National Express Coaches Discussion

[Statto]

The Flixbus service starts in Glasgow though, & stops at Edinburgh & Newcastle, before getting to Sunderland, chances of getting a decent seat is not great, also note the Southbound Flixbus service arrives in London Victoria at 05.45, however the Northbound service, whilst it leaves Lodon Victoria 21.30 that arrives in Sunderland 03.10.

I'd prefer the National Express service for that reason particularly if you need a connection in Sunderland.

 

[route101]

That'll be a 436, stopping off at Hartlepool, Billingham, Middlesbrough, York, Doncaster and Milton Keynes. Operated by Go North East.
All NX coaches have standard leather seats, not enormously comfy imo and took me a while to get the knack to sleeping on them. My recommendation would be to bring a scarf or cushion, get a window seat somewhere in the middle away from the door and the toilet, then shut the curtain, stuff the scarf/cushion between your shoulder and the window and try and sleep on that. You'll still wake up at every stop at least, but I've found this to be semi-effective in between.
If doing it again I'd go for Flixbus from Sunderland - only one stop before London so you'd get a much better sleep, tho coach might be a bit busier when you get on.

Yes, some night services stop quite often and its hard to sustain sleep all the way through. The problem with Flixbus is the legroom on yutongs.

 

[tomoufc]

Looked at getting National Express recently from Manchester to Oxford and return, thinking it could be much cheaper versus Cross Country - which around £80 with split tickets - and to avoid the overcrowded trains. But NX was quoting £75 return, with a change in Milton Keynes (taking much longer than the train, of course). To be fair, this is for a summer peak weekend journey, but still I was expecting NX to be significantly cheaper. Coach prices seem to have gone up a lot in recent years. There used to be at least two Manchester to Oxford services a day, from memory, plus at least one Megabus. Flixbus doesn’t seem to have a direct route. No wonder Cross Country are heaving!

 

[Parebunks]

Looked at getting National Express recently from Manchester to Oxford and return, thinking it could be much cheaper versus Cross Country - which around £80 with split tickets - and to avoid the overcrowded trains. But NX was quoting £75 return, with a change in Milton Keynes (taking much longer than the train, of course). To be fair, this is for a summer peak weekend journey, but still I was expecting NX to be significantly cheaper. Coach prices seem to have gone up a lot in recent years. There used to be at least two Manchester to Oxford services a day, from memory, plus at least one Megabus. Flixbus doesn’t seem to have a direct route. No wonder Cross Country are heaving!

Oxford from the north is quite difficult since NX got rid of the Birmingham-Oxford-Heathrow 210, it is possible to find cheaper tickets but certainly a factor in the train issues! Does seem like a potential opening for Flix but they haven't got anything to Oxford so far, seem to be focusing on NX's more intensive corridors.
For Manchester to Oxford my suggestion would be to see if you can route via one of the remaining Birmingham trips as that's usually cheaper. If you have to go via MK check whether it's putting you on the 737 or X5 to Oxford. If X5 (as it usually is) you can book to MK only then buy a ticket on the bus, which saves about £5 either way.

 

[Wembleybound]

Any one know how much leg rooms u get on a normal seat

 

[route101]

Looked at getting National Express recently from Manchester to Oxford and return, thinking it could be much cheaper versus Cross Country - which around £80 with split tickets - and to avoid the overcrowded trains. But NX was quoting £75 return, with a change in Milton Keynes (taking much longer than the train, of course). To be fair, this is for a summer peak weekend journey, but still I was expecting NX to be significantly cheaper. Coach prices seem to have gone up a lot in recent years. There used to be at least two Manchester to Oxford services a day, from memory, plus at least one Megabus. Flixbus doesn’t seem to have a direct route. No wonder Cross Country are heaving!

Yes, coach trips are generally more expensive for me on the long Scotland to England services. Usually pay £20 to £30 one way. National Express will often sell out while Flixbus will surge their prices.

 

[Eyersey468]

Any one know how much leg rooms u get on a normal seat

I've PMd you

 

[tomoufc]

Oxford from the north is quite difficult since NX got rid of the Birmingham-Oxford-Heathrow 210, it is possible to find cheaper tickets but certainly a factor in the train issues! Does seem like a potential opening for Flix but they haven't got anything to Oxford so far, seem to be focusing on NX's more intensive corridors.
For Manchester to Oxford my suggestion would be to see if you can route via one of the remaining Birmingham trips as that's usually cheaper. If you have to go via MK check whether it's putting you on the 737 or X5 to Oxford. If X5 (as it usually is) you can book to MK only then buy a ticket on the bus, which saves about £5 either way.

Thanks for this. Yes, split ticketing could be the way to go - the only problem being if you missed the connection on the return journey. NX would be unlikely to allow you to use a later service unless you booked the X5 as a through ticket, I would imagine.

Megabus used to run Manchester to Water Eaton park and ride. I wonder it Flix or another company might consider something similar, as it negates having to drive in and out of Oxford.