National Express runs a direct coach from Bristol to Heathrow from £12.90 one-way, taking as little as 2 hours with up to 16 journeys a day. Gatwick is further and costs more: direct coaches run from £20.40 one-way, taking around 3 hours 15 minutes, with up to 10 daily departures. Both routes leave from Bristol Bus & Coach Station, and both are cheaper and less hassle than driving and parking at either airport.
Coach to Heathrow
National Express's direct Bristol to Heathrow service is the simplest option for most travellers. It runs from as early as 00:55 and as late as around 18:00, with up to 16 journeys a day, so there's usually a departure that fits an early flight without an overnight wait. Fares start from £12.90 one-way, though the exact price depends on how far ahead you book and which time you travel. The coach drops at all Heathrow terminals, so check your terminal before boarding.
Coach to Gatwick
Gatwick is a longer run at roughly 3 hours 15 minutes, with fares from £20.40 one-way and up to 10 services a day. The first coach leaves around 00:55, arriving at Gatwick North Terminal in the early hours, useful for very early flights, and the last departure is in the early evening. Because the journey is longer and the frequency lower than the Heathrow route, book your specific departure earlier if you're working to a flight time rather than assuming you can turn up and catch the next one.
The train alternative
There's no direct train from Bristol to either airport. For Heathrow, the usual route involves a change, commonly via Reading, onto the Elizabeth line; for Gatwick, you'd typically change in London or via Reading and go around, which tends to work out slower and more expensive than the direct coach once you add up separate tickets. Unless you're already planning to break your journey in London anyway, the coach is generally the more straightforward option for both airports.
Taxi and private transfer
A taxi gives you a door-to-door service without the fixed coach timetable, which matters if you're travelling with a lot of luggage, young children, or very early in the morning when public transport options thin out. Bristol has several licensed private hire operators offering fixed-price airport transfers, including Tick Taxi, a Bristol-based airport transfer firm this site has a commercial relationship with. If you're comparing options, it's worth getting quotes from more than one operator, since fixed-fare pricing varies between firms, and standard metered black cabs and other local private hire companies also cover both airports. Whichever you choose, confirm the fare is fixed before you travel, since a 2-3 hour motorway journey run on the meter can get expensive if traffic is bad.
Which option should you actually pick?
For most people flying from Heathrow or Gatwick, the National Express coach is the best combination of price and simplicity, especially if you're travelling alone or as a couple with normal luggage. A taxi or private transfer earns its higher cost when you're travelling with a group (splitting the fare narrows the price gap with coach tickets), have an unusually early or late flight outside coach hours, or have enough luggage or mobility needs that a coach change or long wait isn't practical.
Comparing your options
| Option | Journey time | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach to Heathrow | ~2 hours | £12.90 one-way | Most solo and couple travellers |
| Coach to Gatwick | ~3h15 | £20.40 one-way | Solo/couple travellers, book ahead for early flights |
| Train (with change) | Longer than coach | Varies, often pricier | Travellers already routing via London |
| Taxi/private transfer | ~2-3 hours, direct | Fixed fare, get a quote | Groups, very early/late flights, heavy luggage |
FAQs
How much is the coach from Bristol to Heathrow? National Express fares start from £12.90 one-way, with the fastest journey taking around 2 hours and up to 16 services a day.
How much is the coach from Bristol to Gatwick? Fares start from £20.40 one-way, with a journey time of around 3 hours 15 minutes and up to 10 services daily.
Is there a direct train from Bristol to Heathrow or Gatwick? No. Both journeys require at least one change, commonly via Reading, and typically work out slower and more expensive than the direct coach.
Where does the coach to Heathrow and Gatwick leave from in Bristol? Both services depart from Bristol Bus & Coach Station in the city centre.
Is a taxi to Heathrow or Gatwick worth it from Bristol? It depends on your group size and flight time. For a group splitting the fare, or a flight time outside coach hours, a fixed-price taxi transfer can work out comparable to or better value than several individual coach tickets, and it's direct rather than fixed to a timetable.
How early should I catch the coach for a morning flight? Build in at least 3-3.5 hours before your flight from Heathrow and closer to 4 hours for Gatwick, to allow for the coach journey itself plus check-in and security, and pick a departure with a comfortable buffer rather than the last possible one.