Pilning is close to the M4, M49 and A403 roads, and has the South Wales Main Line railway running through it, with a minor station.

[5][6] The village is home to St Peters Primary School and a number of other amenities including a shop, a doctor's surgery, and several pubs such as The King's Arms.

[8] The parish church of St Peter was completed in 1855 (consecrated 9 August), the principal architect was Thomas Henry Wyatt with H. Crisp.

As of 2023, only two eastbound trains a week serve the station due to the removal of the footbridge during Great Western Main Line electrification works.

Pilning is served hourly by bus route 12, operated by Stagecoach West, between Stoke Gifford (for Bristol Parkway) and Severn Beach.