Car Hire Bristol Airport

Car Hire

Bristol International Airport has been open since 1955. It is located just over eight miles from the centre of Bristol. Providing access to both domestic and international locations, the airport is serviced by car hire companies that supply vehicles which are suitable for exploring southwest England and the rest of the country in comfort.

Who to Book With
Bristol International Airport has representatives of six well-known car hire companies on-site in the main terminal. Avis, Europcar, National, Hertz, Budget and Enterprise have easy-to-locate desks, with vehicle pick up possible directly at the terminal.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- UK driver’s licence
- Credit card or debit card used for the reservation
- UK passport or a utility bill for confirmation of ID
- Printed confirmation of booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving is generally considered the best way to see Bristol and its surrounding areas. Select routes into the city have car pool lanes that are operative during peak hours. Additionally, the city centre has a one-way system that can be frustrating to navigate. Both park-and-ride schemes and NCP car parks are easy to find around the city and its suburbs. Travelling to other cities around southern England is made easy by a series of well-developed motorways and bypasses. Petrol can be paid for by credit card or cash at most stations.

See our guide to the UK for more information on driving here.

Transport

Travelling to the airport is easy for drivers, who can use the M5 from the north or south, the M4 from the east or Wales, and the A4 from Bath. Public transport options for those without their own vehicle include taxis or shuttle buses.

Trains
Trains don’t run directly to the terminal but the hub's short distance from the centre of Bristol means that rail transport links are only a short shuttle bus trip away. Contact National Rail for further details on routes and prices from Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station.

Taxis
Bristol International Airport mainly deals with Checker Cars, which supplies taxis to the city centre from a rank outside the main terminal. Bookings can be paid for on the internet or directly to the driver.

Taxi prices:
Bristol International Airport to Bristol city centre is around £27

Buses
The Flyer Airport Express Link connects Bristol International Airport to Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station and Clifton and Bristol Bus Station. The service takes 30 minutes to reach the city centre from the main terminal and is available 24 hours. A typical adult single costs around £7 per person and an adult return costs about £10.

Facilities

Terminals
Bristol International Airport's main terminal hosts 19 airlines that provide transport to numerous domestic cities and international locations around Europe. Each year, just fewer than six million passengers use Bristol International Airport for business or leisure travel.

Parking
Parking at Bristol International Airport is provided at the Silver Zone, Long Stay Parking and Premier Parking. All of these locations offer either short walks or quick bus transfers to the main terminal. Leaving a vehicle in the Silver Zone costs around £3.30 per day and parking in the Long Stay Parking area or the Premier Parking Area costs around £4 or £11 per day, respectively.

Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes is available to all passengers by connecting to the Bristol Airport Wi-Fi network.

Information Services
The information desk is located close to the check-in desks in the main terminal.

Useful Numbers
Bristol International Airport: +44 870 12 12 747
OCS: +44 1275 473403

Accessibility
OCS provides services to those with reduced mobility. Services offered include safe and efficient transport to and from aircraft. Specialist equipment is available on request, which should be made prior to travel.

Restaurants and Bars
Fast food is available from the likes of Burger King and Subway, while sit-down meals can be consumed at Dexters Restaurant, Caffe Ritazza, Bar Zero and the Wine & Deli Bar. Coffee is available from Starbucks and the Soho Coffee Co.

VIP Lounges
Servisair Executive Lounge British Airways Lounge

Money and ATMs
Travelex is the main financial services provider at Bristol International Airport. It has booths and at least six ATMs in the main terminal. Foreign currency may be ordered through Travelex prior to arriving at Bristol International Airport.

Shopping
Discounted items can be purchased from World Duty Free, while travel essentials are available at Dixons Travel Store or Flying Visit. WHSmith stocks books and magazines in addition to drinks, snacks and other light refreshments.