Coaches to London

Catching a Bus to London

Coach 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. Windows are double-glazed and coaches are climate-controlled with toilets as standard. Drivers' hours are strictly monitored 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 in buzzy Victoria, a short walk from Victoria mainline railway and Tube 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. Victoria Coach Station is equipped with several 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

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 has scheduled coach services between London and the Home Counties. 

• Visit the Green Line Coaches website

Megabus offers low fares with services to London from destinations across the UK. 

• Visit the Megabus website.

If you're travelling to London from Stansted Airport, Gatwick Airport or Luton Airport, easyBus offers a low-cost coach service into town. 

• Visit the easyBus 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.

• Visit the Oxford Espress website
• Visit the Oxford Tube webstie

Eurolines: Coaches to London from Europe

Eurolines consists of 32 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, 500 European destinations are covered, from Sicily to Helsinki and from Casablanca to Moscow. 

• Visit the Eurolines website

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%. 

• Visit National Express's disability information

Coach Tours from London

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