Bath to London

For convenience, comfort etc take the train. It is relatively quick, and the view from the window is always scenic. I have tried the bus, and it is a long, long way on the Motorway, with traffic jams as you get closer to London. On one such trip te bus dumped us all on the outskirts of London at a Tube station because of the traffic

The walk-up anytime fare on the train is around £30.00. However, if you book well in advance (up to about 12 weeks) at www.eastcoast.co.uk, you can get a discount fare as low as £9.50. The standard fare on a National Express coach (bus) is £23.85. If you book well in advance at www.nationalexpress.com, you can get a fare as low as £5.50.

The trian would be the best. If you book your tickets the first of March you will be able to get a good price for tickets. The closer to the date you want to traveler the more the tickets will cost. I just checked and not knowing how many will be with you I just put in 2 adults, 2 children, for the end of April (for an example) the cheapest ticket would be £43.50 for the 4, I just wanted to show you an example of the fare if you book far ahead.

As a broad generality in the UK train is faster and more comfortable than any vehicle, bus is much cheaper and slower. This can sometimes get distorted by special offers, especially if you are a family with 4 travel for the price of 2 and similar, but is the broad rule of thumb. The other main difference is luggage. On trains the amount is only limited by the luggage you can phtsically carry onto the train. National Express have a luggage limit, 2 bags per passenger neither of which can be more tahn 441lbs.
Up until 2012 National Express drivers were very flexible about thsi luggage, but now they have introduced a formal excess luggage charge of 10 GBP per bag and passengers without excess luggage get priority boarding. If you have excess luggage and the luggage hold is full you have to wait for the next bus, even if you have a reserved seat for that one. The fast trains from Bath go to Paddington, the buses to Victoria and many have drop off points in Kensington. There is also a slow train route via Salisbury to London Waterlloo. You might want to factor in your decision which of these is closest to your accommodation in London

We stayed near Victoria Station and took the bus. It was a good trip and the bus station was 2 blocks from our hotel on Ebury Street.

The train will be the most comfortable and quickest. The bus (coach) will be the least expensive. The biggest problem with coaches is the traffic on the motorway. If you travel on a day with minimal congestion or road work happening, the trip is a breeze (if a bit long). If you travel on a "normal" day - you'll be frustrated by how long the journey is. If you can book a little early, and can afford it, the train is by far the better experience.

Bob That's great information. I had no idea that National Express had become the Ryanair of the coach world. It had never occurred to me that they would ration hold space, and I had just sort of assumed that excess could be taken on board. ooops. Thanks very much ...