Bristol Travel Forum

We will be flying from the States to London and then by train to Bristol. Would it more expeditious to travel to Bristol from Heathrow or Gatwick?

www.nationalrail.co.uk will give you train times and fares.

From Heathrow it will take around 2.5 hours, with at least one change.

From Gatwick it takes nearer 3 to 3+ hours, with at least one change.

Have a look at the timetables (and fares, and route details) in relation to your proposed landing time at each airport, and decide from there. No need to book train tickets online.

The less expeditious travel is actually to not go by train. There are direct coaches from Heathrow airport to Bristol. They normally take 2 hours and are also cheaper than the train. http://www.nationalexpress.co.uk

I'd advise Heathrow, from there take the Railair coach to Reading where you can catch a train west to Bristol. I've always found cheaper fares are available on thetrainline.com but do not know if they are able purchase tickets as a non-UK resident.

http://www.railair.com/
http://www.thetrainline.com/default.asp?T2ID=7137_20087420951

As stated earlier, taking a coach would be probably cheaper & faster when you add in all the connections but this depends on which of the 5 terminals that you fly into, the bus station at Heathrow is in the centre of terminals 1, 2 & 3.