I know the topic of getting to Bath is often discussed, but we have a unique issue. It seems we will be starting out our vacation on a day that train schedules will be changing and some sort of work will be going on affecting the RailAir bus to Reading. We've had a devil of a time trying to figure out how to get from T5 to Bath. Can someone please tell me if there is a way to print out the tickets we are thinking of purchasing at LHR and double check my work and tell me if there is something I'm missing that might be a better option?

We could take the National Express bus direct from LHR to Bath which will take 3 1/2 or 4 hours.

We we could take the Heathrow Exprss train to Paddington and then a train to Bath which would take about 3 hours and the cost is similar to that of the national express bus.

We could take the train from Heathrow to Bath via Hayes and Harlington and Reading. It would take a little over 2 hours and be a bit cheaper than the other options.

We we could take the Rail Air bus that for that day is going to either Woking or Feltham and then we'd catch a train to Reading and then on to Bath. This would take a bit over 3 hours.

We we are thinking of taking either of the train only options, either through Paddington or Hayes Harlington. We'd prefer to not spend a bunch of time on a bus because of motion sickness issues and preference of trains over buses. We'll be traveling light and are in good health, so toting bags isn't an issue. My problem is that while the national rail website shows me the route through Hayes & Harlington as the only option, it also tells me I can only buy a Heathrow Express or connect ticket at Heathrow. Can I buy a ticket for the route through H&H and Reading online now and print that ticket out at a kiosk or machine at LHR upon our arrival? There has to be some way to buy these tickets or there is a train that leaves LHR and travels to Hayes and Harlington empty several times a day.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Why is the rail air link to Reading disrupted? Do you have a link to that?

The forum won't allow me to post the link. I don't know why the service is disrupted, only that the schedule shows the bus going to Feltham or Woking, as stated. No option of a bus to Reading on that day.

There's a major change to train timetables on May 20th, using different "Heathrows" give different results - none with a bus service direct to Reading

National Rail Enquiries - Changes to the National Rail Timetable

Journey Planner - Trains Times and Fares - National Rail Enquiries
Journey Planner - Trains Times and Fares - National Rail Enquiries
Journey Planner - Trains Times and Fares - National Rail Enquiries

Though going to the National Express website says there are direct buses

I would do this the simple way -- get on the coach at LHR and get off in the center of Bath - easy peasy. They are large, smooth riding coaches, there are no stops, and after an over night flight you'll probably doze all the way and not be affected by motion sickness.

I agree with janisj, although I am usually an advocate for trains. Much less stress to take the coach, and most of the trip should be on motorways (think interstates).

Yes -- ALL of the trip will be by Motorway except for the last 10 miles from the M4 into central Bath.

I wonder if it could be a blip on the database. It's of that there's nothing on the Rail Air website to indicate service is suspended for that day, and I really can't think of a reason why it would be. Is it worth e-mailing them direct to ask?

https://www.firstgroup.com/berkshire.../rail-air/news

Contact form: https://www.firstgroup.com/help-and-support/#before

"We could take the National Express bus direct from LHR to Bath which will take 3 1/2 or 4 hours."
The journey is 2 hrs 15 mins direct from LHR T2/3 to Bath.

As the title says, the OP is leaving from T5. You have to add the time to get to the coach station. Turns out the coach is not direct from T5, they have to change at the coach station.

Yes - because of the T-5 bit it takes a little longer. So you can either just book from T-5 - or - take the (free) tube connection to T-2 and take the coach from there.