Bath Transportation

Getting There

By Air

Bristol International Airport (+44 0870 1212747 / http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/) serves Bath and is located 15 min from the city center. Major Airlines Include:

Aer Arann (+44 0800 5872324 / http://www.aerarann.com/) Aer Lingus (+44 0845 084444 / http://www.aerlingus.com/) Air Southwest (+44 0870 2418202 / http://www.airsouthwest.com/) Aurigny (+44 0871 8710717 / http://www.aurigny.com/) British Airways (+44 0870 8509850 / http://www.britishairways.com/) Continental Airlines (+44 0845 6076760 / http://www.continental.com/) Eastern Airways (+44 01652 680600 / http://www.easternairways.com/) Easyjet (+44 0870 6000000 / http://www.easyjet.com/) Flybe (+44 0871 7000123 / http://www.flybe.com/) KLM (+44 0870 5074074 / http://www.klm.com/) Ryan Air (+44 0871 2460000 / http://www.ryanair.com/) Skybus (+44 0845 7105555 / http://www.skybus.co.uk/) Brussels Airlines (+0902 51 600 / http://www.brusselsairlines.com/com/home/ ) Private Air Charter (+44 08451 206247 / http://www.centrelineair.co.uk/)

If you prefer to travel through London, there are 2 airports serving the city.

Heathrow International Airport (LHR) (+44 (0) 870 000 0123 / http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow/) is considered the hub of the aviation world and is the base for over 90 airlines. Gatwick International Airport (BAA) (+44 (0) 870 000 2468 / http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/gatwick) is the closest to Brighton. Major airlines include: American Airlines (+1 817 967 2000 / http://www.aa.com/) Air Canada (+1 800 776 3000 / http://www.aircanada.ca /) Air China (http://www.airchina.com.cn/) Air France (+1 800 871 1366 / http://www.airfrance.com/) Air India (http://www.airindia.com/) British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com/) Iberia (+ 1-800-772-4642 / http://www.iberia.com/) Japan Airlines (+1 800 525 3663 / http://www.ar.jal.com/ja/ ) United Airlines (+1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com/) Virgin Atlantic Airways (+ 1 800 862 8621 / http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/)

From the Airport

Taxi: The most convenient way to get to Bath from Bristol Airport is by taxi. The ride lasts about 40 minutes, the fare is approximately GBP25.

Train/Bus: The cheapest way to get to Bath is via train. Take a bus to Bristol's Templemeads Station (one of the oldest train stations in the world). From there, you can easily catch a train to Bath (Bath Spa). From London, you can transfer to the Bristol International Airport or travel to Brighton via rail, bus or motorway. It is a 90 min train ride from London's Paddington to Bath.

Rental Car Companies: Alamo (800-522-9696 / http://www.alamo.com/) Auto Europe (888-223-5555 / http://www.autoeurope.com/) Hertz (405-749-4424 / http://www.hertz.com/) Thrifty (http://www.thrifty.com/)

By Car

Take the M4 which runs directly to Bath from London and Heathrow. You can also take the M5 from the North, Devon and Cornwall. For information on parking and other transportation information, visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/transportandroads/Parking/default.htm.

By Rail/Bus/Coach

Travel line (http://www.nexus.org.uk/) provides all public transportation information. National Express Coaches (http://www.gobycoach.com/) National Rail (+44 8457 484950) First Western National (http://www.firstgroup.com/) offers train and bus transportation. Eurostar (http://www.eurostar.com/) The Trainline (http://www.thetrainline.com/)

By Sea

To reach Bath from mainland Europe, the closest ferry port is located in Portsmouth about 80 miles (130 km away) and from Ireland, the closest port is Fishguard approximately 140 miles (250 km away). The port of Dover is 190 miles (305 km) away from Bath.

Getting Around:

Public Transport

Park & Ride - bus connections (+44 0845 606 4446) Bath Bus Company (+44 (0)1225 330444 / http://www.bathbuscompany.com/)

By Rail

Eurostar (http://www.eurostar.com/) The Trainline (http://www.thetrainline.com/) BritRail (866-BRITRAIL / http://www.acprailnet.com/britrail/). Network Rail (+ 44 0 8457 11 41 41 / http://www.networkrail.co.uk/)

By Coach

National Express Coaches (http://www.gobycoach.com/) Eurolines (http://www.nationalexpress.com/eurolines_microsite/index.cfm/)

Planning a Trip

Getting There

Trains leave London's Paddington Station bound for Bath once every half-hour during the day. The trip takes about 1 1/2 hours. For rail information, call tel. 0845/748-4950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.

A National Express coach leaves London's Victoria Coach Station every 90 minutes during the day. The trip takes 3 1/2 hours. Coaches also leave Bristol bound for Bath and make the trip in 40 minutes. For schedules and information, call tel. 0871/781-81-81 or visit www.nationalexpress.com.

Drive west on the M4 to the junction with the A4, and then continue west to Bath.

Visitor Information

The Bath Tourist Information Centre is at Abbey Chambers, Abbey Church Yard (tel. 09067/112000 toll call, 50p per minute; www.visitbath.co.uk), next to Bath Abbey. It's open June to September, Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm; off-season, Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. It is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Getting Around

One of the best ways to explore Bath is by bike. Rentals are available at the Bath & Dundas Canal Company, Brass Knocker Basin at Monkton Combe (tel. 01225/722292; www.bathcanal.com). Daily rentals go for £14.

Special Events

Bath's graceful Georgian architecture provides the setting for one of Europe's most prestigious international festivals of music and the arts, the Bath International Music Festival. For 15 days in late May and early June each year, the city is filled with more than 1,000 performers. The festival focuses on classical music, jazz, new music, and the contemporary visual arts, with orchestras, soloists, and artists from all over the world. In addition to the main music and art program, the festival offers walks, tours, and talks, plus free street entertainment, a free Festival Club, and opening-night celebrations with fireworks. For information, contact the Bath Festivals Box Office, 2 Church St., Abbey Green, Bath BA1 1NL (tel. 01225/463362; www.bathmusicfest.org.uk).