Bristol Airport has officially opened its state-of-the-art £60 million public transport interchange after a 19-month construction period. Located in North Somerset, this new facility is designed to significantly improve the flow of buses and coaches serving the airport, elevating the overall travel experience for passengers.
The interchange now features 16 dedicated stands for coaches and buses, a substantial increase from the previous five, accommodating around 250 public transport arrivals and departures every day. This expanded capacity aims to support the growing number of travelers, many of whom come from nearby Gloucestershire, roughly an hour’s drive away.
At a ribbon-cutting event on Tuesday, July 22, Airport CEO Dave Lees joined North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan and Council leader Mike Bell to celebrate the opening. Lees highlighted the timing, noting the new hub is ready just in time for the busy school holidays.
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“We’re thrilled to open the transport interchange ahead of schedule and on budget, transforming how customers access and move around the airport during the peak travel season,” Lees said.
Strategically positioned atop a new multi-level car park, the interchange includes an enlarged drop-off and pick-up zone, providing ample space for drivers. A covered walkway connects this area directly to the terminal, ensuring comfort regardless of the weather. The drop-off and pick-up zone operates on a cashless basis, with the initial 10-minute stay maintained at £7, according to Bristol Live.
Lees emphasized the user-friendly design: “Passengers will enjoy modern facilities with straightforward road layouts, easing access to the expanded drop-off and pick-up area on the car park’s top tier.”
Travelers can also benefit from new waiting lounges, restrooms, live flight information displays, touchpoints for passenger assistance, and live updates on public transport schedules. Adding to the convenience, a larger Marks & Spencer store featuring a bakery and fresh coffee options has become a popular stop, attracting crowds and even prompting passengers to snap selfies with the giant Percy Pig mascot outside.
While Bristol Airport currently earns more revenue from car parking fees than any other source, the new interchange aims to shift more passengers towards sustainable bus and coach travel. With over 10 million passengers using the airport annually, only about 15 percent currently arrive via public transport. Graeme Gamble, the airport’s Chief Operating Officer, intends to increase this figure to 20 percent.
“The new facility is a major step in encouraging passengers to choose public transport,” Gamble commented. The interchange project, announced nearly two years ago in September 2023, represents the largest single capital investment since the terminal’s opening in 2000.
Looking ahead, Gamble acknowledged the need for ongoing highway improvements to support the airport’s ambition of handling 12 million passengers a year, its maximum current capacity. “We are working closely with North Somerset Council and other partners to enhance the road network over time,” Gamble explained.
He stressed that integrating improved roads with robust public transport options is crucial: “Encouraging widespread use of public transport alongside road upgrades is essential to future airport travel.”
This interchange is part of a broader £400 million investment in Bristol Airport’s infrastructure, which includes upgraded departure lounges, enhanced security screening, and improved restroom facilities. Meanwhile, the long-stay car park remains closed for redevelopment and is scheduled to reopen in spring 2026, further supporting the airport’s long-term growth plans.