How to: Travel from Bristol to Bath

Bath and Bristol mark the Western edge of the Great West Way route. These two cities are both stunning; Bath is a gorgeous collection of golden Georgian town houses where you will find spas, shopping and supremely instagramable streets; Bristol is a vibrant modern city with a fascinating maritime heritage where you can discover Banksy, boating, Brunel and brilliant bridges. 

If you are journeying East along the Great West Way, the trip from Bristol to Bath may well be your first stage, before carrying on to the charming villages of the Cotswolds, or along the Kennet and Avon Canal into the centre of Wiltshire, or taking a quick detour down to Salisbury. But how should you get between these two cities? The Great West Way can be travelled on foot, boat, bike or more - so there are plenty of easy options to choose from when moving between Bristol and Bath.

Bristol to Bath by Bike
Planning to cycle the Great West Way? The stage from Bristol to Bath is a great place to start. Bristol is often called the UK's first cycling city. If you just fancy a day trip, exploring between the two cities by bike is a great idea. The 13-mile Railyway Path between Bristol and Bath is entirely off-road and mainly flat, making for a quick, easy and safe cycle ride. Which probably explains why over 1 million bike rides are taken along the path every year! Need to hire a bike? If you're starting in Bath, head to Wild Swim Bike Run to hire a bike, if you're in Bristol, why not try out a tandem from Bristol Tandem Hire?

Bristol to Bath on Foot
There are a number of options when it comes to walking between Bath and Bristol, but the River Avon Trail is one of the prettiest. Pick up the The River Avon Trail at Bristol City Docks and continue on to the picturesque Pulteney Bridge in the centre of Bath. This is a nice flat route and, because you're following the river all the way, it's hard to get lost! The Bristol to Bath Railway Path makes a nice alternative, and can also be followed on foot.

Bristol to Bath by Train
Both Bath and Bristol have convenient railway stations. Trains usually run between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa station about twice an hour, taking as little as 12 minutes. Make sure you check the train times before you travel, as they can change for weekends and bank holidays (and be sure you don't miss the last evening train!) Have a look at our advice on how to travel the Great West Way by train for more helpful tips.

Bristol to Bath by Car
Travelling the Great West Way is all about enjoying the journey, being curious and keeping an eye open for hidden gems or off-the-beaten track surprises. The great thing about travelling by car is that you can be flexible and easily take a quick detour to look around the many surpises along the Great West Way. Why not pop into Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park while driving between Bath and Bristol, or take a small detour and visit National Trust property Dyrham Park. Driving between Bristol and Bath takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic and the time of day. Just try to avoid rush hour during the week! 

Bristol to Bath by Boat
Is anything more glorious than drifting downstream on a bright summer's day with the sun warming your skin, watching the scenery float by? Bristol and Bath are connected by a navigable section of the River Avon - part of the Kennet & Avon Canal - making it easy to travel between the two by boat. There are options to travel by narrowboat, take a day trip with a guide or to travel by canoe or kayak. Bristol Packet Boat Trips run day trips from Bristol to Bath, and the Canal and River Trust can offer lots of advice about travelling along the Great West Way's waterways. 
 

To continue on with your journey along the Great West Way, take a look at our plan your way advice pages.