Can wheelchair passengers access National Express coach?

All of the National Express buses have wheelchair access. To ensure that assisted travel is available, we need to carry out certain checks to ensure your experience with us is a happy one. The wheelchair must be compatible with the space available on National Express and that the combined weight of the passenger and wheelchair doesn’t exceed the weight of the lift.

What are the luggage restrictions on National Express buses?

Two medium-sized suitcases that weigh no more than 20Kg each, plus a small piece of hand luggage, are permitted. Smaller items such as laptops can be placed on overhead shelves in the bus, while larger items are safely stored outside under the floor. You’ll be given a ticket which you must keep to retrieve your bag.

How safe are your buses and drivers?

The company has a strict no-drug/alcohol policy for all drivers. In addition, every coach is equipped with cameras that monitor driver performance. On-board CCTV cameras and our Traffic Log system ensure passenger safety. To set your mind at rest, National Express has been awarded several prestigious safety awards over the years, including a maximum 5-star rating by the British Safety Council, an honour that we have retained for years.

How green is travelling by National Express coaches?

National Express is fully committed to the environment. Travelling by bus has been proven to be substantially less harmful to the environment than any other form of travel. A full bus of 50 passengers potentially removes 50 cars from the road. Our white coach fleet is Euro VI standard which is the highest engine emission standard currently available. Our Levant III buses produce 13,6% less GHG emissions per passenger/km than any Euro VI coaches in an urban environment.

Are service dogs permitted on Nation Express coaches?

Definitely, National Express welcomes all trained assistance dogs onboard permitted that you provide a copy of the certificate of training the dog received. A copy of the dog’s ID book or any other proof that confirms that the relevant training took place will also be accepted. It is advisable for customers making use of this service to pre-book to ensure a comfortable spot on the bus providing the dog with enough space to lie down during the trip.

How can you get a refund from National Express?

Refunds are only available on Fully Flexible fares. If your ticket is refundable (read point 8 of our Conditions of Carriage), you'll need to cancel it no later than 72 hours before your departure time to get a refund. If you're entitled to a ticket refund, get in touch with our Contact Centre. NOTE: You can board any available coach 12 hours before or after your original departure time. Amend your ticket at a Travel Shop where facilities are available but note that our restricted travel option does not permit any alterations to your booking or any refunds. Please note, it is only possible to request an exchange within the timeframe allowed, as mentioned in the exchange policy of your booking. Busbud cannot modify or exchange your booking. If your ticket is exchangeable, you must contact National Express directly to request an exchange.

Do I need to print my National Express ticket?

No. You can show your ticket on your smartphone or tablet. The full ticket must be shown, partial pictures/screenshots will not be accepted. ‏‏‎

National Express Bus Tickets | Book Now, Cancel Up to 15 Min Before

National Express popular routes and schedules

Book cheap National Express Bus tickets online, find timetables, prices, station locations, services, promotions and deals.

Popular routes	First and last departures	Average duration	Minimum price
London → Stansted	First and last departures00:01 — 23:56	Average duration1h 25m	Minimum priceUS$7
Bristol → London	First and last departures00:55 — 21:15	Average duration2h 54m	Minimum priceUS$7
London → Bristol	First and last departures00:30 — 23:59	Average duration2h 56m	Minimum priceUS$6
Manchester → London	First and last departures00:05 — 23:55	Average duration5h 53m	Minimum priceUS$9
London → Manchester	First and last departures00:22 — 23:59	Average duration5h 52m	Minimum priceUS$9

Official Partner

Contact National Express

+443717818181

National Express’s Coverage in Numbers

Daily Departures20891
Cities241
Countries1
Routes3644

About National Express

National Express, UK’s #1 coach company since 1972, is reliable, convenient, and travels to more destinations than any other.

Their coaches travel to hundreds of towns, cities, and events across the UK every day, so if there’s somewhere you want to go, chances are National Express is heading there too. Whether you’re bound for bustling cities like London and Manchester or soaking up the beauty and history of Bath and York, National Express is your go-to for smooth, scenic, and stress-free travel.

Frequent Airport Transfers: Flying in or out? They offer the most frequent service between London and its airports, with coaches departing every 20 minutes – no need for taxis!

Sustainable Travel Commitment: National Express is dedicated to green travel, aiming to be fully carbon-neutral by 2035. All their coaches meet Euro VI standards, making your journey one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel. Their vision is to lead the way as the UK’s most sustainable coach company.

Unmatched Safety and Accessibility: Their coaches feature advanced safety systems, and their staff is trained to support passengers with disabilities, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for everyone.

National Express Amenities

NX delivers a range of essential amenities to make your travel enjoyable and stress-free:

Reclining Leather Seats: All coaches are equipped with comfortable reclining seats, allowing you to relax on long journeys.
Ample Legroom: Generously spaced seating provides extra legroom, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed journey for passengers of all heights.
Digital Entertainment Service: Stream movies and shows right from your device.
Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi across most routes.
Power Outlets & USB Charging Ports: Available at your seat, enabling passengers to charge their devices during the journey.
Onboard Restrooms: Convenient and well-maintained restrooms on all buses.
Air Conditioning: Climate-controlled coaches for a comfortable travel experience in any weather.

Popular routes with National Express

National Express operates an extensive network of routes that cover over 500 destinations across the UK, with about 1800 daily services, which includes several of the top routes:

London to Edinburgh
Manchester to Birmingham
London to Bristol
London to Cardiff
London to Liverpool

Convenient bus stations for National Express travellers

National Express operates from well-located coach stations, ensuring easy access for passengers:

London Victoria Coach Station: A major hub for connections across the UK.
Birmingham Coach Station: Centrally located for easy travel throughout the Midlands.
Manchester Central Coach Station: Convenient for travel to the north of England and Scotland.

Reserve your National Express ticket with Busbud

Planning a trip across the UK? Choose NX for affordable, comfortable, and eco-friendly service. Whether you're traveling between major cities or heading to the countryside, they have the routes and schedules to meet your needs.

Book your ticket on Busbud today for a smooth, hassle-free booking experience.

Photos of National Express buses

National Express User Reviews

National Express

4/529,594 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.7

WiFi3.4

National Express is appreciated for its punctuality and friendly drivers, providing great value for money. However, some users faced issues with unclear departure information and uncomfortable seating on certain coaches. There were also concerns about crowded boarding conditions at Southampton and communication challenges during delays or route changes.

Very good and the drivers were very helpful with your luggage 🧳 and letting me go to the bus station swindon,instead of queens drive ,as I would of meant me getting 2 buses instead of 1.Also like to thank the ticket information downstairs at stanstead for letting get an earlier coach, as it cut 2 hours of my intented journey many thanks Mr Lawrence kirby

Lawrence K.

13 March 2025

The trip from Heathrow airport to Southampton was fine as was the driver. The issue was the people pushing and shoving, trying to be first on and not being careful of those around them. At the arrival in Southampton, there was very little space between the bus and the fence, making it very difficult for people to get their luggage with everybody again pushing and shoving. There was very little room to walk and pull a suitcase between the people lined up to get onto the bus.

Lucinda L.

16 August 2025

The bus was very late and arrived work very late. Had to pay for an Uber to work more money I didn't plan to use.

Chiy B.

15 September 2025

Was unexpected that it stopped at Heathrow!!!

Marilyn V.

15 September 2025

It was full of racisrs going to demonstrate in London

James F.

14 September 2025

I didn't make my 11 o'clock journey as I couldn't see it on the board even though I was on time to catch the coach and there was no one on the enquiry desk to talk to find out which gate I should be on. I thought the coach was direct to Whitstable but when I eventually spoke to the information guy he was extremely helpful

Lynne S.

14 September 2025

National Express FAQ

Can wheelchair passengers access National Express coach?
All of the National Express buses have wheelchair access. To ensure that assisted travel is available, we need to carry out certain checks to ensure your experience with us is a happy one. The wheelchair must be compatible with the space available on National Express and that the combined weight of the passenger and wheelchair doesn’t exceed the weight of the lift.
What are the luggage restrictions on National Express buses?
Two medium-sized suitcases that weigh no more than 20Kg each, plus a small piece of hand luggage, are permitted. Smaller items such as laptops can be placed on overhead shelves in the bus, while larger items are safely stored outside under the floor. You’ll be given a ticket which you must keep to retrieve your bag.
How safe are your buses and drivers?
The company has a strict no-drug/alcohol policy for all drivers. In addition, every coach is equipped with cameras that monitor driver performance. On-board CCTV cameras and our Traffic Log system ensure passenger safety.
To set your mind at rest, National Express has been awarded several prestigious safety awards over the years, including a maximum 5-star rating by the British Safety Council, an honour that we have retained for years.
How green is travelling by National Express coaches?
National Express is fully committed to the environment. Travelling by bus has been proven to be substantially less harmful to the environment than any other form of travel. A full bus of 50 passengers potentially removes 50 cars from the road. Our white coach fleet is Euro VI standard which is the highest engine emission standard currently available. Our Levant III buses produce 13,6% less GHG emissions per passenger/km than any Euro VI coaches in an urban environment.
Are service dogs permitted on Nation Express coaches?
Definitely, National Express welcomes all trained assistance dogs onboard permitted that you provide a copy of the certificate of training the dog received. A copy of the dog’s ID book or any other proof that confirms that the relevant training took place will also be accepted. It is advisable for customers making use of this service to pre-book to ensure a comfortable spot on the bus providing the dog with enough space to lie down during the trip.
How can you get a refund from National Express?
Refunds are only available on Fully Flexible fares. If your ticket is refundable (read point 8 of our Conditions of Carriage), you'll need to cancel it no later than 72 hours before your departure time to get a refund. If you're entitled to a ticket refund, get in touch with our Contact Centre.
NOTE: You can board any available coach 12 hours before or after your original departure time. Amend your ticket at a Travel Shop where facilities are available but note that our restricted travel option does not permit any alterations to your booking or any refunds.
Please note, it is only possible to request an exchange within the timeframe allowed, as mentioned in the exchange policy of your booking. Busbud cannot modify or exchange your booking. If your ticket is exchangeable, you must contact National Express directly to request an exchange.
Do I need to print my National Express ticket?
No. You can show your ticket on your smartphone or tablet. The full ticket must be shown, partial pictures/screenshots will not be accepted. ‏‏‎

Types of National Express tickets

National Express coaches offer three different types for some routes:

Restricted: If you're set on your travel dates, this can be the best option for you. These tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Standard: These tickets cannot be refunded, but you can modify the date and time up to an hour before departure for a fee of £5.
Fully Flexible: You can exchange y our tickets and get a refund up to 72 hours before departure.

Promos and special offers

When you buy a bus ticket online through Busbud or National Express, you’ll always get the best bang for your buck! To ensure that you get the best deal, explore our websites and:

Search for the best deals as early as you can
Be flexible about your dates and times of departure. Night trips are invariably cheaper.
Avoid traveling at peak times

Travelling with National Express

Experience the journey with the comfort and safety of National Express coaches. Our partners prioritise quality service, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience every time.

Bathrooms: Each National Express coach has a toilet located at the back, equipped with a sink for your convenience. These toilets are accessible at any point during your journey and are kept clean for passengers to use.
Food & Drinks: Passengers travelling with National Express coaches are welcome to bring cold snacks, sandwiches, and non-alcoholic drinks. Hot drinks must have secure lids to avoid spills. Perishable items such as dairy, meat, and fish are not allowed, and passengers are kindly asked to avoid strong-smelling or messy foods to ensure a clean and comfortable journey for all.
Accessibility: National Express provides wheelchair-accessible coaches and offers assistance for those with reduced mobility; it’s best to request this service 36 hours in advance. The company is dedicated to making each journey comfortable and inclusive for all passengers.
Luggage Allowance: One checked bag up to 20 kg and one carry-on are allowed per passenger, with extra fees applying for additional or oversized items. Carry-ons must fit in the overhead storage or under the seat in front.

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud is a bus and train search tool – we include National Express routes, schedules and prices in our searches along with many other train and bus companies. You can compare prices, amenities and times by searching for a route. If you find a suitable trip, you can go ahead and get your National Express ticket from us. Note that train tickets sell out, National Express and other operators generally charge a lot more for last-minute tickets or for tickets bought in person.

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Popular Routes, Destinations and Stations

Top Bus Lines

Curious about the busiest routes of National Express? Here's where most of our passengers are heading!

Top Destinations

From big cities to hidden gems, these are the places National Express can take you on your next adventure!

Top Stations and Locations

Need to know where to catch National Express? We've got a list of our main stops to help plan your journey.

Most popular airports and destinations

Flying part of the way? See where National Express can connect you to popular airports and help you reach your final stop!