English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
.jpg){kind=link}
No typical fares. Coach prices change with demand and the operators publish no fixed fares. We quote a price only where an official page showed one, with the date.
The main coach operators
National Express
Scheduled coaches between towns, cities, events and airports. On 1 Nov 2026 its home page said a standard fare lets you change your departure date and time, and that you can bring a suitcase and hand luggage at no extra cost. It sells Coachcards for young people, seniors and disabled travellers and lists a student discount.1 Its airport page says airport services run 24/7 on selected routes.2
Megabus
Megabus’s site refused automated access, so we state nothing from it. Wikipedia describes Megabus as a low-cost coach network founded by Stagecoach in 2003 that expanded across the UK.3,4 Check routes, luggage rules and prices on its site.
FlixBus
FlixBus runs coaches in England, Scotland and Wales and across Europe. Its UK home page said Young Scot cards and bus passes are accepted on its Scottish routes (as shown on 1 Nov 2026).7 Its luggage page says a ticket includes one carry-on bag and one stowed bag; extra and special luggage (such as large instruments or sports kit) can be added when booking, space is limited, and e-bikes, tandems and tricycles are not carried.8
Scottish Citylink
Citylink’s site refused automated access. Wikipedia describes it as Scotland’s main long-distance express coach network, linking Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling and Inverness, and some rural Highland communities.5,6 For the Highlands and Skye, check its timetables before you rely on a connection.
Coach notes by destination
Where our destination data holds a coach note from an official or tourist-board page:
| Between | What the source says | By train |
|---|---|---|
| London and Cornwall | Visit Cornwall says coach times from London or Birmingham to Truro are around 7 to 8 hours; National Express serves Cornwall as far as Penzance.12 | Train route |
| London and the Cotswolds | National Express runs the main coach route from London Victoria.13 | Between regions |
| London and Edinburgh | National Express and Megabus serve Edinburgh; coach timetables are on Traveline Scotland.14 | Train route |
| London and Oxford | Oxford Tube coaches run up to every 10 minutes, all day and night.15 | Train route |
Coaches to and from airports
Coaches are a common way to reach London’s airports. On 1 Nov 2026 Stansted said National Express runs 24 hours a day with 38 pick-up points, 15 of them in central London, from £5.00 one way.9 Compare every option on airport transfers.
Local buses
- Timetables. Traveline plans journeys by bus, coach and train across Britain.11 traveline.info (opens in new tab)
- Paying. Each city has its own system: contactless, day tickets or a smartcard. See city travel cards and fare systems.
- Free bus passes are for residents. GOV.UK sets out the older person’s bus pass by where you live (in England from State Pension age, in London from 60 within London, in Wales from 60).10
Questions
Is the coach cheaper than the train in Britain?
Often, but not always, and it is usually slower. Compare both for your date: coach operators sell online, and Advance train tickets bought early can also be cheap.
Can visitors use a free bus pass?
No. GOV.UK describes the older person’s bus pass as something you apply for if you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, so it is for residents.