Does anyone know if it really is possible to leave Bath in the morning and arrive a the Heathrow airport in time to catch a flight back to the states? Has anyone done this. According to the train schedule, it looks possible but it just seems like you could not afford to be a minute late. If possible, I'd like to do this to return home rather then spending last day traveling to London to sleep there for the return flight. Would appreciate any and all opinions. Thanks
Posted by
Central Indiana, USA
357 posts
If the train is late, can you afford a new plane ticket for the next flight out? Does the train get you there 3 hours before your flight? I was reading on TA that now your boarding pass has to be scanned at security 35 mins before your flight is scheduled or you don't get through.
Posted by
near Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
521 posts
Well, you don't mention your flight time, but let's look at your options. 1. First train out of Bath Spa 05.43, arrives Reading 06.43. RailAir 07.00 coach from Reading railway station to Heathrow, arrives Terminal 1/3 at 08.11. Might be OK for any flight leaving no earlier than 11.30 or so, as long as there are no delays and you walk quickly to get the coach connection at Reading. RailAir coaches run every 20 minutes at that time of day. 2. National Express has coaches leaving Bath at 03.25, 04.30 and 06.20, arriving Heathrow Terminal 1/3 at 05.30, 06.45 and 09.10 respectively. 3. If you stayed on the 05.43 train past Reading, getting off at Paddington at 07.16 and caught the Heathrow Express, I'd guess you would be at the airport around the same time as the RailAir coach, but I haven't looked up the timings. 4. Forget public transport and get a private car service. I just Googled and this is the first result that came up: http://www.bath-airport-taxis.co.uk/ Apparently that would cost £125.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5457 posts
To give proper advice you need to state the flight time - and the terminal as some are more accessible for public transport than others from where you are. Terminal 4 in particular is inconvenient as neither Railair nor National Express coaches from Bath serve it directly.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
I took the bus from Bath to LHR once. It was long and awful. To do it by train I would probably go to Paddington and then to the airport on the Heathrow Connect.
Posted by
Hollis, NH, USA
107 posts
My husband and I walked the Cotswold Way in September. We left Bath on the train at 11:13, arrived at Paddington Station at 12:40, and took the Heathrow Express to Terminal 5. We were so early for our 6pm flight to Boston that the agent had to call to see if she could check our luggage yet.
Posted by
OP
akron, ohio
503 posts
Thank you all for your replies and helpful advice. The reason I didn't give a flight time is because I haven't booked it yet. I wanted to make sure I could get there in time leaving Bath the same day, or trying to decide if I should go to London the night before my flight. Just trying to explore my options and haven't made a decision yet. Thanks!
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Lisa, there is about one train per hour from Bath to Paddington. Heathrow Connect trains (about half the cost of the Express) run about every half hour and take 30 minutes getting to LHR. Check train schedules on Britrail's website. If you plan to leave Bath 6 hours before your flight you should have plenty of time. OTOH, just get to the airport the night before,stay in a hotel there, and have a leisurely morning.