Bristol Airport raises fees for short stay and drop-off car parks, aiming to encourage public transport use and reduce vehicle emissions to net zero.
Bristol Airport (BRS) will introduce new tariffs for its ‘Drop Off & Pick Up’ and ‘Short Stay’ car parks from Monday 5 January 2026.
The cost of using the ‘Drop Off & Pick Up’ car park, the quickest option for terminal access, will rise from £7 to £8.50 for a 10-minute stay. The ‘Short Stay’ car park, a short walk from the terminal, will increase from £7 to £8.50 for 15 minutes and from £9 to £10.50 for 15 to 30 minutes. Prices in the Minibus and Over Height car park, for vehicles up to 16 seats and over 2.5 metres high, will rise from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes.
The changes follow the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP’s, budget, which will more than double the Airport’s business rates, making them the single largest non-operational cost. Bristol Airport said the adjustments were necessary to protect jobs, improve the customer experience through new developments, and support its decarbonisation plans to reach net zero by 2030. The Airport hopes the higher prices will encourage greater use of sustainable transport options, including public transport.
A free waiting zone is available for up to one hour, with a shuttle bus running every 15 minutes from the adjacent car rental facility. The Airport plans to double the capacity of the waiting area.
Bristol Airport has invested £60 million in a Public Transport Interchange, which opened in July 2025, and a fleet of 21 new electric buses will be rolled out in the New Year, enhancing the A1 Bristol and A3 Weston-super-Mare Airport Flyer services. The A1 runs every eight minutes from 7am to 7pm and every 30 minutes overnight. The A3 has increased daytime services by more than 60 per cent, running mostly every half-hour and at least hourly overnight. Special group ticket rates will also be introduced in 2026. A new public transport service will connect North Somerset towns including Nailsea and Backwell, and a daily coach route to and from Plymouth will start on Monday 12 January.
Bristol Airport said the ‘Drop Off & Pick Up’ car park generates four journeys per vehicle compared with two for other transport options. The surface access strategy aims to increase public transport use and reduce emissions.
Other options include the Silver Zone car park with courtesy bus service, meet and greet parking, multi-storey car park, and short stay car parking, all with CCTV and 24/7 patrols. Bus services connect the Airport to Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Bath, and further afield to South West England, South Wales, Gloucestershire, and Birmingham.
Blue Badge holders can continue to use the ‘Drop Off & Pick Up’ car park for an extended 40-minute stay, increasing from £7 to £8.50. Blue badges should be scanned at the exit barrier.
Bristol Airport advises customers to book in advance for the best rates and sign up for the Rewards email for discounted parking and special deals on the A1 and A3 Flyer services.