The simplest direct option from Bristol Airport to Bath is the A4 Airport Flyer (formerly the Air Decker): a little over an hour, £9.50 single or £16 return. A taxi is quicker at 45 to 60 minutes but costs more, around £45 to £70 indicative. There is no rail link at the airport, so the train route means going into Bristol first. Bus fares checked October 2026, taxi range August 2026.
The options at a glance
| Option | Indicative price | Time to Bath | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 Airport Flyer (formerly Air Decker) | £9.50 single, £16 return | A little over 1 hour | Direct from the airport interchange, no changes |
| Taxi or private hire | About £45 to £70 | 45 to 60 minutes | Door to door, fare indicative, confirm on booking |
| A1 Flyer to Bristol, then train | From £9.50 plus train fare | Longer, with a change | Only worth it for specific connections |
Bath sits roughly 18 to 19 miles from the airport by road. For most travellers the choice is between the direct A4 Airport Flyer and a taxi, trading price against speed and door-to-door convenience.
A4 Airport Flyer: the direct bus
The A4 is the one direct public-transport link between Bristol Airport and Bath. It was the Air Decker until April 2026, when it became a First Bus Airport Flyer route. It runs from the airport interchange to Bath via South Bristol, Keynsham and Saltford, about hourly from early morning to around midnight, taking a little over an hour, for £9.50 single or £16 return. Because it is direct, there are no changes to juggle with luggage, which is its main advantage over the train route. Frequency and exact times vary, so check the current Air Decker timetable before you rely on a particular departure, especially late in the evening. For a single traveller or a couple watching the cost, it is the sensible default.
Taxi or private hire
A taxi booked at the official Zoom Cars office on the forecourt, or a pre-booked private hire, takes you door to door in about 45 to 60 minutes. Expect an indicative fare of around £45 to £70, which you should confirm with the operator when you book, as fares to destinations beyond Bristol are not fixed and rise at busy times. If you would rather lock in the price beforehand, local operators such as Tick Taxi and UK Bristol Airport Taxi cover the Bath run with a fare agreed at booking and flight tracking included, so a delayed landing does not push up the cost. The taxi wins when you are in a group, have heavy bags, are arriving late, or simply value going straight to your Bath address without a coach transfer. See the taxis page for how the rank works.
Train via Bristol: usually the long way round
Because there is no station at the airport, the rail option is not direct. You would take the A1 Airport Flyer coach from £9.50 into Bristol, then a train on to Bath Spa. That adds a change and often more total time than the A4, so it only makes sense if you are heading into central Bristol anyway or a specific train connection suits you. For a straight airport-to-Bath trip, the direct coach is simpler.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the A4 Airport Flyer if price matters most and you are happy with a coach that takes about an hour. It is the cheapest direct route.
- Choose a taxi if you are in a group, have a lot of luggage, are arriving late at night, or want a door-to-door trip in 45 to 60 minutes.
- Consider the Flyer-plus-train only if you are visiting Bristol first or a particular rail connection lines up.
Getting back to the airport from Bath
The same options run in reverse. The A4 Airport Flyer returns to the airport interchange, and a pre-booked taxi from Bath will quote a similar indicative fare. If you are catching an early flight, remember there is no rail link at the airport, so build in the full coach or taxi time and check the first A4 departure of the day covers your check-in. Bristol advises arriving at least 2 hours before departure, so work back from that. See the routes overview for other destinations, including the A3 coach to Weston-super-Mare.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Bristol Airport to Bath? The direct option is the A4 Airport Flyer (formerly the Air Decker), which runs from the airport interchange to Bath in a little over an hour for £9.50 single or £16 return. A taxi is faster at 45 to 60 minutes but costs more, around £45 to £70.
Is there a direct bus from Bristol Airport to Bath? Yes. The A4 Airport Flyer runs direct from the airport interchange to Bath, about hourly, so there are no changes with your luggage.
How much is a taxi from Bristol Airport to Bath? Around £45 to £70 as an indicative fare, confirmed with the operator when you book. The trip takes about 45 to 60 minutes door to door.
Is there a train from Bristol Airport to Bath? Not directly, because there is no station at the airport. You would take the A1 Flyer coach into Bristol and then a train to Bath Spa, which usually takes longer than the direct A4 Airport Flyer.
How long does it take to get from Bristol Airport to Bath? A little over an hour on the A4 Airport Flyer and 45 to 60 minutes by taxi, with Bath roughly 18 to 19 miles from the airport by road.
More
More: Overview, Public transport, Routes, FAQs.
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Last verified 6 October 2026 by the Bristol Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Bristol Airport website before you travel.