With Bailey Balloons you will take to the skies with up to 100 balloons and some of the most incredible special shaped hot air balloons. When you buy a champagne flight voucher to fly at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta you will receive a special launch site pass and you will be able to take pictures of the hot air balloons close up and take off as part of the mass ascent (subject to weather conditions).
Please note that the flights are sold as vouchers as ballooning is weather dependent and are valid for 12 months from the 1st August 2022 and the flights must therefore be taken by 1st August 2023 and within the main flying season which is April – October. Should your flight be cancelled at the 2022 Fiesta due to unsuitable weather, your voucher will revert to a Gold Anytime voucher. We cannot move you to another slot at this year’s fiesta as we are fully booked. No refund will be given and you will not be able to carry vouchers over to following year’s Fiesta. We do have launch site all over the South West. Please do remember that the weather sadly is out of our control!
The meeting time for morning flights at the Fiesta is 5.45am and evening flights is 5.30pm. Please note that the traffic is usually very bad and the last entry to the car parks is 5pm, therefore we suggest you arrive to the site with plenty of time of spare if you are booked on an evening flight. The car park is open at 5.30 AM
The flight will last approximately 45 minutes to about an hour depending on flight conditions but you will be with us for about 3-4 hours in total, with the setting up, the flight, packing away of the balloon, Champagne and return by vehicle to the meeting point.
Prior to your flight you must call our Passenger Line on 01275 375404 at 10.30 pm the night before a morning flight OR
At 3pm on the day for an evening flight, to check the final update.
You must inform us prior to your flight if you have any medical conditions, disabilities or are pregnant. If you arrive for your flight and the Pilot refuses to fly you due to any of the above, you will lose your right to fly and will not be entitled to a refund.
IF YOU DON’T TURN UP FOR YOUR FLIGHT AT THE CORRECT TIME WHEN A FLIGHT IS CALLED ON BY US YOU WILL LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO FLY AS IS THE CASE IN ANY FORM OF AVIATION, EVEN IF YOU ARE HELD UP IN TRAFFIC.
We have compiled some essential information below for this year’s Fiesta. More information, photos and flight bookings can be viewed by clicking here.
Directions to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta:
By Car: Follow the yellow road signs to the Fiesta – Public Car Parks are clearly signposted, SAT NAV Details: use the postcode BS8 3TQ. Once you pick up the yellow event road signs, please follow these as they will direct you with the flow of event traffic.
From the North, M5 Junction 19: take the A369 towards Bristol city centre
From the South, M5 Junction 21: take the A370 towards Bristol
From the East or West, M4 Junction 20: take the M5 southbound, leaving at junction 19 for the A369 towards Bristol city centre
Car Parks: Premium car parking is available at the Blue Car Park, book online here . If you have a balloon flight booked, we suggest the Blue car park as it is closest to the launch site. You must pre-book parking if you are flying from the Fiesta as spaces may not be available on the day. The last entry to the car parks is 5pm, therefore we suggest you arrive to the site with plenty of time of spare if you are booked on an evening flight. The car park is open at 5.30 AM for morning flights.
PLEASE NOTE The Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians during the evenings of the two nightglows on Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th August and will be closed from 6.00pm, re-opening at 12 midnight. There also may be road closures on the A370.
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.
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.
By Foot: The Fiesta site is a 45-minute walk from Bristol City Centre, Clifton and South Bristol. Please use the Festival Way walking from central Bristol, which is sign posted from the M-Shed museum. PLEASE NOTE The Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians during the evenings of the two nightglows on Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th August and will be closed from 6.00pm, re-opening at 12 midnight. There also may be road closures on the A370.
By Bus: First bus will operate a high frequency bus service during the fiesta weekend, connecting Temple Meads railway station and the centre with the Fiesta site.
Drop Off/Pick Up Facility: A dedicated drop off/pick up facility will be located within a short walk from the Fiesta site. Please follow the event signs to the facility.
BIBF parking map
