Greetings -

I will be in London for 7 nights - dd and I are intersted in going to Bath for a day/night.

I would like to take public transportation.

We have rented a flat in Knotting Hill area.

Thank you in advance,
Dawn

Hi Dawn-

I just did that 2 weeks ago. It's super easy, nonstop train from London Paddington to Bath. Takes 1.5 hrs.

Tickets are much cheaper if you buy in advance (but nonexchangable and nonrefundable). I bought advance ticket for £9.50 one-way; would have been £49 if I bought at station just before I left.

Since you're staying overnight, you can't take advantage of the cheap same-day return tickets.

Buying the tickets online was a slight challenge but doable. You pick up the ticket at the self-service machines at Paddington. See this thread for my step-by-step guide for buying on line.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35130769

Your train tix will qualify for 2-for-1 entry to many sights in Bath. See here:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1741

Just to clarify the train part a little, to check schedule and fares, the best website is
www.nationalrail.co.uk

But it doesn't sell tickets - it directs you to the corresponding rail company (in your case, First GreatWestern) and you buy your ticket from First GreatWestern.

If you get directed to TheTrainLine website, you can still buy your tix thru them but TheTrainLine charges a service fee whereas buying directly from First GreatWestern does not.

We did the trip from London to Bath on the Train and it was great. Took the train from Paddington right into Bath. We caught a cab to our B&B because we didn't want to carry our suitcases. We books at the Marlborough House which is walking distance to the Royal Crescent. It was very nice, clean and good breakfast. The B&B is vegetarian (which we are not) however the breakfast was very tasty. We stayed 3 nights over Memorial Day weekend and there was an outdoor market selling everying from purses to cheese. There was also an outdoor fair going on and it was all fun and games on the lawn in front of the Royal Crescent. We enjoyed the Bath's very much and also the street performers. I hope you enjoy it.

As usual amazing information.

YK - I do not want to pay 49 yikes! That it like 100.00 USD. I will have to plan it out.

Thanks for the inforamtion on the B&B as well. I will look into it!

For most people the NXEC website - www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com - is the only one they can book UK train tickets through

If you're willing to take a National Express coach (3 1/2 hours), you can get a fun fare as low as £6 each way. But you have to book well in advance at www.nationalexpress.com to get that fare. The economy return (roundtrip) fare is £24.70 and the standard return fare is £26.70.

In 1998 we took the National Express bus from Heathrow to Bath because we didn't want to drive after an overnight flight. I was pleasantly surprised that one sits so high up you get a good view. Yes, it did make one off-freeway stop near the edge of the Cotswolds. At that time the bus seemed clean and new.

We will have trained so much that it is an option. I am needing to watch my pennies. Our trip is long.

I tried the website AlanRow provided (NXEC) last month to book the train ticket from London to Bath, but for some reason the schdule didn't show up; that's why I just did it thru First GreatWestern.