Hi Mark, firstly I want to thank you for travelling with us on the 010 from Victoria to Edinburgh as we were the crew on that particular journey. The security guards at Edinburgh know us well and they had told me you were filming so when I said "so what you had my permission as did the passengers". As a team myself John and my wife Patricia do take pride in the way our coach is presented as first impressions last. I want to apologise for the overhead lights being on as in Victoria the coach looks very dark and if you are visually impaired then these lights help I just forgot to turn them off on departing Victoria so sorry again. We had passengers that day from a coach (not flixbus) breakdown on M4 and they should have left 2hrs before they did so when they got on ours they were asking us to try and get in on our time to Glasgow as they were trying to catch the last Belfast coach or they were going to be stranded until the following day. I think that's why it seemed relentless (after this video was shown we are now the relentless crew 😂) . We normally give stops at Sheffield and Newcastle as they are the long parts of the trip. We try our best to accommodate passengers and if they are trying to catch a connection then we try harder (we phoned ahead and asked citylink if they could hold the coach for 5mins which they did. Thank you for travelling with us and we hope to see you again.
Hi John (and Patricia). Many thanks for responding to this - great to hear from you and thanks for sticking up for me with the security guys in Edinburgh! I’m not sure they realised I was filming myself which I tend to do anyway out of respect for other peoples privacy. Anyway, I really appreciate you providing the detail on the trip here - it’s interesting how many different variables you guys have to deal with in terms of the knock-on effects from other peoples travel situations. The logistics must be quite something - especially when other coach companies are involved and I wonder how many others would feel obligated to help them out as much as you both did. I’ve done a few of these videos now and I must say it really does matter to me as a passenger when the crew are on top of their game and just being that extra bit helpful and friendly. It shows. And for me, positive experiences like this need to be mentioned and credit given. I hope that came through in the film because as I’ve said to others, I would much rather do this journey in the day than overnight and given the choice, I would not hesitate to choose you guys over the ‘opposition’. That’s mainly because of the service provided and the quality/standard of the coach. Thanks again for the comment and sorry about the new nickname - I take full responsibility 😊👍
How nice to hear the crew's perspective - things the passengers don't know/realise that impact the journey. This crew obviously went the extra mile for their 'breakdown extras' which was really caring - I hope they made their connection. The Relentless Crew 😁 seem to take great pride in their work and it was deserving that they got such a positive review in the concluding remarks here!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Moja milovaná (my beloved) is Slovak and I spend half my year there. For the other half of the year I am home on the edge of the New Forest. We have used National Express; Ringwood to Victoria and then Victoria to Stansted. We then endure the misery of Standsted and then the tender mercies of O'leary for our flight to Bratislava. Slovak air crew speak competent English and their announcements are perfectly intelligible. Irish staff may as well not bother. The safety announcements are gabbled and on the last flight from Budapest, from the Irish dialect announcement about the sales trolley, I was able to discern "9.99" and "offers". I think the preceding word was "special" but only because I don't know what else it could have been. At the Slovak end, I travel free on Slovak trains, the full fare averages about 7 pence per mile. They are often late but you can sit at home watching the progress on an app so no waiting at the station. Parking at the station is free, for days if you want, . When I have explained to Slovaks about our train fares in Britain AND about parking charges at our hospitals, they are horrified. Parking at hospitals in Slovakia is free. If we are making longer journeys (Bratislava 75 miles from us for instance) we use the train. The carriages are built like brick §§§§houses. Platforms are very low at most stations so mountaineering skills are advisable to climb up, but, once up there, the carriages are very comfortable. Only once have we had a grumpy driver on National Express..... he wasn't unpleasant, just morose. Other than him we have found ALL National Express staff to be lovely people. On one occasion Táni, travelling on her own, left her computer on the coach at Victoria. By the time she realised, the coach had started another run. She contacted her employer in Slovakia straight away and they remotely wiped the computer. National Express charged us 20 quid but staff found the computer. They kept in touch with us all the way and the lady at Bishop's Stortford was as overjoyed that they had found it as we were. Táni needed it urgently so I arranged to drive up there. We were advised that they could have it for pick up at the airport or at the Bishop's Stortford depot but they advised the depot so as to avoid the airport parking charges .... a nice little touch. We were and are grateful to all concerned. We do find the National Express fares to be a bit pricey though. We have started using Bournemouth to Budapest. It takes less time. and the cost of the total journey is less. A neighbour drops us off and picks us up, along with, it appears about a third of all users of the airport, OUTSIDE on the public road and we walk in and out on a rough path to avoid the £4 pick-up/drop-off charge. It went up from £2.50 recently. These are just figures plucked out of the air by these thieving cowboys. (At Bratislava there is 15 minutes free). At Stansted, we find that most of the staff suffer from the deepest of depression. and give the impression of being perpetually harassed. It may just be the Essex way. This compares to warm and friendly staff/immigration at the spotlessly clean Bratislava. From stepping off of the plane onto the tarmac to waiting at the bus stop for the 61 to the railway station has never taken more than 10 minutes even though I have knee problems and sitting on Ryanair seats hard against the seat in front plays havoc with them, I like to be last. It is more complicated at Budapest ... a bus to the end of the metro, metro to the main railway station, train to Nové Zámky (just inside Skovakia) The train runs along the side of the Danube for mile after mile, lovely views and, on the other side, castles overlooking the river from the crags. Nové Zámky to Šurany, Šurany to Levice. Then home to our village. Seems a lot but very little waiting at the connections. We used a Flixbus from Nitra (deepest Slovakia) to Ljubljana (Slovenija) in May, return per person €39:99 (About £34.50) for the 640 mile return journey (5.39 pence per mile). It took 8 hours via Bratislava, Vienna, and Graz. We went to visit a friend of mine for several days. I translate for Primož so that he can put English subtitles on his videos. Buses and trains are fast, efficient, and on time in Slovenija. Bus fares are about 10 pence per mile. The 8 hours included some time at each of the stops and a meal stop at a very pleasant service station. Although we shouldn't have needed them, I took my passport and Táni her identity card. It was just as well, Schengen is breaking down. Leaving Slovakia we were stopped by Austrian border guards. They insisted on seeing identification from every one and asked questions of several passengers. We sailed through the Austria-Slovenija border. On the way back, they were busy at the Austria border. We were waved on but many vehicles were stopped. One car had all the doors open and the entire contents out on the tarmac. Fall in love with Ernestina, English in the C C subtitles ua-cam.com/video/1j8Zd4bo4cs/v-deo.html
Oh I come away from this feeling angry at your 'welcome' to Edinburgh. I had similar assumptions made by rude staff recently and it really does make it difficult to do what we do! But fantastic video and very informative - imagine you'd got aboard with no food.drinks! :D Although I'd be pretty dehydrated by the end, I'd probably skip drinking too much to avoid a coach toilet! All in all I think I'd take the train every time, but really appreciate you taking this hit for our viewing entertainment. Now get yourself on the Bla Bla!
Cheers Steve. Yep, first time for me I’ve had anyone say anything like that. Caught me off guard a bit but at least I was able to give them some back. I was tired and grumpy at that stage too but, overall, I reckon it was a pretty-decent journey (if a tad full-on). For me the coach was comfortable enough and the McGills staff were very good. Now I must go and book the BlaBla experience 😂
In the 80s I done the London to Athens magic bus, a no frills cheap way to travel there. Three days, 29 quid, no toilet and two days to recover from the journey. However it was much better than the return trip. I'd spent all my money on beer, so had to hitch hike back. Great review. Thank you.
Cheers mate. That sounds like a proper adventure - decent price too! I remember doing coach camping around that time down to the south of france. Same conditions but fortunately no where near as far as you went! I hope it made a few stops on the way!!
The overhead reading lights on the Volvo 9700 are controlled from the driver area, they have 3 options on a rocker switch. The options are all on, all off and passenger controlled (from the button above you). I have to admit that my first time ever driving a 9700 I thought I had put them onto passenger control but I actually had them all on solid, it bothered me afterwards that it may have impacted passenger comfort as it was a late service and some people might have preferred them off. I think its a handy function being able to turn them all on, it means its safer when embarking and disembarking and it allows crew to check for lost items etc easier.
Thank you for this presentation, and useful information. I'm fairly recently retired, and plan to do some traveling in the UK. I've been to London and loved it, but haven't seen much of the countryside. With all of the excellent programs like Doc Martin, Downton Abbey, George Gently, and Foyle's War, there is much to be discovered. Your video offers another transportation option. ✌️❤️, and all the best in 2024. Mark 🇺🇲
Mark. It's a great way to end the week with one of your videos. Admire you making that trip by bus. Used LNER a few times, and that is excitement enough.😄 I do think you should try the BlahBlah bus to Paris if you can. I worked in the French capital for a while, so I am familiar with the drive. Enjoy the weekend. D
Cheers David - kind words indeed and I’m glad you liked it. Quite a few people agree with you about the BlaBla bus thing so I guess I’ll have to make the effort now 😂 watch this space 😊👍
Respect to you Mark, 9 hours on a coach is dedication. My coach journeys consisted of the X96 Shrewsbury to Birmingham twice a week for two years in 1984-1986. I would pay the extra for a train journey purely down to having more freedom on journey. I can still remember catching the S9 or S10 bus with you into town in the old days. Anyway a good video again, keep them coming.
S9 and S10 yep, one of the last times I used a bus in Shrewsbury probably 😂 It’s normally the train for me as well but this is a useful option if you’re budget-conscious and not in a rush. I quite enjoyed it really. Cheers mate, see you soon 😊
Lovely Jounery ..got a nice feeling for Newcastle upon time people's love them BEUTIFUL and a great Wellcoming peoples always in my Heart .Greetings from LONDON
Cheers Nicholas, glad you enjoyed it 😊 The comfort stops I think in my limited experience appear to be a thing on the overnight services and because there were two drivers on this service, I guess there was no need. Like I said though, it was pretty relentless but then with the amount of people getting on and off along the way, I would say not many were going the full distance anyway.
Love this video. I once did Adelaide to Perth (Australia) by bus and before the highway was paved. It was in maybe 1974, most of the passengers were young and a few of the guys brought on a case of beer. The good old days. We partied and slept in the back while the oldies had the front. I had tender gums for the first few days in Perth as the road was what they call 'corrugated'; kind of wavy ruts. When I slept, my teeth must have been chattering with all the bumps. I don't remember how long it took but let's say 30-odd hours. The route is 2,694 km (about 1,674 miles). It was fun at the time but I don't think I could do it now.
Hi Trish, thanks for the comment. I’m he same as you. Did Toronto to Florida (then back again) on various Greyhounds. Took around 48 hours each way but I was much younger then. No way would I do it now!
Thank you so much! Did this journey when a child and just remember the foggy Lake District... But I think you did a different route. But stll a totally valid method with major benefits like price and arrival point.
Well done Mark. I did this journey by National Express recently, it wasn't too bad, although I slept most of the way from London to Sheffield. We were also allowed to stretch our legs for half an hour in Leeds too. I also found it was worth popping over to Victoria train station to fill up on a full English in Wetherspoons to set me up for the day.
Another fine vid. Loved the response from the crew. How lovely they were and what a fine explanation they gave for any shortcomings of the journey. You should pin their comment to the top! Wrt Leeds. Yes, you do need to go. I've stayed there loads of times for work and, for one thing, it has most excellent beers! Overnight there, then do Settle & Carlisle?
Cheers mate. Yep, agree and have pinned the comment. It is great when you get that engagement from the drivers, really helps a lot. I’ve done the Settle & Carlisle already (filmed it last year I think) so I’d probably look at the Coastliner out to Scarborough I think that would be worth doing 👍
A very fair review and the seats looked more comfy than Megabus. I prefer National Express as they will allow you off at services for a leg stretch as at 6ft 2 the seats can be a bit tight at times though I did like the extra leg room on Megabus for a small fee . I must admit though the FlixBus option of booking the neighbouring seat is very good value as it can make a big difference in overall comfort.
I have done Newcastle to Finchley Rd on Flix Bus and it was a cheap and pleasant journey. Finchley Road saves 1/2 hour to Victoria and the tube station is next to the bus stop for your onward journey in London.
Brilliant content as ever. It's commendable to see how efficient the coach journey was, but I bet it was tough to not be able to get up and stretch for 9 hours. I'm not sure I could do it, especially as I am Coach sick. I've got the Coach from Victoria Coach Station to Cardiff a few times, and that was bad enough. Definitely get yourself on the Bla Bla Bus to Paris. When I've at Victoria Coach station, I saw a bus going to Poland and wondered how long that would take. Would love to see you do the Greyhound across America as well.
Cheers, yep I stood up in the aisle a few times for a stretch, that was about as good as it gets. Not sure about the Poland bus, I think there is one I’m sure I saw it somewhere. Definitely up for the BlaBlaBus though, just need to plan it in 😊👍
Great video mate nice coach that is for a FlixBus im surprised they didn't give you any stops for comfort at the services its a good thing you got food and drink for the journey I don't think I would really do that long journey of 9 hours the one I did which was over 5 hours is probably enough to the Isle Of Wight for me at least you had working Wi-Fi on your coach so you could entertain yourself throughout the journey those drivers that you had was definitely good then surprised they was bothered to keep the coach clean for the journey they definitely cared about the coach which is nice to see indeed i really do like your coach videos bud there really entertaining and professional keep up the good work 👍
Cheers FG, yes overall, it was a nice coach, definitely one of the better ones and huge credit to McGills, I was really impressed with them. Overall, it was pretty good and there’s plenty more of this kind of stuff to come. Thanks for the comment mate 😊👍
Leeds is definitely worth a trip! Lots to do and see and head off on interesting journeys from there all over beautiful Yorkshire 😁 I suppose I'm biased, it is my home city.
The journey did not look too bad, but it's not good for you sat down for all of those hours without a chance to stretch your legs. Certainly, it was cheap enough, and the service provided was excellent, especially by security at Edinburgh who spotted you were a troublemaker .....lol. Excellent video as always, as you go where others fear to tread.
Troublemaker 😂 well, you know, maybe they were pre-warned of my arrival! Cheers Keith, yep not too bad overall but I was a bit stiff the day after tbh 👍
I’ve done two of the Anglo Scottish flixbus routes. The N10 which omits Leeds but adds Sunderland from London to Glasgow and the 030 which is Glasgow via Manchester to London.
I love you to travel on two journeys one of which is the overnight M10 from Swansea to London Victoria operated by megabus and the Brand new M5N service Swansea to Canterbury
Thanks Mark for another enjoyable video. I suppose having the en route stops provide an opportunity for Flixbus to earn more revenue (from pax alighting/disembarkating) rather than those who would travel all the way. LNER does the same ... hence its London-Edinburgh trains are mostly multi-stop. FYI I checked the one-way Lumo rail fare London-Edinburgh on March 14 (avoiding strike dates) and it was £40.90.
Cheers Alex, yes I must try Lumo at some point - haven’t done it yet and it looks like it might be the closest comparison fare-wise so thanks for the info. 😊👍
Great video. Thanks for all the information. In the old days it was customary to give the driver a tip at the end of the journey to show your appreciation. Does that still happen these days?
@@LetsMakeaTrip Many thanks for the reply. The industry has changed a great deal now, but I know from having done a lot of coach driving myself back in the 1970s and early 80s that drivers did depend on tips to make a decent wage. Service drivers however tended not to do so well, even although they often had to deal with not only around 50 passengers but all their heavy suitcases as well!
I’ve got to say you made that 9 hour+ journey look very enticing. Very informative and full of practical advice as usual. Sad you got a less than friendly welcome to Edinburgh but I reckon your choice of emojis was spot on. FlixBus look a decent coach company. Keep the vids coming.
Cheers Tim! Yeh I don’t think those two were indicative of Edinburgh as a whole - I really like the place and it certainly didn’t have any bearing on the trip overall. Yes I thought this Flixbus was pretty good and McGills crew excellent. Like I said, it’s pretty full-on so you do need to be prepared. Overall, yep, I’d do it again 👍
Cheers Simon and thanks for the support. I’d like to find out if any of the other daytime services have rest breaks. A lot depends on the crew and how they work it I reckon. Might get some more insight into it from the coach drivers that comment on here 🤞
What way can you torture yourself next 😄 🤣 I'd love to see you go on Bla Bla Car, I've watched other videos and people haven't been impressed. Great video as always !
Broken man more like Simon! Yep I was a bit stiff the next day but overall, it wasn’t a bad run tbh. Just so long as you’re not in a rush. Cheers mate 😊
Great video most informative indeed. Well done to you Sir. Could I do it? Only as an absolute necessity. Again many thanks for all your effort to put people in the know.
Love these videos, Mark! Looks a bit much for me, they could have let you out for 10 minutes somewhere, what about DVT? I'll stick to the train, lumo have some good fares i hear. Hope you're keeping well, cheers for now 👍
Cheers Daz, I’ve yet to try Lumo. Had a few comments about them now so yep, might be my next jaunt between the two cities. Maybe there’s more time if the coach is ahead of schedule, but I reckon the schedule’s probably pretty tight and they’re mainly roadside bus stops anyway to keep costs down.
Great journey and a good write up for Flixbus. Think at that price it’s a no brainier for those without time constraints and can handle the coach travel (the worst for feeling travel sick in my opinion!) Good to have you pass through my homeland of Newcastle, I wonder what the comparison would be between that, the train and the car between here and Edinburgh. The train can sometimes be as cheap as £20 return! Thanks for the video as always!
Cheers Craig. Yes I tend to agree with the travel sickness thing. I only ever feel it a bit on the coach or bus. The other part of your comment is very valid because it’s got me thinking maybe you could ‘mix and match’ say train out of London to Leeds then coach from there? Don’t know really, maybe it’s too much hassle tbh 🤷♂️
Been thinking about this one. I stay in Sheffield but originally come from fife so bus is longer but a lot cheaper than train and driving 5/6 hours does get tiring sometimes.
i went from south wales to gatwick on the coach back in october as i was flying to mexico during the train strike it took me almost 10 hours in the end mind you i had to change in victoria
When I used to travel from London to Glasgow on Scottish Citylink in the early 90s it took 7 hours travelling up the M1 and M6 then M74. So much for progress.
Cheers Iain. I’d love to know how quickly it can be done without any stops (other than a driver change)? 7 hours does make it more appealing I would say.
I like the footrest because it's a bit higher than the actual floor of the bus.and being on the short side it makes sitting - especially in one position - more comfortable.
I once travelled across the north of Spain by coach from Zaragoza to La Coruna, a 23 hour coach journey. That wasn't even the full journey as the coach had started in Barcelona, 4 hours before arriving in Zaragoza, and if I recall correctly it then continued from La Coruna to another city in Galicia.
@@LetsMakeaTrip It was over 20 years ago now but if I remember rightly we had a few half hour and hour long breaks at service stations and smaller places. No Spaniard would tolerate being that long without decent food! There wasn't a motorway running across all of the north of Spain at that time, not sure if thats changed. So it was a mix of motorway and part of it was something like B roads in northern Leon, across a kind of hilly landscape with ferns on either side. That part is the old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Query. If you used the seat belt supplied. The journey would be a lot less comfortable. And how would you stretch your legs out in the adjacent seat if you paid extra? Very hard to impossible to do in a seat belt. In the real (and practical) world, passengers rarely use them. In my experience. Even if they "should."
I have been on long coach trips couple times and some do have comfortable seats and some have lots of room. And I’ve been on some that are very cramped and uncomfortable.
I would put this in the comfortable category imo. I do think having the ability to reserve the adjacent seat made a big difference in that respect though. Cheers Andrew.
Used this Flixbus service a few weeks back to Newcastle and I actually found myself liking it a lot more than I should have. I'm not a massive fan of the coach journeys with rest stops, I'd rather get the slog over and done with as quick as possible! It's actually not as bad as I dreaded it to be and for the price you can't really complain!
@@LetsMakeaTrip from memory I believe mine was only £8 but interestingly from London to Newcastle I couldn't reserve the seat next to me. Thankfully I had no one next to me the whole journey as being crammed in the window seat would've been a nightmare!
Back in the 90's I used to do Edinburgh London by coach (Scottish Citylink) quite frequently. Don't think my bladder - or my spine - would be up to a 10hr journey these days (wouldn't fancy using that tiny loo!!) - I'd definitely want a comfort break at some point. The crew/service looked great though. I particularly enjoy your coach-based trips 👍
Cheers Tim, thanks for the comment. Yep I was suffering a bit the next day but would I do it again? Yes, probably. The coach and crew were pretty good overall 👍
I have the same problem, my body couldn't take it anymore. Sleeping would be no problem though, it's staying awake that is one. As I can afford 1st class in trains I prefer those.
Hi there, I'm just wondering if you've tried doing the reverse journey on this route? I've only just subscribed to you today as well, despite having watched a couple of your videos over the past 2 years. Keep up the good work!
Cheers Alan. Yep, I’ve done both the tram and the bus. Getting off one stop before the airport used to be cheaper and you get to walk past the Spitfire. Need to be travelling light though really.
I do London to Glasgow a lot as I go to watch rangers play on a overnight bus for about £15/£20 can't go wrong with that I'm flying up to Edinburgh and then on a city link bus from Edinburgh to Glasgow this weekend on Saturday I will do video on it
Very interesting, but lack of any breaks isn't very good. Going back two decades, at one stage the longest coach route was the National Express 336 Edinburgh to Penzance, around 15 hours on an overnighter - I only did the whole journey once!
@@LetsMakeaTripI travelled extensively around the UK using rail, bus, coach. At the time National Express sold a "Tourist Trail Pass", a ticket which effectively allowed unlimited travel over their network for a number of days. I had already done the longest train with the UK, coincidentally between the same places, but has been extended back even further to Aberdeen. I knew the 336 was the longest coach route, saw saw it as a challenge to do the whole thing. Luckily there were quite a few breaks en-route, unlike your experience! Part of the joy of travelling for me is the journey itself. Not often in a hurry, so often take an indirect route. Skegness to Falmouth was a fun one - by way of buses to Mansfield, then overnight coach to Gatwick, onwards to Brighton, bus to Eastbourne. Then, my favourite, the Nat Ex 308 along the South Coast from Eastbourne to Falmouth. I've experienced so much of the UK on such trips, all great fun!
I’m impressed! I hope you keep watching as I’ve got a few lined up and I’m pretty-much a novice with the bus/coach thing but I will be posting-up a lot more content in the future and maybe I’ll come across some of the routes you’ve done. All the best, Mark 😊👍
Hi, weighing it all up, I have to say I prefer the day journey. That’s mainly because I’m a terrible light sleeper so don’t do well on anything where I’ve got to sit up all through the night and then it just completely ruins the next day for me. Also, I quite enjoyed looking at the scenery tbh and wasn’t in much of a rush. All I would say is, it would’ve been nice to have had a slightly longer stop somewhere. Cheers AV 😊👍
Years ago I took an overnight coach from Edinburgh to London. I can't remember why, as I am a railway enthusiast, but it may have been for cost. Never again. It was horrendous.
Cheers William, yep it’s not for everyone is it. I think cost is a major factor because, tbh, I’d probably travel by train first class every time if I could afford it. 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip I'm talking about a LOT of years ago when a single ticket on a train from Edinburgh to London cost about £10 On second thoughts, I probably took the coach because of a rail strike. Back in 74 I had a summer job in Waverley Station and after 3 months got a travel pass which gave 75% discount. I did a train trip from Edinburgh to London, on to Cardiff and back to Edinburgh for £3.
You could of gone for the Premier Inn at York Place Edinburgh I've stayed at Premier Inn at York Place in Edinburgh Scotland when my wife and I went on Easyjet from Bristol Airport to Edinburgh Airport then I went on the Edinburgh trams from Edinburgh Airport to York Place in February 2020 before the lock down
Cheers Gavin, just trying to think, I may have stayed there before but my No.1 choice these days is the ‘Hub by Premier Inn’ on Rose St, close to the bus station, Waverley Street and some decent bars 👍
Your comment about the length of the trip being, as you possibly reckoned, the longest coach trip in the UK, can be beaten. Megabus operates a service daily between Inverness and London, via Glasgow, taking between 12h 40m and 15h 30m depending on the number of en-route stops. It is the same coach all the way through, though there is a good long rest stop period at Glasgow. There's also the daily service each way operated by National Express between Glasgow and Plymouth of up to 15h 15m, though it does stop at Birmingham Coach Station en route, for a change of coaches. Reference the use of City Street stops as in Leeds and Newcastle, the major Coach and Bus Stations there and in many other locations, have access fees for Coach Operators imposed by the owners of the properties, usually being the City Council. In Leeds, the Coach Station part is for National Express services only; Megabus have access to one bay in the Bus Station part. In other cities, the Coach Station might well be owned by National Express with sole use by their fleet only. Regarding the "welcome" you had on arrival in Edinburgh Bus Station, the security team, whilst certainly not carrying out their duties in a clear manner, were doing their job. The Bus Station is just part of an overall site, owned by a private company called Coal Pension Properties, which has Edinburgh City Council run the Bus Station section of the site on their behalf. If you check the Council's Web site, it does state that for anywhere under its responsibility, you have to arrange for permission to film and photograph in those areas. You simply cannot assume it will be ok to just film yourself, as you are after all, in an area where you may catch other people's images, and that can breach Information Commissioner Regulations. There are Privacy regulations especially when filming and photographing in places such as high footfall areas, such as Bus and Coach stations, airports and ports. As a bus enthusiast, I've had issues at Bus Stations taking photos of vehicles as part of my hobby; it's the same for rail enthusiasts in train Stations, but the general rule of thumb is to ask first and take it from there. Most Transport Operators welcome enthusiasts, as they can prove to be another pair of eyes helping keeping an eye on Security matters and operations.
Cheers Iain, great info given and thanks for taking the time to provide such detail. The Megabus London to Inverness says ‘1 change’ so i guess it’s easy to assume that’s what happens at Glasgow but I’m presuming from your comment that you can just wait on the coach? The access fee thing - yep I thought it might be something like that. Sometimes though I reckon that can work out quite well. Take Birmingham for example whereby if you’re arriving by train, both Megabus and Flixbus ‘side of the road stops’ are much closer to New Street than NX (albeit there are no facilities at either). As for Edinburgh City Council, yep, high footfall areas I’m sure there are lots and lots of rules and regulations, but I simply don’t have the time to be applying for permission to every single local authority etc etc I pass through. I get that that doesn’t validate me doing it but ultimately I don’t normally have an issue and most apply a common sense approach. If it does become a regular occurrence, both myself and many other UA-camrs making the effort to bring these videos to others will simply give it up. It will become too much hassle and certainly something I don’t need in my life. All the best, Mark 😊
The national express services from Glasgow to Plymouth have been discontinued. The services now only go to Birmingham since March 2020. The megabus services from Inverness are using citylink to Glasgow to change onto the London megabus services
@@LetsMakeaTrip Thats true they're not great if you're in a rush but for price and destinations (they cover basically everywhere in Europe) they're great.
BlaBlaCar Bus is something I wanted to try, however bear in mind it can be booked mainly through SNCF Connect. As for coach travel in the UK, I would usually recommend National Express or Megabus, as Flixbus' UK services in my opinion are not as good as those in mainland Europe. In any case great report, showing a good alternative of travel between London and Edinburgh, which has quite an open and competitive market
Cheers Enrico, well I have to try everything don’t I 😂 but tbf I did think this Flixbus was pretty good and that’s more props to McGills really as they came across really well in my opinion.
I would love to see you take the bla bla bus, just cos of its name. But it’s also different content…. I once took a coach at school in the 90s from Berkhamsted, just outside London to bad gastein in Austria … I think it was about 17hours.. it’s amazing how much a British man can suffer on an international coach journey, Lol
That was a great video Mark great job! There is a journey I am interested in doing and I am unsure if it has been made aware to you. You recently did a video going from Portsmouth to Santander on the ferry which was also great by the way, however did you know there is a Megabus service that goes from Portsmouth, The Hard all the way upto Manchester, Shudehill Interchange? I do believe it is only a one per day service however and it leaves Portsmouth rather early around 8am which personally I believe is a little too early as it doesn't give anyone travelling over from say the Isle Of Wight for example the chance to make that connection. I am also aware Megabus do the same journey from Manchester to Portsmouth and it is timed much more reasonably in my opinion as it leaves Manchester Shudehill around roughly 10:50am or 11:25am depending on the day and gets to Portsmouth either around 18:15 or 18:45pm. This I believe is an exceptionally handy service by Megabus as it saves the need to change at London or Birmingham for example. Is this a route you may consider doing for a future video? I'm definitely thinking about doing it at somepoint myself as it could save a fair bit of time journey wise. Personally if I was going up that distance I would prefer to get the train because more comfy, takes less time etc.. I do understand your point on the other hand people can't always get the train due to the price and do rely on the coaches, I wonder if Split Ticketing might be able to be used even if it adds on an additional hour or two to the train journey? Having said that though if I was to do the coach which I honestly would not mind trying I would probably do it if it meant I could get to Glasgow or Edinburgh early in the morning and do the reverse journey around late in the evening as it would then give enough time to explore the respective city centres and just have a relaxing time and to get the maximum amount of time possible out of the visit. That I personally feel is an advantage the coach journeys will always have over the trains which are nighttime services. By the way those members of staff at Edinburgh were extremely rude to you, perhaps they should do what they were actually paid to do to combat *Anti Social* Behaviour rather than picking on people who have only just got off the coach. My Friend, My A**e... Keep it up though Mark great job.
Cheers mate and thanks for the detailed reply. The Portsmouth thing, yep that Megabus one seems ideal for those wishing to take the ferry. One question I would have is whether it calls at the ferry terminal? I know the National Express one does but then you have to go to London first and catch it from there. Otherwise, yep it’s a 30 min(ish) walk. Still fine though. Edinburgh bus station, well yep I guess it comes with the territory but imho, a little bit of a common sense approach should be used. I certainly don’t have the time or the inclination to be asking permission from whichever authority it is to film at every public space I walk around. If it becomes a ‘thing’ well I dunno, I’d have a long think about it all I guess. 😊👍
I always admire people that can withstand a long coach trip as I don't think I could!👏 But as you say, great value for money and Flixbus appear to have a good reputation. Those security guards were idiots!
Cheers Sheila, this was pretty good as far as long journeys go - a decent coach and great crew. Yeh the security guards, well, it’d been a long day, they could’ve been friendlier, not in my face and then it’s not a big deal is it. Thanks for the comment 😊👍
In the 1990s I travelled each year from Brussels to Spain, 1200 km overnight. You left in the afternoon and arrived at your destination before noon the next day. I was smart enough not to choose a destination in the south of Spain, which would have added another 500 km. There were many stops (bus exchange, mandatory shopping in Luxemburg, lunch, breakfast and so on. In fact they discouraged us from using the bus toilet except for emergencies. I was much younger, so I could take it. Today I don't know. My back and legs would hurt, not to mention other physical problems. Though these organised bus travels with several companies cooperating have gone, killed by cheap air travel.
As I mentioned this was a cooperation between several independent touring car operators and the only one I can remember was a major company called "Omnium Tours". Probably they organised and coordinated the whole thing, with departures at least once a week during the whole summer. And if I'm not mistaken they went bust in the early 2000s.
Hi Mark, firstly I want to thank you for travelling with us on the 010 from Victoria to Edinburgh as we were the crew on that particular journey. The security guards at Edinburgh know us well and they had told me you were filming so when I said "so what you had my permission as did the passengers". As a team myself John and my wife Patricia do take pride in the way our coach is presented as first impressions last. I want to apologise for the overhead lights being on as in Victoria the coach looks very dark and if you are visually impaired then these lights help I just forgot to turn them off on departing Victoria so sorry again. We had passengers that day from a coach (not flixbus) breakdown on M4 and they should have left 2hrs before they did so when they got on ours they were asking us to try and get in on our time to Glasgow as they were trying to catch the last Belfast coach or they were going to be stranded until the following day. I think that's why it seemed relentless (after this video was shown we are now the relentless crew 😂) . We normally give stops at Sheffield and Newcastle as they are the long parts of the trip. We try our best to accommodate passengers and if they are trying to catch a connection then we try harder (we phoned ahead and asked citylink if they could hold the coach for 5mins which they did. Thank you for travelling with us and we hope to see you again.
Hi John (and Patricia). Many thanks for responding to this - great to hear from you and thanks for sticking up for me with the security guys in Edinburgh! I’m not sure they realised I was filming myself which I tend to do anyway out of respect for other peoples privacy.
Anyway, I really appreciate you providing the detail on the trip here - it’s interesting how many different variables you guys have to deal with in terms of the knock-on effects from other peoples travel situations. The logistics must be quite something - especially when other coach companies are involved and I wonder how many others would feel obligated to help them out as much as you both did.
I’ve done a few of these videos now and I must say it really does matter to me as a passenger when the crew are on top of their game and just being that extra bit helpful and friendly. It shows. And for me, positive experiences like this need to be mentioned and credit given. I hope that came through in the film because as I’ve said to others, I would much rather do this journey in the day than overnight and given the choice, I would not hesitate to choose you guys over the ‘opposition’. That’s mainly because of the service provided and the quality/standard of the coach.
Thanks again for the comment and sorry about the new nickname - I take full responsibility 😊👍
How nice to hear the crew's perspective - things the passengers don't know/realise that impact the journey. This crew obviously went the extra mile for their 'breakdown extras' which was really caring - I hope they made their connection. The Relentless Crew 😁 seem to take great pride in their work and it was deserving that they got such a positive review in the concluding remarks here!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Moja milovaná (my beloved) is Slovak and I spend half my year there. For the other half of the year I am home on the edge of the New Forest. We have used National Express; Ringwood to Victoria and then Victoria to Stansted. We then endure the misery of Standsted and then the tender mercies of O'leary for our flight to Bratislava. Slovak air crew speak competent English and their announcements are perfectly intelligible. Irish staff may as well not bother. The safety announcements are gabbled and on the last flight from Budapest, from the Irish dialect announcement about the sales trolley, I was able to discern "9.99" and "offers". I think the preceding word was "special" but only because I don't know what else it could have been.
At the Slovak end, I travel free on Slovak trains, the full fare averages about 7 pence per mile. They are often late but you can sit at home watching the progress on an app so no waiting at the station. Parking at the station is free, for days if you want, . When I have explained to Slovaks about our train fares in Britain AND about parking charges at our hospitals, they are horrified. Parking at hospitals in Slovakia is free. If we are making longer journeys (Bratislava 75 miles from us for instance) we use the train. The carriages are built like brick §§§§houses. Platforms are very low at most stations so mountaineering skills are advisable to climb up, but, once up there, the carriages are very comfortable.
Only once have we had a grumpy driver on National Express..... he wasn't unpleasant, just morose. Other than him we have found ALL National Express staff to be lovely people. On one occasion Táni, travelling on her own, left her computer on the coach at Victoria. By the time she realised, the coach had started another run. She contacted her employer in Slovakia straight away and they remotely wiped the computer. National Express charged us 20 quid but staff found the computer. They kept in touch with us all the way and the lady at Bishop's Stortford was as overjoyed that they had found it as we were. Táni needed it urgently so I arranged to drive up there. We were advised that they could have it for pick up at the airport or at the Bishop's Stortford depot but they advised the depot so as to avoid the airport parking charges .... a nice little touch. We were and are grateful to all concerned. We do find the National Express fares to be a bit pricey though.
We have started using Bournemouth to Budapest. It takes less time. and the cost of the total journey is less. A neighbour drops us off and picks us up, along with, it appears about a third of all users of the airport, OUTSIDE on the public road and we walk in and out on a rough path to avoid the £4 pick-up/drop-off charge. It went up from £2.50 recently. These are just figures plucked out of the air by these thieving cowboys. (At Bratislava there is 15 minutes free). At Stansted, we find that most of the staff suffer from the deepest of depression. and give the impression of being perpetually harassed. It may just be the Essex way. This compares to warm and friendly staff/immigration at the spotlessly clean Bratislava. From stepping off of the plane onto the tarmac to waiting at the bus stop for the 61 to the railway station has never taken more than 10 minutes even though I have knee problems and sitting on Ryanair seats hard against the seat in front plays havoc with them, I like to be last. It is more complicated at Budapest ... a bus to the end of the metro, metro to the main railway station, train to Nové Zámky (just inside Skovakia) The train runs along the side of the Danube for mile after mile, lovely views and, on the other side, castles overlooking the river from the crags. Nové Zámky to Šurany, Šurany to Levice. Then home to our village. Seems a lot but very little waiting at the connections.
We used a Flixbus from Nitra (deepest Slovakia) to Ljubljana (Slovenija) in May, return per person €39:99 (About £34.50) for the 640 mile return journey (5.39 pence per mile). It took 8 hours via Bratislava, Vienna, and Graz. We went to visit a friend of mine for several days. I translate for Primož so that he can put English subtitles on his videos. Buses and trains are fast, efficient, and on time in Slovenija. Bus fares are about 10 pence per mile. The 8 hours included some time at each of the stops and a meal stop at a very pleasant service station. Although we shouldn't have needed them, I took my passport and Táni her identity card. It was just as well, Schengen is breaking down. Leaving Slovakia we were stopped by Austrian border guards. They insisted on seeing identification from every one and asked questions of several passengers. We sailed through the Austria-Slovenija border. On the way back, they were busy at the Austria border. We were waved on but many vehicles were stopped. One car had all the doors open and the entire contents out on the tarmac.
Fall in love with Ernestina, English in the C C subtitles
ua-cam.com/video/1j8Zd4bo4cs/v-deo.html
@@terryhoath1983 The Irish crew would not be using a dialect to make announcements. The script would be the same for any English speaker. :)
Well done John and Patricia for a job well done and for your reply here.
Im a casual driver on Citylink, always good to see positive examples!
There is a tram from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city centre
There is a tram
Huge respect to the driver/drivers!
Oh I come away from this feeling angry at your 'welcome' to Edinburgh. I had similar assumptions made by rude staff recently and it really does make it difficult to do what we do! But fantastic video and very informative - imagine you'd got aboard with no food.drinks! :D Although I'd be pretty dehydrated by the end, I'd probably skip drinking too much to avoid a coach toilet! All in all I think I'd take the train every time, but really appreciate you taking this hit for our viewing entertainment. Now get yourself on the Bla Bla!
Cheers Steve. Yep, first time for me I’ve had anyone say anything like that. Caught me off guard a bit but at least I was able to give them some back. I was tired and grumpy at that stage too but, overall, I reckon it was a pretty-decent journey (if a tad full-on). For me the coach was comfortable enough and the McGills staff were very good. Now I must go and book the BlaBla experience 😂
Rather watch this Rather than go there in person transport is same everywhere
In the 80s I done the London to Athens magic bus, a no frills cheap way to travel there. Three days, 29 quid, no toilet and two days to recover from the journey. However it was much better than the return trip. I'd spent all my money on beer, so had to hitch hike back. Great review. Thank you.
Cheers mate. That sounds like a proper adventure - decent price too! I remember doing coach camping around that time down to the south of france. Same conditions but fortunately no where near as far as you went! I hope it made a few stops on the way!!
The overhead reading lights on the Volvo 9700 are controlled from the driver area, they have 3 options on a rocker switch. The options are all on, all off and passenger controlled (from the button above you). I have to admit that my first time ever driving a 9700 I thought I had put them onto passenger control but I actually had them all on solid, it bothered me afterwards that it may have impacted passenger comfort as it was a late service and some people might have preferred them off.
I think its a handy function being able to turn them all on, it means its safer when embarking and disembarking and it allows crew to check for lost items etc easier.
Thank you for this presentation, and useful information. I'm fairly recently retired, and plan to do some traveling in the UK. I've been to London and loved it, but haven't seen much of the countryside. With all of the excellent programs like Doc Martin, Downton Abbey, George Gently, and Foyle's War, there is much to be discovered. Your video offers another transportation option. ✌️❤️, and all the best in 2024. Mark 🇺🇲
Cheers Mark, all the best to you too and happy retirement!
Really enjoyed this video home in bed with a cold very relaxing watch ty
Thanks very much and get well soon 😊👍
I really enjoyed this review. It's valuable to know the variety of travel options available.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
I do recall National Express operating a Bournemouth-Edinburgh overnight service a few years ago. Went via Leicester.
Mark. It's a great way to end the week with one of your videos. Admire you making that trip by bus. Used LNER a few times, and that is excitement enough.😄 I do think you should try the BlahBlah bus to Paris if you can. I worked in the French capital for a while, so I am familiar with the drive. Enjoy the weekend. D
Cheers David - kind words indeed and I’m glad you liked it. Quite a few people agree with you about the BlaBla bus thing so I guess I’ll have to make the effort now 😂 watch this space 😊👍
Respect to you Mark, 9 hours on a coach is dedication. My coach journeys consisted of the X96 Shrewsbury to Birmingham twice a week for two years in 1984-1986. I would pay the extra for a train journey purely down to having more freedom on journey. I can still remember catching the S9 or S10 bus with you into town in the old days. Anyway a good video again, keep them coming.
S9 and S10 yep, one of the last times I used a bus in Shrewsbury probably 😂 It’s normally the train for me as well but this is a useful option if you’re budget-conscious and not in a rush. I quite enjoyed it really. Cheers mate, see you soon 😊
Lovely Jounery ..got a nice feeling for Newcastle upon time people's love them BEUTIFUL and a great Wellcoming peoples always in my Heart .Greetings from LONDON
@@stevenmutumbu2860 cheers Steven, all the best mate 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Welcome
@@LetsMakeaTrip Jounery by bus are too Fascinating you see the World amazing things even the ANGEL OF THE NORTH 😂😂😂🐎
Well done. Great video from a natural presenter. Coach quality seems very good but I'd prefer one or two comfort stops on the way!
Cheers Nicholas, glad you enjoyed it 😊 The comfort stops I think in my limited experience appear to be a thing on the overnight services and because there were two drivers on this service, I guess there was no need. Like I said though, it was pretty relentless but then with the amount of people getting on and off along the way, I would say not many were going the full distance anyway.
Hope you enjoyed your journey! Great seeing you at Birmingham - enjoy your other travels!
Cheers Danny, likewise mate 😊 Plenty more stuff to come 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip I'll be looking forward to it that's for certain!
Love this video. I once did Adelaide to Perth (Australia) by bus and before the highway was paved. It was in maybe 1974, most of the passengers were young and a few of the guys brought on a case of beer. The good old days. We partied and slept in the back while the oldies had the front. I had tender gums for the first few days in Perth as the road was what they call 'corrugated'; kind of wavy ruts. When I slept, my teeth must have been chattering with all the bumps. I don't remember how long it took but let's say 30-odd hours. The route is 2,694 km (about 1,674 miles). It was fun at the time but I don't think I could do it now.
Hi Trish, thanks for the comment. I’m he same as you. Did Toronto to Florida (then back again) on various Greyhounds. Took around 48 hours each way but I was much younger then. No way would I do it now!
These videos are always very relaxing.
Mark, have you worked in transport previously? IE train/ bus driver?
No Dan, total outsider when it comes to this (maybe that’s a good thing!). Cheers mate.
Great report as always, your style of presentation is really good, great work.
Thanks Andy, appreciate the kind words 😊
Thank you so much! Did this journey when a child and just remember the foggy Lake District... But I think you did a different route. But stll a totally valid method with major benefits like price and arrival point.
Cheers, yep price and arrival point - pretty much spot on because this is exactly why people do it. 👍
Well done Mark. I did this journey by National Express recently, it wasn't too bad, although I slept most of the way from London to Sheffield. We were also allowed to stretch our legs for half an hour in Leeds too.
I also found it was worth popping over to Victoria train station to fill up on a full English in Wetherspoons to set me up for the day.
Ah cheers John, some good tips there. Might try the NX one at some point myself 👍
Great idea having the extractor fan down at that level, where the epicentre of bad smells are!!!!!
Another fine vid. Loved the response from the crew. How lovely they were and what a fine explanation they gave for any shortcomings of the journey. You should pin their comment to the top!
Wrt Leeds. Yes, you do need to go. I've stayed there loads of times for work and, for one thing, it has most excellent beers! Overnight there, then do Settle & Carlisle?
Cheers mate. Yep, agree and have pinned the comment. It is great when you get that engagement from the drivers, really helps a lot. I’ve done the Settle & Carlisle already (filmed it last year I think) so I’d probably look at the Coastliner out to Scarborough I think that would be worth doing 👍
The wrong time on the coach clock display would have driven me crazy!
Quite a few like that I've noticed!
Enjoyed that mate definitely a trip to take if your not in a rush 😊, great work! as always Cheers for now 😉
Thanks Gareth, agree, sit back and relax, take a book, watch some Netflix or just look out of the window. Cheers (for now) 😊👍
A very fair review and the seats looked more comfy than Megabus. I prefer National Express as they will allow you off at services for a leg stretch as at 6ft 2 the seats can be a bit tight at times though I did like the extra leg room on Megabus for a small fee . I must admit though the FlixBus option of booking the neighbouring seat is very good value as it can make a big difference in overall comfort.
For some reason yt never notified me of this, despite having them on. Thought I'd let you know. Great video though!
I’ve noticed that more too but on other accounts. I fix that by unsubscribing then subscribing again: sort of reboots it
Cheers Sean, not sure why YT wouldn’t do that? I’ll ask the question. Thanks for the kind words and giving it a watch. 😊👍
Thank you so much for your illumination. Very valuable where we try to use less car🎉
Cheers Adam 😊👍
Over 9 hours! Yikes! That’s quite a trip, admire you for doing that.
I’m going to stick to the train, I’m afraid.
That’s fair comment Monty. Time Vs cost conundrum (I’d probably do the same tbh).
Hi a great video and I really enjoyed it so much thanks for making this video.
Cheers Bobby. Glad you liked it and thanks for the support mate 😊👍
A great video i would love you to do national express Nottingham to Paignton with one change at Birmingham
Your video has a given a very good review of flix.. excellent effort sir
Thanks mate 😊👍
I have done Newcastle to Finchley Rd on Flix Bus and it was a cheap and pleasant journey. Finchley Road saves 1/2 hour to Victoria and the tube station is next to the bus stop for your onward journey in London.
There were just as many getting on at Finchley Road as Victoria and I bet proximity to the LU is the main reason. Cheers Paul 😊👍
Brilliant content as ever. It's commendable to see how efficient the coach journey was, but I bet it was tough to not be able to get up and stretch for 9 hours. I'm not sure I could do it, especially as I am Coach sick. I've got the Coach from Victoria Coach Station to Cardiff a few times, and that was bad enough.
Definitely get yourself on the Bla Bla Bus to Paris.
When I've at Victoria Coach station, I saw a bus going to Poland and wondered how long that would take. Would love to see you do the Greyhound across America as well.
Cheers, yep I stood up in the aisle a few times for a stretch, that was about as good as it gets. Not sure about the Poland bus, I think there is one I’m sure I saw it somewhere. Definitely up for the BlaBlaBus though, just need to plan it in 😊👍
Weldone Mark. Looked relentless that. Great video, 👍👍
It was mate! Cheers for the comment 😊👍
Great video mate nice coach that is for a FlixBus im surprised they didn't give you any stops for comfort at the services its a good thing you got food and drink for the journey I don't think I would really do that long journey of 9 hours the one I did which was over 5 hours is probably enough to the Isle Of Wight for me at least you had working Wi-Fi on your coach so you could entertain yourself throughout the journey those drivers that you had was definitely good then surprised they was bothered to keep the coach clean for the journey they definitely cared about the coach which is nice to see indeed i really do like your coach videos bud there really entertaining and professional keep up the good work 👍
Cheers FG, yes overall, it was a nice coach, definitely one of the better ones and huge credit to McGills, I was really impressed with them. Overall, it was pretty good and there’s plenty more of this kind of stuff to come. Thanks for the comment mate 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip it’s alright mate your videos are soo entertaining and professional and your such a top bloke too 👍
@@FrostyGaming8394 cheers mate, appreciate the kind words 😊
Leeds is definitely worth a trip! Lots to do and see and head off on interesting journeys from there all over beautiful Yorkshire 😁 I suppose I'm biased, it is my home city.
Thanks Elaine, yes I might head up there, get a cheap hotel and do a few trips in the near future. 😊👍
Great job again keep up your nice vids m8
Cheers John, thanks as usual for your support 😊👍
Bedankt
Thank you sir, much appreciated 😊👍
The journey did not look too bad, but it's not good for you sat down for all of those hours without a chance to stretch your legs. Certainly, it was cheap enough, and the service provided was excellent, especially by security at Edinburgh who spotted you were a troublemaker .....lol. Excellent video as always, as you go where others fear to tread.
Troublemaker 😂 well, you know, maybe they were pre-warned of my arrival! Cheers Keith, yep not too bad overall but I was a bit stiff the day after tbh 👍
These trips are always a gamble, I'm afraid sometimes let down by the human. factor
I’ve done two of the Anglo Scottish flixbus routes. The N10 which omits Leeds but adds Sunderland from London to Glasgow and the 030 which is Glasgow via Manchester to London.
Very enjoyable video. I look forward to BlaBla bus
I love you to travel on two journeys one of which is the overnight M10 from Swansea to London Victoria operated by megabus and the Brand new M5N service Swansea to Canterbury
I might well try one of the routes out of Swansea - something I’ve been trying to do for a while 👍
Thanks Mark for another enjoyable video. I suppose having the en route stops provide an opportunity for Flixbus to earn more revenue (from pax alighting/disembarkating) rather than those who would travel all the way. LNER does the same ... hence its London-Edinburgh trains are mostly multi-stop. FYI I checked the one-way Lumo rail fare London-Edinburgh on March 14 (avoiding strike dates) and it was £40.90.
Cheers Alex, yes I must try Lumo at some point - haven’t done it yet and it looks like it might be the closest comparison fare-wise so thanks for the info. 😊👍
Great video. Thanks for all the information. In the old days it was customary to give the driver a tip at the end of the journey to show your appreciation. Does that still happen these days?
No, I haven’t seen that at all tbh. Used to do it on school trips and coach outings though from what I remember.
@@LetsMakeaTrip Many thanks for the reply. The industry has changed a great deal now, but I know from having done a lot of coach driving myself back in the 1970s and early 80s that drivers did depend on tips to make a decent wage. Service drivers however tended not to do so well, even although they often had to deal with not only around 50 passengers but all their heavy suitcases as well!
Awesome video buddy from Alan in Lowestoft
Here’s Alan 😊👍
I’ve got to say you made that 9 hour+ journey look very enticing. Very informative and full of practical advice as usual. Sad you got a less than friendly welcome to Edinburgh but I reckon your choice of emojis was spot on. FlixBus look a decent coach company. Keep the vids coming.
Cheers Tim! Yeh I don’t think those two were indicative of Edinburgh as a whole - I really like the place and it certainly didn’t have any bearing on the trip overall. Yes I thought this Flixbus was pretty good and McGills crew excellent. Like I said, it’s pretty full-on so you do need to be prepared. Overall, yep, I’d do it again 👍
Class video! Are you going to try Scottish Citylink someday?
Yes Jamie, very soon hopefully!
I am a huge fan of your bus journeys. Loved it. I like coach trips, but prefer those with a service stop at some point.
Cheers Simon and thanks for the support. I’d like to find out if any of the other daytime services have rest breaks. A lot depends on the crew and how they work it I reckon. Might get some more insight into it from the coach drivers that comment on here 🤞
What way can you torture yourself next 😄 🤣 I'd love to see you go on Bla Bla Car, I've watched other videos and people haven't been impressed.
Great video as always !
If they haven’t been impressed and there’s something to moan about, well, that sounds right up my street! 😂 I’ve gotta give it a go now 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip it'll be a good watch! Including a ferry or Eurotunnel trip sounds good to me too
A few other UA-camrs have done the London to Paris coach trip and it seemed quite pleasant so I'd love to see you do it
You can go all the way from Manchester. That’s super-long, maybe even too far for me that one!
@@LetsMakeaTrip that's quite a long bus journey 👀😶
Nine hours on a bus!, you are a better man than I.good luck and stay safe,cheers.
Broken man more like Simon! Yep I was a bit stiff the next day but overall, it wasn’t a bad run tbh. Just so long as you’re not in a rush. Cheers mate 😊
I learned a tip go into Sainsbury's its cheaper than in the coach station!
Great video most informative indeed. Well done to you Sir. Could I do it? Only as an absolute necessity. Again many thanks for all your effort to put people in the know.
Cheers Beth! PS, you should see what I’m doing this weekend!!
Lumo have a very early morning train that takes under 3 hours costing iro £36 (adv)
Cheers David 👍
Love these videos, Mark! Looks a bit much for me, they could have let you out for 10 minutes somewhere, what about DVT? I'll stick to the train, lumo have some good fares i hear. Hope you're keeping well, cheers for now 👍
Cheers Daz, I’ve yet to try Lumo. Had a few comments about them now so yep, might be my next jaunt between the two cities. Maybe there’s more time if the coach is ahead of schedule, but I reckon the schedule’s probably pretty tight and they’re mainly roadside bus stops anyway to keep costs down.
I once went from Victoria Coach station to Glasgow with Megabus. 9 1/2 hours for £4.50 inc £1 booking fee
That’s a great deal Jim 👍
Trains are really expensive! Flixbus looks like a really nice option
Great journey and a good write up for Flixbus. Think at that price it’s a no brainier for those without time constraints and can handle the coach travel (the worst for feeling travel sick in my opinion!) Good to have you pass through my homeland of Newcastle, I wonder what the comparison would be between that, the train and the car between here and Edinburgh. The train can sometimes be as cheap as £20 return!
Thanks for the video as always!
Cheers Craig. Yes I tend to agree with the travel sickness thing. I only ever feel it a bit on the coach or bus. The other part of your comment is very valid because it’s got me thinking maybe you could ‘mix and match’ say train out of London to Leeds then coach from there? Don’t know really, maybe it’s too much hassle tbh 🤷♂️
Nice trip report. I’d happily do this trip myself one day, and I’d ensure I have plenty of refreshments for the journey.
Been thinking about this one. I stay in Sheffield but originally come from fife so bus is longer but a lot cheaper than train and driving 5/6 hours does get tiring sometimes.
It is Brian, the cost makes a big difference especially if you’re doing it regularly
@@LetsMakeaTrip plus what’s it’s doing to the car lol defo look into it
i went from south wales to gatwick on the coach back in october as i was flying to mexico during the train strike it took me almost 10 hours in the end mind you i had to change in victoria
10 hours! Blimey, I guess if it’s not direct it can be a slog - probably even longer if you were heading up to Scotland from there. Cheers Jon 😊👍
Epic journey! I've just booked my first Flixbus, I'll see how it compares! Cheers for now ;)
Good luck 👍 Where are you going?
@@LetsMakeaTrip Lille to London - thankfully the 7h30 journey is broken up with a ferry ride in the middle 🤣
@@TravelSignal nice one, I look forward to the video?
@@LetsMakeaTrip Providing I'm not too tired, and I get a window seat, I'll video it 👍(wouldn't let me pick a seat at all :( )
@@TravelSignal bit hit and miss the seat selection thing I think.
When I used to travel from London to Glasgow on Scottish Citylink in the early 90s it took 7 hours travelling up the M1 and M6 then M74. So much for progress.
Cheers Iain. I’d love to know how quickly it can be done without any stops (other than a driver change)? 7 hours does make it more appealing I would say.
@Let’s Make a Trip! The 7 hours included a 1 hour stop at Charnock Richard. Not only for comfort but to change crews.
@@iainclark5964 impressive! 👍
Fantastic video Leeds has got plenty of local and long bus services. I wouldn't say its a place I would say I have to visit that my advice
Cheers Jack - I’d probably do the Coastliner service over to the east coast which looks quite nice 👍
Brave man! I would hate that journey, being stuck for so many hours in a seat.
Well you know I like these coach ordeals 😊
Did you ever get to try the megabus gold service before it got discontinued ?
I didn’t no. Wish I had because I hear it was pretty impressive in its day.
Very interesting insight. Thanks.
I like the footrest because it's a bit higher than the actual floor of the bus.and being on the short side it makes sitting - especially in one position - more comfortable.
That is a great point actually. Well put and many thanks for commenting 😊👍
I once travelled across the north of Spain by coach from Zaragoza to La Coruna, a 23 hour coach journey. That wasn't even the full journey as the coach had started in Barcelona, 4 hours before arriving in Zaragoza, and if I recall correctly it then continued from La Coruna to another city in Galicia.
Sounds like a big trip that. Need proper breaks on something like that imo.
@@LetsMakeaTrip It was over 20 years ago now but if I remember rightly we had a few half hour and hour long breaks at service stations and smaller places. No Spaniard would tolerate being that long without decent food! There wasn't a motorway running across all of the north of Spain at that time, not sure if thats changed. So it was a mix of motorway and part of it was something like B roads in northern Leon, across a kind of hilly landscape with ferns on either side. That part is the old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
what about doing the Santiago Chile to Arica bus trip? I think it takes around 24 hours !
I’ve just got to get there David. If I do find myself in Chile sometime though, I’ll be sure to try it 😊👍
Query. If you used the seat belt supplied. The journey would be a lot less comfortable. And how would you stretch your legs out in the adjacent seat if you paid extra? Very hard to impossible to do in a seat belt. In the real (and practical) world, passengers rarely use them. In my experience. Even if they "should."
Agree passengers rarely use them but it is a legal requirement so, you know, if there was a crash……
I have been on long coach trips couple times and some do have comfortable seats and some have lots of room. And I’ve been on some that are very cramped and uncomfortable.
I would put this in the comfortable category imo. I do think having the ability to reserve the adjacent seat made a big difference in that respect though. Cheers Andrew.
Hi Mark, I paid £8.90 for 2 coffees at Kew Gardens today, so in my reckoning u got the better deal, top video.
Haha, yep London prices. Getting the coach out of there is probably the cheapest thing to do in the capital these days 😂👍
Used this Flixbus service a few weeks back to Newcastle and I actually found myself liking it a lot more than I should have. I'm not a massive fan of the coach journeys with rest stops, I'd rather get the slog over and done with as quick as possible! It's actually not as bad as I dreaded it to be and for the price you can't really complain!
Yes Jon, totally agree. I’ve heard it’s only a tenner too and yes, you can’t really go wrong for that price.
@@LetsMakeaTrip from memory I believe mine was only £8 but interestingly from London to Newcastle I couldn't reserve the seat next to me. Thankfully I had no one next to me the whole journey as being crammed in the window seat would've been a nightmare!
Back in the 90's I used to do Edinburgh London by coach (Scottish Citylink) quite frequently. Don't think my bladder - or my spine - would be up to a 10hr journey these days (wouldn't fancy using that tiny loo!!) - I'd definitely want a comfort break at some point. The crew/service looked great though. I particularly enjoy your coach-based trips 👍
Cheers Tim, thanks for the comment. Yep I was suffering a bit the next day but would I do it again? Yes, probably. The coach and crew were pretty good overall 👍
I have the same problem, my body couldn't take it anymore. Sleeping would be no problem though, it's staying awake that is one. As I can afford 1st class in trains I prefer those.
Thank you for the bus ride
Pleasure sir 😊
Hi there, I'm just wondering if you've tried doing the reverse journey on this route? I've only just subscribed to you today as well, despite having watched a couple of your videos over the past 2 years. Keep up the good work!
FYI you can get a tram from Edinburgh airport into the centre of Edinburgh , Nice report, and good value for money .
Cheers Alan. Yep, I’ve done both the tram and the bus. Getting off one stop before the airport used to be cheaper and you get to walk past the Spitfire. Need to be travelling light though really.
I do London to Glasgow a lot as I go to watch rangers play on a overnight bus for about £15/£20 can't go wrong with that I'm flying up to Edinburgh and then on a city link bus from Edinburgh to Glasgow this weekend on Saturday I will do video on it
Enjoy Michael! And yes I agree you can’t go far wrong for the money. Also, ittsurprising how cheap you can fly back if you book at the right time!
Great trip. Unfortunately no rest stop along the journey, only stop for drop off and pick up passenger
Yep but I think ordinarily it’s a bit more flexible (pinned comment from crew alluded to that) 😊👍
I'm an anxious traveller I would prefer no leg breaks as I fear being too anxious to get back on!
Very interesting, but lack of any breaks isn't very good. Going back two decades, at one stage the longest coach route was the National Express 336 Edinburgh to Penzance, around 15 hours on an overnighter - I only did the whole journey once!
I’m impressed you did that Edinburgh - Penzance run Peter. First thing I have to ask is, why?
@@LetsMakeaTripI travelled extensively around the UK using rail, bus, coach. At the time National Express sold a "Tourist Trail Pass", a ticket which effectively allowed unlimited travel over their network for a number of days. I had already done the longest train with the UK, coincidentally between the same places, but has been extended back even further to Aberdeen. I knew the 336 was the longest coach route, saw saw it as a challenge to do the whole thing. Luckily there were quite a few breaks en-route, unlike your experience!
Part of the joy of travelling for me is the journey itself. Not often in a hurry, so often take an indirect route. Skegness to Falmouth was a fun one - by way of buses to Mansfield, then overnight coach to Gatwick, onwards to Brighton, bus to Eastbourne. Then, my favourite, the Nat Ex 308 along the South Coast from Eastbourne to Falmouth. I've experienced so much of the UK on such trips, all great fun!
I’m impressed! I hope you keep watching as I’ve got a few lined up and I’m pretty-much a novice with the bus/coach thing but I will be posting-up a lot more content in the future and maybe I’ll come across some of the routes you’ve done. All the best, Mark 😊👍
Looked a good comfortable interesting journey. Great value for money. I would do it. Thanks.
Cheers Keith, great stuff and good luck if you do. Make sure you take lots of food 😊👍
Hi Mark now that you have done a daytime and overnight journey from London to Edinburgh which one do you prefer and why?
Hi, weighing it all up, I have to say I prefer the day journey. That’s mainly because I’m a terrible light sleeper so don’t do well on anything where I’ve got to sit up all through the night and then it just completely ruins the next day for me. Also, I quite enjoyed looking at the scenery tbh and wasn’t in much of a rush. All I would say is, it would’ve been nice to have had a slightly longer stop somewhere. Cheers AV 😊👍
Whey man... 😃 you could of given me a wave coming through Newcastle 😆 🤣 😂
😂 I thought I saw you on the Tyne Bridge waiting for me mate 👍
Sounds good to me Mark
It wasn’t bad mate 👍
Years ago I took an overnight coach from Edinburgh to London. I can't remember why, as I am a railway enthusiast, but it may have been for cost. Never again. It was horrendous.
Cheers William, yep it’s not for everyone is it. I think cost is a major factor because, tbh, I’d probably travel by train first class every time if I could afford it. 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip I'm talking about a LOT of years ago when a single ticket on a train from Edinburgh to London cost about £10 On second thoughts, I probably took the coach because of a rail strike.
Back in 74 I had a summer job in Waverley Station and after 3 months got a travel pass which gave 75% discount. I did a train trip from Edinburgh to London, on to Cardiff and back to Edinburgh for £3.
Flix bus do Paris now from London ..think you can start the journey at Manchester , I work for the rivals so not quite up on the flixbus routes
You can start from a Manchester Lee yes. I just haven’t plucked up the courage to try it yet!!
You could of gone for the Premier Inn at York Place Edinburgh I've stayed at Premier Inn at York Place in Edinburgh Scotland when my wife and I went on Easyjet from Bristol Airport to Edinburgh Airport then I went on the Edinburgh trams from Edinburgh Airport to York Place in February 2020 before the lock down
Cheers Gavin, just trying to think, I may have stayed there before but my No.1 choice these days is the ‘Hub by Premier Inn’ on Rose St, close to the bus station, Waverley Street and some decent bars 👍
Long journey . I got 2 train tickets Edinburgh to London in May with one disabled pass and it cost £46 for two with Lumo.
That’s pretty good for two! 👍
can you get off to use the loo
Do the Paris trip,definitely!
Seriously looking at it 👍
Your comment about the length of the trip being, as you possibly reckoned, the longest coach trip in the UK, can be beaten. Megabus operates a service daily between Inverness and London, via Glasgow, taking between 12h 40m and 15h 30m depending on the number of en-route stops. It is the same coach all the way through, though there is a good long rest stop period at Glasgow.
There's also the daily service each way operated by National Express between Glasgow and Plymouth of up to 15h 15m, though it does stop at Birmingham Coach Station en route, for a change of coaches.
Reference the use of City Street stops as in Leeds and Newcastle, the major Coach and Bus Stations there and in many other locations, have access fees for Coach Operators imposed by the owners of the properties, usually being the City Council. In Leeds, the Coach Station part is for National Express services only; Megabus have access to one bay in the Bus Station part.
In other cities, the Coach Station might well be owned by National Express with sole use by their fleet only.
Regarding the "welcome" you had on arrival in Edinburgh Bus Station, the security team, whilst certainly not carrying out their duties in a clear manner, were doing their job. The Bus Station is just part of an overall site, owned by a private company called Coal Pension Properties, which has Edinburgh City Council run the Bus Station section of the site on their behalf.
If you check the Council's Web site, it does state that for anywhere under its responsibility, you have to arrange for permission to film and photograph in those areas. You simply cannot assume it will be ok to just film yourself, as you are after all, in an area where you may catch other people's images, and that can breach Information Commissioner Regulations. There are Privacy regulations especially when filming and photographing in places such as high footfall areas, such as Bus and Coach stations, airports and ports.
As a bus enthusiast, I've had issues at Bus Stations taking photos of vehicles as part of my hobby; it's the same for rail enthusiasts in train Stations, but the general rule of thumb is to ask first and take it from there. Most Transport Operators welcome enthusiasts, as they can prove to be another pair of eyes helping keeping an eye on Security matters and operations.
Cheers Iain, great info given and thanks for taking the time to provide such detail. The Megabus London to Inverness says ‘1 change’ so i guess it’s easy to assume that’s what happens at Glasgow but I’m presuming from your comment that you can just wait on the coach? The access fee thing - yep I thought it might be something like that. Sometimes though I reckon that can work out quite well. Take Birmingham for example whereby if you’re arriving by train, both Megabus and Flixbus ‘side of the road stops’ are much closer to New Street than NX (albeit there are no facilities at either).
As for Edinburgh City Council, yep, high footfall areas I’m sure there are lots and lots of rules and regulations, but I simply don’t have the time to be applying for permission to every single local authority etc etc I pass through. I get that that doesn’t validate me doing it but ultimately I don’t normally have an issue and most apply a common sense approach. If it does become a regular occurrence, both myself and many other UA-camrs making the effort to bring these videos to others will simply give it up. It will become too much hassle and certainly something I don’t need in my life. All the best, Mark 😊
The national express services from Glasgow to Plymouth have been discontinued. The services now only go to Birmingham since March 2020. The megabus services from Inverness are using citylink to Glasgow to change onto the London megabus services
@@s125ish An update is that asof the end of March, Megabus officially becomes part of Citylink with a UK network
i really enjoy some of the black sheep coffees , better then other chains imho .
I was more concerned with the sosig bap tbh 😂
Spent 6 months travelling Europe and Flix bus was fantastic. Can get everywhere for so cheap
Totally agree - especially if you’re not in a mad rush😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Thats true they're not great if you're in a rush but for price and destinations (they cover basically everywhere in Europe) they're great.
I think national express could be better. They do comfort breaks,and services. Do u think nat ex better than flix?
I think nat ex are better than flix in the sense that they do stop for breaks.
BlaBlaCar Bus is something I wanted to try, however bear in mind it can be booked mainly through SNCF Connect. As for coach travel in the UK, I would usually recommend National Express or Megabus, as Flixbus' UK services in my opinion are not as good as those in mainland Europe.
In any case great report, showing a good alternative of travel between London and Edinburgh, which has quite an open and competitive market
Cheers Enrico, well I have to try everything don’t I 😂 but tbf I did think this Flixbus was pretty good and that’s more props to McGills really as they came across really well in my opinion.
I would love to see you take the bla bla bus, just cos of its name. But it’s also different content…. I once took a coach at school in the 90s from Berkhamsted, just outside London to bad gastein in Austria … I think it was about 17hours.. it’s amazing how much a British man can suffer on an international coach journey,
Lol
Yep, I’ve done the coach camping thing a very long time ago and that’s an ordeal - no a/c then either! BlaBlaBus - watch this space! 👍
That was a great video Mark great job!
There is a journey I am interested in doing and I am unsure if it has been made aware to you. You recently did a video going from Portsmouth to Santander on the ferry which was also great by the way, however did you know there is a Megabus service that goes from Portsmouth, The Hard all the way upto Manchester, Shudehill Interchange? I do believe it is only a one per day service however and it leaves Portsmouth rather early around 8am which personally I believe is a little too early as it doesn't give anyone travelling over from say the Isle Of Wight for example the chance to make that connection. I am also aware Megabus do the same journey from Manchester to Portsmouth and it is timed much more reasonably in my opinion as it leaves Manchester Shudehill around roughly 10:50am or 11:25am depending on the day and gets to Portsmouth either around 18:15 or 18:45pm. This I believe is an exceptionally handy service by Megabus as it saves the need to change at London or Birmingham for example. Is this a route you may consider doing for a future video? I'm definitely thinking about doing it at somepoint myself as it could save a fair bit of time journey wise.
Personally if I was going up that distance I would prefer to get the train because more comfy, takes less time etc.. I do understand your point on the other hand people can't always get the train due to the price and do rely on the coaches, I wonder if Split Ticketing might be able to be used even if it adds on an additional hour or two to the train journey? Having said that though if I was to do the coach which I honestly would not mind trying I would probably do it if it meant I could get to Glasgow or Edinburgh early in the morning and do the reverse journey around late in the evening as it would then give enough time to explore the respective city centres and just have a relaxing time and to get the maximum amount of time possible out of the visit. That I personally feel is an advantage the coach journeys will always have over the trains which are nighttime services. By the way those members of staff at Edinburgh were extremely rude to you, perhaps they should do what they were actually paid to do to combat *Anti Social* Behaviour rather than picking on people who have only just got off the coach. My Friend, My A**e... Keep it up though Mark great job.
Cheers mate and thanks for the detailed reply. The Portsmouth thing, yep that Megabus one seems ideal for those wishing to take the ferry. One question I would have is whether it calls at the ferry terminal? I know the National Express one does but then you have to go to London first and catch it from there. Otherwise, yep it’s a 30 min(ish) walk. Still fine though.
Edinburgh bus station, well yep I guess it comes with the territory but imho, a little bit of a common sense approach should be used. I certainly don’t have the time or the inclination to be asking permission from whichever authority it is to film at every public space I walk around. If it becomes a ‘thing’ well I dunno, I’d have a long think about it all I guess. 😊👍
I always admire people that can withstand a long coach trip as I don't think I could!👏 But as you say, great value for money and Flixbus appear to have a good reputation. Those security guards were idiots!
Cheers Sheila, this was pretty good as far as long journeys go - a decent coach and great crew. Yeh the security guards, well, it’d been a long day, they could’ve been friendlier, not in my face and then it’s not a big deal is it. Thanks for the comment 😊👍
In the 1990s I travelled each year from Brussels to Spain, 1200 km overnight. You left in the afternoon and arrived at your destination before noon the next day. I was smart enough not to choose a destination in the south of Spain, which would have added another 500 km.
There were many stops (bus exchange, mandatory shopping in Luxemburg, lunch, breakfast and so on. In fact they discouraged us from using the bus toilet except for emergencies.
I was much younger, so I could take it. Today I don't know. My back and legs would hurt, not to mention other physical problems.
Though these organised bus travels with several companies cooperating have gone, killed by cheap air travel.
@@flitsertheo can you remember who that was with?
As I mentioned this was a cooperation between several independent touring car operators and the only one I can remember was a major company called "Omnium Tours". Probably they organised and coordinated the whole thing, with departures at least once a week during the whole summer. And if I'm not mistaken they went bust in the early 2000s.
Am doing that full journey on the 27/28th
Enjoy 👍
To make sure no one sits beside you it is important to take on a look that deters people and I always use my Jeremy Vine look. This works 100%.
Jeremy Vine lol! I must try that one!
Blooming heck I'm worn out watching this. I couldn't do it
lol, sorry about that! I’m getting used to it now David 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip You go through the pain so we don't have to!!