Gatwick to Bath: Train vs. Bus?

IMO, if you book far enough in advance to get a discount fare, then the train is your best choice. While the walk-up fare can be as high as £75, you can get a discount fare as low as £12. Discount fares are for a specific departure time and are non-exchangeable and non-refundable so be sure to allow yourself plenty of connection time in case your flight is late. I'd recommend a minimum of two hours--and three would be safer.

Book at www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com. Start checking fares 60-80 days in advance until the discount fares appear. If you look farther ahead than that, you'll only see the same high standard fares as you would pay for a last-minute ticket.

Thanks, Tim.
One problem I noticed is that there is only an eight minute connection between my trains at Reading. (Reading Station online recommends a minimum of seven minutes when connecting between trains.) Maybe if I am lucky both trains will be on the same (westward) track and there won't be any problems connecting. Otherwise, I have to wait another hour for the next train from Reading to Bath Spa.

Both the train from Gatwick to Reading and the one from Reading to Bath Spa are operated by Great Western trains. Even if they weren't, if you miss a connection through no fault of your own because your first train is late, your ticket will be honored on the next train. However, eight minutes is a common connection time and you should be fine. Go to the door of the carriage as you're approaching Reading so you can be among the first people to get off the train and you won't have to elbow your way through the crowds to get to your next train.

The train from Gatwick comes in to Reading Station in a different area than the main tracks. However,
you do not have to go far. As soon as you arrive, check the board for your track as there are many at Reading. You go upstairs and walk across the "bridge" to your track and then go down the stairs to the track..There will be two on each platform so again be sure to check the sign board and stand on the right side of the platform.

I have taken the Gatwick train many times to and from Guildford and connect to/from the Oxford train
from there. It really is an easy connection.

If you have any questions, do ask!! And do buy your ticket in advance as it will save you lots of money!!! You can pick it up at Gatwick but allow plenty of time for standing in line!!!

I checked on the National Express busses from Gatwick to Bath and they take about 4 1/2 hours and you change at Heathrow Bus Terminal and there is an average wait time of a half hour there.

The fare for a single is 25 pounds...there are senior discounts available as well. Most of the journey will be on the M4 which is just outside of Heathrow and is the major road going west. The new bus terminal in Bath is now open.

For details includimg schedules, google the National Express website.

I certainly wouldn't go into London!! A long bus journey would be a good way to work off some of that jetlag.

IMPO, I'd recommend the train. On one trip, upon arriving at Heathrow, we had a long wait for the bus departure and then the long bus ride to Bath with many stops--it did not help with our jet lag. We were exhausted.