Coaches to London

Services criss-cross the UK with connections to continental Europe too. However, coach journey times tend to be longer than the equivalent train service.

Coach design has been substantially improved over the last 10 to 15 years.The vehicles are more reliable, quiet and powerful. They are double-glazed and climate-controlled with toilets as standard. Drivers' hours are strictly controlled and the vehicles themselves are built to high standards.

Victoria Coach Station in London

Victoria Coach Station is London's principal coach gateway. It's located in the heart of the city, a short walk from Victoria mainline railway station. It is run by Transport for London and is the base of National Express and Eurolines services as well as a selection of smaller coach operators. The station is equipped with a selection of shops and facilities including a left-luggage office.

National Express Coaches

National Express is the UK's largest coach operator and offers travel to destinations all over the country. It runs express services from many major towns and cities as well as connecting services for smaller towns and villages. It's a hassle-free, great value travel option to over 1,200 destinations nationwide, including London's Airports.

For details visit the National Express website or telephone +44 (0)8705 80 80 80

For information about national express dot2dot, a new, convenient, state-of-the-art shuttle service running between Heathrow airport and Central London hotels, see the national express dot2dot website.

Popular National Express Destinations and Average Journey Times

Journey time variation depends on route and any interchange waiting time.

• Birmingham: 3 hours
• Blackpool: 6-9 hours
• Brighton: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Bristol: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Canterbury: 2 hours
• Cardiff: 3-5 hours
• Durham: 6-8 hours
• Edinburgh: 9-12 hours 30 minutes
• Exeter: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Glasgow: 8 hours 30 minutes-12 hours 30 minutes
• Leeds: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Liverpool: 5-7 hours
• Manchester: 4 hours 30 minutes-7 hours
• Nottingham: 3 hours
• Sheffield: 4 hours
• York: 5-6 hours 30 minutes

Smaller Coach Operators

Green Line specialise in scheduled coach services between London and the Home Counties. See the Green Line Coaches website for details.

Megabus specialises in low fares with services to London from destinations across the UK. Find out more at the Megabus website.

There are two 24-hour services between London and the historic city of Oxford: Oxford Espress (Citylink X90) and the Oxford Tube. Both serve the Victoria area and have additional pick-up and drop-off points en route including Notting Hill and Hillingdon.

• Oxford Espress / telephone: +44 (0)1865 785 400
• Oxford Tube / telephone: +44 (0)1865 772250

Eurolines in London

Eurolines consists of 30 plus independent operators making up Europe's largest regular coach network. The UK operator is National Express. These services are a great way to get around Europe on a budget. In all, 25 countries are covered from Austria to Yugoslavia. See the Eurolines website or phone +44 (0)8705 80 80 80.

Using Coaches with a Disability

It's essential to check accessibility and concessionary rates with the coach operator. All National Express passengers who qualify as disabled are automatically entitled to receive a discount of up to 50%. The company also has a Code of Practice and a disabled persons' travel helpline: +44 (0)12 1423 8479. Also see the National Express website

Coach Tours

Coach tours are a great way to sightsee without the hassle of making loads of travel arrangements and bookings. London is within easy reach of many major tourist attractions like Stone Henge and Leeds Castle. Tour operators such as Golden Tours can be a convenient, good value option. You can also take bus tours within London.