train to bath or bus to bath

jana, Actually, for the trip from LHR to Bath, I'd suggest travel by National Express Coach. As I recall, the Bus that departs from London Victoria Coach station makes a stop at Heathrow (I can't remember which Terminal). The trip from there to Bath Spa station is fairly quick. There are numerous Buses on that route every day, so you should easily be able to buy your ticket after you land, and board the next departure. Hopefully Nigel or one of our other U.K. members can provide a few additional details. You'll enjoy Bath and your visit England (makes me wish I was able to get back to the U.K. this year)! Happy travels!

If its me - I do the journey by train. As to prices and train times, the National Rail website can five you the information you need. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ Finally, as to buying now or when you get there - getting a seat wont be an issue. But the way train fares work in the UK you'll get a cheaper ticket by booking early. For example - I just did a quick check on the above website, and am showing tickets for 25 GBP (I chose the train that matched your 1.5 hr journey) for tomorrow. The same trip is ~5 GBP cheaper if you book now for travel on 31 July.

There is no train station at Heathrow - the nearest is Reading and you will need to get there to take the train to Bath. To get to Reading from Terminal 4. Take the Heathrow Express train to terminal 1 (its a free ride). It takes about 20 minutes. Then walk to the Central Bus Station, about 10 minutes. Then take a RailAir bus to Reading, about 45 minutes and 13 pounds. Or you can take the bus. Again take Heathrow Express from Terminal 4 to 1 and then walk to bus station - 30- minutes travel time and no cost. Find the right bay for the Bath bus and away you go - the run approximately every one and half-hours. The cost is $19.60 one way to bath and takes 2 and a half hours - there is one bus that has a stop and takes longer and is more expensive (go figure!). I personally prefer the coach service - seats are comfortable and your luggage is underneath the bus - no hauling suitcases up and down stairs in stations! I used it for years
when going to visit family in the west country. As Heathrow is on the western edge of London it is a pleasant trip by bus (if you sit on the left/hand side of the bus you will catch a glimpse of Windsor Castle about 15 mins. into the journey). Motorway travel is relatively smooth and when you leave the motorway you travel through some lovely countryside. Have a great trip to the UK - Bath is a great start to your trip.

Look at www.heathrowairport.com for information on connections between terminals, the bus station and rail links at Heathrow.

Jana, you can do it, definitely. My wife and I were first time visitors in June and we flew into Heathrow and then took the train to Bath. You can buy the ticket on the Heathrow Express which will take you to Paddington train station in London (one departure every 15 minutes or so), and you can pick up a train to Bath from there (one departure every 30 minutes). The Bath train station is small and the taxis are lined up waiting to take you to your hotel. The trip in total is easy and the trains are clean, safe and comfortable. Bath is wonderful, have fun!

As Steve and Lesley have both said - you can definitely do it. Personally, I much prefer the train to a bus/coach. :) If you take the train, you can take either the Heathrow Express (as Steve mentions) or Heathrow Connect service into Paddington station. From there, you can catch a train directly to Bath. Very very easy to do. The advantage of the Express is that it is quick and service is very frequent. Disadvantage is cost. The advantage of the Connect is that it is cheaper. It covers the same ground as the Express, it just makes more stops. The disadvantage is that service isnt quite as frequent. Still plenty of trains, just not quite as many as the Express. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all for your help, I really think I would like to take train and get on into Bath, and do some sightseeing!! So, I am leaning towards train. I am not going till Sept. 13th. So, can ponder!!!! THANK-YOU ALL!!!

I should have specified that I was referring to the National Express Coach as per Ken's post.... Must say I have not thought of backtracking into London to get a train from Paddington - certainly easier than getting to Reading!

I, too, recommend taking the train to Paddington; buy a ticket and take the train to Bath. FYI, it will probably be the train that ends in Bristol. Look for that on the departures board.

Thanks Ken, and again Leslie, I will check into National express coach. Still have time to decide, since I do not leave till Sept.!!! Can't wait! I am going on rick steve's 14 days in England. Letting the experts show me around England.

jana, Which Terminal does your flight arrive at? You can check the National Express website for details. There appear to be departures about every two hours, with the quickest travel time 3H:45M. Current lowest fares from T4 are listed at £33.65. Depending on when you buy the ticket, the cost may be slightly more. The RS Tour department have probably already sent you a sheet indicating the best transportation options from the airport to Bath. If you haven't received it yet, it will be coming shortly. You're taking the RS England 14-day tour - FANTASTIC! You're in for a real treat! Do you know yet who your Guide will be?

I've gone to Bath both by bus and train. I will never use the bus for that trip again. It was very long and arduous with a lot of stops. I definitely prefer the train. Sounds like a great tour. Have fun!

jana, "Is there a bus and train that I do not have to get off and go find another bus or train to get to Bath?" If you board the National Express Coach at LHR Terminal 4, you won't have to get off or change Buses AFAIK (it's been a few years, so my memory isn't clear on that). I agree that it's nice to be able to look around and enjoy the scenery, and I didn't mind that the Bus made a few stops. When you arrive at Bath Spa, I'd suggest a Taxi to your Hotel, as you'll be tired and hauling luggage. After a long international flight, you'll be glad to pay the Taxi fare! Cheers!

I arrive at terminal 4, right now could change United said. I was going to wait and buy ticket when I get there. I arrive around 9:30 so I figure will try for 11:00 bus. Still thinking on train. Would love to get there and start walking around!!!! Have always had my daughter, who spent time in Europe before, so let her figure everything out! hahaha but, I can do it!!! I do not know tour quide yet! still to soon. Can't wait to see England !!! After tour spending 6 days in London, that daughter, newly married, is coming over to join me!!!Was very excited, new husband too, when her dad, my husband, said he would pay for her to joi me in London! hahahaha great dad! He is staying home feet up with dogs!! hahaha

If you arrive at 9:30, with around 90 minutes to get through Immigration and Customs, then 30 minutes to get to the Central Bus Station you would have to be quite lucky to make an 11:00 bus.

thanks Nigel, I was thinking that, I can wait and get my ticket after I get off the plane, through everything I have to do in the airport and go to where you buy bus tickets or train ticket and buy ticket and get on? Right? I still think if I take the express bus over train it is under three or around 3 hours , I can look out the window and enjoy the country side, a little more than on the train? Is there a bus and train that I do not have to get off and go find another bus or train to get to Bath?

Thanks Ken, I am ready to go express bus!!!! Enjoy the country side!!!! "Smell the roses" on the longer bus ride!!! HAHAHAHA Through the rain probably!

jana, YES, they have been getting a lot of rain lately! Hopefully that situation improves shortly. The forecasts do look a little better over the next few days. Just the same, be sure to pack a travel Umbrella!

I would suggest taking the train., scenery out the windows is "typically English" and no traffic jam problems. Last two times I went to Bath by coach got caught up in slpw motorway traffic. Also the Motorway is definitely not as scenic as the train. More leg room on the train after being cooped up in a plane across the Atlantic