Bristol Parkway is located in the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire, in the Stoke Gifford area of the Bristol conurbation. The immediate surrounding area is mostly residential, with farmland to the south east. The main road access is from the west, with the station situated close to the M4, M5 and M32 motorways, the latter being the Bristol "Parkway" from which the station takes its name, as well as the A4174 Avon Ring Road. The station is on the South Wales Main Line from London to Swansea, from the eastern terminus at London Paddington. It is also on the Cross Country Route from to . Just to the west of the station is Stoke Gifford Junction, where the Henbury Loop Line to Avonmouth Docks and Cross Country Route to Bristol Temple Meads diverge from the line to South Wales. Stoke Gifford train maintenance depot is located within the junction's confines. To the east is a Network Rail maintenance training centre. The next station north along the Cross Country Route is , the next station south is . The next station east along the South Wales Main Line is , the next station west is , however there are only two trains per day calling at both Bristol Parkway and Patchway.