One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
CWL8.5+0.7
BRS7.8
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
CWL7.0
BRS7.2+0.2
Food & retail
Best for
CWL
Welsh travellers wanting to avoid the Bristol transfer for TUI / Ryanair sun routesKLM connections via Amsterdam from a single-terminal fieldBudget lounge seekers who will pre-book 51° (often from ~£16) instead of chasing Priority Pass
Watch out for
CWL
No direct rail into the terminal — Rhoose station + Adventure Travel 905 (T9 Express remains suspended)Classic 100 ml liquids still published for CWL in 2026 reviews — do not assume leave-in / 2 LPriority Pass is Y Castell £18 dining credit only — Collinson lounge access to 51° ended in 2019
Amenities and tips
CWL
TfW + 905 rail link51° Executive LoungeY Castell Priority Pass diningRefill Wales water fountains
CWL · Wales’s only scheduled commercial airport at Rhoose — one compact terminal, classic 100 ml security, a cheap 51° lounge that Priority Pass no longer enters, and a TfW + 905 shuttle hop from Cardiff Central. Leisure-heavy TUI/Ryanair banks; do not confuse with Bristol BRS.
BRS · Compact West Country single-terminal leisure hub with a strong Flyer bus link and early-closing Escape lounges — easy when banks are calm, punishing when summer queues and 19:30 lounge closes collide.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
CWL6.0
BRS7.4+1.4
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
CWL6.5
BRS7.6+1.1
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
CWL6.5
BRS7.3+0.8
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
CWL6.5
BRS7.3+0.8
BRS
Southwest England leisure and VFR trips on easyJet/Ryanair/Jet2/TUIPriority Pass holders clearing security before 19:00Rail travelers connecting via Temple Meads + Airport Flyer A1Compact single-terminal navigation without changing buildings
BRS
Essence/Escape lounges both close 19:30 — late banks miss themClassic ≤100 ml liquids (no published CT 2 L waiver)No jet bridges — apron walks/buses in Mendip weatherNo on-site rail; Flyer fares are separate from Bristol Zone tickets
Car Park 2 free 20-minute kerb alternative
Single-terminal layout
Train to Rhoose + 905 shuttle — T9 is still gone
Default public option is TfW to Rhoose + 905 shuttle; T9 Express is still suspended.
Pack the classic 100 ml bag — do not assume 2 L leave-in
Treat CWL as classic 100 ml unless the live airport security page says otherwise; Fast Track is bookable, not a published walk-up tariff.
51° is paid / DragonPass — Priority Pass is Y Castell dining only
Pay or DragonPass for 51°; Priority Pass holders should use the £18 Y Castell dining credit instead.
