Getting There and Away

Scenic view of Pulteney Bridge spanning the river in Bath, England with historic architecture.
Eren Cebeci, Pexels

Bath is well-served by its main transport hubs, including Bath Spa railway station and Bath Bus Station. Both are conveniently located in the heart of the city centre, providing easy access to major attractions upon arrival.

By Train:

Regular train services connect Bath Spa railway station to major cities. A journey from London Paddington typically takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, with tickets potentially starting from approximately £7.85 to £13.30 when booked in advance. From Bristol Temple Meads, the train ride is much shorter, usually taking about 10 to 11 minutes. Great Western Railway (GWR) operates most services.

By Bus/Coach:

Coach services offer an economical way to reach Bath. National Express and Flixbus operate routes from various locations. Direct coaches from London Victoria Coach Station generally take about 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, with fares potentially starting from £5. There are also direct bus services from London Heathrow Airport, typically taking around 2 hours 35 minutes. From Bristol city centre, a bus journey can take about 50 minutes.

By Air:

The closest airport to Bath is Bristol Airport (BRS), situated approximately 19 to 20 miles away. The Air Decker bus service provides a direct link between Bristol Airport and Bath Bus Station, with a journey time of approximately one hour. Other major London airports, such as Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW), are further away and require connecting train or coach services, often involving transfers and longer travel times.

By Car:

Bath is accessible via the M4 motorway (Junction 18) from London and the M5 motorway from the north and south. Driving from London typically takes between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes. Visitors driving into Bath are strongly encouraged to use one of the city's three Park & Ride services located on the outskirts. Parking at these sites is free if the bus service into the city is used on the same day, and buses run frequently (every 15 minutes, 10-minute journey) into the city centre. It is important to note that Bath operates a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which charges higher emission vehicles like taxis, vans, buses, and HGVs, though private cars are exempt. Emission-based parking charges also apply in Council-owned car parks.