We're doing the London tour with Rick in June. Afterwards we'd like to see Stonehenge and the Cotswald. It looks like Bath is a good place to stay for this but how do we get from Bath to Heathrow early Momday morning? Any suggestions will help.
Posted by
Powell River, Canada
359 posts
How early? National Express coach (bus) will get you Bath to Heathrow in about 2 hours; arriving LHR earliest about 0530 hrs. Have a look at their website (www.nationalexpress.com)for other times/$'s etc. The train works too, in a bit less time, but I've always preferred the bus, its price, and convenience -that said, the train won't run into a motorway traffic jam on a Mon morning.
Posted by
Portland
29 posts
We went the opposite way (airport to Bath) on a week day via the Heathrow Express to Paddington, train from Paddington to Bath. The trains to Bath and Oxford leave from Paddington so it worked perfectly. It all took about an hour and 1/2. I'm so glad we went rail rather than coach; there were major traffic jams that day, which is the norm for the greater London area.
PS - Rent a car in Bath and then just drive by Stonehenge (the area it's in is more interesting than the thing itself) and spend a whole day driving around the Cotswolds.
Posted by
Freedonia
14976 posts
It depends on what you call early Morning...
There are four ways to go:
1) Bus from Bath to Heathrow (allow for traffic)
2) Train to Reading then Bus to Heathrow (allow for traffic)
3) Train to London then backtrack to Heathrow via train or tube.
4) If you should rent a car, return it to Heathrow.
Posted by
near NY, NJ, USA
445 posts
Just one caveat on the trains Bath/London (which stop at Reading). Last year there were horrendous problems on this line (Great Western) and trains were always being cancelled, severely delayed, etc.
This happened to me more than once. I also frequently use Railair from Heathrow to Reading Station and find the service very reliable. You buy your tickets in the bus terminal which is, by the way, a very long walk from Term. 3 where I arrive on Virgin. It is, however, not too bad with a trolley.The buses leave every half hour. If I had to take an early morning flight and I was in Bath, I would go to Heathrow the night before and stay in a hotel so I didn't miss my flight. Heathrow can be a horror show!!! Long lines for check-in, huge lines for security and if you are lucky they don't lose your luggage. Also Terminal 3 departure lounge is very crowded with not enough seats. But I have always made my flight but I arrive at the airport about 4 hours in advance!!!!
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
Hi Marcia,
I agree with Mary-Anne; Heathrow can be a nightmare and it is really a good idea to go the night before and stay over. Much easier on your nerves!