Bath to Bristol by train: times and tips

Bath to Bristol by train

The fastest train National Rail publishes takes 12 min. Below: where the trains leave from, step-free access and left luggage at those stations, which ticket to look for, and the other ways to make the trip.

Datos verificados por última vez el 1 nov 2026. Britlens es independiente: consulte nuestra política editorial.

Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre, Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton CourtPhoto: Roger Cornfoot, CC BY-SA 2.0

Ashton Court Miniature Railway, Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton CourtPhoto: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0

Cumberland Basin, Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods & Ashton CourtPhoto: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photos from our destination guides; each links to the page that lists the place.

Fastest published time12 min¹
Straight-line distanceabout 18 km (11 miles)
TarifasVary: book ahead for Advance⁴

The time above is the quickest journey on the National Rail page we read on 1 Nov 2026; it is not a timetable. Some trains take longer and some need a change. Check the National Rail journey planner (opens in new tab) for your date.

Where the trains go from

From Bristol National Rail lists direct trains to Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, Cardiff, Penzance, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh.¹

From Bath it lists direct trains to Bristol, Cardiff, Weston-super-Mare, Portsmouth, Taunton, Frome.³

Stations on this route, from National Rail station pages (read 1 Nov 2026)
Estación	Managed by	Acceso sin escalones	Left luggage
Bath Spa station page on National Rail (opens in new tab) ²	Great Western Railway	Step-free category A: there is step-free access to all platforms	No left luggage listed
Bristol Temple Meads station page on National Rail (opens in new tab) ²	Network Rail	Step-free category A: there is step-free access to all platforms	No left luggage listed

Step-free categories are National Rail’s own. More on storing bags: luggage storage at stations and airports. Main-line hubs on the way: rail gateway stations.

Which ticket to look for

Advance. Single tickets for one train on one date. National Rail says you can usually buy them up to 12 weeks ahead and, on many routes, until shortly before departure. You may pay £10 to change one plus any fare difference (as stated on 1 Nov 2026); they are non-refundable unless your train is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel.⁴
Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak. Not tied to one train, but limited to quieter times. National Rail says off-peak hours generally begin at 09:30 on weekdays in cities and large towns (09:00 elsewhere), and weekends and bank holidays are off-peak all day. Evening restrictions may apply.⁵
Anytime. The most flexible and usually the most expensive.⁶

A Railcard can cut many fares by a third. See rail tickets explained, Railcards and the which ticket helper.

Step-free travel and assistance

National Rail’s Passenger Assist lets you book help for the whole journey through one train company, even across several trains. It says train companies accept requests up to 2 hours before the journey starts, and that you can also turn up and go by asking staff or using a Help Point.⁷ See accessible travel.

Other ways to make the trip

Coach. Long-distance coaches are usually slower but can be cheaper. See coaches and long-distance buses for the operators.

Driving. Read driving in Britain first if you plan to hire a car, especially for the city driving zones.

More train routes

All train routes

Questions

How long is the train from Bath to Bristol?

The fastest journey National Rail publishes takes 12 min. Many trains take longer, and some need a change: check the journey planner for your date.

How much is the train from Bath to Bristol?

There is no single fare. Prices depend on the ticket type, time and how early you book. National Rail says Advance tickets can usually be bought up to 12 weeks ahead and are only valid on the train you book; Off-Peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime tickets where they exist.