my wife and I will arive next Thursday at Heathrow and are looking for a transfer for a stay of a few days in Bath, on advise of a previous post we have a hotel and car rented, but the trip to Bath by bus or train, arriving at noon Thursday seems difficult to nail down. Any suggestion on travel after our all night air flight would be appreciated.

The only way to get from LHR to Bath w/o transfers/changes is the National Express coach (bus).

Not difficult to pin down at all - get on at LHR, get off in Bath.

There are no trains from LHR to anywhere except London. So you could take a train east into London (Paddington) then get on another train going west to Bath, or you could take a bus to Reading and a train from there.

But IMO, just take the direct coach to Bath. It takes 2.5 - 3 hours depending on which coach you catch. BTW - you need to search for "Bath Spa" - not just "Bath"

Where/when are you picking up your car?

Hi DF - I often do this journey, and always use bus (- National Express) rather than train.

The 13.15 bus from Heathrow (- Heathrow Central Bus Station) arrives Bath at 16.00.

Fare:
single £19.00
return £26.80

For full timetable/details see:
http://www.nationalexpress.com/bp/b2.cfm?id=193838184

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Just jumping in here, we want to do the reverse trip. Is this route likely to encounter traffic congestion around mid afternoon? We are looking at a 10pm flight out so was just wondering about timing.

Many thanks

Hi Maudie - Traffic congestion isn't normally an issue mid-afternoon on that route.

I'd suggest you catch the 15.45 bus from Bath (- arr. Heathrow at 18.25).

A bit early - but you could have dinner at Heathrow, maybe ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Great Steve, yes it does, thanks so much. Sounds perfect, we would rather be there with time to spare so dinner would kill an hour. Appreciate your advice.

Maudie

Thank you Janisj and Steve. This is just what I was hoping to find out, and the link is much appreciated. We will rent a car from National in Bath the day after we arrive, then will wonder for a week and return to Central London for a few more days before we return home. The 13:15 bus will be perfect if our plane arrives on time at 12:15. I will look up the National Express bus and see how to find it before I leave next Wednesday. Dft

Whats to wonder about? Just relax and enjoy yourselves...

bardo1: Not to put words in the OP's mouth, but I <i>think</i> he meant 'wander' around for a week . . .

dftatuwstout: The 1:15 PM coach could be really tight w/ a 12:15 landing. That is just when your plane lands, not when you get to the arrivals hall. You may park out on the tarmac waiting for a gate, or there could be a back up at immigration or your bags could be slow coming off the carousel. Plus time to get cash from an ATM etc. OR - you could land 30 mins early and have no worries. But I'd plan on 90 mins minimum to catch the NE coach. Count on making the 15:15 and be overjoyed if you make the 13:15.

Yep, I meant wander about the land, and the idea of hoping for the earlier bus or if not, taking the later bus is what I was thinking too. We will pack light and have carry ons, but are realistic about how things go on international flights. dft

One final thought, is it recommended to but tickets in advance for the bus or take our chances when we get there? dft

dftatuwstout - You also should figure out which Heathrow terminal you'll be arriving at. If you're arriving at T1/2/3, it's a 10-min walk to the Heathrow Central Bus Station. If it's T4 or T5, you'll need a lot more extra time...

Even if your flight arrives on time into T1/2/3, I still think your chance of catching the 13:15 is slim. If it's T4 or T5, you definitely will be taking the later bus.

DF - If you can book online in advance it would be better.

As Janis says, your chances of making the 13.15 are slim. Book on the 15.15.

If you happen to be early enough to catch the 13.15, they will let you on anyway - assuming it's not full.

Steve