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

  • Manuela

    I booked for the 19 from Huddersfield to London with return on the 23th. I haven’t received any email from you yet. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Manuela,

      Please note that CheckMyBus is a search engine for intercity buses, with which you can compare the offers of numerous providers. As such, we don’t have access to any booking details. The trip from Huddersfield to London is operated by megabus or National Express. We recommend you get in contact with the coach company directly and ask them to resend your booking confirmation or e-ticket.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus-Support

  • Berthel de Wit

    Hi team, we want to go from Edinburgh to Arnwick in August. We want to buy 4 return tickets in advance. How can we do that the best way? maybe we does not understand it very well.
    Because it seems we have to book for 2 tickets per person. Like from Edinburgh to Arnwick and one from Arnwick to Edinburgh.
    Is it also possible to book for 4 persons or do we have to book for each of us apart? thanks for your answers.
    family De Vries – The Netherlands.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Berthel,

      You can use CheckMyBus to look for the route of your choice. Once you have found a good connection and click on “View Deal” you will instantly be redirected to the respective bus company’s website where you can complete your booking. This is also where you can amend your travel details, i. e. add more passengers or a return journey.

      The connection from Edinburgh to Alnwick is operated by National Express. After you’re redirected you will find a little button on their page saying “Edit my journey”. Simply click there to add more passengers and there’s no need to book individual journeys.

      If you have further questions, please feel free to get in touch again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus-Support

  • Kellyanne

    I am trying to get a price for 2 adults and 2 children leaving on the 19th june leaving from glasgow bus station travelling to manchester airport and returning on the 4th july.

    Thanks
    kellyanne

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Kennyanne,

      Thank you for your request. In order to book your ticket you have to fill in the origin and destination of your journey in our search engine. Also add the date of your travel and click on “Find now”. You’ll then be shown all available buses. In your case, National Express offers tickets from Glasgow to Manchester Airport starting at around £15. Simply pick the one that suits you best and click on “View Deal”. You will then be automatically redirected to the respective bus company’s website, where you can book your ticket and also add the tickets for additional family members. This is also where you can add your return journey.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

    • Marianna

      Hello! I would like to book tickets but all my tries are in vain(( every time when I press view deal an error 500 appears and I can do nothing ( what should I do? Thank you.

      • Avatar photo

        CheckMyBus-Support

        Dear Marianna,

        which connection an time in particular are you looking for? It could that the bus provider in question is experiencing some technical problems, in which case we’d recommend trying at a later point in time. If the error still occurs, please get back to us so that we can take a closer look at it.

        Best regards,
        Your CheckMyBus-Support

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Bea,

      Thank you for your request. National Express offers tickets from Sheffield to Derby starting at around £4. Unfortunately, trips with National Express are not included in the bus pass. Please, do not hesitate to ask again if you have any further questions.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Jamie clegg

    Hi
    I’ve tried a few times to book a bus from Heathrow t3 to truro and have not had an email to confirm anything?
    I’m hoping I’ve not paid for 2 or more tickets I won’t need because I’m travelling alone.
    I’m looking to get on the bus from 130 pm on 10 march
    My name is Jamie clegg.
    I’m a little worried I may have paid for more than 1 ticket and it’s in a few days so I want to confirm I’m on it
    Thank you

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Jamie,

      CheckMyBus is a search engine, which allows you to compare different coach operators. Therefore, we do not have access to bookings. We would recommend directly getting in touch with National Express. They will be able to ratify if you already booked your ticket. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to ask again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Yang Yang

    Dear Sir:
    I has paid ticket for bus from Frankfurt to Wertheim village 4, March morning at 9:30. But I didn’t get any information for such booking. Can you please help to check whether there is problem or not. Waiting for your reply. Yang Yan

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Yang,

      CheckMyBus is a search engine, which allows you to compare the offers of different bus providers. Since the actual booking process takes place at the bus provider’s website, we do not have the possibility to see the details of your booking. We hope you managed to get the necessary information and that you had a nice trip.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • krishna Bhan

    I want to book my bus ticket from Coventry pool meadow bus station to heathrow airport,terminal 5 and back to Coventry.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear krishna,

      in order to book your ticket you have to fill in the origin and destination of your journey in our search engine. Also add the date of your travel and click on “Find now”. You’ll then be shown all available buses. Simply pick the one that suits you best and click on “View Deal”. You will then be automatically redirected to the respective bus company’s website, where you can book your ticket. This is also where you can add your return journey.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Sophie Hayes

    Hi, I am trying to book a bus journey for my son to travel on Saturday 26th August from Kennicraig in Scotland to Glasgow (preferably the airport). If there is no bus, as I can’t find the timetable, then is there a bus that leaves on Friday 25th August?
    My telephone number is (blanked out for privacy reasons), and I would be really grateful if someone could contact me and let me know if this is a possibility. Thank you

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Sophie,

      National Express offers three daily trips from Kennacraig to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station. The buses depart at 9:27, 12:27 and 17:59. Unfortunately, however, tickets for trips in August are not available just now since intercity buses can only be booked about three to four months in advance. We recommend you check back at a later point in time. Tickets should then be available and you can easily find them with our search engine.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus-Support

  • Linda

    Is it possible if I book a ticket to travel from Heathrow on the 28th at 12am my flight is due to arrive at 9.15pm if I arrive early and I make it on time for the 10pm bus to Coventry from Heathrow terminal 2, can you tell me if it is possible foe me to travel with my ticket or will I have to book a new ticket completly. If you could let me know as soon as possible I would be extremley greatful.

    Kind Regards,

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Linda,

      Thank you for your inquiry. That will depend on the company you booked your tickets with. If you let us know the name of the company, we might be able to assist.

      On the other hand, please, note that CheckMyBus is a search engine for bus travel. As such, we help you to compare prices and features from different providers and have no access to individual bookings.

      Best regards,

      Your CheckMyBus Support

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Elizabeth,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Which bus company would you like to travel with?

      Please, note that CheckMyBus is a search engine for bus travel. As such, we help you to compare prices and features from different providers.

      Best regards,

      Your CheckMyBus Support

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