Easiest transport from Chester to Bath and Wales day tour operator recommendations.

Mountain Goat has been suggested with some agreement to questions in the past but I've never seen anyone come back and confirm they used the company. There isn't a lot of choice in the market as the british are more likely to simply use their own cars.

Advice in driving a hire car from Chester to Bath? What can I say, before you go watch the videos on Youtube about british driving rules, especially those about americans trying it (which don't all end in disaster!) - there's also a very short RS video I've seen, might have been part of a longer british trip. Using one of Google Maps' suggested fast routes you could do it in a morning - which would be something of a waste of a whole day's rental and the fastest route would be mostly rerun in the opposite direction on day 5 of the tour! There is a slower route which shadows the English-Welsh border before crossing the river Severn on the large suspension bridge -this would make better use of the car but it's on "narrower" roads (or ordinary as we call them). Both Chester and Bath have the usual international rental companies who would allow one way rental.

Normally Chester to Bath is a simple rail journey, direct from Chester to Newport, with an unrushed transfer to a train to Bath. The also shadows the border with views of a few castles and some good scenery. I say normally, don't ask until before the middle of next week because the Severn Tunnel is closed for maintenence so the suggsted option is not encouraging. Normally you would leave at around 10:20 and be in Bath in a little over 4 hours.

Thank you for the info on Newport train transfer point. Would like to avoid trains as bag handling is an issue for us as we age. So any recommendations on hiring a driver in either Chester or Newport are appreciated. I know this makes things more expensive and difficult, but aging takes its toll. Does RS consider adding a stop or two in Wales on any tours?

I completely understand the question, and as an older couple including a disabled wife I understand about the luggage bit.

Are you aware that there is something called Passenger Assist on the British railway network who can give - free - assistance boarding and leaving trains for those who need?

Also I see that you are talking about a car and driver - the term hire car in the UK means the same as a rental car in the US. This may cause confusion with us natives.

hiring a car with driver will be expensive. Chester-Bath is 190 miles, the Chester drivers who do airport transfers quote around $100 to reach Manchester Airport - which is only 39 miles away. I can see Bath being wrong side of $400 IF you could find someone willing to do it.

Currently train tickets booked 8 weeks in advance are £42 each and Passenger Assist is a free service, you make contact with the first operator in the journey (in this case Transport for Wales) and they sort it all out, arrival/boarding help at Chester, transfer at Newport, help to taxi at Bath if needed.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/help-and-assistance/passenger-assist/

There is a RS tour starting at Bath which includes Wales, the misleadingly named "Best of England in 14 Days Tour" spends nearly 3 days in North Wales but drives around Chester without stopping (perhaps it was designed by this man https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AmpYig4p5jI )

Thanks very much. Enjoyed the video. Not really planning to spend time in Chester, maybe just an overnight and/or pick up point. Other options are Liverpool and even Manchester for that. Not sure what plan is right now. Trip is still pending for now.

Liverpool or Manchster would be more expensive and more hassle to reach Bath

as a pre-Bath location you could consider Southampton, Salisbury or Cardiff - all easier transfers and not in the Best of England tour

If you want to do a tour in North Wales starting from Chester rather than Liverpool makes more sense.
If you use the passenger assistance service on the train the journey should be reasonably straightforward. They can help you and your luggage on and off trains and when travelling around the station including when changing trains.

When I travelled on trains I used them a lot. The staff at Chester are particularly nice.
The only station I had problems, on more than one occasion, was Crewe so I would avoid changing there if you can. It’s a very busy station and (most of) the staff do their best but sometimes they are over stretched and it doesn’t go to plan.

I have driven the roads that you would use between Chester & Bath and I would not advise it - unless you wanted to go wandering off seeing places and not do it in 1 day.

The easiest way is direct train from Chester to Newport - the scenery is very pleasant on this route. Change at Newport for train to *Bath. The change at Newport involves just walking across a platform on the flat so is really easy. British platforms are also relatively high do you don't have loads of steps into the trains.

• Some journey planners tell you to change at Bristol (Temple Meads) as well. This can be quicker but if you hang around longer at Newport (maybe 40 minutes) - you will be able to pick up a direct train to Bath.

Also consider direct train from Chester to Cardiff for a stay. Direct trains go from Cardiff to Bath hourly and the journey is just over 1 hour. Most of Cardiff city centre is traffic free and flat.

Thank you. I would not drive in UK at my age. The options you present are very welcome and noted. We are also looking at the RS tour 14 days in UK which does take in Wales locations, but it is not a my way tour so may be challenging for us. We have taken 12 RS tours so we know the routines etc. and some can be demanding. All decisions we need to make hopefully soon. Thanks again.