What is your cut off for getting an airport hotel?

I would go the day before, check in to a hotel and that way you dont have to worry.

The danger IMO is treating the 3 hours as an absolute target (e.g "because the airline says...) and so sticking another chunk of buffer time in front....

Agree, when we have a significant distance to travel to the airport we would aim for 3 hours factoring in we could have a 90 minute delay and it not be an issue. We don't then add another extra chunk of time onto the travel time when planning.

I'd take the hotel personally and have a relaxed start. Aiming for 3 hours ahead of time on a 5 hour journey is absolutely sensible, your journey only has to take 20% longer than usual and that's an hour gone. And you're travelling on the M5 which is an extra risk factor in itself!

The reason is that it will mean OP is more relaxed and enjoys the start of her holiday more. A day in Bath sounds lovely OP!

Well if it is peace of mind and a hassle free start to your holiday, that is a reason.

I think in your situation I'd go up the morning before, and go and look round something in Bristol, enjoy night in hotel, a leisurely breakfast / brunch then go to the airport.

If you were driving I'd just drive up leaving nice and early, but I wouldn't trust public transport over that distance.

(Ignore the people not answering your actual question.)

I probably wouldn’t get a hotel for these timings but if you find it more relaxing do so. I also aim for the time advised ( useful in our last trip when we came across a major road closure that seemingly Google didn’t know about ).

That’s exactly what we do. It’s quite a nice treat when we only do city break shorter hols. We only live less than an hour from the airport however if it’s a v early flight we have stayed in airport hotel. The traffic to and nearby the airport is a nightmare and public transport wouldn’t work so early for us.

We didn’t this year as it was a saturday and we got a lift so thought it would be fine, the nearest motorway for us was shut and we had to go a long route and then queue to get in the airport site off the motorway. ( Manchester airport is hideous) Luckily we allow lots of time.

Do it @joycomesinthemornings

I love an airport hotel the night before a holiday. We see it as an extension of the holiday. But I appreciate that others do not.

I would probably book something like the Hampton right next to the airport. But that’s because I love a hotel with runway views.

But, your Bath idea is a fab one. A lovely afternoon and evening in Bath. Next morning, hotel breakfast and then the bus from Bath to Bristol Airport. That would definitely be a good way to start your holiday.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. One of the reasons I wont go on hols with others. My DM wanted 6 hours prior for Oz, because 'she likes to be there in plenty of time'. F*ck that. I spend no longer in an airport than I absolutely have to. Ive had to run to gate a few times but I would rather do that than spend hours there.

I joined in 2007, maybe I’m looking back through rose-tinted spectacles but I remember laughing and being entertained lots on here, now that’s a rare occurrence.

Anyhow, I’d not risk public transport in your circumstances. We’ve had two occasions where we travelled from Scotland to London for flights and had nightmare train journeys with massive delays and one where we had to travel cross country on multiple trains to get there. If you can afford it I’d add an extra day on by travelling the day before and staying in Bristol city overnight then getting the train to the airport the following day after brunch, and snack buying, so I’m not spending on anything apart from coffee in the airport! Have a great time in Rome.

I'd catch an early train. Avoid the M5 and be at Bristol airport with time to spare.

How does it take 4 hours 55 to get to Bristol airport from rural Devon?

Is it a bus from where you live to connect to a coach to pick up the falcon service? That's an insane journey, I'm so sorry! I've used the falcon before, it's a great service but I'll get someone to drop me at the stop.

Can you get a taxi or a lift part of the way?

I'd stay in Bristol rarther than at the airport. It's cheaper and you can do something in the morning before going to the airport. The bus to the airport is frequent and reliable.

I vote day before in bath, sounds like a lovely relaxing start to your holiday. I like to be there early too. Being late, or the thought of it, stresses me out so I'm often sitting in Costa reading my kindle 3 hours before.

People just get a kick of having a dig on here. Every thread you read or it seems like it.

I like to arrive early at at airport 2.5- 3 hours. I go once a year. Ours has had terrible times with security queues and traffic. It’s known for being shit. I’m not missing my holiday by risking going 70 mins before.

Different airports will have different recommendations too. Not all airports are the same. So enjoy your holiday and i’d book a hotel in Bristol or the airport if i was you and start your holiday early. It’s so much less stressful.

The reason is that it means the traveller does not become anxious about missing their flight - don’t be so dismissive of other people’s reasons!

OP, if you do go to Bath for the day and have nothing better to do, I highly recommend the American Museum and Gardens, it's only 8 mins from the city centre and is a lovely spot for a country walk, nice cafe and v interesting museum. I went there on Sunday with DS as I'm finding Bath city centre increasingly annoying with millions of hen parties etc.
You could easily stay in Bath overnight, it's only 15 mins to Bristol from there, but I appreciate you may want to stay in an airport hotel so you are onsite for your fllight.
Have a lovely holiday

OP, I’m with you on this one given that you live so far away from the airport! I live 20 minutes away from Manchester airport and have stayed overnight there a couple of times with early morning flights because I find it easier than travelling during rush hour, because it reduces my anxiety and because I can!
Just ignore the expert travellers who say you don’t need to be there 3 hours before, they’re soooo cool being seasoned travellers 🤣.
Book a hotel the night before, have a stress free journey the day before, enjoy your holiday 🛫🛫🛫

Sorry OP - i know its not the point of your thread. But i do find the 'getting there super early' thing interesting. I think we are all so different hey. I'm incensed by wasted hours in the airport before I leave. It puts me in a massive mood before my holiday, and I feel royally ripped off (I know they just want me to spend there). Others I know get so upset if there is any worries about being late during the journey (and by late I mean not being at the airport 3 hours early - which is mental to me). As long as Im going through security 45 mins before the flight Im happy. 20 mins before (which has happened) I was racing and just made the gate. Made it, and yeh it was a tense hour - but id still rather that than sit for hours on end in a boring airport.

I do appreciate though that some people prefer the boredom - and even enjoy the airport experience - than risk a tense race to the gate (which is vanishingly rare anyway).

Just my musings.
As you were.

People are simply trying to point out that if you allowed an extra hour for the journey, instead of hanging around the airport, you wouldn't need an airport hotel.

We are in Cornwall. We drive so wouldn’t go the night before unless it was an early flight. If we were using public transport we would use a local hotel because the public transport is unreliable.

We’ve stayed at Bristol Hilton recently and it was great to be so close to the airport.

Newquay and Exeter are rubbish.