We are arriving to terminal 5 at 9:30 AM very tired I’m sure. We will have carry-on baggage only. What would be our very easiest way to get to Bath? Looks like we might miss one of the few direct buses that goes there from terminal 5. . It has been strongly suggested that we take Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line into Paddington and then take a train from there to Bath. It was also strongly suggested not to do that, but to take a direct bus to Reading from terminal 5
and then to catch a train from there at the same station. This combination takes place about every half an hour. Has anyone done either of these and can suggest the easiest and least stressful way to go for a couple of seniors?? (Husband does not want to hire a private car as they now want almost $300) Thanks!!
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When I traveled from Bath to Heathrow. I used RailAir. The coach takes you from Heathrow to Reading Station. From there, you take the train to Bath. It's more direct than backtracking to Paddington and then to Reading. The coaches are comfortable and clean. I wouldn't hesitate to use it again. I learned about RailAir from the knowledgable folks from the forum.
Happy Travels :)
After arrival by air at T5, we walked down the hall (lots of signs pointing the way) to the Heathrow T5 coach station. Got on the coach (bus). It went directly to Bath. Buy your ticket (cheap) from the coach (bus) driver after you're on the bus.
There are lots of direct coaches going to Bath. If you miss one, another will be along soon. There will be an employee at the coach station to answer questions. It's OK to take a coach that makes a few stops--not going directly to Bath--if you must. You'll just get to see a lot of country towns and villages along the way.
The Reading route described above is OK too.
Easiest and less stressful IF you are just going to miss the National Express direct bus has to be Rail Air to Reading, then train.
The flip side is that a flexible fare to just use the next train is £54 ($65) each so nearly half the cost of a car service.
Any other fare ties you to a specific train, which isn't what you want.