Fastest way from Heathrow to Bath

There are trains on the hour and half hour from Paddington, they take 80 minutes to Bath. Probably your best bet, the 2:30 train will still get you to the start not much after the designated start time of 4 PM. You should be able to do this via the Elizabeth line, which runs from Heathrow every half hour on :20 and :50, add 30 minutes to Paddington. The National Express bus will not arrive until after 5, assuming that you can get deplaned, retrieve your baggage, and make it over to the bus station by 1:30.

You may be a bit late but it's a gathering.

I think you will be late.

The latest train from Paddington (the fastest mode of transportation, at up to 125 mph) which gets to Bath with any breathing room to check in, drop luggage, maybe splash your face, and get to the tour is the 13:30, just 1 hour and 15 minutes after your flight lands.

Landing isn't walking off the flight, it is when the wheels touch down. Then you need to walk through, get your luggage and then immigration, then to the Heathrow Express which runs every 15 minutes usually. If you just miss one you are standing around for 15 minutes. Then it takes 15 (Terminal 2/3) or 20 (Terminal 5) minutes, then you need to get from that train to the one you want. If you arrive at Terminal 4 you have to take the less frequent slower Elizabeth Line.

If you take the train to Bath an hour later you get to the station in Bath just before your tour starts. But you will be late because you still need to get to it, probably have to check in first.

Have you looked at the history of your flight? Does it get canceled sometimes with passengers put on other flights? Are you sure that that won't be you?

If the flight regularly runs, does it usually arrive on time?

Sorry to be so negative, but I think you have poor odds of getting there on time.

This is why we usually suggest that people arrive at least a day early, and that helps with jetlag too.

Good luck

First of all, arriving on the same day as your tour starts sets you up for potential issues if irregular operations happen with the airlines. If possible, I would change to arrive the day before. If that is not an option, then your choices are private transfer ($$), National Express Bus, or train. If you are not there at 4 pm it won't be the end of the world. The guide will give a bit of an orientation and go over procedures and norms for the group, and then there will be some time before the group dinner.

I’ve been on a number of RS tours. I would strongly suggest that to fully enjoy the tour you should try to arrive a day or two early. I’ve seen many of the same day arrivals getting really sleepy during our first afternoon together.

Thanks all. Just changed our flight to arrive a day early. Appreciate the quick and helpful responses.

Since you're arriving a day early, you have better options for transportation to Bath -- depending on where you spend your first night in country.

If staying at the airport or going on to spend your 1st night in Bath, the bus may be the easiest, most direct and the most fun with no changes from LHR to Bath.

If you stay in town, the somewhat more complicated train options will work, but there will be changes.

BTW, the Bath train station and bus station are right next door to each other, so whatever mode of transport you take, you'll end up in the same place. ;-)

I am so glad that you were able to make this change to add a day! That was a good idea and you just reduced your stress for this trip by quite a bit.

Wow. My first time to use this forum and it is wonderfully impressive. Thanks to everyone for your good advice and welcome support. I’ll now take a look at the bus. Might be a nice way to doze off for a bit too if jet lag overtakes us on our first afternoon. Also, now seeking to extend our stay at the first hotel by a night. 😊

I'm so very glad you changed your arrival date! MUCH better to arrive the day before.

I will add that the National Express Coaches in the UK are very nice...NOTHING like the US long distance buses!

adding that day may well turn stress into happiness, and you'll be able to enjoy the tour much more.

A couple of years ago, we took the bus from London to Bath due to a train strike. Although a pleasant ride, it made lots of stops and took twice as long as the train.

I love the bus option as I get a chance to snooze on the way. I'm always so sleepy after an overnight flight. And if you've never been to Bath there will be plenty of things to see you don't 'do' on the tour.