GETTING TO THE FIESTA

On this page you'll find all the need to know information about travelling to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, in partnership with our travel partners, GWR.

Please note, there are various road closures in place around Ashton Court Estate during the event so please follow the traffic signs, even if you feel you are headed away from your destination. This ensures we can keep the traffic moving and also get everyone home the fastest way possible

Also note, the Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to all pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from 6pm until midnight on Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August.

BY CAR

Please refer to our car parking page here.

CAR PARKING MAP

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta car parking map can be found here.

Shuttle Bus

The shuttle bus links Bristol Temple Meads and the City Centre to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. This service runs from 11.30am on Friday and 10am on Saturday and Sunday, with return journeys running until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 9.30pm on Sunday.

Tickets for the Shuttle Bus service can now be purchased from our Tickets page. On this page you will also find details about pricing and the timetable.

METRO BUS

The m2 metro bus service runs between Bristol Temple Meads and Long Ashton Park & Ride, which is a short walk from the event site and the designated drop off/pick up location for taxis during the Fiesta.

This service starts from Bristol Temple Meads at 06:13 on Friday, and 06:20 on Saturday, with the last return buses from Long Ashton Park & Ride leaving at 8.50pm on Friday and Saturday. This service does not operate on Sunday.

To plan your journey via this route, we recommend visiting this webpage.

BY TAXI

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 the 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.

BY TRAIN

Hop on a train to Bristol Temple Meads, served by our travel partner GWR. From there you can either walk or cycle along 'Festival Way,' or take the shuttle bus to Ashton Court Estate.

If you fancy a stroll, the nearest train station to Ashton Court Estate is Parson Street, which is a 30-minute walk.

For further information on travelling to the Fiesta with GWR please visit GWR.com.

BY BICYCLE

Those wishing to cycle can take ‘Festival Way’ - a traffic-free path connecting the city to Ashton Court Estate and beyond. While Festival Way is currently closed it WILL be open throughout the Fiesta weekend for visitors to use.

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.

ON FOOT

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. While the route is currently closed, it WILL be open throughout the Fiesta weekend. Head to the Sustrans website for full details. 

Please note the Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles between 6pm and midnight on Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August.

Visitor Map

The visitor map for the Balloon Fiesta can be found here.

By COACH

COACH PARKING 

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 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.