Hi any recommendations on how to get from Windsor to Bath via train (fast and reasonable)? It would be on a week-day after the rush hours but we'd be returning the same day.
Is there a train from Windsor to Heathrow airport to Bath, would that be more reasonable/similar time?
Also with so many rail pass options -- would I qualify for anything more discounted (2 adults, 1 infant)?
Trains connections between these towns take 1h 40m and require changes at both Slough and Reading in both directions; see www.nationalrail.co.uk. Check whether a bus schedule is more attractive at www.nationalexpress.com.
You can look up train times, and buy tickets, on the National Rail site: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Booking ahead and avoiding the rush hours will get you cheaper tickets. The station you want is "Windsor & Eton Central" (there are two in Windsor). Cheap tickets start at £11.50 each way (if bought in advance).
The trip takes approx 1h45. You will have to change trains twice, usually in Slough and in Reading.
There is no train from Windsor to Heathrow. Both rail lines from Heathrow head into central London, which is the opposite direction to Windsor. You can take a bus, or a taxi, which should be reasonable as it is a short distance.
Bath Spa is the one and only station in Bath.
Bathgate is a town in Scotland, near Edinburgh. Totally opposite end of the country.
I wouldn't call it particularly scenic, typical English countryside. But it is only 1h45, with two changes of train. You do not have enough time to get bored.
There is not a day pass. These do not really exist. Just buy a "return" ticket at: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
When you buy a ticket you are given a code, with which you can retrieve your tickets at the station from the ticket machine.
Edit: What happened to your post I just replied to? Did you delete it?
Thanks Chris! I updated the post on the original one.
Is there enough time to find and board the trains with a baby? Separately do we sit anywhere or do we have assigned seats? Are bathrooms available on the train?
Is there enough time to find and board the trains with a baby?
Yes, no problem. Be sure to be on the platform waiting.
Separately do we sit anywhere or do we have assigned seats?
When you buy the tickets, you will be offered reserved seats on the train(s) that have them
1) Windsor to Slough - This is just a shuttle train, no reservations.
2) Slough to Reading - not sure if reserved seats are an option on this train.
3) Reading to Bath - this is the train from London to Bath, first stop Reading. This will have reserved seats as an option.
Are bathrooms available on the train?
Bathrooms never (It is a standing joke that US-Americans call a toilet a bathroom. A bathroom is a room with a bath in it!)
Toilets: (1) No, but it is only a 6 minute trip. (2) Possibly (23 minute trip). (3) Certainly (60 minutes).
By the way, when you are working out the route or asking for help along the way, Slough rhymes with Cow.
And Reading is not pronounced like you a reading a book; it starts with the colour Red, so "Red-ing".
And Reading rhymes with heading and threading. Not with reading a book!
As someone else suggested, I would recommend taking the bus from Heathrow to Bath (National Express). The prices were much cheaper than the train (we booked a month or so in advance) and we didn't have to change buses to get there. Did the return trip as well. The bus was on time and comfortable enough. There's not a LOT of leg room, but it was fine. Took about 2.25 hours.
The Central Bus Station is easily accessible from Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, though it's a 15 min. or so walk there through tunnels. The Bath station is right there in the middle of the city, so you'll have easy access to hotels, either walking or by taxi.
How stringent are the train tickets? Suppose I purchase a round trip ticket for the day (off peak), but something happens and I have to leave the following day (also off peak) would my ticket be worthless or would I need to pay a change fee?
An Anytime Day Return - or a Cheap Day Return (now known as a Off-Peak Return) is valid during the whole day (Anytime) or during off-peak hours which vary by company and route (Off-Peak) of the date printed on the ticket, and until 3:00AM the next morning or until the end of service whichever is earlier.
After 3:00AM or the last train of the night whichever is earlier the ticket is only of any use as a bookmark. Useless on the train.
If you neglected to travel on the date it was valid you will need a new ticket for the day you do travel.
Different rules apply to different ticket types and on different company trains.
Although the return part of day return ticket cannot be used after the close of the day, it may not be entirely valueless as you can get a refund of half the total ticket price minus an admin fee, usually £10.
Advance tickets with a capital A are only valid on the booked service, at least if it isn't the railway's fault that you can' take it.
Does anyone know how far in advance you must purchase your tickets to take advantage of the off-peak prices? Currently looking at the 23th of this month.
Off-Peak tickets are walk up fares.
Advance - with a capital A, non exchangeable, non-refundable, expensive to change so effectively non-changeable, but the cheapest are from 12 weeks out until they run out. If there are any left they are available until 6 pm the night before at the very latest, depending on the company - see the terms on their website.
