Luggage allowance on the coach

Luggage Support

What can I take with me on the bus?

You’re looking for additional information regarding the individual coach companies’ luggage policies? What may you take on the coach? Do you want to know if you can take a bicycle or stroller with you? Will it be possible to bring your dog or an additional piece of luggage – and will there be extra-fees?

At CheckMyBus you can find information about what you can bring – from normal luggage and over sized luggage and carry-on luggage all the way to bicycles.

Luggage, suitcases and bikes on board

Travelling by coach is a means of transport which allows you to bring a fairly large quantity of luggage for free. However, some restrictions apply due to the limited amount of space on a coach. Knowing the general rules of different coach companies helps you avoid unnecessary issues before departure. This allows you to enjoy a pleasant and hassle-free coach journey. CheckMyBus will give you some useful tips here.

Luggage: Packed Suitcase

What Kind of Luggage can I Bring?

If you travel by coach quite regularly, you’ve probably noticed that one great advantage the intercity bus offers over other modes of transportation. Coaches have an enormous capacity for luggage that you may take on board for free. Nevertheless – similarly to airlines – the maximum luggage size, weight and even what you can bring in your luggage differs amongst the UK’s bus providers. Many companies enforce strict rules about special items such as, musical instruments and sports equipment. Therefore, it’s always good to know the basics beforehand to avoid hassle. A good idea is to inform the respective bus provider beforehand if you plan on bringing a surfboard, bicycle or wheelchair. This ensures there is enough space on the coach.

Here are the main coach companies and their general conditions regarding luggage transportation:

National Express - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • Hand luggage that fits into overhead racks or under seat (45cm x 35cm x 20cm)
  • 1 or 2 medium sized suitcases/rucksacks more than 20kg each
  • Maximum size for free luggage: H 70cm x W 30cm x D 45cm
  • Over-sized item with protection package (e.g. folded bike, ski/surf board) counts as one item within 2 free items permit in the hold
  • Extra item: Size over 85cm, up to 3 pieces. One-way: £10/item, £8 pre-booked online, £15 and £12 round trip, or £16 for extra 3 items altogether pre-booked online one-way, £24 round trip, with an e-ticket only
  • Hand luggage only stations: Birmingham (Great Barr), Chacewater, Plymouth (Marsh Mills), Leicester (Braunstone) and Newquay (Porth Four Turns)
megabus - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • Hand luggage that fits on your lap or under seat
  • 1 large sized suitcase or 2 to 3 bags altogether less than 25kg
  • Maximum size for free luggage: 200cm (width + height + depth)
  • Outsized items (e.g. adult bike, ski/surf board) are NOT permitted with coach service. Folded and children’s bikes can be carried but count towards luggage allowance.
FlixBus - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • FlixBus allows hand luggage not exceeding H 42cm x W 30cm x D 18cm and 7kg
  • 1 or 2 medium sized suitcases altogether less than 30kg
  • Maximum size for free luggage: H 80cm x W 50cm x D 30cm
  • 3rd piece of luggage (less than 15kg): €2, must be booked via customer service
  • Standardsized bicycle: £7
  • Oversized luggage (less than 30kg and 240cm): £7, must be booked via customer service
Terravision - Coach Connections and Customer Reviews
  • Hand luggage that fits into overhead compartments
  • No limit of number of bags, as long as altogether less than 32kg
  • Maximum size for free luggage: H 81cm x W 119cm x D 119cm
  • Outsized item with protection package (e.g. folded bike, ski/surf board) is permitted based on current fares
  • Passengers may bring musical instruments (guitar, violin, cello), IF they reserve an accordant seat and pay the required fare.

Tips and Tricks: Where to Store your Luggage in the City

The last thing you need while exploring a new and exciting city is to drag your suitcases with you. Fortunately, there are services that allow you to find a convenient and secure place to store your luggage. Find out more about luggage storage below!

Luggage Storage

What Items Can’t I Bring on the Coach?

In order to assure a safe and enjoyable coach experience, all the bus providers in the UK have come up with precise rules and regulations regarding some items that should not be in your luggage when you board the coach. However, bus companies typically decide which items you may bring and which could be inappropriate or dangerous. Consequently, having items in the ladder category means the company likely won’t allow you to board.

Forbidden items include: Weapons, bombs, drugs, frozen food, animals (except for service dogs), combustible liquids and solids, toxic items, radioactive materials, raw meat products , dangerous substances containing bacteria or viruses, alkaline substances, liquid batteries and in general any object that may constitute a danger to passengers or which is not compatible on board the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to bring cigarettes on board but it is strictly forbidden to smoke on the bus or in the toilets.

Pets on the Bus

Can I bring my pet on the bus?

Unfortunately, most bus companies do not allow pets onboard. However, if you are in need of a guide or assistance dog, then you are usually able to take them on the bus trip as well. Make sure that the service animal received the proper training and always under your control.

If in doubt, we always recommend that you contact the bus company’s customer support to get more details about transporting your four-legged friend.

Wheel Chairs, Baby Car Seats and Strollers

Most bus companies regard folding wheelchairs, car seats and pushchairs as over-sized luggage of special importance. This is why it should not be a problem for you to take them on board. However, we still recommend you show up a bit early at your bus stop and that you give the coach company some notice. For instance, you can send them an e-mail with your exact travel details and the item you’d like to take on board. This is also how you can ensure that there’s enough space on the bus.

For disabled passengers, we recommend our guide on accessibility on the coach for detailed information on coach journeys for disabled passengers.

Luggage: Wheelchair

National Express:

  • National Express requires pre-booking for manual wheelchairs
  • Powered wheelchair by dry cell or gel-type batteries only. Passenger must arrange this prior to booking and 36h before departure
  • Passengers may bring baby car seat. Make sure you include your child on your ticket when booking.
  • Most coaches provide booster seats for children between 4 and 11 or up to 150cm tall.
  • Passengers may carry folding pushchairs for free.

megabus:

  • Wheelchairs, scooter or similar assistive devices can be stored in the hold
  • For passengers who need their wheelchairs, scooters or similar assistive devices on board: call prior to making a purchase
  • Reservation for wheelchair is should be made 36h before departure
  • Passengers may receive a full refund in case there’s a lack of space
  • Passengers may bring folding pushchairs.

FlixBus:

  • Passengers may transport non-electronic wheelchairs for free, but need to book via customer service at least 36 hours prior to departure
  • Pushchairs counts as bulky luggage and needs to be booked via customer service at least 48 hours prior to departure

Terravision:

  • Passengers may transport folding wheelchairs or similar assistive devices free of charge
  • Terravision allows parents/guardians to bring child safety seats on board for children under two

What Happens if I lose my luggage?

Luggage: Lost and Found

Although as a passenger, it is your obligation to keep an eye on your personal belongings, everyone can get a bit distracted from time to time. If you discover you lost an item or your luggage on the bus or at the station, you can use the customer service hotline and/or e-mail of the coach company. Please have your ticket number at hand when calling. You can also go to the pick-up or drop-off station offices or info desks to ask about any lost luggage.

We strongly suggest all the passengers have their luggage labelled with their personal contact information.

National Express

If you have lost an item of luggage travelling on coach services of National Express, you can get in touch with them directly.

megabus

megabus staff should instantly be notified of any lost pieces of luggage. For insured property of any kind, megabus is only liable up to £500. Keep in mind that megabus is not liable for the loss of valuables, such as money, jewelry, legal documents etc. You have to keep them by your side and be cautious on your journey.

Terravision

If you lost your luggage, then the company might send it to you via post. However, a small administration fee will be charged. If the luggage is not labelled with the information of the passengers, including name and phone number, it will be disposed of within one month. Please be advised that all found luggage will be examined then disposed of within 48 hours if any hazardous substance is found. Passengers should contact Terravision within 72 hours after travelling via e-mail and describe all details about lost items. However, Terravision is not responsible for lost or stolen luggage.

80 Comments

  • Maueen Peters

    Our international flight allows us 1 x bag of 30Kgs and 1 x checked bag of 10kgs. We want to use this bus to transfer us from LHR to Southampton. Please confirm we can do this. Thank you

    • CheckMyBus

      Dear Maueen,

      Thanks for your message.
      Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets or operate buses. When you click “view deal” on a bus route in our search engine, you are then redirected to the company’s webpage to make the booking and payment.
      In this case we kindly ask you to contact directly the bus company you will be traveling with and follow their recommendations.

      Please, let us know in case of any other doubt.

      Best regards,
      CheckMyBus Customer Service Team

    • CheckMyBus

      Hello Robert,

      the route from London to Southampton is operated by National Express. Each passenger is allowed one piece of hand luggage (max. 45cm x 35cm x 20cm) and two medium suitcases (70cm x 30cm x 45cm each) or one large suitcase (75cm x 50cm x 32cm), each weighing 20kg. If you want to take more, you can book up to three extra pieces of luggage (but there is a charge of 8 pounds per suitcase). For more information on the National Express baggage policy, click here.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Debbie Opie

    Hi
    We want to travel from Bristol airport to Plymouth. We have two bikes which have been dismantled and put in bike bags. Can we bring them in the bus please?

    • CheckMyBus

      Dear Debbie,

      The route between Bristol Airport and Plymouth is currently operated exclusively by National Express. This operator may be able to transport dismantled bicycles or folding bicycles. You can also check this in the conditions of carriage, where you will also find a link to the detailed regulations. As a rule, however, we always recommend that you contact the provider directly before booking. This way you can be sure that you can actually take your bike with you and how much it will cost.

      We hope we could help you and best regards
      CheckMyBus Customer Service Team

  • Hamish Bloom

    Hello,
    I would like to bring my acoustic guitar in its case on a national express Bus. I will already have used the free luggage allowance as I would have a big rucksack and a carry-on bag. If I purchase an ‘extra item’ luggage allowance as stated above for 8 pounds online for the guitar, is it guaranteed that they will accomodate the guitar in the hold of the bus, seeing as I have booked in advance?

    • CheckMyBus

      Dear Hamish,
      Thank you for your message.
      According to National Express, they don’t allow musical instruments as on board luggage. However provided your instrument is packed in a hard protection case it can be stored in the hold subject to luggage space and if you have paid an excess luggage charge.
      Please, note that CheckMyBus is a bus ticket comparison portal – we do not operate bus routes and buses, this is all in the hands of our bus partners with whom you as a customer book directly.
      Please, let us know in case of any other doubt.
      Best regards,
      CheckMyBus Customer Service Team

    • CheckMyBus

      Dear Hamish,

      As you can see in the National Express terms and conditions, there should be no problem. For example, you can book your additional luggage with the driver just before departure. However, if you want to be absolutely sure, we recommend that you ask the customer service of National Express directly.

      We hope we could help you and best regards
      CheckMyBus Customer Service Team

  • Aline

    You lost my travel bag
    I need my travel bag as I had important belongings on this bag my trip was from Middlesbrough to London Victoria coach station
    Your staff wouldn’t allow me to take my bag on the bus
    She put my travel bag in the megabus luggage storage
    Never saw the bag at arrival in Victoria coach station

    • CheckMyBus

      Dear Aline,

      We are sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience. Please note that CheckMyBus is only a bus ticket comparison portal – we do not operate bus routes and buses, this is all in the hands of our bus partners with whom you as a customer book directly. We therefore recommend that you contact Megabus directly about your lost bag. Here you can find more information about luggage with Megabus.

      We hope we could help you and best regards
      CheckMyBus Customer Service Team

    • CheckMyBus

      Dear Donald,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets or operate buses. When you click “view deal” on a bus deal in our system, you are then redirected to the company’s webpage to make the booking and payment. Different bus companies have different policies in regards to luggage you can or can’t bring onboard the coach. For further information, we suggest getting in touch directly with whichever bus company you plan to travel with.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support Team

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Estrella,

      Thank you for your message. Where would you like to travel to and from? Different bus companies have different policies about what is allowed on the bus and under what conditions. If you are unable to fold your bike, we recommend getting in touch with whichever bus company you would like to travel with.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support Team

  • D. Ray.

    I am travelling by National Express from Port Talbot to Heathrow airport.
    1. I have two luggages, one may be a little oversized, but both of these are weighing around 20 Kg each. Do I need to pay extra ?
    2. I have one extra luggage of 20 Kg. How much I have to pay ? Can I pay while boarding the bus ? Shall I get the money receipt for the extra payment ?

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Hi Ray,

      You’re allowed to take with you 2 medium cases of 70cm x 45 cm x 30 cm each with a max. weight of 20kg. each or 1 large case of 75cm x 50cm x 32cm with also a max. weight of 20kg. So as long as you don’t overpass this measurements by too much or just stick to them, you should be on the safe side. If you have one extra luggage you’ll have to pay £10 extra, you can purchase this directly from your driver on the day of travel but please note that this is subject to availability or you can also do it from any of their ticket offices.

      For more information about National Express luggage policy please visit the FAQ section of their website: nationalexpress.faq.help.com

      Hope this is helpful.

      Regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support team

  • Michaela

    Hi! We want to book a ride with the Easy Bus from Oxford (Gloucester Green) to London Gatwick Airport and we need to know, if we are allowed to take a suitcase with us beside our hand-luggage . Thanks in advance for your information!

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Michaela,

      Thank you for your message. According to the easyBus policy, each passenger can carry one piece of hand luggage and one piece of “checked in passage” as included with their ticket fare. Baggage exceeding the specified criteria may be carried by booking an extra seat. If you have any further questions about what’s allowed, we suggest contacting easyBus directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

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