Hello, We are arriving at 7;40 may 8th 2025 to LHR and going to Bath. I am exploring the bus or the train. from previous inquirys I have seen I have tried to follow directions. This is what I have found: Unfortunately the fast bus times do not appear to work for us. I see a 9;30 departure that takes 3hrs40'costing #22.20 and a flexible ticket for 43.20# (quite a difference). not being able to rely on arrival times transatlantic flight. If we miss our scheduled bus would we be able to use ticket for the next bus? with a fee charged to adjust ticket, and what would that fee be? or is that what flexible ticket price covers?
For the train option do I purchase a ticket first from LHR to Paddington and then another ticket to Bath ? the ticket cost from LHR to Paddington is 25.40# for a 15" train ride.to London. We would like to keep it easy and not have to change trains again from Paddington station to Bath. I see an advance single ticket for 25# and 3.92 flex in case we miss the train. If I choose to upgrade it is an additional 39# .I do hope I explained this best for you to understand. or with the frequency of trains is it best to just purchase them as we go in case of any delays /problems. I did use the national express bus site and trainline to look these up. Thank you Susan
Posted by
San Francisco area
1941 posts
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/need-to-get-from-heathrow-to-bath
From a 2024 thread there’s also an option for the bus to reading and the train from there
Posted by
Lake District, England
8883 posts
What I would do is to buy-
BY BUS
With a following wind (literally, over the Atlantic) you should make the 0930 bus, BUT that is a change at Bristol Bus Station onto the all stops service bus to Bath (I admit National Express don't tell you that the bus from Bristol stops at every lamp post, but it does). When you are tired that is tedium with a capital T. The direct buses are at 0750 (not a chance) or 1230. If you are set on the bus then firstly create a free account with NE to save on the booking fee. you would have to choose the £43.20 ticket, then add Change and Go for an extra £5- so £48.20.
As the train fare (below) is only £5 more I really don't see the point.
BY TRAIN
buy an Heathrow Express Advance Discounted Single to Paddington £10 valid any train
Super Off Peak Single Paddington to Bath- valid on any train after 1030 from Paddington - £43.80 each.
Book seats on the 1030. If the flight is late book new seats (using free wifi on the HEX or on Paddington Station) on whichever train you can make (using the GWR app).
If you arrive early at Paddington (before the 1030 train) just go and grab breakfast on the station somewhere (or off station on one of the surrounding streets, loads and loads of choice).
Posted by
West Virginia
145 posts
I did this trip in reverse and used used RailAir. The bus goes from Heathrow to Reading station. From there you can take a direct train to Bath. No need to backtrack to London with this route.
https://www.railair.com/
Happy Travels!!
Posted by
OP
NC
52 posts
Thanks to all of you who responded. Still trying to decide which route to go and when I have cost estimates we will decide. We are considering a private car shared between the 4 of us. Can you tell me if an advance single ticket is only for that specific day and time? Not being able to rely on accurate arrival times which type ticket is best to consider ? Buying it in advance would probably be cheaper ? Or is it okay to buy that day? The coach /rail to Reading seems doable , is it best to purchase those in advance also or just do it on arrival since they run so often . Again thanks again for your assistance
Posted by
West Virginia
145 posts
After referring to my 2022 trip notes, I purchased the RailAir coach ticket in advance for £22. It was an “anytime” ticket. I didn’t purchase the train ticket in advance because there was a massive train strike planned during my visit. Luckily it was resolved by the time I needed to take the train from Bath to Reading. I turned up at the station and bought a ticket. I didn’t have in my notes how much the train ticket was.
Hope this helps. Happy Travels!
Posted by
Lake District, England
8883 posts
Advance Singles are only for that train- day and time.
When arriving by air far too much of a gamble. If you are too early you are sat around waiting for the right time.
If too late you buy a new ticket. So just buy a flexible ticket as above to start with.
In the overall cost of your trip anything else is seriously false economy.
Likewise the Reading route.
And buy that as one through ticket, not two. I don't know why people do that.
Going to Reading you can actually kill time easily if early as there are at least three bus routes from Heathrow to Reading. But let's keep life simple and only consider the obvious one.