The shuttle bus links Bristol Temple Meads and the City Centre to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
For more useful information, head here: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/west/bristol-international-balloon-fiesta
Thursday 10 August 2023
Departures from Bristol Temple Meads – 1130 and at frequent intervals until 2100
Departures Queen Square (Q2)- 1140 and at frequent intervals until 2110
Departures from Balloon Fiesta – 1200 and at frequent intervals until 2330
Friday 11 August 2023
Departures from Bristol Temple Meads – 1000 and at frequent intervals until 1900
Departures from Queen Square (Q2)- 1010 and at frequent intervals until 1910
Departures from Balloon Fiesta – 1030 and at frequent intervals until 2130
Saturday 12 August 2023
Departures from Bristol Temple Meads – 1000 and at frequent intervals until 2100
Departures from Queen Square (Q2)- 1010 and at frequent intervals until 2110
Departures from Balloon Fiesta – 1200 and at frequent intervals until 2330
Sunday 13 August 2023
Departures from Bristol Temple Meads – 1000 and at frequent intervals until 1900
Departures Queen Square (Q2)- 1010 and at frequent intervals until 1910
Departures from Balloon Fiesta – 1030 and at frequent intervals until 2130
Adult Day = £5 plus booking fee
Group Day (up to five passengers) = £15 plus booking fee
Children under 16 = Free of charge when travelling with an adult (two children per adult)
All tickets should be booked in advance and are specific to the day booked.
You can purchase bus tickets here.
Ask your taxi driver to follow the road signs to the designated drop off/pick up location, which is a short walk from the event site. This is long Ashton Park and ride point. Please note this is only operating as a drop-off point during the fiesta & you will not be able to park your vehicle.
The closest train station to the Fiesta is Bristol Temple Meads, served by our travel partner GWR.
Traveling by train from South Wales on Sunday 14 August: Ongoing rail improvements in the Severn Tunnel will affect train services running between South Wales and Bristol during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta on Sunday 14 August, until midday.
Find out more at GWR.com.
For further information on traveling to the Fiesta with GWR please visit GWR.com. GWR are an official travel partner of the Fiesta and you can find out more about them here.
Those wishing to cycle can take ‘Festival Way’ - a traffic-free path connecting the city to Ashton Court Estate and beyond. Starting in Bristol, you can use the National Cycling Route 33, which takes you on a traffic-free path from Queens Square out of the city via Cumberland Road. Crossing the River Avon you join Kennel Lodge Road as you enter Ashton Court. There is bike parking available on-site by the Mansion House and the Fallow Deer Park. For details on the cycling route and link to an OS map please visit the Sustrans website.
For details on the cycling route and link to an OS map please visit the Sustrans website.
For those on foot, there are two main routes into the Fiesta site from Bristol City Centre; via Festival Way or via the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Festival Way, Route 33 on the Cycle Route Network is a great walk from the city centre. Head to the Sustrans website for full details.
Please note: The Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed between 6.00pm until midnight on Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th August so if you are attending the nightglow then you must follow the Festival Way route back into the city.
The visitor map for the Balloon Fiesta can be found here.
Due to huge demand, all coach and tour operators must register in advance to book a parking space for their coach. Booking is free via the online ticketing system here.
On Saturday: Full directions and location will be confirmed upon booking for the coach parking at Long Ashton Park and Ride. The fiesta coach park will be clearly signposted on approach and is approximately 7-8 minutes walk from the main event arena (fully sign-posted).
On Thursday, Friday and Sunday: Coach operators are requested to drop-off in designated spaces in Bristol City Centre and passengers can walk to the fiesta site. Coaches must then park at the Bristol Fruit Market parking facility before picking up again in the City Centre after the event. Please note: In recent years a number of unsafe and extremely dangerous drop-off and pick-up manoeuvres have been witnessed by the organisers of the fiesta, Highways Authorities and Avon and Somerset Police. The organisers of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta want to ensure the safety of all visitors to this great, iconic event. Non-compliance with parking, dropping off and picking up passengers may result in prosecution.