Bristol Layover Guide (BRS)

What are you looking for in BRS?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Bristol Airport (BRS) is an international airport located in Lulsgate Bottom, North Somerset. It’s located about 13 km (8.1 miles) southwest of Bristol city centre. The airport first opened officially in 1955 as Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport. Bristol is the largest city in South West England and a major cultural hub. It’s known for its industrial heritage, the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, and vibrant and diverse arts scene attracting visitors year-round.

Can you leave Bristol Airport (BRS) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Yes, you can leave Bristol Airport (BRS) during your layover by passing UK immigration. You must hold a valid UK visa or qualify for transit without visa concessions. Entry requirements differ by nationality, so check your eligibility and visa status online in advance to avoid delays. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Clifton Suspension Bridge Iconic 19th-century suspension bridge offering sweeping views over the Avon Gorge. A marvel of Victorian engineering and photography hot-spot for visitors. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: A1 Airport Flyer bus to Clifton Village, 45 mins; taxi, 25 mins)
• SS Great Britain Brunel’s historic iron steamship restored as a living museum. Explore the engine room, cabins, and dry dock displays to trace maritime innovation. (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads, then 10 min taxi; direct taxi, 20 mins)
• Bristol Harbour Walking Tour Stroll the revitalised waterfront past famed museums, street art and waterfront bars. Learn local history and enjoy riverbank ambiance on guided or self-guided routes. (Time required: 1.5 hours / Airport to here: A1 bus to The Centre, 40 mins; taxi, 20 mins)
• St Nicholas Market Vibrant covered market housing independent stalls selling street food, crafts and vintage finds. Lively atmosphere with live music and local produce. Official site: stnicholasmarket.com. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: A1 bus to Broad Quay, 40 mins; taxi, 20 mins)
• Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill Climb historic tower in Brandon Hill Park for panoramic city skyline views. Ideal for photos and a brief escape into green space. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: A1 bus to Park Street, 40 mins; taxi, 20 mins)
• Banksy Street Art Tour Discover Bristol’s world-renowned street art scene, including Banksy originals. Guided tours reveal hidden murals and local graffiti culture. (Time required: 1.5 hours / Airport to here: A1 bus to Millennium Square, 40 mins; taxi, 20 mins)
• We The Curious Interactive science centre featuring hands-on exhibits, planetarium shows and live demonstrations. Fun for all ages and a great indoor option. Official site: wethecurious.org. (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: A1 bus to Millennium Square, 40 mins; taxi, 20 mins)
• Bristol Cathedral Stunning Gothic cathedral with stunning architecture, tranquil cloisters and stained-glass windows. Free entry with optional donation and guided tours available. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: A1 bus to Broad Quay, 40 mins; taxi, 20 mins)

Things to Do in Bristol Airport (BRS)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Escape Lounge at Bristol Airport provides a stylish, comfortable retreat in the mezzanine departure lounge. Open daily from 03:30–19:30, it offers freshly prepared hot and cold dishes, unlimited soft drinks, a selection of wines, complimentary Wi-Fi, charging stations, digital publications and flight information screens. Maximum stay is three hours before departure. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport is an on-site hotel located adjacent to the terminal. Opened in April 2017, it offers 201 contemporary rooms, complimentary hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and 24-hour reception. Soundproof rooms guarantee a restful stay, with direct access to check-in desks and airport transfers. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Although Bristol Airport lacks dedicated sleep pods, passengers can rest on padded seating and in quiet corners near the departure lounge. Executive showers are available for £10. Travelers should bring travel pillows and earplugs. Baby-changing facilities and a small family play area exist, but for longer layovers booking the on-site hotel is recommended.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Wi-Fi at Bristol Airport is free for the first two hours throughout the terminal. Afterward, passengers can purchase an additional three-hour access for £5. Simply connect to the “PBA Free Wi-Fi” network without a password. Charging points and USB sockets are widely available. The network supports video streaming, large downloads and reliable browsing.

SIM/eSIM Card: Breeze eSIMs are sold via the Bristol Airport website, offering instant digital purchase of data packages from 1 GB for seven days upwards. Activation is immediate and supports 4G/5G roaming in over 150 countries. For physical SIM cards, travelers can visit WHSmith or Dixons Travel in the departures hall, where local pay-as-you-go plans are available. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Arrow Cars is the exclusive taxi operator permitted to pick up and drop off passengers at the terminal forecourt. Operating 24/7, it offers fixed fares inclusive of all charges and accepts major credit cards. Return-trip discounts are available when booking both journeys online in advance.

Train: Passengers traveling by rail can connect at Bristol Temple Meads or Worle stations using the A1 Bristol Flyer or A3 Weston Flyer shuttle buses. Services run up to every eight minutes to Temple Meads and every 30 minutes to Worle, with competitive combined train-and-bus ticket options available online. (more info)

Bus: Frequent Airport Flyer services connect Bristol Airport with Bristol city centre and Weston-super-Mare. The A1 Flyer runs 24/7 up to every eight minutes, costing £9 single or £15 return; the A3 Flyer runs every 30 minutes, from £5 single. Tickets can be booked online or purchased onboard. (more info)

Shuttle: Holiday Inn Bristol Airport, located 2.5 miles from the terminal, operates an electric airport shuttle available on demand from 04:00–00:00 daily. For £8 per person each way (£5 for children), guests can reserve seats at reception. The 10-minute transfer drops off directly at the departures forecourt for easy access.

Car rentals: Bristol Airport hosts multiple car hire desks within the arrivals hall, featuring major providers—Hertz, Avis, Enterprise—and local agencies. Rentals require a valid driving licence and credit card; drivers must be at least 21. Vehicles range from compact cars from around £25/day to SUVs and vans. Pre-booking online often secures better rates. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Parking at Bristol Airport encompasses Silver Zone, Multi-Storey, Meet & Greet, Short Stay, Long Stay and a free Waiting Zone. Prices start at £7 for a 10-minute drop-off. Long Stay options are serviced by shuttle buses. Meet & Greet offers door-to-door convenience. All car parks are cash-free and monitored 24/7.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There are no luggage lockers inside Bristol Airport. Instead, travelers can use third-party storage services such as Bounce or Stasher in nearby Bristol city centre. These apps offer secure, insured bag drop-off at local shops and hotels from approximately £6/day, with 24/7 access and online booking options. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Bristol Airport (BRS) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks