Travelling to Bristol

Bristol is one of the easiest cities to travel to in the UK, with excellent links via road, rail, coach or air.

Whether you are travelling from within the UK, Europe or beyond, our useful guide will help you decide the best way to arrive.

Please see our full Covid-19 guidance and FAQs here, or you can also check the UK government's latest updates regarding entering the country here. If you have any questions or would like to clarify any information you have read, please don't hesitate to contact us.

From Bristol Airport 

Bristol International airport flies directly to over 125 destinations, with connections to hundreds more across the world.

Once you arrive at Bristol airport you can travel to your accommodation via:

Private taxi transfer arranged by IH Bristol - see pricing below

Airport Flyer Express - a bus shuttle service which has two routes into Bristol City Centre:

  • A1 - at peak times it runs every 10 minutes to key locations including Bristol Airport, Bristol Harbourside, Brunel's SS Great Britain, Wapping Wharf, Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Bus Station. Please note this service is currently suspended and will resume soon
  • A2 - every half an hour between 3.30am and midnight between Bristol Airport and Bristol city centre (Lewins Mead) via Bedminster.
  • One-way ticket = £8 (£7 if booked online in advance)

For your onward journey, taxis are available from both Temple Meads Train Station and Bristol Bus Station. Please note face coverings are currently mandatory on all public transport. 

Public taxi

Taxis are available on demand from the airport, and Ubers operate in the area.

From London Heathrow Airport

You can travel to Bristol from London Heathrow airport (LHR):

Private taxi transfer arranged by IH Bristol - see pricing below

Train - by catching the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington then a direct train to Bristol Temple Meads, or shorter journeys with more connections are also available. Check National Rail for the best route. 

National Express coach - departing hourly from T2&3, T4 and T5, direct to Bristol. The journey takes between 2-2.5 hours and prices start from £14. We recommend selecting the Standard fare and adding the Airport Transfer extra - for £4.50, this means if your flight is delayed and you miss your coach, you will be able to board the next available one. Alternatively you can select the Fully flexible fare which is more expensive but allows you to change or cancel your journey. 

Please note face coverings are currently mandatory on all public transport. 

From London Gatwick Airport

You can travel to Bristol from London Gatwick airport (LGW):

Private taxi transfer arranged by IH Bristol - see pricing below

Train - from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria station, then take the tube to London Paddington where you can then catch a direct train to Bristol Temple Meads. Check National Rail for the best route. 

National Express coach - departing regularly from the North and South terminals, connecting at London Victoria Coach station (direct coaches available when full normall service resumes). Via London Victoria, the journey takes between 5.5-6.5 hours and prices start from £21.80. We recommend selecting the Fully flexible fare in case of any disruption to your journey. 

Please note face coverings are currently mandatory on all public transport. 

From London Train Stations

If you are arriving to London via Eurostar, catch the London Underground to London Paddington Station (located on the Bakerloo, Hammersmith and City, and District and Circle lines) where you can take a direct train to Bristol Temple Meads Train station. Connections are also available via Bristol Parkway station. 

Direct trains run every half an hour, and take approximately 1hr40mins.

Please note face coverings are currently mandatory on all public transport. 

Bristol Temple Meads Train Station

This is Bristol's main train station, located approximately 15 minutes' walk from the City Centre 

The station is a 30 minute walk from our Queens Avenue building, a 10 minute car/taxi journey or 20-25 minutes by bus (routes 1, 2, 8 & 72)

Public taxis are available directly in front of the main station exit - most taxis now take card payments. Alternatively, you can also call an Uber.

Bristol Bus Station

Bristol Bus & Coach station is a 16 minute walk from our Queens Avenue building. Many local buses stop here and coach services with National Express and Megabus can take you to cities all over the UK, including all major UK airports. 

Public taxis are available on arrival. 

Private Taxi Transfers - Prices

  • Bristol Airport: £60 per journey for adults / £75 per journey for juniors
  • London Heathrow: £225 per journey for adults / £235 per journey for juniors
  • London Heathrow: £255 per journey for adults / £265 per journey for juniors
  • Other airports on request

You can request a transfer when you book your course - don't worry if you don't have your flight details to hand, you can send them to us later (1 week before you travel at the latest)

If you have any trouble finding your accommodation on arrival please call us and we can help you. During school hours you can use our general telephone number, or during evenings and weekends you can use our emergency phone number found in your welcome pack.

Would you like us to help you with accommodation? See our list of options here