London to Bath Day Trip
 

I want to take a day trip from London to Bath but am not sure where and when to buy train tickets. Can anyone tell me how long the ride is and if it's easy enough to get around Bath without a car. Thanks.

There are trains about every hour from London to Bath and the trip takes about 1-1/4 - 1-1/2 hours depending on the particular train schedule. It is very easy to get around all of central Bath without a car, in fact it is preferable. Walking in Bath is an absolute delight.<BR><BR>I bought my ticket same day by telephone using my credit card.

It is better to book ahead. You can do so by going to Paddington Station, from where the train goes, a few days before, or even one day before, and get them in advance. Or you could go to www.thetrainline.com and use that. Don't just turn up and go as it can be very &pound;&pound;&pound;&pound;$$$$. <BR>It's a good place. Spend up to 7 - 8 hours there and you will enjoy it. Try going on a weekday where there will be fewer tourists.

We did this trip last week. We purchased tickets at Paddington that morning about 20 minutes before the train was scheduled to depart. The ticket booth lines were relatively long so we bought them from a ticket machine using a credit card. (By the way, the train line is called First Great Western.) The trip took 1 1/2 hours with only a few stops along the way. It's a very easy trip and well worth it. Bath is very walkable although there are some hilly areas.

Be sure to tour the Roman Baths, have high tea in the adjacent Pump Room, and walk around Royal Crescent. Also visit the interesting Museum of Costume.<BR><BR><BR>Martin

Can you all who've done this trip before tell me, in general, how much it costs to take the train to Bath from Paddington? I'm looking at taking this same day trip when I go to London next year.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Jennie

The pricing of train tickets in the UK is a mystery. Buying in advance can make it very reasonable, turning up on the day to buy a ticket can be much more costly. Sign up at www.thetrainline.com to buy train tickets for journeys throughout the UK. A return ticket from London to Bath costs &pound;17.50 (APEX ticket)if booked a week in advance (you will have booked seats) or &pound;32-&pound;39.50 if you turn up and buy your ticket on the day (the cheaper of the two(supersaver return) is off-peak)- you can also telephone national rail enquiries to confirm all your arrangements on 08457 48 49 50 when you get here. <BR>Have fun!

"Supersaver return" is the magic phrase. I think sometimes these tickets are actually cheaper than a 1-way.

We were in Bath this summer (train from Newport, Wales) and thoroughly enjoyed our day. It was nice to relax on an open air double decker tour bus to get our bearings first, then you can hop on and off all day to do your own touring. It really is a wonderful place to stroll. We particularly enjoyed the Spa Museum tour, Jane Austen Museum and tea at Sally Lunn's which was expensive but an absolute must!