Bristol
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Bristol Travel Guide, where we explore a city at the heart of England’s west country. Alongside it’s marine history, friendly locals and countryside image, Bristol has established itself as a vibrant, independent and alternative city which nurtures diversity, arts and culture.
Home to many artists, three university’s, a growing number of modern art museums and some of the best street art in England and the UK, it’s no wonder Bristol attracts a young, artistic crowd, as well as many young professionals. The city is constantly evolving and developing, with its harbours and waterways being the centre point of the action. Aside from its arty side, Bristol still very much has its English charm with an old quarter, hilly streets and countless pubs. There are also a number of great attractions and parks which make it perfect for families and children.
Bristol Travel Guide Contents
Bristol Travel Guide
How to get to Bristol
The closest airport to Bristol is Bristol Airport (BRS) which is located around 9km southwest of Bristol city centre. Although Bristol airport does have a reasonable amount of flight carriers, many visitors to the city will also arrive from London so, as well as looking at how to get to Bristol from Bristol airport, we have also covered how to get to Bristol from London. Bristol airport is a small airport that caters to Bristol and surrounding areas. The airport is modern, well equipped and has a good selection of restaurants, cafes and shops. The main ways of getting from the airport and London to Bristol city centre are:
Bus – The A1 airport flyer bus can be boarded from Bristol bus station or Bristol Temple Meads train station and runs directly to Bristol Airport. The bus leaves every 20min and takes approx 40min. Tickets can be bought online or on the bus and cost £8 ($11) for an adult single ticket or £13 ($18) for an adult return ticket, which is valid for 1 month
Taxi/Uber – A standard taxi or Uber can cost anywhere from £30-£45 ($41-$61) to Bristol City Centre and will take approx 20-30min. Uber prices can fluctuate quite considerably in Bristol so booking a taxi in advance may be the better option to secure a better price
From London via train – The easiest option for getting from London to Bristol is to take a train service from London Paddington station going to Bristol Temple Meads. Bristol Temple Meads is the final stop and takes approx 1hour 40min. Services to Cardiff Central or Swansea also stop at Bristol Parkway which is out of the city centre. When catching the service to Bristol Parkway, change at Parkway for trains to Temple Meads. Services leave regularly and ticket prices vary depending on the time of day. Book via Trainline to get the best train prices.
Areas to stay in Bristol
Bristol is bigger than one might first think. There are many areas to this vibrant city, all offering different experiences, crowds and attractions, which can make it difficult to know where to stay in Bristol. The city centre is quite walkable although it does have lots of hills, so bear this in mind when picking an area to stay. For first-timers to the city or anyone wanting to be in the most convenient location, we always recommend Bristol Old City or Harbourside. Here are the most popular areas to stay in Bristol:
Harbourside – This area revolves around the beautiful harbour area of Bristol including the vibrant millennium square area, Wapping wharf and Spike Island. If you’re looking to be near the water, restaurants and plenty of bars then this is where to stay
Old City – The heart of Bristol’s historical centre, the Old City area is one of the best areas to stay in the city. The close proximity to many of the top Bristol attractions make it convenient alongside the abundance of restaurants and shops
Temple Meads – The home of Bristol’s main train station, Temple Meads is great for those looking to use the train a lot. There is also a good selection of larger chain hotels here although the area lacks in character or nightlife
Old Market – Located just outside of the Old City area, Old Market is a small area with plenty of independent bars and restaurants, generally sprawling from the main street, Old Market Street
Southville – A largely residential area, Southville is located across the bridge from Spike Island and is home to a great selection of boutique and independent restaurants, pubs and bars. There aren’t many hotels here but apartments are in abundance
Clifton Village – Considered the high-end area of Bristol, Clifton Village is located up the hill from the Harbourside area and is home to several highly rated restaurants as well as Bristol Zoo, Clifton Suspension Bridge and numerous green parks for long walks and hikes
Stokes Croft – Located northeast of the centre, Stokes Croft centres itself around a main street of the same name. The area is the arts hub of Bristol, home to street art, colourful shop fronts and proud of its independent views. There aren’t that many hotels here but a few guest houses as well as some of Bristol’s most well-known nightclubs alongside its Caribbean community
Accommodation in Bristol
Bristol has a great selection of accommodation options to choose from including hostels, guest houses, apartments and hotels. There are a large number of chain hotels in the city as well as larger and smaller independent and boutique hotels. Prices in Bristol can vary considerably depending on the time of year. In peak times such as July, August and Christmas and New Year, prices can be very high so it is worth booking well in advance at these times. Weekends generally command a higher rate also. These are some of our top picks for where to stay in Bristol:
Budget Hostel | YHA Bristol – This is one of the best value hostels in Bristol, located right on the harbour and complete with a modern and fun shared lounge area with a variety of room and dorm options to choose from
Mid-range Hotel | Leonardo Hotel Bristol City – Centrally located, Leonardo Hotel is a solid mid-range option in Bristol with clean, contemporary rooms, breakfast service and room service. It’s ideal for business or leisure
Apartment | SACO Bristol Broad Quay – If you’re looking for a home and away from home in Bristol, then SACO Bristol provides just that. These well-designed and well-equipped apartments come in a range of sizes and options and overlook Bristol’s Harbourside
High-end Hotel | The Bristol Hotel – Situated on Bristol Harbourside, a short walk away from the Old City and some of the best attractions in Bristol, The Bristol Hotel is a fantastic hotel with spacious, comfortable and modern rooms, a great restaurant, superb breakfast offering and excellent service
How to get around Bristol
Although many of the main tourist sites are located in the centre of Bristol, within walking distance from one another, the various areas of the city can be further to get to. The hilly landscape of Bristol also makes some destinations a little more challenging to get to. However, Bristol has a great public transport network that covers the city extensively, making getting around Bristol a breeze. Here are the most popular options for how to get around Bristol:
Train – Alongside Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway, Bristol’s main train stations, several smaller train stations are spread across the city. This means that it is possible to get the train between some areas in Bristol including Clifton Down and Bedminster. You can buy tickets at the stations or on the platform. For trains further afield use Bristol Temple Meads and we recommend buying your tickets in advance from Trainline to save you money and time
Bus – An extensive bus service runs throughout Bristol, connecting to other towns, cities and Bristol’s outlying suburbs. Bus tickets start from £2.50 ($3.40) for an adult single journey. You can pay by cash or contactless card on board
Taxi – There are both standard taxis and ride-hailing services available in Bristol. One of the most widely used standard taxi services that also now has an app is V-Cars, but Uber is also available. Wait times with Uber tend to be quite good in Bristol’s city centre areas, but prices can fluctuate a lot, so a standard taxi is sometimes the better option
Driving – There are several car parks across the city centre in Bristol, however, the city is well known to have lots of traffic, so driving in Bristol isn’t a particularly enjoyable experience. We, therefore, recommend that you only drive into Bristol if you have to, and use public transport if you can
Things to do in Bristol
Bristol is a fantastic city filled with a variety of things to see and do, from historical landmarks to museums and great walks. Here is our pick of the top 5 things to do in Bristol:
SS Great Britain – One of the top Bristol attractions, this former passenger ship, now a museum, was once the longest in the world from 1845 to 1854. It resides on Bristol’s harbourside and tickets cost £18 per adult
Bristol Cathedral – A world heritage site, this beautiful Gothic cathedral is a must-visit in Bristol. Admission inside is free
Bristol Museum and Gallery – Opened in 1905, the museum and art gallery are home to history, nature and art collections in over 20 galleries. Admission is free
Clifton Suspension Bridge – Opened in 1864, this bridge spans the River Avon and is surrounded by greenery, creating beautiful views. Walk over or admire from Clifton Observatory
Explore Bristol’s Street Art – As the home of Banksy, Bristol is well known for its street art and graffiti which adorn the walls of the city centre, Stokes Croft and Bedminster, take a tour or explore yourself
What to eat in Bristol
Bristol is a foodie’s paradise. The city is packed full of great restaurants, bars and cafes including a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options too. There are almost 1200 eateries in the Bristol area to choose from, including traditional pubs, popular food market stalls and high-end establishments. With 14 entries in the Michelin guide and 3 one-star Michelin star restaurants, it’s clear that Bristol caters just as much to those looking for something special, as it does to those wanting some street food. Here are our top picks of traditional English foods to try in Bristol:
Cornish pasty – Ok, so not from Bristol, but Cornish pasties are most popular in the southwest of the country, and Bristol is no exception. Shortcrust pastry is traditionally filled with beef and vegetables, but many other varieties are available
Cheddar cheese – Originating from the nearby village of Cheddar in Somerset, cheddar cheese is a hard, off white cheese that is sometimes sharp but also creamy. Have it in a sandwich, on toast or just on its own!
Cider – Popular across the UK, but particularly in the west country, cider is an alcoholic beverage made with fermented apples. Cider from the west country tends to be stronger, so just take it easy
Roast dinner – A British favourite, the roast dinner is traditionally served on Sundays in pubs across the country. The dish is essentially meat, usually beef, turkey or pork with roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy
Sticky toffee pudding – An English dessert made of moist sponge cake and finely chopped dates, which is covered in a toffee sauce. Usually served with custard or vanilla ice cream
Money - Bristol Travel Costs
The currency in England is the British Pound (£). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout England, including in Bristol, and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. A service charge is commonly added to the bill in mid-range, chain and high-end restaurants, this is usually either 10% or 12.5%. If a service charge has not been added, you can leave a tip if you are happy with the service. A tip of 5-10% is the norm and you can round up for taxis. Although there are reasonably priced options available for food and accommodation, Bath is generally considered more on the expensive side. But, done correctly, it can be suitable for both the budget and luxury traveller. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
A local draught beer – £3-£5 ($4-$6.75)
A coffee – £2-£4 ($2.75-$5.50)
A pasty – £2.50-£3.50 ($3.50-$4.75)
Budget restaurant meal – £10-£18 ($13.50-$24.50)
Mid-range restaurant meal – £25-£40 ($34-$55)
High-end restaurant meal – £50+ ($68+)
When to go to Bristol and for how long
Bristol is at its best from June to September. Although July and August are peak season, this is also the best time of year for possible good weather, although, being the UK, this can never be guaranteed! Bristol is well known for its waterside drinking and dining options so visiting on warmer, sunnier days allow visitors to enjoy this side of the city. Bristol has many attractions and areas to visit, if you just want to cover the centre then a 2 day visit will be enough but 5 days to a week in the city would allow time to explore Clifton, Stokes Croft and Southville alongside the city centre areas.
Local language and phrases
The language in England is English. Bristol is in the heart of England’s West Country, which, like many areas of the UK, has some of its own slang. You may hear some of these so here are some West Country phrases:
Where’s that to? – Where is it?
Lush – Very nice
Babber – Baby or small child
Proper job – A job well done
Alright me luver – Hello
Bristol travel tips
– Bristol is a safe city and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets, in fact, Bristol is well known for its large selection of vegan and vegetarian eateries
– Bristol Airport and London Airports offer Covid-19 PCR & Antigen tests for those that require them, it is advisable to book a slot in advance if you require a test
Bristol travel guide written in October 2021
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Bristol Travel Articles
Bristol Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Bristol walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Bristol City Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of Bristol Old City Centre and accompanying map showing the route we walked
Bristol Cathedral Walking Tour
A walking tour video of Bristol Cathedral and the surrounding area, and accompanying map showing the route we walked
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