Is it best to buy tickets online in advance or wait til I arrive at the airport? Also, do you happen to know what the price is and are there different classes on the train e.g. first class and economy?
Thanks
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Usually rail questions get answered, but our train specialists may be taking a little well deserved time off. You may be able to get your question answered by going here
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
For a start you have two options: either go into London by train and take another train out to Bath, or take a cross-country train from Gatwick Airport to Reading and take the train from there. The latter should be much less hassle
Gatwick-Reading and Reading-Bath trains: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/
You may find cheaper tickets in advance but I don't know if they're available to Americans. The Reading-Gatwick train has both First and Standard class, I think the Gatwick-Reaidng one is Standard only.
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
There is a direct train from Gatwick to Reading rail station where you can get a train to Bath. This is the easiest way. You don't have to buy the tickets in advance. I travel on this line all the time but get on down the line at Guildford. I have never noticed more than 1 class.
If you have enough time before your trip, it might be worth buying the ticket in advance if it is cheaper. But that ties to down to a certain time which can be a problem if your plane is late, it takes you too long to get through Immigration ( the lines for non EU citiens is always longer).
You could buy a ticket in advance for the Reading train as they are good on any train.
The place to go to buy UK rail tickets online is:
) or to look at the schedules)
They accept No. American credit cards. (First Great Western does not).
If you are 6o or over, it might be worth buying a Senior rail card which is good for a year and gets you about 1/3 off fares. I have done this a few times and it is amazing how soon you get a payback on this. I believe it is either 24 or 26 GBP now (it goes up every year!!!)