My husband and I are arriving in England from U.S. at Heathrow airport. Our plan is to travel immediately to Bath. We understand that we can take the RailAir Link (shuttle bus to Reading), and then the train to Bath. Apparently, the shuttle ride is about 45 minutes. We get in about 7:45 A.M. We land in terminal 3. We are trying to estimate approximately how long it will take us to deplane, pick up our luggage, go through customs, and travel to the shuttle. It sounds like it is a good idea to purchase all of the tickets in advance so we are trying to come up with a reasonable window as to what times make sense on the tickets.
Thanks to all for any suggestions.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
You can also get directly to Bath from Heathrow by coach, National Express buses. See their website for schedule, prices etc. We always took the coach from Heathrow to Winchester, a nice comfortable ride, and had a little nap on the way.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
Megabus have recently started running services to Heathrow and other airports, including one from Bath. It takes a slightly different route via Corsham and Chippenham, so that could be more convenient for some. I don't know how fares compare, but it could run at more convenient times than National Express. I doubt if there is any difference in comfort and facilities. The Megabus website is at http://www.megabus.com/.
Personally, I would always prefer the direct coach to the Railair/train option on routes like this. You could be halfway to Bath by the time you arrived at Reading.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
From T3 the direct coach is a good alternative provided the timings fit.
As to how much time to allow for NatEx coach or Railair to Reading, presuming non-EU citizenship 2 hours is not over conservative.
The timing is not that different on the direct coach from the coach/rail alternative, but avoid any that have a change in Bristol.
Posted by
278 posts
We will arrive at terminal 2 around noon Sept 7 and am concerned about possible rail disruptions. Is the Terminal 3 bus close enough that we can walk over and catch it. I am still confused about the best way to get to Bath the day we arrive. We have only been to terminal 5 before this. We aren't renting a car until the following Sunday, wouldn't want to drive right after flying from west coast.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
concerned about possible rail disruptions.
What rail disruption? There doesn't seem to be any planned work etc for that day. Road disruption is equally possible on the M4 ...
Is the Terminal 3 bus close enough that we can walk over and catch it.
The coaches leave from the Central Bus Station which is more or less equidistant for Terminals 2 and 3.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
From Montreal we always land at .Term. 2 and it is about a 10 minute walk to the bus station. The route is well marked with signs, jusy follow your nose and you will not have a problem.
Posted by
278 posts
Thanks Marco and Norma. I am still not sure how we will travel to Bath, will decide later. As far as train disruptions on Sept 7th, could be I just misread the post on the subject. Thought it said something about work August through mid Sept on the Paddington line. Could have been just to Sept 1. Can't seem to find the thread now
edit to add,
I found the relevant post re disruption to train schedule:
Electrification work on the Great Western Mainline continues in
the Bristol Parkway area, affecting services between Wales and London
Paddington from Saturday 19 August to Sunday 17 September
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
No need to worry as these are different services. Trains from London to Bath Spa don't go on to Bristol Parkway or South Wales. They go to Bristol Temple Meads and sometimes further south west in England.
Posted by
278 posts
Marco,
Thanks for clearing that up. Clears this up and I appreciate the follow up.
TTmom
Posted by
1219 posts
Just got back from a trip to England doing exactly that to get to Bath from Heathrow and you don't need to get tickets ahead of time. Plenty of departures for both bus and train. As for getting to that point from landing it will depend on if you have checked luggage, how many other planes land at the time of yours etc... We landed at 6:00 am and it took us about 45 minutes to an hour with no checked luggage. For you I would plan on 1.5 to 2 hours.
Posted by
278 posts
Thanks and hope you had a great trip.We
decided on taking the bus after collecting our luggage. And going straight to Bath. We land around noon. Thanks.
Posted by
1 posts
I am planning to get to Bath exactly the way you mentioned in August. I did buy a super off-peak single ticket for £44.60 since it's valid for departure every hour (MAKE SURE your ticket says that if that's what you wanna do) and I can't guarantee how long it'll take me to get past customs, pick up luggage and walk to Central Bus station, etc. Wouldn't wanna miss an earlier departure and I don't wanna be stuck at Heathrow waiting for the next one. Not sure how much money I'm saving buying in advance but that was part of my reason for doing so.
Great Western Railway is also having a sale until 7/19 on certain routes right now so that will definitely save you money. Bath to Paddington is only £10 if you're heading to London next!
Posted by
1 posts
This is a great post, but I am still having trouble navigating thru Heathrow and finding the bus pickup points or the train station. I land at Terminal 5...I will be going directly to Bath...any suggestions or help is appreciated.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
Neither National Express or Megabus coaches to Bath stop at Terminal 5. If you want to use them you have to backtrack somewhat to the Heathrow Central Bus Station at T2/3 via the Heathrow Express (free for this journey).
On the other hand you are closer at T5 timewise at least to Reading, and the Railair coach does stop there. So either way it is a change really.