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 departures01:00 — 23:50 | Average duration53m | Minimum priceUS$12 | |
| Bristol → London | First and last departures00:55 — 23:55 | Average duration3h 1m | Minimum priceUS$7 | |
| London → Bristol | First and last departures00:30 — 23:59 | Average duration3h 18m | Minimum priceUS$7 | |
| Manchester → London | First and last departures00:05 — 23:40 | Average duration5h 48m | Minimum priceUS$6 | |
| London → Manchester | First and last departures00:30 — 23:59 | Average duration5h 45m | Minimum priceUS$6 |
Official PartnerContact National Express
Amenities on National Express buses
- Air conditioning
- Toilet
- Standard seat
- Wifi
- Power outlets
National Express’s Coverage in Numbers
- Daily Departures23483
- Cities237
- Countries1
- Routes3477
National Express Bus classes
- Economy
- Standard
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 has received positive feedback for its punctuality, with buses arriving on time and providing a smooth journey. However, some passengers have noted that the seating can be cramped with limited legroom, which may affect comfort during longer trips. Additionally, there were minor challenges in locating bus stops at certain locations.
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.
First two drivers who picked up from Falmouth very nice. The team who took over at Plymouth bossy and officious not a nice manner particularly the female driver she barked instructions at passengers not nice (she told a passenger off because he nearly missed getting off at Heathrow) and they didn’t even have the courtesy to announce that we would be arriving 10 minutes late ( I had a taxi booked) . Normally I am happy with the service on national express but not this time
Katie G.
The departure gate is not mentioned on anything, it says the street name but I was there and the bus leaves from around the corner so I missed the bus When I finally caught up with the bus after driving a distance the bus driver said this happens fairly often. The driver and drive were great otherwise
Hannah S.
Left on time, driver very helpful and pleasant! Smooth journey!
Gdpr D.
Came 20 minutes late but driver was very friendly and helpful
Sumaira T.
Apart from the previous night where the most rude and abnoxious driver l have ever met the journey itself the morning after was pleasant apart from picking the wrong case
Abdelhamid S.
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.
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.
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!
- London to EdinburghUS$48
- Edinburgh to GlasgowUS$14
- Stansted to LondonUS$17
- Glasgow to EdinburghUS$14
- Manchester to LondonUS$22
- London to ManchesterUS$22
- Edinburgh to LondonUS$45
- London to CardiffUS$17
- Bristol to LondonUS$10
- London to StanstedUS$17
- Cardiff to LondonUS$17
- Luton to LondonUS$18
- Birmingham to LondonUS$17
- London to BristolUS$11
- London to OxfordUS$39
- Glasgow to LondonUS$44
- Gatwick to LondonUS$30
- London to BirminghamUS$17
- London to GlasgowUS$44
- Glasgow to ManchesterUS$31
Top Destinations
From big cities to hidden gems, these are the places National Express can take you on your next adventure!
- Buses to London
- Buses to Heathrow
- Buses to Birmingham
- Buses to Bristol
- Buses to Manchester
- Buses to Leeds
- Buses to Gatwick
- Buses to Luton
- Buses to Milton Keynes
- Buses to Stansted
- Buses to Cardiff
- Buses to Nottingham
- Buses to Sheffield
- Buses to Plymouth
- Buses to Leicester
- Buses to Brighton
- Buses to Edinburgh
- Buses to Glasgow
- Buses to Southampton
- Buses to Exeter
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.
- Mile End
- Finchley Road
- Earl's Court
- Southwark
- Bow
- King's Cross
- London Liverpool Street
- Finchley Road & Frognal
- Whitechapel
- Wandsworth
- St John's Wood
- London Elephant & Castle
- Stop SC - Hammersmith Bridge Rd.
- Old Kent Rd
- Victoria Coach Station
- Marble Arch
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!
- London Victoria to London Stansted Airport
- London Victoria to Heathrow
- London Victoria to Gatwick
- Cardiff to Bristol Airport
- Oxford to London Luton Airport