We will be arriving in Heathrow and then making our way to Bath. We will be staying in Bath for the entire week, but plan on doing one or 2 days in London. We then will be needing to get back to Heathrow for our flight. I would love to hear your suggestions on what is the most cost effective way for 8-10 people to do this. Thanks for your help-as always :) I am not sure if a 2 Day TravelCard for our London trips is better or an Oyster card? Then as far as transport to/from Bath, which would be best Forgot to add we arrive at Terminal 3
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
The two-day Travelcard was abandoned a few years ago. I would use a pay as you go Oyster card, there is a mechanism to ensure that you don't get charged more than you would have paid if you'd bought a day travelcard. Bath is way outside the Travelcard/Oyster area. You can get much cheaper fares if you book in advance at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk. Also, you can only use a Travelcard or Oyster PAYG to get to Heathrow Airport by Piccadilly Line underground. Neither are valid on the (fast, very expensive) Heathrow Express or (slower, cheaper) Heathrow Connect trains between Heathrow and Paddington station.
Posted by
OP
Bridgeport, CT, United States
29 posts
Thanks so much Philip. We have decided to take the coach to/from Heathrow. Less hassle with our luggage and transferring on the trains. We are looking to go into London 1 or 2 days. I might just do 1 day. So the OysterCard will probably work for me. We have to figure out where some of the other things that we want to do are located. I am going to check out that website link asap. Thanks again
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2804 posts
It is an hour and half train ride from Bath to London. You will traveling for a total of 3hr..into and out of London. If you are planning on going into London on two different days, you could get a room for what you pay for train tickets. I would strongly suggest going into London and spending the night there.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you buy one-day, zone 1-2 paper travelcarda with the National Rail logo on them for each day you are in London, you can take advantage of some very good 2-for-1 offers. See here. You can only buy them at a National Rail station, not an Underground station. There is a wide price range for train tickets between London Paddington and Bath Spa. If you buy a single (one-way) ticket just before boarding the train, you could pay up to £84.00. If you buy a same day return (roundtrip) ticket, you could pay as much as £84.00 for Bath Spa-London and £39.00 for London-Bath Spa. However, if you can commit well in advance (up to about 12 weeks) to specific departure dates and times and book on eastcoast.co.uk, you can get a discount fare as low as £9.50 each way.
Posted by
OP
Bridgeport, CT, United States
29 posts
Thanks Marco. Going to check that out now
Posted by
OP
Bridgeport, CT, United States
29 posts
Thank you guys for your help. I think we are just doing one day in London and the other days in other parts of England. I want to go to Cardiff and that is only about 8pds RT. I think the oyster card is my best bet.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5458 posts
Regarding rail travel, you may not be aware of 'Group Save'. This enables three or four adults and children to travel off-peak for the price of two adults. This is available on First Great Western trains between Bath to London and Cardiff. Bespoke arrangements can be arranged with FGW with groups larger than 4 (phone +44 8457 000 125). You do all need to travel together. There are days when this isn't available - in general on Fridays, and at other times where trains are expected to be busy.