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Another train ticket question

Posted by (Beaverton, Oregon, USA) on

I'm scheduled to land at Heathrow at 12:10 p.m. on Monday the 16th. I'm heading to Bath Spa. I am taking the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and then the GWR to Bath. (I know there are perhaps cheaper and easier ways to do this.)

Since I don't know how long it will take to get through passport control, I don't know which Paddington to Bath train I will be able to catch. Maybe as early as 2:00 p.m. Maybe as late as 4:00 p.m. Since the advance ticket price varies depending on departure time, should I book, say, the 2:30 out of Paddington for about 34 pounds, knowing there is some chance that I will have to take a later, and more expensive, train? Can I just pay the difference if I don't make the earlier train? Or should I just not worry about buying an advance ticket and just pay the fare for the train that I'm able to make?

Note that I already have my Heathrow Express ticket.

Posted by
6888 posts

If you don't make it on a train for which you have an advance ticket, that ticket is lost. You can't pay the difference for a later train.
So you'd better pay for an off-peak or super-off peak (the latter before 3.30pm if I'm not mistaken ) ticket, once in London.

Posted by
107 posts

Getting through customs is the biggest unknown. The London Express is easy because you can hop on when ready. If you aren't concerned about a few pounds you can wait to purchase the train to bath tickets when you get to Paddington station.
We are doing the same trip on the 14th and I allowed four hours. We plan to get lunch in London if we are on time. It a 30 min ride to Paddington and a 90 min train to Bath.
Are you aware the Jane Austen Festival will be going on? google it if not.
Safe Travels
Don
ps we leave Bath on the 18th so maybe we will bump into you. We are at the Brooks Guest House.

Posted by
740 posts

We are two days behind you on the RS September 17 England tour. We are staying at the Henrietta House across the river.

Who is your guide?

Posted by
2775 posts

Depending on what terminal you are leaving from the Heathrow Express takes 15-20 minutes.

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