, a short walk from the terminal, officially addressed as Bristol Airport Bus Station, North Side Road, BS48 3AQ.
Can I take skis, a pushchair or a large bag on these coaches?
Standard luggage allowances apply, but oversized items often need pre-booking or carry an extra charge. Check your specific operator's baggage policy before travelling.