The fastest and cheapest way from Bath to London Heathrow is the National Express coach, from £13 one-way, taking about 2 hours 5 minutes on the direct 403 service. The train is quicker door-to-door for some journeys but involves a change in London, and a private taxi transfer costs more but skips both the change and the wait.
Here's how the main options actually compare, and what to expect from each.
Coach: the National Express 403
The 403 service runs directly between Heathrow and Bath, with up to seven journeys a day. Fares start from £13 one-way, and the fastest journey time is around 2 hours 5 minutes. The first coach leaves Heathrow Terminal 2 at 7.50am, arriving into Bath Bus Station at 10.10am, and the last one leaves Heathrow at 23.15, arriving in Bath at 01.20am.
On the way to Heathrow, the coach calls at Chippenham, Corsham, Rudloe and Box before reaching the airport, so it's a genuine one-change-free journey rather than a connection. Coaches arrive and depart from Heathrow's Central Bus Station, serving Terminals 2 and 3, and drop off at Bath Bus Station on Dorchester Street, a one-minute walk from Bath Spa rail station and in the heart of town.
This is the option most people should default to: it's the cheapest, it's direct, and the journey time is competitive with public transport alternatives once you account for changing trains in London.
Train: via London Paddington
The train route is Bath Spa to London Paddington on Great Western Railway, then a change onto the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to reach the airport. The Paddington leg takes around 90 minutes, and the Heathrow Express adds about 15 minutes from Paddington, or the Elizabeth line closer to 30 minutes, plus the walk between platforms.
This can work out faster than the coach if your GWR train is well timed, but factor in the change at Paddington, which adds friction if you're travelling with luggage. Fares vary considerably by time of day and how far ahead you book, so check GWR and Heathrow Express directly for the current price on your travel date rather than assuming a fixed figure.
Taxi and private transfer
A pre-booked private transfer or taxi is the most comfortable option and the only one that takes you door to door without a change, useful with heavy luggage, an early flight or a group. It costs more than the coach or train, and exact pricing depends on time of day and how far ahead you book. This site is published by the Tick Taxi group, so we say that plainly here: compare a quoted fare against the coach and train options above before you book, and see our guide to getting a taxi in Bath for how the local firms, including our own, actually compare.
Comparison table
| Option | Price | Journey time | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express 403 coach | From £13 one-way | About 2h 5m | Direct |
| Train (GWR + Elizabeth line/Heathrow Express) | Varies by booking | Roughly 2 hours | One change at Paddington |
| Taxi or private transfer | Higher, varies | Around 1h 45m–2h | Direct |
Planning your journey
If you're flying from Heathrow early in the morning, the first 403 coach at 7.50am from the airport gets you into Bath by mid-morning, which also works in reverse for an evening flight, since the last coach from Heathrow leaves at 23.15. If you're coming from elsewhere in the region first, see our guide to getting around Bath without a car and our day trips from Bath guide for connecting journeys.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the coach from Bath to Heathrow?\nFrom £13 one-way on the National Express 403 service, though prices rise closer to travel and at busier times. Booking ahead usually gets the lowest fare.
How long does it take to get from Bath to Heathrow?\nThe direct National Express coach takes about 2 hours 5 minutes. The train, via a change at London Paddington, takes roughly 2 hours door to door depending on connections.
What time is the first coach from Heathrow to Bath?\nThe first 403 service leaves Heathrow Terminal 2 at 7.50am, arriving at Bath Bus Station at 10.10am.
What time is the last coach from Heathrow to Bath?\nThe last coach departs Heathrow Terminal 2 at 23.15, arriving into Bath at around 01.20am.
Is the train faster than the coach?\nIt can be, if your connection at Paddington is well timed, but it involves a change and carrying luggage between platforms, which the direct coach avoids entirely.
Where does the coach arrive in Bath?\nBath Bus Station on Dorchester Street, a one-minute walk from Bath Spa rail station and close to most central hotels.