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National Express: tickets, timetables and routes

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

National Express popular routes and schedules

Popular routesFirst and last departuresAverage durationMinimum price
London → BristolFirst and last departures00:30 — 23:59Average duration2h 59mMinimum priceUS$8
Bristol → LondonFirst and last departures00:55 — 23:55Average duration3h 6mMinimum priceUS$8
London → StanstedFirst and last departures00:01 — 23:58Average duration1h 27mMinimum priceUS$12
Manchester → LondonFirst and last departures00:05 — 23:40Average duration5h 44mMinimum priceUS$7
London → ManchesterFirst and last departures03:40 — 23:52Average duration5h 57mMinimum priceUS$12

National Express routes in the UK

Amenities

Types of National Express tickets

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Amenities on National Express buses

  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Standard seat
  • Wifi
  • Power outlets

National Express’s Coverage in Numbers

  • Daily Departures44921
  • Cities251
  • Countries3
  • Routes3688

National Express Bus classes

  • Economy
  • Standard
reviews

National Express User Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

User reviews from travellers who booked their tickets with National Express

Ratings and Reviews (26943)

There was a delay that lasted 90 minutes that I had to look up on the site and only updated after half an hour - and was stranded in the cold

Kieran W.

22 April 2024
The bus was on time, comfortable and clean. The driver was friendly, professional and drove the bus in a safe manner.

Sheila S.

22 April 2024
Brilliant and easy to book. Literally booked as we walked through baggage re claim at the airport and jumped straight on.

Heather J.

21 April 2024
Bus was very cold and could not recline seats 7.5 hrs is to long sat straight up and cold

Raymond C.

21 April 2024
Bud broke down just outside Nottingham missed bus to Bingham had to get 30£ taxi

John Edward F.

21 April 2024
Frequently Asked Questions

National Express FAQ

Yes, there is WiFi on National Express buses! Check your emails and stay connected with friends and family during your trip with National Express. Keep in mind that streaming is limited, so we recommend downloading your favourite films and programmes before your trip.

Yes, there are power outlets and USB plugs on National Express. You can usually find 1 or 2 plugs per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your neighbour wants to charge up their devices as well.

Yes, National Express buses have a toilet on board. Toilets generally do not have running water, so we recommend bringing hand sanitiser. Remember to always hold the railing when going to the toilet in a moving vehicle.

There are no meals or snacks offered on National Express buses. We recommend that you bring some snacks and drinks in a reusable water bottle for your bus trip.

No, you don't need to print your ticket. You can board National Express buses by showing your e-ticket on your smartphone, along with a valid photo ID. Your ticket will be sent to you by email when booking on Busbud.

Only Certified Service animals are allowed on National Express buses. Unfortunately, your pets are not allowed on the bus or in the hold of the bus.

National Express goes the extra distance to offer best-in-class services to all travellers. You will be able to enjoy Air conditioning, Standard seat, Power outlets, Toilet, Wifi on their buses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Promos and special offers

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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.

National Express Popular Routes, Destinations and Stations

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