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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.