Heathrow Transfers West of England & South Wales
Transport Options Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth ...
 |
| National Express Airport Coach |
Bus, Rail or Private Car/Charter Bus?
There is a choice of public transport options from Heathrow to Western England and South Wales including the main cities of Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Exeter, Plymouth.
The broad choice for the traveler is between cheaper, less frequent coaches, or train option that although faster on many occasions once you get on them don't come direct to Heathrow unlike the coach. You will transfer onto a RailAir link coach at Reading for Heathrow.
There are no flights from Heathrow anymore, flights do operate from Plymouth to London Gatwick but this is not really a realistic option for Heathrow.
National Express coaches run direct services from Heathrow to many of the major cities like Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Plymouth and Exeter.
More Details on National Express Heathrow - West England/South Wales
By rail its a complicated process as the trains don't come direct into Heathrow. To avoid a tedious journey into Central London and then out again there are RailAir buses to Reading the first stop out of London for most trains to West England and South Wales.
More Details on Train Services Heathrow - Western England and South Wales
 |
|---|
| London Transfers |
| Transfer Overview |
| Heathrow Express Train |
| Heathrow Connect Train |
| London Underground |
| National Express Bus |
| Taxi / Private Car |
| Small / Large Groups |
| Inter Airport Transfers |
| Heathrow - Gatwick |
| Heathrow - Stansted |
| Heathrow - Luton |
| Cruise Port Transfers |
| Heathrow - Southampton |
| Heathrow - Dover |
| Heathrow - Harwich |
| UK Transfers |
| South East |
| South |
| South West & Wales |
| Midlands |
| North |
| Airport Hotels |
| Heathrow Hotel Overview |
| Heathrow Bed & Breakfast |
| Heathrow Travel Lodges |
| Heathrow Hotel Map |
| Family Rooms |
| Day Rooms |
| Terminal Lounges |
| Hotel Transport |
| Heathrow Hoppa Bus |
| Local Buses |
| Airport Hotel Districts |
| Bath Road East |
| Bath Road West |
| M4, Junction 4 |
| Long Term Parking |
| Hotel + Parking Packages |
| Airport Car Parking |
| Tours & Sightseing |
| Tours From Heathrow |
| Heathrow Transfer Tours |
| Windsor From LHR |
| Stonehenge From LHR |
| Central London From LHR |
 |
 |
 |
 |
You can also of course hire a private vehicle with driver. For groups of eight or more the economics can become compelling. What is more there is no hanging around for trains and buses and no awkward transit in Central London connecting between stations.
If you have the inclination you can also customise the transfer with visits to places like Windsor, Stonehenge or an orientation tour of Central London.
More Details on Private Cars and Buses Heathrow - Western England and Wales
Example Heathrow Public Transport To/From Western England / Wales Major Cities & Towns |
||
| Coach | Train | |
| Bristol | 2 hrs 10 mins - direct every 60-90 mins | 2 hrs 10 mins - indirect via Reading |
| Cardiff | 3 hrs 30 mins - direct every 1-2 hours | 3 hrs - indirect via Reading |
| Swansea | 4 hrs 30 mins - direct every 1-2 hours | 3 hrs 45 mins- indirect via Reading |
| Exeter | 3 hrs 30 mins - direct every 2 hours | 3 hrs - indirect via Reading |
| Plymouth | 4 hr 30 mins - direct 5/6 a day. | 4 hrs - indirect via Reading |
National Express - Heathrow to/From Western England/Wales
National Express offers direct services to most major cities in Western England and South Wales bypassing London all together.
Unlike the train alternative there are true etickets and there are seniors fares available to anyone over 60 on demand.
Most journeys will be far cheaper than train, especially if you get a return ticket over taking the train. However frequencies are not as good and journey times are normally longer.
National Express Journey Planner - Timetables, Fares, Ticketing
Cheapest promotional fares are available online in advance. Normally a return fare is much, much cheaper than two single fares. Unlike the rail network there are senior's fares available to anyone over the age of 60. Unlike the railways tickets bought online are true etickets, visitors from overseas can pay by credit card and have their tickets delivered by email in a couple of minutes.
Formally the baggage allowance that goes into the hold is 2 cases, neither of which should be heavier than 20kg. Drivers load the bags and they are not weighed, most drivers are very flexible as long as you are not taking obvious advantage. Things like bikes and other outsize luggage are carried subject to the discretion of the driver and them being properly packed so they do not damage other peoples luggage. (Check the National Express web site for a full list of banned items).
Train Services Between Heathrow & Western England and South Wales
The main rail route from London to the west country and South Wales passes about 5 miles north of Heathrow. So as to avoid having to trek all the way into London to catch these trains there is a RailAir bus that shuttles between Heathrow and Reading. Your rail ticket can include the RailAir bus.
For possible routes for your journey use use 'The Trainline' web site link above.
Purchasing Train Tickets & Timetables
Advance purchase fares offer great savings over tickets purchased on the day. The three types of tickets are broadly :
| Advance Purchase | Buy in advance, sold in limited numbers and subject to availability. These tickets are only valid on the date/train specified. |
| Off Peak | Buy any time, travel off-peak. these tickets may require you to travel at specific times of day, days of the week or on a specific route. Where there is more than one Off-Peak fare for a journey, the cheaper fare with more restrictions will be called Super Off-Peak. |
| Anytime | Buy any time, travel any time. Anytime fares are fully flexible tickets, with no time restrictions on when you can travel. With an Anytimeticket you can also break your journey at stations along the route of travel. |
At train stations there are manned ticket offices and also ticket machines. All major credit cards are taken as well as cash.
For fares and timetables use 'The Trainline' web site.
You can purchase tickets at 'The Trainline' web site. Tickets are mailed to UK addresses only or you can opt to collect them from machines at main stations. You are sent a unique code which you enter into the machine which dispenses the tickets.
Note, most trains are only confirmed up to 3 months in advance. So if you search for a journey further ahead than 3 months you may well get an incomplete picture of available schedules and tickets.
If you want to purchase train tickets in advance, for the overseas visitor this can present problems as there are with few exceptions no true etickets delivered by email at present.
Tickets can be sent to UK addresses only. You can however order tickets on-line and pick up the tickets from machines, but there are no machines at Heathrow.
There are machines at Reading however.
Private Transfers From Cars To Large Groups
We have options to cater for all party sizes.
Saloon Cars / Sedans / MPV - For Up To 4 Passengers
Saloon/ Sedan car or MPV/Estate/Station Wagon size vehicle. Will take 4 full size adults and around 4 cases with some small hand luggage.
All driver waiting time and airport parking included in airport pick-ups - No extra charges if your flight is delayed!
Small Bus - For Up To 8 Passengers With 16 Large Cases
Air conditioned roomy small buses with lots of luggage room for small groups. (These buses are really 12 seat buses with seats taken out). Drivers meet and greet at airports, hotels and ports just like the cars.
You can fit wheelchairs and electric scooters into the hold, but vehicles do not have a special lift.
Small Bus - For Up To 12 or 16 Passengers With 16+ Large Cases
Luxury small buses, air conditioned with aisles down the middle.
We have a range of models to suit the needs of most parties.
 |
| If you require baby or booster seats just ask |
We can even accommodate outsize luggage. Electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, surfboards and bicycles are some of the common requests we get each year.
We even have driver guides that perform many of our professional day tours from London that are available for tour transfers.
Large Groups & Tour Groups
We provide a custom service for large groups.
Whether it be just a single transfer or a complete tour programme we can normally put forward a proposal whatever the size of party.
We can't provide you with a menu of prices as every group is different. Just use our enquiry form at the bottom of the page and we will get back to you with a proposal that meets your own individual parties needs.
Private Transfer Quotation / Enquiry Form
Note Enquiries About Public Transport Will Not Be Answered
This Enquiry Form Is Just For Taxi, Limo and Minibus and Coach Charters