river bridge trees bath destination

Cheap Train Tickets to Bath

Get the best ticket prices to Bath with our split ticket search

Cheap Trains to Bath

“Oh! Who can be ever tired of Bath?”
Jane Austen

Bath is, hands-down, one of the most beautiful cities in England. Home to exquisite architecture, hot springs, and Roman baths, this city is a must-visit and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jane Austen lived in Bath; you can visit many of the places she referenced in her books.

Tip 1 Book in advance to get the cheapest fares
The cheapest train tickets to Bath are made available by train companies up to 12 weeks in advance of travel. These low price advance rail tickets sell out fast, so it is worth booking as soon as you can. If you can't book early, advance fares are on sale until an hour before travel, though they can often sell out before then.

Bath Spa railway station is a Victorian building located within the city centre. It has regular inter-city and regional services from major cities, including Cardiff, Reading, Bristol, Southampton, and Salisbury. Trains to Bath from London depart from Paddington Station, taking around one and a half hours, depending on which service you take.

Tip 2 Don't pay booking fees.
Some ticket retailers charge fees each time you book a train with them; Trainline charges up to £1.50 flat rate per booking. Split My Fare does not charge a booking fee; only if you save money by splitting your train tickets will we take 10% of the saving made.

The former name of Bath "Aquae Sulis" literally means "warm waters", referring to the ancient Roman baths and springs in the city centre. Situated next to a temple dedicated to the healing goddess Sulis, this is hailed as the best-preserved ancient Roman bathhouse in the world. You’ll find the Great Bath at the heart of the complex, a pool filled with steaming water from the nearby spring. The museum is affordable; you can take a comprehensive audio-tour describing the history of the baths and how they related to Roman life. You are allowed to sample the famous healing waters, though they may not taste that nice.

Tip 3 Use Delay Repay if your train is late.
Delay Repay allows you to claim a full or partial refund on your train tickets to Bath if your journey is delayed by more than 15 minutes. Entitlement for refunds differs between operators, so it is worth checking with the company you travel.

The Royal Crescent in Bath is famous for its beautiful Georgian architecture. This semi-round terrace is filled with majestic townhouses overlooking the Royal Victoria Park. If you want to learn about the interesting stories behind the striking structures in Bath, visit the Museum of Bath Architecture.

Tip 4 Popular trains cost more.
Cheaper fares are usually found outside peak hours. You can also save money by avoiding travel at weekends and during holidays. Weekdays are usually a lot cheaper; off peak times usually run from late morning to later afternoon.

Another museum that’s worth visiting in the city centre is the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. This used to be the home of famous astronomer William Herschel and has now been converted into a museum.

Tip 5 Book your ticket together to save money.
If you're travelling in a group of 3 to 9 people and looking for cheap trains to Bath, you can get 1/3 discount during off-peak hours if you book together, using Groupsave. It is worth collecting with e-Tickets to avoid multiple paper tickets; savings are automatically added.

We'd highly recommend visiting Bath Abbey - located just a few minutes walk from the train station you can take a guided tour that includes a visit to the top of the spire. This gives a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view across the city, including the nearby thermal spa.

Tip 6 Check the price of single and return fares.
If you're going on a round trip to Bath, it is worth checking single and return prices. Often two single tickets can be cheaper than a return; when you buy with us, we automatically show you the cheapest combination.

When taking the train to Bath we'd recommend visiting Pulteney Bridge, a 5-minute walk from Bath Spa station. Overlooking the Avon River and Parade Gardens, the bridge is a beautiful spot for a photograph. The gardens are a great place for a peaceful walk; residents in Bath can access these gardens for free, the entry fee for tourists is relatively cheap at £3.

Tip 7 Take slower trains.
You can sometimes find cheaper tickets on slower services if you aren't in a rush to get to Bath, use a less direct train. We'll automatically show you slower trains on our site if they save you money, but you can choose only to see the fastest trains too.

For those who enjoy walking, take the U1 Bus from near Bath Spa Station to the start point of the Bath Skyline Walk. This hilltop walk is 6 miles long, with incredible views of the entire city. It is worth checking the bus timetable beforehand as the U1 runs less frequently outside of university semesters.

Tip 8 Check the prices of first class and Standard Class fares.
When demand is low, sometimes a first class train ticket can be a similar price to or even cheaper than a standard fare. Along with cheaper tickets, you'll benefit from a more comfortable seat, complimentary food, and a quieter carriage.

Sports fans may want to visit the Rec, next to Pultney Bridge, Bath RFC's home, a Premiership rugby team. Matches are on most weekends, and tickets are fairly cheap; check on the Bath RFC website for more info. Trains to Bath can be very around game times, so it may be worth travelling to Bath earlier in the day.

Tip 9 If you travel regularly, get a Railcard.
With a Railcard can normally save 1/3 on most train fares. There are additional benefits such as free or discounted entry to attractions.

Most railcards cost around £30; the Two Together Railcard allows two adults to save 1/3 on most fares.

The Family and Friends Railcard gives 60% off fares for children and 1/3 off most all adult fares for up to four kids and four adults.

The senior railcard offers the same discount, but at a reduced cost of £70 for three years.

Disabled passengers can get discounts on their train tickets with the Disabled Persons Railcard, the card costs £30 a year and gives 1/3 off most tickets.

Other Railcards available include the Network Railcard, 16-25 Railcard, and 26-30 Railcard.

You can find more information on the Railcard website; tickets are on sale at National Rail Ticket Offices.

The local Bath Guildhall indoor market provides a fantastic opportunity to buy handmade crafts and local food. As the oldest market in the city, the rich history on its own makes it worth a visit. The market is just a five-minute walk from Bath Spa Station.
Tip 10 Be flexible to save money
If you can be flexible in the day and times you're able to travel; it is possible to find great savings. Our booking engine allows you to ompare the price of tickets easily.

No train journey to Bath is complete without visiting Sally Lunn's Eating House and Museum, the oldest eatery in the city. It is worth trying the 300-year-old recipe made famous by Sally Lunn, the Sally Lunn Bun. This is a 'bun' that is not a bun but similar to a French brioche with various toppings on top. The eating house offers many other choices and vegetarian options too.

Popular Routes to Bath

Regular trains run to Bath from across the country with services operated by Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, and South Western Railway. Bath can be easily reached from several major cities including London, Bristol, and Oxford. Find more information on the London to Bath route by visiting the page below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Bath trains go?

You can reach the whole of the UK from Bath Station; there are direct trains to London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads.

How do I get to Bath by train?

It takes just 1h11m to get to Bath from London and only 11m from Bristol.