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

  • Roger Chllens

    Hi there, am trying to book Tideford Cornwall to Heathrow 29 4 18 All options to ‘view deal’ on list keep returning to day listing page? I am not being reconnected to Nat Expresss bookings. Are these deals real or………. ???
    need to book urgenlt thanks RC

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Roger,

      Thank you for your message. We’re sorry to hear that you’ve experienced this issue while using the site. We tried searching the connection from Tideford, Cornwall to Heathrow in the CheckMyBus search engine for 29/04/2018 and were successfully redirected to the National Express webpage. If you have any further trouble with the site or questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • AMANDA COBO FUENTENEBRO

    Buenas tardes,

    Acabo de realizar la compra de un billete de autobús desde el Aeropuerto de Heathrow a Oxford para mañana. Mi vuelo llegará a las 17:00h y el ticket que he comprado es para el bus que sale a las 17:50h. Después de finalizar de cumplimentar mis datos personales y bancarios me ha aparecido una mensaje diciendo que no tenían asientos disponibles. Sin embargo, en la ventana donde aparecen todas las salidas para mañana me dice que valore mi compra. No he recibido ningún email de confirmación ni nada y, por supuesto, no sé si mi compra ha sido realizada…

    Podríais echarme una mano con esto????
    Pleaseeeeeee

    Amanda 🙂

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Buenos días Amanda,

      Puesto que cada reserva se realiza en la propia página web de la compañía, CheckMyBus no tiene acceso a los datos de reservas. Es necesario que contactes directamente con ellos para que te puedan confirmar si efectivamente se ha realizado la reserva o no. También sería recomendable que comprobases si se ha realizado algún cargo en tu cuenta bancaria.
      No dudes en contactar con nosotros de nuevo si necesitas más información.

      Muchas gracias. Un saludo.

      CheckMyBus – Servicio de Atención al cliente

  • Louise

    Hiya I was just wondering would I be able to travel on my own I am currently 15 and want to travel to see a family member.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Hi Louise,

      Different bus companies have different policies regarding minors being able to travel on their own. For example, on National Express, children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult for domestic journeys and be at least 16 for European connections or have a letter of authority from a guardian. On megabus, children between 15 and 17 can travel alone with a letter from a parent or guardian. It’s best to check with the individual provider you plan to book your trip with to check their policies. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Terry Ginis

    I need to book a ticket from Ayr to the Stena Ferry in Cairnyan on May 5th but when I checked the site-it doesn’t show any times. Does the bus run on Saturday? If not-can you suggest another way to get there? I’m visiting from the US and I’m starting my journey early in the morning from Edinburgh to Belfast. This is the only part of the trip I can’t find a connection. Can you please help?

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Terry,

      Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, we currently don’t have a direct route that connects Ayr and the Stena Ferry terminal in our system for that date. There are connections to that terminal from other cities in England, such as Leeds. You could travel from Ayr to Leeds and then travel to Cairnryan. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Karen Aitken

    Hi. I ordered my travel tickets from you yesterday (Sat 6th Jan) Edinburgh – Belfast.
    Please could you let me know when I will receive them, as I’m scheduled to travel this Friday coming ( Friday 12th Jan).
    I need them ASAP.
    Thank you

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Karen,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity coach search engine and doesn’t directly sell tickets. For any questions about receiving your tickets, you must directly contact the bus provider you booked your tickets with.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Shilpesh patel

    Hi , there
    I am trying first time to book 2 tickets for Paris.Find ticket price for going Paris but can’t find page for return date .So I am bit confused how to book tickets.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Shilpesh,

      Thank you for your message. When you select a desired route, and click “view deal,” you are then redirected to the company’s webpage where you can edit your booking to include more tickets and return trips. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Jacqueline lange

    Hello, I shall be arriving,from USA, approx 7am on January 3rd at Gatwick, catching the coach to Oxford , Gloucester green, returning 23rd January. Am I able to purchase a return ticket for this period of time and what is the cost; am I able to pay in dollars; is there any senior discount as I am an English citizen age 74? Thank you for your assistance.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Hello Jacqueline,

      Thank you for your message. You can book your return trip from Oxford Gloucester Green to Gatwick Airport on 23rd January for $38.68. You can pay with dollars if you choose to book online and pay with your card. If you choose to buy your ticket at the coach station, then you would need to pay with pounds. If you haven’t already booked your first ticket, you should be able to book the return ticket at the same time by amending your order once you are redirected to the provider’s homepage to complete the booking process. This is done after you click “view deal” on a route in our search engine.

      As far as being able to receive a senior discount, different coach providers have different policies regarding this. For instance, with National Express, you can purchase a Senior coach card, which costs £10 a year. This allows you to receive 1/3 the standard fare as well as additional benefits. To be sure what discounts are available to you, we suggest directly contacting the provider you plan to book your trip with. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch again, and we wish you a great trip!

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Faye Shepard

    Hello,

    I have booked a coach leaving from John Dobson street on Saturday 18th November to arrive at Victoria Station, I haven’t received a confirmation booking but the money has came out of my account for “stagecoach.”

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Faye,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus search engine and doesn’t sell or distribute tickets. When you click “view deal” on a searched route, you are then redirected to the provider’s webpage to complete the payment. We suggest contacting Stagecoach directly to receive your confirmation booking.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Jennifer

    I can’t get the price calculator to bring up December 2017. I need to go from Swindon to Bristol airport on the 26th.
    Thank you.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Jennifer,

      Thank you for your message. On 26 December, there are buses that travel from Swindon to Bristol for £9.30 at 22:00 or for £13.70 at 10:35. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Lewis McAnuff

    I need to travel from Berlin to London on the 28th of December 2017. I have found a journey on your app with a company called EST Lorek, with a journey from Berlin to London Embankment on the 28th of December for £31.33. But whenever I select this journey, the app never takes me to the EST Lorek webite, and the page continues to load and load.
    I really need to purchase this ticket, otherwise I will be stuck in Berlin. I’ve visited the EST Lorek website, but you cannot select London Embankment as a destination.Please help.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Lewis,

      Unfortunately, that trip via EST Lorek is already sold out and is only being displayed in our search engine due to technical issues. We’re sorry for the confusion this has caused. Fortunately, there are alternative routes between Berlin and London for that day through Flixbus and Eurolines Germany. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      • Lewis McAnuff

        Thank you for your reply. This is not the first time that I have had problems trying to book a journey with EST Lorek via your app and your website.
        In the past I have tried to book the same journey three to four months in advance, and the same problem arises. When using your app, apon choosing a selection the app remains frozen in a ‘loading’ mode, and never transfers you to the EST Lorek website. After ten minutes of waiting in the loading mode, a window appears, displaying the message ‘Unknown route I D. I then decided to use your website instead, but this time whenever I selected the ‘Berlin to London Embankment’ ticket, the page begins to load, and then displays a window with a message saying ‘Unknown route I.D’. So are you saying that the routes from Berlin to London Embankment and London Eye are sold out three to four months in advance? I really do think it is a technical glitch that needs to be resolved because I have been unsuccessful in booking either journey for over a year now. How can this be? They cannot be permanently sold out.
        I would really appreciate if you could investigate this situation further by carrying out the same journey search for yourself, to understand what I am trying to describe.

        Many thanks

        Lewis

        • Avatar photo

          CheckMyBus-Support

          Hello Lewis,

          Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, and will investigate the issue with EST Lorek and try to resolve any problems. If you have any further queries in the future, please feel free to contact us again.

          Best regards,

          Your CheckMyBus Support

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