Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Bristol Airport pickups for your party

At Bristol, the number of seats decides where you'll meet your vehicle. A minibus of up to 16 seats uses one car park; anything larger goes to the Transport Interchange. Both are signed from the terminal.

Minibuses of up to 16 seats

Smaller minibuses, and anything taller than 2.5 metres, are directed to the Minibus/Over Height car park, just a short walk away. You pay at the barrier as you leave, and an hour is the most a vehicle can stay, so there's time to get settled but not to linger.

Out front, the main pick-up area won't take anything above 2.5 metres, which rules out taller minibuses. That's why your driver meets you in the car park rather than by the doors.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class passenger van, front view
Mercedes-Benz V-Class passenger van, front view

Larger groups and the Bus & Coach Park

Vehicles with more than 16 seats pick up in the Bus & Coach Park inside the Transport Interchange; follow the Bus and Coach signs from arrivals. Each slot is reserved online beforehand, the barrier recognises the booked vehicle, and it can stay for no more than 30 minutes.

Overstaying brings a fixed parking charge. Inside the Interchange there are seats, toilets and screens with live flight times. If half your party lands earlier than the rest, it's a comfortable place to wait together.

The terminals

  • Single passenger terminal

Good to know at Bristol Airport

  • Overstaying in the Bus & Coach Park incurs a fixed parking charge.
  • The main drop-off and pick-up area has a 2.5 m height restriction.
  • Minibuses of up to 16 seats and vehicles over 2.5 m high use the Minibus/Over Height car park, a few minutes' walk from the terminal; it is paid at the exit barrier, with a maximum stay of one hour.

Into Bristol and beyond

Temple Meads is roughly 9 miles off, 20 to 25 minutes on a clear road. Central Bristol has a small Clean Air Zone that charges minibuses that aren't Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol, so check the vehicle if you're staying in the middle of town. If Clifton is on your list, note that coaches can't cross the Suspension Bridge.

Bath is about 13 miles from the city and Cheddar Gorge about 20, with Castle Combe, a Cotswolds village, a similar distance: all easy first afternoons for a group.

Your questions

We've booked a 16-seat minibus. Where do we meet it?

Head for the Minibus/Over Height car park; it's a short walk from arrivals. Your confirmation will say so too.

Can the coach wait while we queue at passport control?

Only for a short while. Coaches may stay 30 minutes in the Bus & Coach Park, and one that turns up without a pre-booked permit may be refused. Sending your flight details helps the operator book the right slot.

We're heading on to Cardiff. Are there bridge tolls?

Not any more. Tolls on both Severn crossings were abolished in December 2018, so the drive into Wales is free of charge.

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