I'm very confused by all the transport choices when we arrive in London. Will someone please advise the best way to travel through our itinerary (best and/or cheapest)? 1st: Arrive Heathrow and travel immediately to Bath (Aug 24) (possible travel one day to Cardiff from Bath) 2nd: Bath to Kingston Upon Thames (Aug 30) 3rd: Kingston Upon Thames to Wimbledon (Aug 31) 4th: Wimbledon to London (several diff. days to do tourist sites) (Aug 31-Sept5) 5th: Wimbledon to Heathrow (Sept 6-fly around 1030am) Have been told that National Rail is best for Bath to Cardiff. Is that the best for all of this?
Thank you!
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
Charley - There is a motorcoach the goes from LHR to Bath. I'm not sure of the schedule or cost, but several people here recommend it. Bath-Cardif, a same day return will run about £19.50 per person. From Bath - Kingston, Looks like you would take the train to Paddington Station. Then the tube to Waterloo Station. Then a train to Kingston. The cost is as low as £15.50. I'm not sure if the train ticket also includes travel on the tube. Kingston - Wimbledon, the fare is £3.30 per person. I used eastcoast.co.uk for train schedules and prices. Hopefully Nigel will see this post and respond. He is very knowledgeable on train travel in the UK. For transport from Wimbledon to London you would probably purchase a Oyster Card. You can find information about the Oyster card at www.tfl.gov.uk. There is also a journey planner and maps of the tube on the website that could help you with your travels to London and to Heathrow for you flight home. Cheers.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you buy a ticket all the way from Bath to Kingston, it will be good on the Tube from Paddington to Waterloo. The Bakerloo Line runs directly between those stations.
Posted by
Lincoln, NE, USA
390 posts
National Express runs coaches directly from Heathrow Airport to Bath. Time is about 2 1/2 hours. I would then return to Heathrow on the bus and catch the #111 or #285 (a bit faster) straight to Kingston from Heathrow Airport. Then you don't have to venture into the city and fight switching train stations with all your luggage. Wimbledon is just a short bus ride away from Kingston - hop on the #57 bus that leaves from central Kingston. It's about 20-30 minutes to Wimbledon Station for £1.30 with an Oyster card. Take the tube from Wimbledon into London. I'd also take the tube from Wimbledon to Heathrow Airport (District line to Piccadilly line - switch at Earl's Court).
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33849 posts
Was I paged?
Thanks. Just returned from holiday. I think what needs to be said has been said.
Posted by
OP
vancouver, bc, canada
20 posts
Thanks so much everyone!!!
Posted by
OP
vancouver, bc, canada
20 posts
Oh sorry..one more thing...so, National Express is different from National Rail? Would train not be quicker btwn Heathrow and Bath?
Posted by
OP
vancouver, bc, canada
20 posts
Oh, I see.....via train would mean going into London and switching..rather than direct via bus? slowly piecing things together..
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33849 posts
National Express is a coach company. National Rail is a collective operation run by the Association of Train Operating Companies ATOC - and has info and sells tickets for all the privatized TOCs, online and provides the overarching advertising and face of British rail. www.nationalrail.co.uk has loads of info, First Great Western are the TOC which run trains between Paddington and Bath.