Yes. Silver Zone is Bristol Airport's budget long-stay car park, from roughly £6.62 a day pre-booked, well below the closer on-site options. It is a park-and-ride: leave the car off-terminal and take a free shuttle every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. With Long Stay closed for a rebuild until spring 2026, Silver Zone is the main budget choice now. Checked August 2026.
Why Silver Zone is the cheapest
Silver Zone trades a short shuttle ride for a lower price. Because it sits further from the terminal than the premium and short-stay car parks, the daily rate is the lowest of the on-airport options, from about £6.62 a day when you book ahead. It is a large site, with over 11,000 spaces, so availability is rarely the problem that it can be at smaller car parks. For a week or two away, the saving against parking right by the terminal adds up quickly.
How the park-and-ride works
The process is straightforward:
- Book online in advance and bring your confirmation.
- Drive to Silver Zone and park in an allocated area.
- Take the free shuttle bus to the terminal. It runs every 15 minutes, around the clock, so there is no long wait even for an early-morning or late-night flight.
- On return, catch the shuttle back from the airport to the car park.
Allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes each way for the shuttle and the walk when you plan your arrival time. If you are aiming for an early bank of flights, that buffer matters, so factor it into how early you leave home.
Book ahead: the money-saving rule
The single biggest saving at Bristol comes from booking early rather than turning up. Gate prices can run up to around 75 percent higher than pre-booked rates, so driving in without a reservation is the expensive way to park. Silver Zone in particular is designed around advance booking, and the roughly £6.62 a day figure is a pre-booked rate. Book as soon as your travel dates are fixed, and check the price again nearer the time only if your plans change.
Is Silver Zone any good, and is it safe?
Silver Zone is the airport's own official park-and-ride, not a third-party off-site operator, so it is on airport land with the airport's own shuttle service. The main trade-offs are practical rather than about safety: it is a bus ride from the terminal rather than a short walk, and you need to allow time for the shuttle at both ends. If you would rather avoid the transfer, the closer car parks and Meet and Greet cost more but cut the walk. For most travellers weighing price against convenience on a longer trip, the shuttle is a fair trade for the lower daily rate.
Silver Zone vs the other Bristol car parks
| Car park | Rough position | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Zone (park-and-ride) | Off-terminal, free 15-minute shuttle | The cheapest long stays, from about £6.62 a day pre-booked |
| Short Stay | Close to the terminal | Short waits and quick set-downs, priced by the hour |
| Meet and Greet | Drop the car near the terminal, valet parks it | Convenience over price; book ahead only |
The dedicated Long Stay car park is closed for a major upgrade and public-transport interchange rebuild, due to reopen spring 2026, so Silver Zone is the main long-stay option in the meantime. See the parking page for the fuller picture and the Meet and Greet guide if you want to weigh convenience against cost.
When another option makes more sense
Silver Zone is built for longer trips where the daily rate dominates. For a very short stay, a quick collection, or a drop-off, the shuttle is more hassle than it is worth, and the Short Stay or Drop and Go options fit better. If you are only setting someone down, remember the free Waiting Zone at the Car Rental Centre, covered in the drop-off charges guide, which costs nothing for up to an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Silver Zone the cheapest parking at Bristol Airport? Yes. It is the airport's budget park-and-ride, from roughly £6.62 a day when pre-booked, which is cheaper than the closer on-site car parks.
How does Silver Zone parking work? You park in the off-terminal car park and take a free shuttle bus to the terminal. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day.
How far is Silver Zone from the terminal? It is off-terminal and served by a free shuttle rather than being a walk. Allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes each way for the transfer.
Do I need to book Silver Zone in advance? Booking ahead is strongly advised. Gate prices can run up to around 75 percent higher than pre-booked rates, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
Is Silver Zone safe? It is Bristol Airport's own official park-and-ride on airport land, with the airport's shuttle service. The main trade-off is the bus transfer rather than a short walk, not safety.
More
More: Overview, Parking, Drop-off charges, FAQs.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
Last verified August 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.