We have LNER train tickets, London to York, for Sept 17. Re-scheduling isn't really possible at this point. So we're looking into alternative bus routes instead. As of today, National Express 66.4 (sorry don't know how to insert pound sterling symbol); Megabus between 18 and 23 pounds. Same travel time - 6.5 hours (vs. 2 hrs by train!!)
SO is there any advice re Megabus vs National Express?
Thanks for your experienced thoughts!
Earl
I've used both in the past - no difference really.
I see £43ish for London to York on National Express. But as Megabus is much cheaper (about £10) I'd go with them. On the inside, the buses are the same. Tedious journey whoever you go with. Both depart from Victoria.
Don't give up on LNER as they say some trains will run.
no recent experience of either but from what I've heard over the years on the street - Megabus is bargain basement in all respects, National Express are the class operation.
To a degree I think you'll get what you pay for, but either will probably do the job. Just like Ryan Air be very sure to read all the rules at Megabus (both really) and be sure you meet all their requirements.
Maybe it has changed but National Express usually had leather seats, overhead light, USB charging points and better legroom.
I also agree - some LNER trains will likely run on that date. Maybe 10 percent, maybe 20. Log onto the LNER website and read what they have to say. Subscribe to their email news.
for luggage I do note that Megabus allow 20kg of luggage and National Express allow 2 medium sized pieces each 20kg (or one 20kg large piece) per person
We used National Express 2x on our recent trip instead of trains as the strikes in August were adjacent to days we needed to get to some distant places. We were quite pleased with using a bus and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again. Given the possibility that your LNER 2 hour train route may run I think I would hope for that but buy an inexpensive Megabus ticket as a plan B. Megabus and National Express buses were often in side by side bays in the bus stations we used and I would be comfortable using either, note Nigel’s luggage limitations for Megabus. I’d still prefer your train route if it’s running as 6.5 hours seated on a bus is definitely a negative but you can get up and stretch at some stops, if your bus has scheduled stops. Our bus trips were only 3+ hours and the seats were comfortable.
lazy so and sos are on another strike
that's not very nice,
walk a mile in a man's shoes before you condemn him (or her)
Thank you all for the good advice and encouragement. I don't think there's any big advantage to buying a bus ticket in advance (we already have train tickets) so we'll play it by ear. Hopefully if lner is not going to run they'll let me know a few days ahead of time.
we faced a somewhat similar dilemma since we had tickets the day after a strike and there were articles that said trains would be out of position and even on the 1st post-strike day some runs would be cancelled. As a backup plan we bought bus tickets thru National Express. We bought them a bit farther in advance and they were only around £22 on National Express.
While I'm by no means a transport expert, you might want to buy the bus tickets for around 2 hours after your train departure (assuming you have a departure time around 9am or earlier). This gives you time to try and take the train, then get across town to the Victoria bus station. Personally I'd just figure LNER isn't going to run and try to take an early bus so we still get the afternoon in York.
The price of the tickets may rise as the date nears and possibly sell out; there are only so many bus seats to York. I'd be willing to buy the tickets now even if hoping we don't use them; I figure it's better than not getting to York until the next day, having to pay for another nite in a London hotel while also paying for the York hotel, etc. Others may choose to take the risk.
You might want to buy a bus ticket if yours is leaving from the cruise ports. You might find yourself getting a very late timed ticket. When I was at the station (with my prepurchased ticket) I heard them telling people the buses to Victoria Coach station. were all full before 3pm.
you can watch Youtube bus travel vlogs to get a sense of what it's like
remember that the train strikes have been suspended in memory of our late Queen Elizabeth II.
Nigel you have my condolences on the death of ER. Seeing the nation's manner of mourning is something for an American to behold.
With the train strikes off the question about busses is moot for us. Things do have a way of working out!
