Flix bus? Anyone know anything about it?

Look on Youtube, lots of vloggers have taken British buses. Some good, some not so.

And frankly, if you're on vacation, that really isn't that much of a price difference for a transport.

No catch, Flixbus is a multi-country motor coach service operating throughout Europe.

Their buses are generally comfortable, wi-fi usually works, there is a lavatory on the
bus.

Flixbus tends to run longer routes, have a few stops along the way, and not run a
consistent schedule (although it is posted online, and their IT setup seems to be very good).

National Express will run a more frequent, consistent schedule.

We’ve used Flixbus in Italy, and it was fine. The bus was comfortable, and ran on time. On fact, our driver got us where we to our destination about 15 minutes early!

Thanks for the input!

With National Express they only use a few types of bus, so are consistent across the fleet.
Flixbus vary widely depending on the vehicle subcontractor. If unlucky you will end up on a vehicle with minimal leg room.
They are also infamous for using street side stops whenever possible to save money, and not giving breaks on longer journeys - the bus has a toilet so why lose time by stopping?
That also means they push driver working hours to the absolute legal limit .

With neither company offering frequent service on the route departure time has to be more important than price.

I know I have a Nat Ex coachcard, but even so to me Flixbus are the operator of last resort, having tried them a few times.

PS- don't take a National Express route changing at Bristol as the Bristol to Bath leg is on an ordinary service bus which stops at every lamp post. Only take a direct service.

Most Flix buses I’ve taken somehow always have toilets “out of order”. Not allowed to get down to stretch our legs at stops. NY-DC was okay but Nice-Occitanie, part of the Barcelona-Milan run was awful. Drivers didn’t speak the same language as any of the passengers since these are mostly contracted buses, no working toilet.

Flixbus from London to Bath (and Bristol) are operated by First Bus so they are kind of indirectly competing with themselves as another company in the Group operates the main train services.

They bought a brand new fleet of coaches for their Flix partnership although I guess they might have to sub something else on occasion.

I think I've only taken Flixbus once. The bus was about an hour late as I recall, but that didn't happen in the UK, and any intercity bus run is likely to be late occasionally.

I prefer local bus companies since they usually run their routes more often, as isn31c said.

Flixbus originated in Germany 2013. I took them first in 2015 Munich to Salzburg and again 2021 Chamonix to Milan. They appear to have good service for the working class and back packers l, since they have now expanded to North and South America. Heathrow to Bath is only 2 hours and 40min. I don't see that as a big deal. Now I would never use them for a ride over 4 hours just for my own comfort sake if I can afford not to.

‘For the working class’. Middle class people always take the train, right?

National Express are reliable.

The trains are reliable and even more relaxing as you can walk around, there are lots of toilets and big windows, and on the main line are electric - no noise, no fumes, no pollution at point of use.

There are frequent easy trains Bath Spa to Paddington (Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express (buy ahead) from Paddington to Heathrow). Or change at Reading and RailAir between Reading and Heathrow. Bought in Advance tickets are reasonably priced.