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Cutting it too close? Bath to Edinburgh

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I am looking at taking a tour around Bath to Cottswald and Stonehenge. It leaves at 8:20 AM and returns approximately nine hours later, about 5:20 PM. Then I would like to catch an A4 Air Decker to Bristol airport. This shuttle leaves Bath at 6 PM sharp and arriving at Bristol airport at 7:16 PM. Catching an EasyJet to Edinburgh, wheels up at 8:55 PM.

I wonder if I am cutting it too close. What are the chances my tour will return me back to Bath too late to catch the A4 Air Decker? How reliable is the Air Decker to get me to the Bristol airport on time? Finally, is an hour and 40 minutes enough time to get through security in Bristol on a Wednesday evening?

I am thinking I haven’t allowed enough time for something to go wrong. Looks good on paper, but am I pushing my luck? I’d love to hear from all you UK travel experts! Thanks, Beetle

Posted by
32745 posts

Yes, you are pushing your luck.

What will you do if any of those what-ifs fail you?

Posted by
6113 posts

Knowing the traffic on UK roads, I would say there is a fair chance that you may have a delayed return, which then means you miss the A4 and the flight.

One hour 40 should be enough time at the airport.

You will have a very late arrival at your accommodation in Edinburgh. Being a later rotation, there is a chance that the flight could be delayed.

Posted by
619 posts

The road between Bath and Bristol is very congested at that time of the day. My suggestion would be that you get a taxi from Bath to the airport, rather than use the bus, which is not an express service. The journey will be quicker, and the taxi will leave as soon as you get back from your tour. The taxi will also wait should your tour be delayed.

Posted by
5326 posts

Tour round the Cotswolds and Stonehenge from Bath in one day would in itself be too ambitious for me.

Posted by
13934 posts

Are you doing a Mad Max tour? I did one a few years ago that did Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock and Castle Combe and it was a nice day out. I find this company very dependable (have done 2 tours with them) but there is occasionally heavy traffic in some of that area so I'd expect to be late back in to Bath. I think both times I was 15-30 minutes late returning. BOTH tours left exactly on the dot or a few minutes early so you definitely get your money's worth.

I'd not do a full day tour with a flight to catch that evening. They do have some half day tours that get back early afternoon depending on what your main interest is and what day of the week you are considering.

Posted by
392 posts

Actually I think you've got some good buffers built in here. A few caveats though - does the tour drop you off at or very close to where the airport bus departs? If you miss that connection would you be prepared to pay for a taxi for what would be a fairly long journey? Once you get to Bristol at that time of night an hour would honestly be fine so long as you are not checking luggage. It's not a huge airport.

Posted by
13934 posts

IF it's a MadMax or Lion tour (or I think most tours) the drop off is the area right in front of the Abbey Hotel across the road from the Parade Gardens. It's probably a 10 minute walk to the Railway station or to the bus station next door to it. Maybe less if you really hoof it.

Also...another consideration - luggage? The vans for the tours are the small vans and there is no room for luggage. You can bring a day pack but you'd not be able to bring even a carry-on size suitcase.

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