Booking a ticket for the coach

Bus Travel: Ticket Booking

How can I buy a ticket for a coach trip?

Are you looking for more info about buying and booking your coach ticket? Would you like to know if children can travel alone, how expensive a children’s ticket will be, or if there is a discount for seniors or people with disabilities?

Ticket Booking

CheckMyBus tells you how to book your ticket, how to pay for it and how to proceed in case of cancellation or modification.

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How do I book a coach ticket?

The long-distance bus market is expanding unprecedentedly throughout Italy. Thanks to competitive prices and the continuous growth in the offer of available rides, more and more travellers choose the coach to get around. CheckMyBus is the search engine, which helps you find the most convenient and suitable ride. All according to your needs, by purchasing the ticket conveniently online.

Booking bus tickets online

Online booking

Booking a ticket online is probably the easiest option. First, you select your trip with the help of the CheckMyBus search function. Then, you can click on “View Deal” to go to the respective bus company’s website, where you can complete the booking process. Moreover, most bus companies will send you your ticket as an e-ticket via e-mail. You can then print it at home or simply use your smartphone screen to show it to the bus driver. Some companies also allow you to pick your printed ticket up in person.

Some companies, such as National Express, offer special deals – so-called funfares. These are only available if you book online and can save you a lot of money. An added benefit of booking online is that there’s no way you can lose your ticket! The bus company sends you the confirmation once you book, and most accept e-tickets. Then, all you have to do is show your ticket on your phone to boad. Sorted!

When it comes to payment methods, then credit and debit cards are the most common option since most bus companies accept these.

Buying the Ticket at the Bus Stop:

Some companies allow you to purchase your ticket directly at the bus stop. For example, on larger bus terminals, such as in London, you will find specific selling points of companies. While this allows for spontaneous journeys, an extra fee might apply and the ticket could be more expensive than an online fare. Consequently, you may also miss out on deals, like funfares, which are only available online. What you should also keep in mind is that the bus of your choice might already be fully booked. Also pay attention to the fact that not every bus company sells tickets at bus stops: The low-cost provider megabus, for instance, only offers online tickets.

How Can I Pay for my Coach Ticket?

Paying for your coach ticket is basically as easy as shopping on amazon. The majority of bus providers accept credit card, the most common payment method. In addition to that and in order to give customers a greater variety of options, larger companies such as National Express, FlixBus and Terravision also accept PayPal.

How can I Cancel or Change a Booking?

When it comes to cancelling a trip or changing a booking, it is important that you know which kind of ticket you have purchased. The conditions for changing a reservation or cancelling a ticket differ from company to company. Here’s a detailed overview over the different policies, which helps you make the right choice: If you are not sure if you can actually use your ticket or whether you will take the bus at a specific time, then we suggest selecting a refundable option. Some bus companies, such as megabus, only offer non-refundable tickets. However, you can change your reservation for a small arrangement fee. In conclusion, the table below gives you more information on the specific cancellation policies of major bus providers.

Here are the cancellation policies of the most renowned bus companies:

National Express - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • Passengers must cancel within 72 hours before departure.
  • Not every ticket type is refundable.
  • Changing dates requires £5. Plus, passengers must pay a price difference based on the current price.
  • Original ticket must be presented before boarding the coach with amendment reference quoted.
  • Flexible fare add-on entitles to a full refund 24 hours before departure.
  • For cancellation or amendment, passengers can resort to National Express 24/7 Customer Contact Centre online.
  • Please have your ticket number at hand when making any changes or asking for a cancellation.
  • In case of a flight delay, a later departure may be provided. Amendments of any kind are charged £5 plus ticket price difference.
megabus - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • Changes must be made 24 hours prior to departure.
  • Changes can conveniently be made online.
  • Procedure fee is £1. Ticket difference based on current price.
  • Refund not available.
Terravision - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • Modification of travelling date can be made at least 24 hours prior to departure.
  • Terravision tickets are non-refundable.
  • For further info, passengers can contact Terravision via e-mail

What Happens if I Lose My Bus Ticket?

If you lose your coach ticket, then unfortunately you need to book a new one. If you have only lost the printed version, then you can check your e-mails for the original ticket in order to print it out again. Should you lose your ticket on the way to the bus stop, then you can ask the bus driver or at a service point whether an electronic version of your ticket is ok for you to board or whether they can print out your actual ticket for you. Should you book a bus trip and you did not receive an e-mail, you should check your spam folder before contacting the bus company.

Bus Travel: Ticket Booking

How Can I Save More Money with Discounts?

In order to compete with each other, the various coach companies offer different forms of discount. It’s always worth checking them out in order to find out, which bus provider really offers the best overall deal. Finally, in the table below you can see, which bus company provides discount for which customer groups and how to save money with a few easy tricks. For more information about which coach companies offer discounts, check our bus deals and discounts page.

National Express:

  • Baby: 0-3 years old, free. Adult accompaniment is required
  • Child fares: 3-16 years old. Proof of age is required
  • Funfares: lowest priced tickets. Online only
  • Discounts for students who are members of national union of students (NUS or NUS extra): 25% off the standard ticket price
  • Young Person’s Coachcard (16 to 26 or full time student): 1/3 off the standard ticket price
  • Disabled Persons Coachcard: 1/3 off the standard ticket price
  • Senior Coachcard (over 60): 1/3 off the standard ticket price
  • Family Coachcard: Free bus travel for children, but adults and children must travel together.
  • Scottish Entitlement Card holder: free coach trip within Scotland
  • E-voucher

megabus:

  • Baby: 0-3 years old ride for free when with an Adult.
  • £1 trip offered frequently through online booking
  • Discounts for students who are members of national union of students (NUS or NUS extra)
  • Scottish Entitlement Card holder: free coach trip within Scotland

Terravision:

  • Cheap deals are frequently offered for online booking
  • No booking fee
  • E-voucher (6 months valid)
CheckMyBus: Search Engine

We remind you that CheckMyBus is a search engine that helps you find the most suitable coach for your trip, but that does not provide the transport service directly. For any questions regarding your ticket, for changes or cancellations, we always recommend that you contact the Customer Service of the specific operator.

411 Comments

  • Stephen King

    Hi, I have booked 4 tickets on the Cortina express (Italy) to Marco Polo Airport – Venice at 11.30am 09/11 but our airline have changed the flight times to we will need to get the 09:30 coach from Cortina. I have contacted Cortina express directly and they said it OKS to change the tickets but you will need to get you to change them for us.
    Thanks Stephen

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Stephen,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and as an intermediary site doesn’t sell tickets. Once you click on a route in our search engine, you are then redirected to the company page to make the booking and payment. To change the tickets, you must contact the company directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Caroline

    Hi there, will it allways be possible to take a bus from Leeds Airport to Leeds city WITHOUT booking a ticket?
    Thanks, Caroline, the Netherlands

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Caroline,

      Thank you for your message. There should be shuttles at the airport that will transfer you from the airport to the city. You’ll need to purchase a ticket before hand, but you can do this at the airport once you arrive. For further information, we suggest contacting the airport directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • E G

    I need a same day return ticket Edinburgh/Kinross but not sure what time I can return.
    Can I get open return ticket or do I have to book both journeys ?

    Also cannot print out tickets and will not have internet connection to show booking online so how can I verify booking at bus?

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear E G,

      Thank you for your message. You can select a one-way ticket for trip when making your booking, and then make a second one-way trip for you way back once you’ve figured out when you’re returning. You can also opt for an eticket in most cases, and display this on your phone to the bus driver to prove that you’ve booked your trip. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Carol Blackshaw

    I am trying to book national express tickets from Hemel Hempstead to Bath for two adults 22nd May at 10:15, then return tickets from Bath to Hemel Hempstead for THREE adults24th May at 12:20. The system will not let me add the third adult for the return trip, and I don’t want to book for two, then find I cannot go back online and book the third adult, in case that trip has sold out, Please advise. Is there a telephone number I can ring?

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Carol,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a route in our search engine, you are then redirected to the bus company’s web-page to make the booking and payment. To resolve this issue, you must contact National Express directly. You can contact the company at: 0371 781 8181.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Susan,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a bus route in our system, you are then redirected to the bus company’s web-page to make the booking and payment. If you are booking online, then you should receive your ticket via email, however if you don’t, then you must contact the bus company directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Conor Duffin

    We arrive in to Barcelona airport at 20:40 and we are going to Salou. I see that there is a bus departing at 21:00 and 21:50. Is it possible if we booked for 21:00 and we did not make this bus, could we then get the 21:50 bus.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Conor,

      You can book the 9pm bus but it is risky. If your plane is delayed or the pick-up of your luggage takes time, you may miss your bus. You won’t be allowed to take the next bus for free as your bus ticket will indicate “9 pm”. We would advise you to book directly a later bus.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus-Support

  • Christena Toomey

    Previously booked tickets for 2 passengers discovered time was incorrect, my mistake. Rebooked received credit for gbp22.20, went back to site selected correct times, and need to pay difference of gbp6.90. Tried several times Website not accepting my card,contacted my bank who suggested there maybe something with your site. I am from Australia and need to sort out this part to my trip before I can make further bookings to Islay, Edinburgh etc. Can u help
    Old booking number (omitted for privacy). Now need bus going 22/4/2019 departing 8am.
    Thanks.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Christena,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a route in our system, you are then redirected to the bus company’s web-page to make the booking and payment. To resolve this issue, you must contact the bus company you booked with directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Mr G Pomson

    Good Day
    I am trying to check out a coach service from Eastbourne to Heathrow for 10th September this year for 2 passengers
    Prices and timetable but unable to ge response on your website
    Please advise
    Thank you
    Mr Gerald Pomson

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Mr. G Pomson,

      Thank you for your message. Many bus providers only have schedules and timetables up to two or three months in advance, so you may have to wait until your trip is a bit closer before you can book your tickets. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Ana

    Hello, my question is, if I’m traveling from Portsmouth (England) to Aberdeen (Scotland), do I need any form of ID to buy my bus ticket or to show it anytime on the bus? Thanks

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Ana,

      Thank you for your message. You will need your ID if you are underage, and we generally suggest carrying a passport or identification when travelling just to be safe. To purchase your ticket, you shouldn’t need any kind of ID, but while boarding the bus, you may be asked to show it. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Morag Waddell

    When i find a deal i like and click view deal the prices are totally different and more expensive. Is this because there is an issue with the redirect or should i be doing something else?

    I find this frustrating as these are good prices that i want to take advantage of

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Morag,

      Thank you for your note. Which connection and through which company is the route that you’re looking for? Unfortunately, due to caching it can take some time for our system to catch up to our partners when prices change. We apologise for the inconvenience.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

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