Coaches are the cheapest way of travelling to the Cotswolds from both London and Heathrow airport. They are considerably cheaper than trains, travel direct, and have similar journey times.
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Jump to:
- Where to pick up coaches in London
- Where to pick up coaches at London Heathrow
- What are National Express coaches like?
- Coaches from London to the south Cotswolds – Bath, Chippenham
- Coaches from Heathrow to the south Cotswolds – Bath, Chippenham
- Coaches from London to the central Cotswolds – Stroud, Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham
- Coaches from Heathrow to the central Cotswolds – Stroud, Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham
- Coaches from London and Heathrow to the north Cotswolds
- Table of National Express services from London Victoria to the Cotswolds
- Table of National Express services from Heathrow airport to the Cotswolds
Where to pick up coaches in London
The major long distance bus operator in the UK is National Express. The main coach station in London is London Victoria.
This coach station is 300 metres from the closest tube line, and is accessible by the Victoria Line, District Line, and the Circle Line. There is a bus stop outside of the coach station if you plan to arrive by local bus.
Ticket prices for National Express coaches vary depending on the time of day and day of the week you travel. Departing around rush hour will be more expensive. If you are flexible and the time of day you travel doesn’t bother you, tickets are available daily from £4 one-way.
All of the journeys below depart from London Victoria.
Where to pick up coaches at London Heathrow
National Express services are available from terminals 4 and 5, and from the Heathrow Central bus station – located near terminals 2 and 3.
Arriving at Heathrow terminal 4 or 5?
Coaches which run from terminal 4 or 5 are usually more expensive than those which run from Heathrow Central bus station. They also take longer because the majority require you to make a transfer on your journey, this can add 1 – 2 hours to your travel time.
Take the free transfer from terminal 4 or 5 to terminal 2 and 3 to reach Heathrow Central bus station to catch services departing from there. The journey details below are based on coaches departing from the central bus station.
What are National Express coaches like?
Included in ticket price:
- 2 x 20kg suitcases and 1 piece of hand luggage
- Guaranteed seat
- USB ports availble to charge devices
- Access to free movies and TV over WIFI using their own entertainment service
Availble for an extra fee:
- Seat reservation from £2
- Travel insurance from £1.50
- Extra luggage (Up to 5 extra bags)
South Cotswolds
London to the south Cotswolds – Bath, Chippenham
Bath – There are 16 departures every day. The first coach leaves London at 07:30AM and the last leaves at 11:00PM. Journey time is around 2.20 – 3-hours. This journey costs between £5 and £17 one-way.
Chippenham – There are 16 direct journeys made each day. This trip will take 2.10 – 2.30-hours and will cost between £5 and £15.
Heathrow to the south Cotswolds – Bath, Chippenham
Bath – The first coach departs at 08:15AM, and the last coach every day arrives in Bath at 1:40AM. There are 10 journeys a day. This trip costs between £13 and £25, and takes between 2.10 and 2.30-hours.
Chippenham – From Heathrow there are 9 direct services a day to Chippenham. The journey takes between 1.30 and 2-hours. Tickets cost £12 – £22 one-way.
Arriving in Bath by coach
Bath Spa bus station is in the centre of Bath on Dorcester street. It is a 1-minute walk from Bath Spa train station. Taxis are readily available when you arrive by coach.
Central Cotswolds
London to the central Cotswolds – Stroud, Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham
Stroud – From London Victoria there are 5 direct coaches a day making this trip. Cost is between £4 and £18. Journey time is between 2.30 – 3.20-hours.
Cirencester – Coaches to Cirencester cost between £5 and £10 one-way. There are 11 journeys each day, all are direct, and the average journey time is 2.30-hours.
Gloucester – On this route there are 15 trips a day. A one-way ticket is between £4 – £24. The journey will take 3 – 3.30-hours.
Cheltenham – The journey to Cheltenham takes between 2.30 and 3-hours direct. There are 14 trips a day, and tickets cost between £5 and £16.
Heathrow to the central Cotswolds – Stroud, Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham
Stroud – There are 2 direct coaches every evening that make this trip and the journey will take 2.30-hours. Ticket price is between £18 and £27 one-way.
Cirencester – From London Heathrow there are 9 trips a day. Journey time is between 1.40 – 2-hours. Ticket price is £15 – £30 per person.
Gloucester – A ticket for this journey is between £12 and £27. There are 9 trips throughout the day travelling on this route and the journey times is between 2 – 2.30-hours.
Cheltenham – 8 trips make this route each day. Journey time is 1.50 – 2.30-hours and tickets are priced between £12 and £27.
North Cotswolds
London and Heathrow to the north Cotswolds
From London Victoria or London Heathrow, National Express do not make journeys to Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham or any other major towns and village in the northern Cotswolds.
If you plan to head to the north first, you can take a train from London to Moreton-in-Marsh or Kingham. Or, take a coach to Gloucester or Cheltenham and then make your way onwards from there.
Table of National Express services from London Victoria to the Cotswolds
| Route | Departures per day | Journey time | Cost |
| Bath | 16 | 2.20 – 3-hours | £5 – £17 |
| Chippenham | 16 | 2.10 – 2.30-hours | £5 – £15 |
| Stroud | 5 | 2.30 – 3.20-hours | £4 – £18 |
| Cirencester | 11 | 2.30-hours | £5 – £10 |
| Gloucester | 15 | 3 – 3.30-hours | £4 – £24 |
| Cheltenham | 14 | 2.30 – 3-hours | £5 – £16 |
Table of National Express services from Heathrow airport to the Cotswolds
| Route | Departures per day | Journey time | Cost |
| Bath | 10 | 2.10 – 2.30-hours | £13 – £25 |
| Chippenham | 9 | 1.30 – 2-hours | £12 – £22 |
| Stroud | 2 | 2.30-hours | £18 – £27 |
| Cirencester | 9 | 1.40 – 2-hours | £15 – £30 |
| Gloucester | 9 | 2 – 2.30-hours | £12 – £27 |
| Cheltenham | 8 | 1.50 – 2.30-hours | £12 – £27 |
For an alternative way to reach the Cotswolds without a car – check out How to get to the Cotswolds by train.
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