Bath Spa to Salisbury using Britrail London Plus Pass

The London Plus pass is designed for travel to and from London. I'm not even sure you can use it to travel from Bath to Salisbury. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about the trains in general can answer that. However, since round-trip from Bath to Salisbury is about $50 even without advance purchase, unless you have the 7 out of 15 days pass, it's more economical to just buy an anytime ticket for the trip. It will take much less time, too, since Bath to Reading is an hour or so; same for Reading to Salisbury, while Bath to Salisbury is indeed a 1 hour trip, and no train changes. Our last trip to England we had to make an unexpected train trip from Salisbury to Bath and buying a ticket at the last minute was very easy.

Leslie, My real itinerary is London to Bath to Salisbury to Wimbledon using a Britrail London Plus Pass. When I look at the London Plus Pass map, it seems that in order to travel using the pass I would have to go through Reading to get to Salisbury. If that is the route that Southwest trains follows (that takes an hour or so), then that is the route that I will take. What is confusing me is that I don't know whether there is a more direct and quicker route on Southwest trains to Salisbury that is not in the London Plus Pass area. Thanks for your help. Deborah

Leslie, Ok, I re-read your reply and think I understand the situation better now.
Basically, I could backtrack through Reading, but that trip will take me about 2 hours. Whereas if I take the more direct Bath to Salisbury train on Southwest, I will have to buy a ticket for that portion of the trip, but will get there in about half the time ? If that is the case, I will just purchase the ticket as you recommend. It's a good thing that I checked the map and got your help. Otherwise I might have ended up on a train holding my Britrail London Plus Pass but no valid ticket for the out of area trip. Thanks for your help ! Deborah

The train ticket Bath-Salisbury is inexpensive. I'd pay for the ticket rather than spending an extra hour or two going thru Reading. Look for the huge white horse on the hillside as you go to Salisbury. It will be on the left side and not far from Bath.

Swan, Yes, I will just catch the shorter train direct to Salisbury that does not go back through Reading. And thanks for the tip about the white horse. Will keep a watch out for it. Deborah

Deborah, I was hoping that Nigel would weigh in on this since he is the expert on train travel. Are you stopping over in Salisbury? If not, then it's just as fast (according to the National Rail site www.nationalrail.co.uk) to take the train into Paddington in London, tube to Waterloo, and train to Wimbledon; about 2 1/2 hours just like Bath/Salisbury/Wimbledon, but you could use your London Plus pass for the whole trip (except the tube portion). I love riding the train in England, but it can be tricky figuring out the fastest and most economical trip.

not sure I understand your plans fully. But will just give you my opinion if you want to see Salisbury and Salisbury Cathderal- it is easy (and well worth it) to take the direct train from Bath to Salisbury (we have made that trip quite a few times); roam around the cathedral and surrounds and then take a train from Salisbury ro London ( for Wimbledon), Both of these legs are comfortable and interesting. If you leave Bath first thing, and arrive in Wimbledon late, you could even squeeze in a bus trip to stonehenge, but that will make it a long day

Leslie and Brian, Yes, I am hoping to see Salisbury Cathedral and the Magna Carta after visiting Bath and before heading back to London. I am also hoping that the train ride from Bath to Salisbury will be scenic. I enjoy riding trains. So the time traveling will be part of the adventure for me. Without everyone's kind help, we would not be heading for Salisbury on this trip to England. Many thanks ! Deborah