Major city · United Kingdom
Bath
Give Bath 2 nights on foot: Roman Baths first thing, Royal Crescent and the Abbey on day one, Stonehenge or the Cotswolds on day two. Skip the car.
Bath is a compact Georgian spa city of about 90,000 people, 160 km west of London and 18 km from Bristol, with two UNESCO listings: the city itself and the Great Spa Towns of Europe. Almost everything you came for sits inside a 20-minute walk of Bath Spa station, so the trip is about timing tickets and walking, not transport.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and queues), late Dec
- Airports
- BRS · LHR · LGW
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bath111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bath, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyBath is a low-crime, well-lit city centre; the real risks are uneven pavements, hills, pickpockets in the Abbey and Roman Baths queues…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBRS Bristol Airport (About 35 km (22 mi) away; bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train, or a direct bus to Bath, roughly 40–60 min).BRS Bristol Airport (About 22 mi (35 km) away; bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train, or a direct bus to Bath, roughly 40–60 min).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of ale / lager£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centre£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
- Metro or bus rideHop-on hop-off tour bus ticketcheckAbout £11.50 (≈ US$16)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£28 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room£300 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £100 (≈ US$140) · High £190 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BRS Bristol Airport (About 35 km (22 mi) away; bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train, or a direct bus to Bath, roughly 40–60 min) · LHR London Heathrow (RailAir bus to Reading then train, or Heathrow Express to Paddington then a train to Bath Spa; about 2 h) · LGW London Gatwick (Train to Reading, change for Bath; about 2 h 15 min)BRS Bristol Airport (About 22 mi (35 km) away; bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train, or a direct bus to Bath, roughly 40–60 min) · LHR London Heathrow (RailAir bus to Reading then train, or Heathrow Express to Paddington then a train to Bath Spa; about 2 h) · LGW London Gatwick (Train to Reading, change for Bath; about 2 h 15 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid*
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Bath: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The centre is small and mostly flat, with the station, bus station and Abbey within 10 minutes of each other. Local buses and the four park-and-ride routes (Newbridge, Lansdown, Claverton Down, Odd Down) cover the edges; a day pass on one operator's Bath buses costs around £3.70. Taxis rank outside the station and near the Abbey. Driving in the centre is one-way, congested and short on parking: leave the car at a park-and-ride.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Stonehenge
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h each way
Tour bus or train to Salisbury then the Stonehenge Tour bus
Timed entry; book the slot before you leave Bath.
Bristol
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Train from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads, about 15 min
Half-day for the harbourside and SS Great Britain.
Wells
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Bus from Bath bus station, about 1 h
Cathedral and the smallest city in England; half a day.
Cheddar Gorge
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus or car via Wells
Thin public transport; easier with a car.
Cotswolds villages
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h to the southern edge
Car or an organised tour
Castle Combe is close; the northern villages need a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (Abbey, Roman Baths, Southgate)
Walk to everything; priciest and noisiest on weekend nights.
Around Bath Spa station and Manvers Street
Best for a 1–2 night rail trip with bags; buses and taxis at the door.
Great Pulteney Street and Sydney Gardens
Quiet Georgian streets, 10–15 min walk to the Abbey; good mid-range hotels.
Widcombe and Bear Flat
Cheaper, residential, 15–20 min uphill walk back from town.
Royal Crescent and Lansdown
The postcard address; higher prices, 10–15 min walk downhill to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £55–85 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- £90–150 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- £170 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or hotel1 × 2 nights × £140 | £280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £100 | £400 |
| Roman Baths adult ticket2 × £24 · check | £48 |
| Park-and-ride return, one adult2 × £2 · check | £4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £12 | £24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £76 |
| Trip total≈ £208 per person per day, bed included | £832≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in pounds; intercity rail and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Sally Lunn bun with toppingcheck | £4–8 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Pint of ale / lager | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Taxi across the centre | £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Bath bus day pass (one operator)check | About £3.70 (≈ US$5) |
| Hop-on hop-off tour bus ticketcheck | About £11.50 (≈ US$16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bath is hilly at the edges: Sion Hill, Lansdown and Widcombe climb steeply from the centre.
- Saturday parking fills early; central multi-storeys can be full by mid-morning.
- Roman Baths tickets are timed and cheaper on weekdays; book online to avoid the entrance queue.
- The American Museum and Gardens closes from January to mid-March.
- Pavements double as shopping streets: look before stepping off the kerb.
Emergency numbers
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BathBath
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Bath; they are in London. The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland all have embassies or high commissions in London (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bath Spa → London Paddington: about 1 h 30 min, trains roughly every 30 min (check)
- Bath Spa → Bristol Temple Meads: about 15 min (check)
- Bristol Airport → Bath, direct bus: about 55 min (check)
- Park-and-ride into the centre: about £2.20 (≈ US$3) return per adult (check)
Say or show
- Sorry / excuse me — Sorry / excuse me
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Where is the station? — Where is the station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The bill, please — The bill, please
Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bath. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and queues), late Dec · month by month →
- 3 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BRS: last bus and train times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Abbey and Roman Baths, Pulteney and Sydney Gardens, the Crescent and the Circus, station and Southgate.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Roman Baths, Bath Abbey tower, Thermae Bath Spa, American Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures: Saturday parking, timed-entry queues, park-and-ride last bus.
Sources
- officialVisit Bath
- officialRoman Baths
- officialBath Abbey
- officialNational Rail
- officialBath & North East Somerset Council — park and ride
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bath, revision 5303516 (CC BY-SA 4.0)