- United Kingdom
What are the most popular routes to United Kingdom?
| Route | Average price | Average duration | Daily departures | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London - Paris | Average price$125 | Average duration2h 28m | Daily departures15 | |
| Birmingham - London | Average price$18 | Average duration3h 35m | Daily departures162 | |
| London - Birmingham | Average price$59 | Average duration1h 59m | Daily departures27 | |
| Manchester - London | Average price$23 | Average duration5h 20m | Daily departures129 | |
| Manchester - London | Average price$118 | Average duration2h 13m | Daily departures20 | |
| Cardiff - London | Average price$16 | Average duration3h 40m | Daily departures129 | |
| Cardiff - London | Average price$87 | Average duration1h 54m | Daily departures17 | |
| Belfast - Dublin | Average price$20 | Average duration2h 25m | Daily departures121 | |
| London - Glasgow | Average price$49 | Average duration11h 35m | Daily departures46 | |
| Belfast - Glasgow | Average price$47 | Average duration5h 35m | Daily departures9 |
Hitting the Road: Bus Travel in the UK
Planning a British adventure? American tourists seeking an affordable way to explore the UK's vibrant cities, charming towns, and historic sights will find buses, or "coaches" as they're called here, a budget-friendly alternative to trains.
National Express & Megabus
These major players cover a vast network across England, Scotland, and Wales. National Express offers frequent departures, and sometimes even onboard Wi-Fi, while Megabus caters to budget travelers with very low fares.
Why choose the bus in the UK?
Cost-Effective: Generally much cheaper than trains, especially for longer distances.
Extensive Network: Reaches many towns and cities not serviced by trains.
Comfort & Convenience: Modern coaches boast reclining seats and ample legroom (depending on the chosen operator).
So, is the bus the right choice for you?
For budget-conscious travelers wanting to explore beyond major cities, buses are a fantastic choice. With Busbud by your side for comparisons and bookings, navigating Britain's beautiful landscapes and historic towns becomes a stress-free and affordable adventure.
Busbud for the Win: Forget scouring multiple websites. Busbud helps you compare fares and schedules across all major operators (including train companies and carpooling) to find the most cost-effective option for your journey. Book directly through Busbud for a seamless experience.

Trains in the UK
While buses offer a budget-friendly way to explore, tourists seeking a faster and more scenic alternative might consider the UK's excellent train network. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:
Major Train Companies:
National Rail: This vast network covers most of Britain, connecting major cities and towns. Multiple train companies operate under the National Rail banner, so you might encounter different operators on your journeys.
Long-Distance Services: Companies like Avanti West Coast and LNER handle long-distance routes, often connecting major cities at high speeds.
Types of Train Tickets:
Advance Purchase: The golden ticket for budget-conscious train travelers! Booking in advance can lead to significant savings, but these tickets are usually restricted to specific trains and dates.
Off-Peak & Anytime: Offer more flexibility in terms of travel times, but come at a higher price than Advance Purchase tickets.
The Benefits of Train Travel:
Speed & Efficiency: Trains are generally faster than buses, especially for longer distances.
Scenic Routes: Many rail journeys boast breathtaking views of the British countryside.
Comfort & Amenities: Modern trains offer comfortable seating, luggage storage, and sometimes even onboard cafes.
Considerations:
Train Fares: Trains can be much more expensive than buses, especially for last-minute bookings.
Limited Network: Trains might not reach all the destinations buses do.
Train Travel vs. Buses in the UK:
Ultimately, the choice between trains and buses depends on your priorities and budget. Trains are a great option for those who want a faster and more comfortable journey, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost. Buses, on the other hand, are perfect for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind a slower pace and have the flexibility to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
No matter what you choose, Busbud is here to help! Book bus or train tickets to explore the UK and enjoy the ride with us!

What popular bus companies operate in United Kingdom?
Why choose Busbud?
The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets
Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.
Frequently asked questions about traveling in the United Kingdom
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much does a bus ticket cost in the United Kingdom?
Bus travel in the United Kingdom is one of the most affordable ways to get around. Prices vary depending on distance and route: Short trips between nearby cities are usually budget-friendly. In the last 12 months, the average ticket price for domestic routes was $21. Long-distance journeys connecting major hubs are more expensive but still offer great value. International routes to neighboring countries are higher priced but often cheaper than flights.
Example fares in the United Kingdom:
London ↔ Paris (average: $125)
Birmingham ↔ London (average: $18)
Manchester ↔ London (average: $23)What is the best way to travel around United Kingdom?
While you can choose between different transports, Buses, Trains, and Ferries are usually the most convenient and cost-effective way to explore United Kingdom:
- Train: 8239 routes
- Bus: 6804 routes
- Carpool: 4594 routes
- Ferry: 20 routesHow do I book bus and train tickets in the United Kingdom?
Booking a bus or train ticket is simple and flexible: Online with Busbud, you can compare schedules and operators, reserve your seat in advance and pay securely by selecting your preferred method and currency. You can also download our App: Get it on Google Play, Download on the App Store.
Do I need cash, or can I pay by card in the United Kingdom?
When buying Bus or Train tickets in the United Kingdom with Busbud we accept the following payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, China Union Pay, Diners Club Canada, Discover Click to Pay, JCB payment
Currency: British Pound (GBP) is the main currency.How do I travel from London to Paris by bus?
The bus is the most popular way to travel from London to Paris
Travel time: 2h 28m
Ticket prices: From $125
Frequency: 15 departures daily
Recommended operators: Arriva, Union Ivkoni, Sindbad, BlaBlaCar Bus, KLR Bus, Flibco, FlixBus, The Airline, East Midlands Railway, Oxford BusHow do I get from United Kingdom to neighbouring countries by bus or train?
The buses connecting with major cities in neighbouring countries are:
Belfast ↔ Dublin, Ireland
London ↔ Lille, France
London ↔ Brussels, Belgium
London ↔ Rotterdam, Netherlands
The trains connecting with major cities in neighbouring countries are:
London ↔ Paris, France
London ↔ Rotterdam, Netherlands
London ↔ Lyon, FranceWhat are the most popular airports in United Kingdom?
You can find trains and bus routes to and from some major airports. For example: London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, Manchester Airport, London Luton Airport, Bristol Airport, Liverpool Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport
People from around the world trust Busbud
Top bus routes in United Kingdom
- Find bus tickets from Birmingham to London
- Glasgow to Edinburgh bus times and fares
- How to travel from Glasgow to London
- Find bus tickets from Manchester to London
- Glasgow to Belfast bus times and fares
- How to travel from London to Edinburgh
- Find bus tickets from London to Southampton
- Edinburgh to London bus times and fares
- How to travel from London to Manchester
- Find bus tickets from London to Birmingham
- Belfast to Glasgow bus times and fares
- How to travel from London to Bristol
- Find bus tickets from Bristol to London
- Edinburgh to Glasgow bus times and fares
- How to travel from London to Glasgow
- Find bus tickets from London to Stansted
- London to Cardiff bus times and fares
- How to travel from Cardiff to London
Top train routes in United Kingdom
- Find train tickets from Birmingham to London
- Glasgow to Edinburgh train times and fares
- How to travel from Glasgow to London
- Find train tickets from Manchester to London
- Stansted to London train times and fares
- How to travel from London to Stansted
- Find train tickets from Edinburgh to Glasgow
- London to Edinburgh train times and fares
- How to travel from Bristol to London
- Find train tickets from London to Bristol
- London to Manchester train times and fares
- How to travel from London to Cardiff
- Find train tickets from London to Birmingham
- London to Oxford train times and fares
- How to travel from London to Glasgow
- Find train tickets from London to Southampton
- Cardiff to London train times and fares
- How to travel from Edinburgh to London





