Two Transportation Questions

Honestly, return flights are whatever is available at my price. I've been using Avios so I usually get home around 8pm. If I could I'd leave straight from hotel to Heathrow. Much nicer getting home earlier in the day especially as I'm usually still on European time.

"Curious as to why you are asking about Bath?

It would be nowhere near the top of my preferred places to visit if I had landed at Heathrow."

Because that is where we are beginning our trip, as we would like to see Bath.

If the bus doesn’t work for you, the train is easy. As for flights back to the U.S., the flight we usually take departs around 4pm and we choose it because it’s a non-stop. We get to the airport 3 hours early, that means leaving the hotel 4 hours prior to departure for where we stay That allows time for a leisurely breakfast and we can usually get a late check out.

Regarding seating, that depends on the aircraft’s seat configuration. Each airline’s aircraft are configured differently. You can get that information from the airline’s website while researching tickets. Even if you get the arrangement you want, that can change if there’s a change in aircraft type. Maybe you’ll get lucky and get a configuration with four seats in the center, or 2&2.

I like the later nonstop from London to San Francisco. I prefer to have a leisurely morning. Sleep in a bit. Have a leisurely breakfast and not be rushed getting to the airport. It also means that when I get home I don’t have to stay up too long before retiring for the night.

Also open to thoughts on seating when you are 4 traveling together. 3 in a row with the 4th across the aisle? 2 & 2 behind one another?

What ages?

I would choose the later in the day return, if available.

Bus fare looks like its about 5 GBP cheaper ( per ticket) when bought well ahead.( i.e., tomorrow, vs. a random date in March)
The time of day seems to be the larger variable; perhaps reflecting demand?

I have no info on the 'selling out' issue. Hopefully a UK based participant can address that issue.

Here's what the National Express Coach website says about ticket changes:

"For just £5 each way, our Change & Go Add On lets you be completely flexible with which coach you board to and from the airport:

Board any available coach 12 hours before or after your original departure time
Amend your ticket to a new departure date - free of charge
Refund on your ticket up to 24 hours before departure

So if your flight is delayed, then there's no need to panic; you can just hop on the next available coach.

Simply add the 'Change & Go' option to your ticket in the Add Extras section of the booking process."
https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/airports/heathrow

So....when you book just add the change and go option to the ticket. This transfer will be easier than you may anticipate!

From Heathrow the Coach is so easy....no need to get into London although if you have to do this if you take the Heathrow Express into town it goes to Paddington Station and that is where the trains for Bath also leave from.

BTW, I love Bath and since you are not trying to drive it sounds like a wonderful place to start your trip!

Nothing wrong with starting at Bath. I think it has a very interesting history. Personally I would not book the coach until I was in London -- too many variables that you cannot control. If you miss the bus, is the refundable? On our last trip to England, our US plane was cancelled after we had taxied to the take off point. We lost the airlines tickets that we had pre-purchased for the next leg. Rare -- but it can happen. Coaches can sell out so you will just have to take your chances.

You seldom have much choice on the time of your return flight. Most return international flights leave in the afternoon. You go with the best schedule especially if a US connection is required. General for international flights the recommended time is three hours in advance since you have to clear exit immigration, security, etc. When it is four, we try for three and one -- if available or 2x2 on the side we will go front to back. Always some risk that the equipment will change and have a different seating pattern.

"What ages?"

All adults, we are traveling with our daughters.

I like to leave later in the day so that there is time to get a good long walk in before a long flight!

I see you are traveling from Seattle, as we do. Which airline are you using? We always fly British Airways (with miles) to London and home, and much prefer the afternoon flight home (BA49). If you are flying Delta/ Virgin Atlantic, they have flights at similar times.

With the afternoon flight, we don’t have to try to get to Heathrow during commute hours. Also, we like to take a nice walk through Hyde Park or elsewhere in the morning, before spending the rest of the day sitting in airports and on a plane. We arrive home around 5 pm, just in time to pick up something for dinner, make that, and unwind a bit before heading to bed. This timing seems to help with jet lag recovery for us. With the earlier flight, we would arrive home with lots more hours in the day to spend before “legal bedtime”, and probably would be tempted to take a nap. . .

As for seating, when we traveled with our two daughters, we liked the 3 seats in a row with one more across the aisle. That way, one of us (me) could have a window seat, and two get aisle seats. The person in the middle seat doesn’t have to be concerned about disturbing a stranger if they want to leave the seat to visit the restroom.

And only one person is sitting next to a stranger.

Lola, thanks for the specifics, that sounds like a great plan for us. Haven't purchased the flight yet, but leaning toward Virgin/Delta.

Thanks for all the replies, I believe we will do the afternoon flight home.

I think we will do the advance tickets for the coach, with the flex option. As a general ballpark idea, if we arrive in Terminal 3, and have to claim checked bags, how long after the scheduled arrival would you book the coach? I believe we would have to get to another terminal, correct?

My very well-traveled adult son flies Virgin across the pond, so it is probably a good choice for you. We stick with BA because I have a lot of miles ( they call them Avios) and can fly business class. If it weren’t for that I would shop around more.

Delta (and Virgin) arrive at Terminal 3. The coach station is at Terminal 3 as well although it feels like it's a longish walk, lol.

https://maps.heathrow.com

note that Virgin/Delta is also KLM/Air France, so shop around just in case and see if you can use points. or acquire points.

You fly when the airline says you'll fly, they seem to lump flights to similar locations into similar blocks of time.