Train from Edinburgh to Bath

Second class seats are just fine. I've never gone first class on British trains. If you buy your train tickets now I think you will get a considerable discount over paying full price on the day you travel.

We had the Britrail pass and found although the regular seats were fine, it was often a fight for one, especially together, plus the luggage racks were full to bursting. Many times my husband and I had to sit in different sections, just grabbed seats where we could. We're going again this year and will definitely get first class. Those cars were usually more than half empty and very comfortable.

By the way you will love Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is beautiful and the castle is fascinating, the park on Princes Street lovely. Have a wonderful time.

I assume that $400 refers to the price difference for more than one ticket? How many are in your group?

Seven hours is a long time to spend in a standard class seat, especially if the train is crowded, and while I probably wouldn't pay $400 extra for first class, it's worth checking to see if you can get a better deal. For example, if the route you're looking at goes from Edinburgh to London and London to Bath, check the prices for first class tickets from Edinburgh to London, and standard class from London to Bath.

Something to consider is that with some train companies (including Virgin East Coast trains, which operates the Edinburgh to London route), first class tickets include meals (and snacks, and essentially all the tea you can drink) served to you at your seat. It makes a long trip much more pleasant.

You are booking too late - the lower priced 1st class advances on the Cross Country route on many services have already gone and so on some trains you are looking at the full priced anytime ticket.You need to snap these up as they come out - about two weeks ago probably.

The cheaper 1st class tickets that are still available are on the routes into London and thence from Paddington at £100 or thereabouts. The end-to-end time is actually very similar but you have to do the cross-London travel on the Hammersmith and City / Circle Line. You will in my opinion get better service on Virgin (East or West) + GWR than you would on Cross Country.,

The alternative is to fly from Edinburgh to Bristol and take the bus from there.

We recently had to do that trip in reverse -- Bath to Edinburgh. Research indicated it would be a loooong day no matter which route was chosen. And expensive to boot. So we took a car service from Bath to Bristol airport and flew Easy Jet to Edinburgh. It was much quicker and much cheaper. You can fly from Edinburgh to Bristol, then take a bus, train, cab or car service to Bath. Let us know if you need specific info.

Thank you all for the helpful information. It seems that there aren't great train options, so will look at flying into Bristol. Appreciate all of your responses!

If you do fly from Edinburgh, and are within walking distance of the new tram system, take it to the airport. Much cheaper than a taxi, much faster than a taxi, and you get off only 100-150 yards from the airport terminal. Same thinking applies if you are flying into Edinburgh.