Hello! We are going to be based in Oxford for a few days and taking day trips to the Cotswolds and Bath. I'm looking at either taking the bus or train to Bath. Train is more expensive, but it is faster and will give us more time. Does anyone have experience traveling from Oxford to Bath on either bus or train? What would you recommend?
Additionally, would love any advice/experience on getting around the Cotswolds via bus from Oxford. Thanks!
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4341 posts
I would always opt for the transportation method that gives you more time to sightsee.
Posted by
2424 posts
An *off-peak day return (pay on the day at Oxford station) is £20.30 = reasonable by British standards. Be sure to use GWR (Great Western Railway) services for the entire trip - NOT Cross Country. You will need to change at Didcot and maybe Swindon. * Off peak on weekdays means the 9.06 from Oxford or later.
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Also consider visiting Blenheim Palace - a few miles NW of Oxford. https://www.blenheimpalace.com/
Posted by
Washington DC
27163 posts
There is good train service from Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh, which is sort of the bus hub for the Cotswolds. However, if you have only one day for the Cotswolds, I don't think you'll be able to see many towns, because service is rather infrequent.
There are two companies running van tours of the Cotswolds from Moreton-in-Marsh. I was happy with my GoCotswolds tour, and others have raved about the SecretCottage tour, which I believe is more expensive.. There was a thread about the latter within the last few days.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5331 posts
If the 'we' is more than two people then Group Save kicks in on GWR services where you get a third off adult off-peak tickets for 3 or more people travelling together.
The change at Didcot for Bath is fairly easy; you will arrive at Platform 4 or 5 (travel towards the back of the train from Oxford to be nearest to the stairs/lift) and the trains for Bath Spa (final destination usually Bristol Temple Meads but can be further afield such as Weston-super-Mare etc) leave from Platform 1.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks for all this information! It seems like it is hard to get around the Cotswolds via bus because of the infrequency. We (2 of us) are planning to buy the Cotswolds Discover Bus Pass and just see as much as we can.
Posted by
2424 posts
I know - that is why we all say a car is best as they don't make easy by bus.http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnshowl.asp?L1=MOR0010