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Bristol's main coach station is Bristol Bus & Coach Station on Marlborough Street, an 8-minute walk from the city centre, and it's where National Express coaches arrive and depart. Megabus doesn't use it at all: its coaches stop separately on Bond Street, in the city centre itself. Mixing the two up is the single most common way to miss a coach in Bristol.
Where it is and how to get there
The station address is Marlborough Street, Bristol, BS1 3NU, near the Bearpit (St James Barton roundabout) at the northwestern edge of the centre. It's an 8-minute walk from the main shopping streets and a short bus or taxi ride from Temple Meads if you're connecting from the train.
Opening hours for the ticket office and machines are Monday to Sunday, 7:45am to 5:45pm, though this doesn't affect your journey if your coach departs outside those hours; you can still board, you just can't buy or collect a ticket from the counter at that time. It's a staffed station, so help is available during opening hours if you need it.
National Express: facilities and services
Bays 1 to 7 at the station are for National Express long-distance coaches, running routes across the UK. On site you'll find:
- Automated ticket machines
- A waiting area and seating
- An eatery and an onsite coffee shop
- Toilet facilities
- A newsagent
- Payphones
National Express recommends arriving at least 10 minutes before your coach is due, and its Coach Tracker tool lets you follow your coach's live location from your phone if you're not sure it's running on time.
Megabus: a different stop entirely
Megabus does not use Bristol Bus & Coach Station. Its coaches pick up and drop off on Bond Street, in the city centre, a separate stop with none of the facilities of the main coach station. If you've booked with Megabus, don't head to Marlborough Street; check your ticket for the exact Bond Street stop and get there a few minutes early, since there's no ticket office or shelter to wait in.
Coach vs train vs car
| Coach | Train | Car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually the cheapest option, especially booked ahead | Pricier, though advance fares help | Fuel plus parking |
| Speed | Slower, more stops | Fastest for most UK routes | Depends on traffic |
| Booking | Cheapest well ahead of travel | Cheapest well ahead of travel | N/A |
| Luggage | Usually generous, but check your operator's allowance | Generally unlimited, within reason | No limit |
For inner-city journeys once you've arrived, you won't need a car at all. See our guide to getting around Bristol for the case for going car-free once you're here.
Practical tips
Book ahead where you can. Both National Express and Megabus price tickets dynamically, so booking a week or more in advance is usually far cheaper than turning up on the day. Check your specific operator's luggage allowance before you travel, since it varies and isn't the same as a train's more relaxed approach. If you're arriving in Bristol by coach and heading onward, both the coach station and the Bond Street Megabus stop are close enough to the centre to walk with light luggage, or a short taxi ride with more; our guide to Bristol taxi firms covers your options, or use Uber in Bristol if you'd rather book from an app.
If you're heading on to Bristol Airport rather than the city centre, National Express services connect via the airport flyer route, but check current times and fares directly with the operator since airport coach links change.
FAQs
Where do National Express coaches leave from in Bristol? Bristol Bus & Coach Station on Marlborough Street, an 8-minute walk from the city centre near the Bearpit roundabout.
Does Megabus use Bristol coach station? No. Megabus coaches stop on Bond Street in the city centre, a separate location from the main National Express coach station.
How early should I arrive for my coach? National Express recommends arriving at least 10 minutes before departure. Given Bristol's traffic, especially around the centre, allow more time if you're walking or taking a bus to get there.
Is Bristol coach station open 24 hours? No. The ticket office and machines are staffed and available from 7:45am to 5:45pm daily, though coaches themselves can depart and arrive outside those hours.
What facilities does Bristol coach station have? Automated ticket machines, a waiting area, an eatery and coffee shop, toilets, a newsagent and payphones.
Can I buy a coach ticket on the day at Bristol coach station? Yes, at the ticket machines or counter during opening hours, but fares are usually cheaper the further ahead you book, and last-minute travel isn't guaranteed a seat on busy routes.