Does anyone have suggestions for getting from Terminal 5 to Bath on a Thursday morning? We are scheduled to arrive at Heathrow at 10:00 on August 15. I’ve looked at previous posts, but I haven’t seen this discussion recently. To complicate things, I’m recovering from a knee replacement and using a cane. I’ve requested a wheelchair from British Air. Thank you for any advice.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
993 posts
National Express coach is your best bet. Direct bus service from the Central Coach Station to Bath. Your luggage is stored under the bus at the coach station so no hassles with getting it on and off bus. The airport shuttles (Hoppa buses?) will take you from Terminal 5 to the Coach Station which is near Terminal 3. Check website for National Express for fares, times and booking tickets. Allow time to clear Immigration, get baggage and get to Coach Station when buying ticket. Have a look at the Heathrow website to get an idea of how long it could take.
Other options would involve taking tubes and trains which could involve stairs and a lot of walking and hauling luggage.
A hint. I used to try and grab a to go sandwich in the terminal at the Boots or M & S store, offerings at the coach station were meagre.
Posted by
CA, USA
1253 posts
try these threads from the past few months
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/need-to-get-from-heathrow-to-bath
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/need-to-get-from-heathrow-to-bath
Posted by
Lake District, England
8132 posts
If you do the train route take the rail air bus to Reading. The train to Bath in most circumstances stops on the platform/track closest to the station entrance, so no steps to negotiate there.
There are elevators to all other platforms/tracks in the unusual event the train left from another platform, and staff will provide assistance on request.
You would do that route if you had a long wait for the next bus.
Posted by
London, UK
417 posts
Post knee-replacement, I hope that you will be able to negotiate the steps into the coach/bus, as sometimes they are steeper than normal stairs. You might need to do them one at a time (like kids do) !
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
There are National Express coach services from Terminal 5 to Bath.
How it works is you get a National Express coach to the Heathrow Coach Station and switch to a coach to Bath.
Or, you could take the Heathrow Express for free from T5 to T2/3 and then a short walk to the Heathrow Central Coach Station. It's all step free. No need to pay for the Hoppa bus.
But, the National Express route starting in T5 would have the least walking. The only steps would be on the coach.
Posted by
OP
Northern California
10 posts
Thank you for the timely responses! I think we’ll go the coach route, it seems like it would be easiest on my knee. This is such a wonderful group, you are certainly appreciated!
Susan
Posted by
Lake District, England
8132 posts
By the way all National Express buses have stair lifts at the entrance for those in chairs. Although very rarely used, it can be deployed on request.
Seat 1B is the dedicated seat for those in chairs, and the generally less abled.
Seat 2A behind (the unlimited legroom seat) is also the seat for those who are less able. Although on general sale less able users have preferred use and anyone else who has booked it can be kicked out (and reservation fee refunded) if someone like you needs it. For instance I have 2A booked tonight for London to Glasgow to give me the best chance of not being totally wiped out tomorrow- but I know there is a very small chance I may be moved elsewhere.
I'm about to go out now from Cumbria to London for an evening event then have a busy 10 hour day tomorrow in Stirling, hence the overnight coach trip. If I'm a zombie tomorrow it won't help matters.