Located in the South West of England, Bath and Bristol are easy to reach, just 80-90 minutes from London by train and a short drive from both the M4 and M5 motorways. Bristol Airport is well connected by regular bus services. You will find mainline train stations as well as bus and coach stations in the heart of each city.
You can find out more about the latest travel advice for England here.
Jump to: Travelling by train | Travelling by coach | Travelling by car | Travelling by air | Great West Way
Travelling by train
Bath Spa Railway Station is conveniently located in the heart of the city centre, just a short walk from Bath’s shops and attractions, including the historic Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa.
Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station is the largest rail hub in the west of England, with direct services available from London, Scotland, Wales, Manchester and Birmingham.
Bristol Parkway Railway Station is located to the north of the city. Services run from Birmingham, Cardiff, Gloucester and London.
A taxi rank can be found immediately outside each of the main stations.
Travel to and from London Paddington Railway Station and to destinations across the South of England, South West and South Wales with Great Western Railway (GWR). You can plan your journey, check timetables, book tickets and find out more at GWR.com
The train journey between Bath and Bristol (in either direction) takes around 12 minutes.
Travelling by coach
Bath and Bristol are easy to reach by coach with regular services providing good value travel between all major towns and cities in the UK and Europe. Frequent services run from London Victoria coach station, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport to Bath and Bristol bus stations.
Private coach operators
Events information (external websites)
Higher emission coaches and minibuses (pre-euro 6/VI diesel and pre-euro 4/IV petrol) are subject to a daily charge in Bath’s Clean Air Zone (see below). To check if charges apply to your coach or minibus, go to www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones
Travelling by car
There are also excellent motorway links from the north, Devon and Cornwall via the M5 motorway, and Wales or London and the south east are just a short drive along the M4 motorway.
As with most cities, the roads can become congested at busy times. To avoid traffic for day visits, we recommend using one of the various Park and Ride services. Take care when driving around the city centres, as there are a number of one-way streets and bus lanes in operation.
Download our handy parking map to find your nearest car park in Bath or view our parking map for Bristol.
Bath Clean Air Zone
Bath is now operating a charging Clean Air Zone to urgently tackle air pollution in the city. It means that owners of all higher emission vehicles – except private cars and motorbikes – will need to pay to drive in the city centre.
A higher emission vehicle is a pre-euro 6/VI diesel vehicle (euro 1 to 5/V or earlier), or pre-euro 4 petrol vehicle (euro 1 to 3 or earlier). You can check whether charges or exemptions apply at www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ
If charges apply, drivers must declare their journey and pay online at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones within 6 days of the journey (7 days, including the day of travel) or they could receive a penalty charge notice.
Drivers of some higher emission motorcaravans (pre euro 6 diesel or pre euro 4 petrol) will have to pay, depending on the motorcaravan’s vehicle type/category. Drivers of a larger motorhome (classed PHGV) can apply for a discount to travel in Bath’s CAZ but should do this at least 14 before travel at www.bathnes.gov.uk/CAZexemptions.
Travelling by air
Travelling from Bristol Airport (BRS)
Travelling to and from Bristol Airport by bus or coach is easy and convenient.
Whether it’s into the city or out into the South West countryside and Wales, there are plenty of good value and direct services available.
The Air Decker bus service provides a direct link between Bath and Bristol Airport, with stops at various points in Saltford, Keynsham and South Bristol and a total journey time of approximately one hour.
The Bristol Airport Flyer express coach service will take you from the airport to the city centre, including Bristol Temple Meads station and the bus and coach station, where you can also catch onward services. The coach service runs on a regular basis, seven days a week with a complete journey time of approximately 20-40 minutes.
Private airport transfers can be arranged with local firms from all mainland UK airports. To find out more about travel from Bristol Airport head to the Bristol Airport website
Travelling from Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow Airport is the UK’s busiest airport and the arrival point for many international visitors, especially those from long-haul destinations.
The Heathrow Express train service runs between the airport and London Paddington, where you can then pick up a direct train service to Bath or Bristol. The complete journey time for this is around two to two and a half hours.
Regular coach services run directly from the London Heathrow to Bath and Bristol with a total journey time of 120-to-180 minutes.
Travelling from Gatwick Airport (LGW)
You can take a train from London Gatwick airport to Reading where you can pick up a train service to Bath or Bristol.
Alternatively, catch a coach from Gatwick Airport via Heathrow Airport to Bath with National Express or Megabus.
Great West Way
Bath and Bristol are proud to lie at one end of the Great West Way, a 125‑mile touring route combining the world‑renowned with the yet‑to‑be‑discovered. At one end is London with its famous royal sights and rich cultural heritage; at the other is Bristol.
As well as travelling by bicycle, walking the landscapes, relaxing on waterways, or taking the road, you can also take advantage of the Great West Way Discoverer pass.
The Great West Way Discoverer pass offers unlimited off‑peak train travel with GWR from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads via Reading With options to branch off towards Oxford, Kemble and Salisbury via Westbury. Plus London Waterloo to Salisbury and on to Bath and Bristol via South Western Railway. Also included is unlimited travel on bus services along the route. Choose from 1, 3 or 7-day options. Find out more here.
The Great West Way Travel Magazine - The new version of the Great West Way Travel Magazine is now available. This is the 9th issue for Autumn/Winter 2023. Alongside the regular features, this issue contains features on the following:
- Sustainable Dining
- Best World Heritage Sights to visit on Great West Way
- Best Festivals and Light Trails Along Great West Way
- Ten Brilliant Places to Visit Using the Discover Pass
- And much more...
View the magazine and back issues here
Find out more about travel within the region including local rail and bus services, taxis, cycling and walking and ferries.
Our Groups & Travel Trade newsletter is a monthly update showcasing new products, anniversaries and openings in Bath, Bristol and the surrounding area relevant to travel trade professionals.
