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Heathrow to Bath

Posted by on

In Rick's Great Britain 2013 Guidebook (page 214) he writes about the train and/or train/bus from airport to Bath (46-72 GBP). Sounds like way overpriced and a rip-off.

Nevertheless using www.thetrainline.com I am seeing all kinds of options from Heathrow to Bath in the range from 19-25 GBP, with many other much higher, also.

Has anyone used www.thetrainline.com and is this direct to Bath or what's involved with changing at stops dragging luggage?
We plan to rent a car in Bath the next day and had out through the Cotswold's and regions beyond (mainly the national parks and AONB throughout UK).

Thank you. Ted

Posted by
3580 posts

I took the bus directly from Heathrow to Bath a couple of times. It was inexpensive, but the trip was something like 2 1/2 hours. I was exhausted by the time I arrived in Bath. More recently, I just took the Heathrow Connect to Paddington Station in London then caught a train to Bath from there. It costs more and may not be much quicker, but I arrived in better condition. The train from Paddington to Bath takes about 1 1/2 hours. Sometimes it is possible to take a bus (coach) from the central station near Victoria train station for just a few GBP.

Posted by
2399 posts

On leaving Bath, you may like to consider heading north to the M4 & then heading west to south Wales. On approaching the Severn estuary, cross on the M48 bridge (toll = £6.50) & visit Chepstow to see the Castle. (This is about 40 minutes from Bath).
http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/chepstow-castle/?lang=en
Then head up the A466 to Tintern to see the ruined Abbey. This is the Wye Valley ANOB.http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk

You could head further into Wales by going NW to the Brecon Beacons National Park = about 45 minutes from Tintern. http://www.breconbeacons.org
www.visitwales.com

You could take the Railair shuttle bus service from Heathrow to Reading and then the train to Bath.http://www.railair.com
Train times and fares at www.nationalrail.co.uk. (You may like to book at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk as they are the train company). Pre-book for cheapest tickets though goodness knows how you can say a specific train. (It may be cheaper to buy split tickets with the split being at Swindon).

Posted by
32702 posts

thetrainline is one of several sellers of train tickets provided by the train companies. They will not have anything cheaper than you can get direct.

Remember that cheaper comes with restrictions - either exact time or route or time of day, or refundability.

Look at the provider of the route, in this case First Great Western. They may even have cheaper highly restricted tickets than you have yet found.

Posted by
4684 posts

Be warned that the cheap advance train fares in Britain are for a single specific train. If you miss that train you will have to buy a new ticket at full fare, so it may be a gamble if your flight is delayed or there is a long wait for immigration or luggage.

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