If you're near Temple Meads and going somewhere near Bath Spa station, take the train. It's around £10 and does station to station in 12 minutes, and we wouldn't pretend otherwise. The taxi case is everything else: door to door from anywhere in Bristol to anywhere in Bath is from £59 fixed, about 35 minutes, and it doesn't care about engineering works, last trains or how much you're carrying.
Prices checked August 2026.
The honest comparison
| Train | Taxi (us) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~£10 each | from £59 fixed, up to 4 people |
| Station to station | 12 min | n/a |
| Door to door, Clifton to a Bath hotel | 50 to 70 min with the legs either end | ~40 min |
| After midnight | No trains | Yes, same price |
| 4 people | ~£40 | from £59, no walking |
| Luggage, buggies, grandparents | You carry it | The boot |
The train's 12 minutes is real, but it's station to station. Add the bus or cab to Temple Meads from Clifton or Bradley Stoke, the wait, and the walk up the hill in Bath, and the door-to-door gap mostly closes. Four people sharing closes the price gap too.
When each one wins
Train: solo or a couple, light bags, both ends near the stations, daytime. Taxi: airport connections (Bristol Airport to Bath is from £59 fixed and there's no direct public transport link worth the name), nights out in Bath with a last train you'd rather not sprint for, wedding parties, business meetings you can't be late for, and anyone whose journey doesn't start at a station.
Bath to Bristol Airport
Worth its own mention because it's the version people actually search for. There's no direct bus or train from Bath to Bristol Airport, so it's a change in Bristol or a taxi. Fixed from £59, about 35 minutes, flight tracked on the way back. The full route page is at Bath to Bristol Airport.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Bristol to Bath?
Is the train cheaper?
Can I get a taxi from Bath after the last train?
Is there a direct bus from Bath to Bristol Airport?
Book the fixed fare from £59 online and save 20%, or call 0117 966 6666.