Flixbus Discussion

[signed]

Buchanan Bus Station Glasgow | SPT | Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

Buchanan bus station is located on Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW. Find out key information about the bus station, including bus station map, opening times and facilities available.

www.spt.co.uk

Can't quote since it gives broken input

All the Scottish routes go from 51,54,55 for respectively routes 091,092,093

 

[kez19]

Buchanan Bus Station Glasgow | SPT | Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

Buchanan bus station is located on Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW. Find out key information about the bus station, including bus station map, opening times and facilities available.

www.spt.co.uk

Can't quote since it gives broken input

All the Scottish routes go from 51,54,55 for respectively routes 091,092,093

Thank you, I had a feeling it was around that part (091), I’ll keep this in mind!

 

[henryb]

The FlixBus website states that if delay / cancellation 3+ hours, they pay for accommodation / refreshments. Seeing the N49 get cancelled a few times recently, has anyone had any success with this / what do they do?

 

[dmncf]

I have just returned from a return journey on Flixbus N1328 from London to Warsaw West. It runs once per day. The full single journey takes around 26 hours. On way out it departs from London at 09:30, and on way back it arrives in London at 18:45. Hence the Dover to Calais ferry crossings are during the day, and the overnight elements are through Germany, albeit with a passport check at the German / Polish border. Timetable here:

N1328 - Warsaw - Berlin - London

FlixBus

bustimes.org

P&O Ferries on way out. Irish Ferries on way back. I had a previous disastrous FlixBus trip from London one Easter, when our coach got repeatedly turned away at Dover Port, then gave up and returned to London. My advice is to not make international coach trips during school holidays - tell me if you disagree.

I believe this is the longest FlixBus route from the UK. I was attracted by the simplicity; just sit in your seat and no need to worry about missing connections. I did actually alight at Łódź on my outward journey - a really attractive, vibrant city and had great weather. I got the train on to Warsaw - just buying a turn up and go ticket - and stayed for two nights in Warsaw.

I was the only passenger who travelled the full route. Passengers boarding in London typically alighted in Belgium / Netherlands. Passengers boarding in Poland typically alighted in Germany. And there were intermediate Belgium / Netherlands to Germany passengers. Seats get reused during the journey. So while I'm making a 26-hour journey that includes an overnight element, others (e.g. London to Belgium / Netherlands) are making a daytime journey, and some of the Germany passengers are boarding late at night but might only be on board for 2 hours. Noise levels were fine though and the lights were off at nighttime.

The coach was a Scania / Higer Touring three-axle. Generous legroom, reclining seats, plug sockets, centre sunken toilet which was clean and stocked with toilet roll. The hand basin water and WiFi didn't work on way out but did work on way back.

I knew before travelling that you can change at Warsaw West for FlixBus routes to Ukraine. I noticed two separate Ukrainian mums and kids on my outward coach. While in Warsaw, I went to see a FlixBus departure to Ukraine. This seemed novel to me, but at Warsaw West bus station I found that Ukraine is possibly the most popular destination country, with several operators heading there include one with a former Megabus right hand drive Van Hool 'interdeck' blue coach. The bus station was full of adverts in Ukrainian.

My journey was on time on way out, delayed by one hour on way back due to German border quizzing Ukrainian people.

 

[EYFanatic]

I know this is aimed at mainly the UK Flixbus ops, but the overnight buses that cross the channel using the ferries to places like Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam - if taking DFDS as their ferry of choice, do passengers still get a meal voucher? Last time I took one we did, but that was a fair few months ago

 

[gingerheid]

Do we know if the UK066 Cambridge - Brighton stops on 11th January, or is that just a typical booking horizon (though I see it doesn't apply to other random destination pairs I input for 12 Jan).

 

[markymark2000]

Do we know if the UK066 Cambridge - Brighton stops on 11th January, or is that just a typical booking horizon (though I see it doesn't apply to other random destination pairs I input for 12 Jan).

Data for most Flixbus routes ends on the 11th January. This coincides with the end of the Christmas uplift for services. There are some routes which have data for 12th Jan and onward but I think they are still confirming some timetable, as a number of routes look to have timetable changes on the 12th Jan.

 

[gingerheid]

Thanks! I must have been lucky in the random alternative routes I tried!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2025 ==

I was quite wrong. Looks like there are two extra departures on the UK066 Cambridge - Stratford - Brighton, but that the UK006 Cambridge - Stevenage - London (which I never understood the point of) ends.

 

[markymark2000]

I was quite wrong. Looks like there are two extra departures on the UK066 Cambridge - Stratford - Brighton, but that the UK006 Cambridge - Stevenage - London (which I never understood the point of) ends.

The UK006 was there at the time to cover Whippets dead runs into London for various services and so from that end, it made a lot more sense. As a standalone route though on it's own two feet, I can see why it struggled. That said, it did help onward connections to the rest of the Flixbus network. The UK066 doesn't offer that unless you travel via Gatwick (which I can assure you, many do not wish to do. 8 hours from Cambridge to Birmingham via Gatwick isn't nice).

There may be something else happening in the area though, so keep your eyes peeled.

 

[route101]

I used the 006 from London to Cambridge last year and it was full. Took 3 hours and went via the A1 (M). Train is far quicker.

 

[markymark2000]

I used the 006 from London to Cambridge last year and it was full. Took 3 hours and went via the A1 (M). Train is far quicker.

The same can be argued for almost all coach journeys in the UK. It is/was clearly a choice that people were happy to make though and have the extra journey time in favour of a lower fare.

 

[nick291]

Trying out the 047 this evening albeit only as far as Bristol. Coach is First West Of England's 23006(YH25 EZT). Nice little vehicle but I really wish Flix would just do away with the reservation system say except for the first 4 or 5 rows. It causes unnecessary confusion and boarding delays.

 

[henryb]

Trying out the 047 this evening albeit only as far as Bristol. Coach is First West Of England's 23006(YH25 EZT). Nice little vehicle but I really wish Flix would just do away with the reservation system say except for the first 4 or 5 rows. It causes unnecessary confusion and boarding delays.

I’m yet to have any reservation issue with Firstbus Flix - what was the confusion? I’m reminded of my seat by driver and then I go to the seat labelled with that

 

[nick291]

I’m yet to have any reservation issue with Firstbus Flix - what was the confusion? I’m reminded of my seat by driver and then I go to the seat labelled with that

It's not a driver issue per se, but it's more everyone trying to find their specific seat slows the boarding process down dramatically and creates a backlog in the aisle.

 

[Stan Drews]

It's not a driver issue per se, but it's more everyone trying to find their specific seat slows the boarding process down dramatically and creates a backlog in the aisle.

So it’s just like travelling by train, when they use seat reservations!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

So it’s just like travelling by train, when they use seat reservations!

Not really. A train can move with standing passengers. A coach can’t. Now granted if the train were totally full with people left on the platform, then you may have the same problem, but in practice across the entire day of UK rail services, this is pretty low, though not unheard of. A train will leave regardless whether or not people are in their booked seats, unless as I say people are left on the platform. A coach can’t leave until everyone is seated and settled, regardless of how full it is. Admittedly you’d think the quieter the coach, the less likely there will be bother, but in practice I don’t think the two are really comparable to be honest.

 

[Butts]

The same can be argued for almost all coach journeys in the UK. It is/was clearly a choice that people were happy to make though and have the extra journey time in favour of a lower fare.

Edinburgh to Inverness is surprisingly close with the Train just shading it.

My first Flixbus journey today from the Airport up to there - hoping my seats booked for the front row are honoured.

Free journey for me (coffin dodger) apart from seat fee and £11 plus £3.99 seat reservation for my adult son so if it's comfortable a no brainer at less than £20.

Will report back.

 

[johncrossley]

In Scotland there is much less difference between train and coach times compared to England. It is almost a no-brainer to use the coach on long distance routes in Scotland.

 

[Butts]

In Scotland there is much less difference between train and coach times compared to England. It is almost a no-brainer to use the coach on long distance routes in Scotland.

If my son was eligible for a Railcard we would have gone 1st Class on LNER but I hate travelling without some form of discount - goes against the grain.

 

[Tartanarmy85]

Edinburgh to Inverness is surprisingly close with the Train just shading it.

My first Flixbus journey today from the Airport up to there - hoping my seats booked for the front row are honoured.

Free journey for me (coffin dodger) apart from seat fee and £11 plus £3.99 seat reservation for my adult son so if it's comfortable a no brainer at less than £20.

Will report back.

Be aware Flix dont go to Edinburgh Airport they go to a park and ride 20 mins away walking

 

[Butts]

Be aware Flix dont go to Edinburgh Airport they go to a park and ride 20 mins away walking

Yes I know thanks, at Ingliston - does it originate in Edinburgh at the Coach Station ?

Will be going into town for a bit of lunch when he lands and then back on the Tram.

 

[markymark2000]

Yes I know thanks, at Ingliston - does it originate in Edinburgh at the Coach Station ?

Will be going into town for a bit of lunch when he lands and then back on the Tram.

It does on the Inverness runs yes.

 

[Butts]

It does on the Inverness runs yes.

Argh = someone may attempt to chore our front row seats !!

Wonder if we could get on in Edinburgh as doubt the fare would be any different - save going back out to the Airport.

 

[318266]

Argh = someone may attempt to chore our front row seats !!

Wonder if we could get on in Edinburgh as doubt the fare would be any different - save going back out to the Airport.

Drivers (usually) advise people to sit towards the rear of the coach as the front seats are usually the fancy reserved seats. As an enthusiast this has never bothered me as I quite enjoy hearing the engine etc. louder.

Last time I used Flixbus of that operator (Loch Lomond Travel, a subsidiary of the McGill's Group, on the N30 from Birmingham to Glasgow), there was somebody in my seat but they moved upon questioning. I doubt there would be much bother, especially given as the driver is right there for any queries!

You won't get away with getting on in Edinburgh, and amending the ticket is possible however it can cost more as you will have to pay the difference in fare (which will increase as time approaches to departure).

 

[markymark2000]

Thanks! I must have been lucky in the random alternative routes I tried!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2025 ==

I was quite wrong. Looks like there are two extra departures on the UK066 Cambridge - Stratford - Brighton, but that the UK006 Cambridge - Stevenage - London (which I never understood the point of) ends.

New 990 has now appeared too. Cambridge to Swindon via Trumpington, Luton Airport Parkway (or as Flix are calling it, Luton DART Parkway), and Heathrow Airport. Two trips per day each way. Starting 3rd November.

Trips bookable via Flixbus website now.

 

[extendedpaul]

On National Express if I don't reserve a seat I can sit in any unreserved seat.

On Flixbus as I understand it if I don't reserve I will be allocated a seat which may well be next to another solo passenger.

While I can probably move if there are empty double seats, if I wait until the coach departs and I'm in the window seat the person in the aisle seat will need to unbelt and stand up to let me out. Doesn't feel right to do that

Also I understand that the reserved seats aren't actually marked as such unlike NE.

That's what put me off Flixbus at present. If I'm wrong at all I apogise!

 

[Andy Pacer]

On National Express if I don't reserve a seat I can sit in any unreserved seat.

Apologies - "silly" question incoming... im a very infrequent National Express traveller so apologies, I dont recall seeing seat reservations displayed, how do you know which are unreserved?

 

[JonathanH]

Apologies - "silly" question incoming... im a very infrequent National Express traveller so apologies, I dont recall seeing seat reservations displayed, how do you know which are unreserved?

The only National Express seats which are reserved are the ones with a blue antimacassar on the top of the seat - it tends to just be a few rows at the front.

On Flixbus all seats are reserved with passengers either paying for a seat reservation or being allocated one. Seat reservations are an extra source of income for Flixbus, and therefore its is in their interest to put people not paying for a reservation next to other similar passengers.

 

[Stan Drews]

Not really. A train can move with standing passengers. A coach can’t. Now granted if the train were totally full with people left on the platform, then you may have the same problem, but in practice across the entire day of UK rail services, this is pretty low, though not unheard of. A train will leave regardless whether or not people are in their booked seats, unless as I say people are left on the platform. A coach can’t leave until everyone is seated and settled, regardless of how full it is. Admittedly you’d think the quieter the coach, the less likely there will be bother, but in practice I don’t think the two are really comparable to be honest.

I was largely referencing the chaos that tends to ensue as passengers try to store their luggage and find their allocated seats, particularly at the busier stations - having marvelled at this phenomenon several times on longer train journeys up and down the country over the last week. Some of the occasions I witnessed certainly would have extended the dwell times at the platform.

 

[route101]

On National Express if I don't reserve a seat I can sit in any unreserved seat.

On Flixbus as I understand it if I don't reserve I will be allocated a seat which may well be next to another solo passenger.

While I can probably move if there are empty double seats, if I wait until the coach departs and I'm in the window seat the person in the aisle seat will need to unbelt and stand up to let me out. Doesn't feel right to do that

Also I understand that the reserved seats aren't actually marked as such unlike NE.

That's what put me off Flixbus at present. If I'm wrong at all I apogise!

I used one Flixbus service and everyone was sat at the back, front half was empty. No one moved for more space.

I recall on the McGills Merc coaches when Flixbus first launched in Scotland, every second row as unreserved. I believe now everyone is allocated a seat.

All it takes on a busy service is a few people to move and it causes confusion. Some people just plonk themselves wherever. Even booking the seat next to you, you will still get people sitting next to you.

Prefer no seat reservations.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Oct 2025 ==

New 990 has now appeared too. Cambridge to Swindon via Trumpington, Luton Airport Parkway (or as Flix are calling it, Luton DART Parkway), and Heathrow Airport. Two trips per day each way. Starting 3rd November.

Trips bookable via Flixbus website now.

Strange it runs to Swindon. Cambridge to Heathrow/Luton I can understand.

When I first saw this route, I thought it was going via Oxford!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Oct 2025 ==

In Scotland there is much less difference between train and coach times compared to England. It is almost a no-brainer to use the coach on long distance routes in Scotland.

Yes, on the long distance services to Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen. Perhaps more ticket flexibility on the railway.