Cardiff to London with National Express. An Absolutely Ridiculous Price!

Well guys, I was interested in this trip for two reasons. Firstly, I hadn't ever been to Cardiff Coach Station before and secondly, the price I paid for this trip was absolutely ridiculous.
Join me on board as I show you the coach, the journey and (most importantly) what you get for your money. I'll tell you what I did to get it for such a crazy price and I'll also tell you why a bar of Snickers became a strange but useful analogy for the trip!
As always guys, I really appreciate your support. Any likes or subs are really appreciated. If you would like to support the channel further, I now have channel membership available (link below) and/or you can buy me a coffee to get me through these long, long journeys!
Cheers for now,
Mark
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#letsmakeatrip #coachtrip #nationalexpress #cardiff #london
📖Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - Cardiff Coach Station
04:11 - Cardiff to Newport
06:54 - Newport to London
11:48 - Approaching London
13:48 - Summary

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

📌 For people asking about the normal cheap fares (£4.90), they are currently bookable about 5 weeks in advance. For example booking on 21st Jan, there are plenty of £4.90 fares if you want to travel w/c 26 Feb. So as always, try and book as far in advance as possible and don’t forget to register with NX to skip the booking fee. Hope this helps.

[@Stornoman]

As an 80 year old soon to loose driving license your video gives me travelling hope.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Sorry to hear about the license but I’m pleased the videos help. All I would say is have a go, it’s a comfortable travelling environment and the drivers are friendly and helpful. Best wishes 😊

[@ZL54JK8]

Another informative and enjoyable report from Mark. A real pleasure to watch. I always admire his stamina no matter what might occur. I was pleased to hear him refer to "Cardiff railway station". Increasingly people are doing a hatchet-job on the language these days and talking about "train stations". Here in Britain we've always had "railway stations", and Mark is helping to keep us on the right track!

[@marksmith6571]

I actually drove for Chalfont coaches where we had 3 based at Cardiff and operated 6x 509 services every day. I did this for 4 years and thoroughly enjoyed my time as a National Express driver

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Mark, certainly my preferred operator and that’s as much to do with the staff as anything else.

[@sarahstrong7174]

All the best.

[@daviddavids5088]

National express is Excellent value Good drivers very clean buses Always enjoy using the service

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Agree with all those points 😊👍

[@wilsjane]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Over the decades, National Express have developed about the best, cheapest and mot reliable service in the UK. They have a secret that few passengers know. Around 1980 they opened a huge telephone booking centre at Victoria to lower the burden on the coach station, allow passengers at unmanned stops, allowing them to reduce the staff to a couple at final destinations. It worked extremely well. The secret was that the Victoria booking centre did not exist. They were the first major company where their entire staff worked from home. The computerised backbone of the system was also a first. The part that surprised me was the secrecy. Anyone who divulged what was happening would be instantly dismissed. I don't know, but this may still be happening today.

[@carlarthur4442]

Nice to hear someone actually getting a bargain for once with helpful staff 👍

[@user-fm3wc2nh3m]

Great video brought me up memories. I am from Greece Athens and I have visited cardiff from 1996 up to 2019 about 15 times. Thank God I had relatives to put me up. I do remember all my journeys with NX coaches either from gatwick or heathrow airport and I do recall the years when they had a small service providing passengers with sandwiches bars coffee tea and crisps at a price. Keep up the good job.

[@kennethausten]

Understand this is a new Bus station recently completed. Looks good . Son in Kent drives for Kings ferry now owned by National express. He loves it. A way of life .he calls it. Thanks for. Video. I am in Merthyr Tydfil after moving from Sittingbourne Kent 20 years ago.

[@origin178]

My family went from Newport to London by National Express just days before COVID hit the UK. We had taken one look at the obscene rail fares (even booking long before our trip) and gave up on the railways forever. The coach was smooth and quiet, and a small fraction of the ridiculous train fares. The extra hour didn't matter at all.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I went by coach a few years ago from London to Birmingham. The M6 was so busy it took us 5 hours. It was obscene for such a journey. I now travel by train, booking in advance, and will never use a coach again. I guess you get what you pay for...

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s time vs cost again - that is always a dilemma unless affordability isn’t an issue.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Did you consider getting a family railcard? Sometimes it can pay for itself in one or two journeys.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Also buy in advance. For example you can get a single from London Euston to Birmingham from £4. Is he honestly saying the coach is cheaper? I do not believe it. @@sarahstrong7174

[@DaveinLeeds]

Thanks Mark. I made a journey on the 561 coach from Victoria to Leeds (and Bradford) on Monday 22nd. It was a day when some parts of Britain had seen heavy storms, so some delays were always likely. The coach was supposed to leave at 10:30, but there was no sign of it and no information from staff, which was disappointing. However, it pulled up at 10:52, loaded up and left at 10:58, although the driver didn't give any reason for the delay. As we headed up the M1, the overhead signs warned of a 45-minute delay between J12 and J13; our only intermediate stop was Milton Keynes at J14. The driver left the motorway, (probably at J11, I wasn't fully concentrating at this point!) and took the A5 into Milton Keynes. With the advertised 45-minute motorway delay, I suspect this may have saved time, although of course non-motorway it's slower anyway. By this time we were exactly an hour late leaving Milton Keynes but made some time up on the rest of the journey after the driver change at Northampton services. Arrival at Leeds was at 15:40, forty minutes behind schedule, but having had a good run from MK. I never used the toilet, but the coach was clean and comfortable. There wasn't a USB charging point at my seat - no great issue personally as my phone was fully charged before leaving. And a real positive? The fare, with senior coachcard, was a mere £ 5.90, admittedly the cost of five Snickers but nevertheless good value. Sorry to ramble on a lot!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great price and thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I believe they can alter the route as they go depending on traffic conditions so maybe that’s what happened. Delay wasn’t too bad in the end 👍😊

[@bradwhiteuk]

Wow. It's hard to imagine how bad that experience could have been to NOT be worth £1.22! The fact that it looked perfectly nice and comfortable made this an absolute steal!! Great video 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was Brad, certainly no issues for me and like I said, you can't complain for the money can you.

[@Diana-andre2018]

Thanks Mark, I really enjoy your coach trips, whether the UK or abroad, mainly because your viewers get to see towns, surrounding countryside and various places of interest and also not forgetting your excellent and informative commentary on all the trips you make. The price you paid was simply amazing😮, all that distance for £1.22! But, oh dear the weather! and you then mentioned it had rained everyday since Christmas, and to be honest it makes me very happy that I live on a warm and sunny island some 2,000 miles away.😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Diana and thanks for the kind words. I tell you what, I wish I was on an island 2000 miles away sometimes too! Maybe one day!

[@alantaylor1201]

National Express are brilliant. Clean spacious and cheap. Started to use them to get to London during the train strikes. Like them a lot.

[@stevedeakin1883]

Really enjoyed the video as usual . That price was unreal . Well done for getting that . Looking forward to seeing the next video 😀.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Steve and thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated.

[@ednammansfield8553]

Very interesting video. I have travelled with National Express many times. The coaches are very comfortable and unlike the railways they are almost always on time and you are guaranteed a seat. Prices for travel are very good and also a lot cheaper than the railways. As I am 75 now I prefer travelling by National Express for long journeys across the country.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Good to hear. I still use both but you’re right, coaches offer comfort and value providing you’re not in any great rush to get to your destination 👍

[@johnferguson1412]

At 7.30 I was expecting Kate Bush to start singing 'Babooshka''

[@Mossadagent666]

🤣🤣😜💯Same here 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It is a bit like that isn't it!

[@bobbythomas200420032]

Hi a great video and I really enjoyed it so much. Happy New Year and what a great price for the coach ticket.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Bobby and a happy new year to you too mate

[@tommypayne1980]

Thats a great price compared to a comparable train ticket

[@CoachdriverScotland2023]

I can say from experience as a coach driver, that the location of USB ports etc between seats is a great frustration for passengers. One of our coaches has them above you, next to the reading lights, which I think is probably more awkward but also easier to spot. Great video again Mark, and we do love a bargain!! Cheers for now 😉

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. Yes I’ve been on one with the usb ports in the luggage racks. Did seem a bit odd but when you think of ease of access, you’re right - much better 👍

[@thehauntedexplorers1738]

Just found your channel and I find your videos really relaxing. I have been binge watching your videos all afternoon.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Well thanks very much for watching (lots) it is much appreciated. Cheers 😊👍

[@elainebines6803]

I quite enjoy coach trips. Thankyou for the tips 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

No problem at all Elaine, hope the vids are useful.

[@ABritishBoyAndAFilipina]

I use National Express for trips to Heathrow, from Barnstaple where I live its just 5 minute walk to Bus station, they are good coaches and more importantly reliable, and return from Barnstaple (North Devon) to Heathrow T4 is just £52 which I think is very good value compared to train fares. Your review is very accurate. I have another trip in less than 3 weeks time, off to the Philippines for a month! My second trip there out of 3 this year.

[@OLLYSFOOTBALL]

Great video Mark! Always love watching your videos! Got an absolute bargain with that trip!! 👀

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Olly, I appreciate the support mate 😊👍

[@iangould3564]

Brilliant video, very informative, thank you 👍👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for the comment, appreciated and I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@dougaldouglas8842]

I always have used this company because of its reasonable fares, clean coaches, good drivers

[@nationalexpresscoach]

Glad you enjoyed your trip Mark! Hope to see you on another one of our services very soon 😀

[@robwembley]

That was really enjoyable. Thank you for your channel. I have very happily subscribed !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Rob, glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the sub.

[@justincarroll9846]

Worked for national Express for 5 years in Gatwick Crawley as a driver. I loved every minute of it.Passengers were always nice even the tourist from overseas Till they decided to make me and my work colleagues redundant.The manager at the time was top dollar. I work for Go ahead London now for eleven years.If they returned to Gatwick id jump ship in a heart beat.

[@paulparry1197]

Thanks for the trip. 😀

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for commenting Paul. Much appreciated.

[@Timstravels01]

Ridiculous price! What a bargain. Glad the journey wasn’t too much of a marathon. 😀

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, see what you did there...

[@peonycottageboutique4154]

Well, that was the deal of the year! What a crazy good price and good journey as well.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was pretty good wasn't it. If they do it again, I reckon I can get one for under a pound but I'll need to wait and see if it comes around again this year.

[@lynetteboye5798]

I like travelling with national Express the coach is very clean

[@spark_6710]

Thanx for showing Sophia Garden !! I've been thinking of taking National express from there ,too ! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🚍💞

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You're welcome. A decent enough coach station (if it's not raining). Enjoy!

[@cardiffian558]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Sophia [so-FY-ah] Gardens bus station was meant to be just a temporary arrangement until the new Central bus station next to the railway station had been completed. It is now five years overdue, and it is expected not to open until at least next December.

[@Phil-oj5nr]

Years ago an acquaintance booked on InterCity (NZ) from Wairoa to Dunedin. He paid $1.00 from Wairoa to Napier, another dollar Napier to Wellington. The foot passenger cost on the Ferry to Picton would have been about $40.00 ( it’s about $60.00 now) Another $1.00 to Christchurch, and the final leg to Dunedin was another dollar. By booking months ahead he saved himself about $140.00 on the round trip, as he booked the same legs back. He was then able to pay for several nights comfortable accommodation with the savings.

[@penaltygallery]

When I was in NZ about ten years ago I booked all my travel around the country when I arrived there and am pretty sure I got a couple of $1 tickets too

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Nice! That’s the way to do it. Always pays to book in advance if you can 👍

[@Treetops17]

That trip was a real bargain 👍😁 Look forward to the next one as always 🤗

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep can’t go wrong for the price of a chocolate bar! 👍

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

3:59 it’s certainly similar to Bus Éireann/Transport for Ireland coaches - given the choice, the overnight coach option from Manchester is usually the best option, as after the ferry arrives from Holyhead, the coach drives straight off the ferry and directly to Dublin Busaras from Dublin Port for onward travel on Bus Éireann’s network

[@ianjames9166]

Another enjoyable watch Mark! Even the regular price seems ridiculously cheap. You got the bargain of the decade there.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Ian and yes, even the normal price you can get a few weeks in advance £4.90 can’t complain at that 😊👍

[@Camymanc]

13k plus views in under 24hrs. Good to see your channel growing Mark 🍻

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep good old UK coach travel vs worldwide iconic travel spots = no contest! 😂

[@jinqster4384]

This is why i became a ko-fi member for the calm video's and the British views.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate, and your support is truly appreciated. Cheers.

[@katiemace8864]

Great video look forward to the next one

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Katie 😊

[@jackharrison6771]

Good video, again thanks. £1.20 eh? I defy anyone to beat that, and for the same comfort etc. I have a huge German Shepherd dog, which is another reason why I prefer to drive. But I can certainly see the attraction of coach. Keep up the great work Mark.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Thankyou for sharing.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for the comment 😊👍

[@cortina64]

Amazing price ! Thank you, I will look into Natural Express

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You’re welcome.

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

Back in the day they would have a stewardess service, serving snacks and drinks. I see that has all gone now.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

The jolly hostess and the Rapide service. Long done and I never had the pleasure unfortunately.

[@vincenzocherubini2424]

My ex used to work as a stewardess on that service. They also used to show films. The reason they stopped it "apparently" was because "customers weren't too keen on it", and also to "improve" the service (???). In other words, "cobblers"!@@LetsMakeaTrip

[@wokingjames]

Looked a good trip, I used to do the Haverfordwest to London National Express trip, think it was a tenner in the 1990s. Early start and long trip though!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Coming from Haverfordwest James I guess that's another couple of hours at least added onto the front of the trip. Nice part of the world though.

[@ianhiggon-caswell4225]

I used to do the London's as a driver with nx but we used to stop at chepstow both ways and at earls court going in that was in 2002 till 2094

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Earls Court would be a decent stop with the tube. Hammersmith was fine too tbh and only 100yds from the tube there. Much better than Victoria.

[@martindavis6115]

Thanks for another great video. You clearly got a bargain deal there. In the past I've done a number of local trips on the 509 over the Newport-Cardiff-Newport section. This was back in the days of Cardiff Central Bus Station. At the time you had to check in before departure and get given a boarding pass. Remember the coach station staff and the drivers being surprised when I showed up stating I was only going to Newport. I also remember once buying a single from Cardiff to Newport from the ticket machine. Same price or possibly less than the local bus I'd caught there.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I wonder how that compares to the train. I guess most take the train hence the surprise! I believe a more central coach station will be opening soon nearer to the station so I’ll need to try that out at some point. Cheers for the comment 😊👍

[@martindavis6115]

@@LetsMakeaTrip As far as known Newport Transport run at least 2 services between Newport and Cardiff. A more direct route via the M4 and a more indirect route. The NX coach back to Newport was definitley quicker than the local bus I had caught to Cardiff as the local bus called at a few stops on the outskirts of Newport and also at a hospital near the motorway.

[@sardav160479]

Brings back memories doing that journey when having to go for hospital appointments at Charing Cross hospital

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I hope not too bad a reminder!

[@sardav160479]

@@LetsMakeaTrip mostly OK except for the once when the coach failed too stop at the satellite stop in Hammersmith, I can still see the coach going over the flyover and think how am I going to get back too Cardiff. Ended up having to go to Victoria coach station for a later coach and getting back to Cardiff after midnight and had too pay for a taxi back to Barry as I missed the last train

[@nickhiscock8948]

That bus looked like it had a very spacious toilet which is nice as so many are tiny like on planes.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s a very standard loo for NX and I agree, decent size and the best one I’ve seen so far - very clean 😊

[@DavoInMelbourne]

I used to take the Port Talbot to Heathrow coach for holidays. Great service.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve taken a Megabus to Heathrow and yes, a convenient way to reach the airport if you’re not in a rush. I’d definitely do it again 👍

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always, hope all is well, take care

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Peter, thanks very much mate for another comment. Hope you're good too mate.

[@peterdnreynolds777]

@@LetsMakeaTrip thanks Mark. Just a bit of a busy and stressful time with work and moving house. Moved house on Friday but still unpacking and sorting everything out. Hope all is well with you

[@tonywright8294]

Great video .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Tony 👍😊

[@swanvictor887]

I'm feeling miffed! lol. Before I finally left the UK for good in 2010, because I had a girlfriend living in Brunei (now my wife), I had to regularly take a coach from my home town of Swansea, to Heathrow Airport: the cheapest fare by National Express was at least 30quid, while a few times I paid over 50 ! For the most part, I hired a car, as it worked out pretty much the same.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

£30’s dear by my reckoning. I mean you can pay that near to the time of travel which is why I always try and book as far in advance as possible. Probably comparable to the train at those prices too!

[@alanshelly7068]

Awesome video Mark from Alan in Lowestoft 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Alan, glad you enjoyed it mate.

[@mikedown1250]

Born in caerdydd, now live abroad. nice to see that some things work at a cheap fare

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Some things Mike (if you look for them).

[@busouting]

Brilliant video. I love a bargain too. You did well

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, thanks for the comment.

[@Darryl_Smith]

Crazy price you got there - good job!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Darryl, yep i was very pleased with that tbh 😊👍

[@ozgirl45]

Nice coach and an amazing price!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, I can definitely recommend it 😊👍

[@paulhellander2791]

I didn’t leave Blighty specifically because of the weather - though I had by then developed a connection with Greece. I had lost my mother, brother and father over the previous two years so there was little incentive to stay. Greece was my plan at the time :-) with its better weather, of course. But even that plan went awry when after two years I was imported into Australia to teach Greek. I am still here after 47 years. I have a fondness tinged with sadness about the UK and the sight of rain really brings it on. I watch all of Mark’s movies with great pleasure and nostalgia.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

And it’s a pleasure having subscribers like yourself sir 😊

[@redshorse]

Excellent !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bungabening3530]

I enjoy a coach journey now and again and had a very good experience with Flix Bus on three journeys on the continent a couple of years ago. If there are any problems, it's not usually with the bus company but with fellow passengers. However, one of the most depressing places in the UK has to be Victoria Coach Station. Always reminds of that extra-terrestrial bar in the original Star Wars movie

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, next time I go there I won’t be able to get that Star Wars scene out of my head 😂

[@juliesmith5567]

I love seeing that bus or coach around national express haven't for a while now I know where it travel I'm surprised where

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Julie, it’s very distinctive isn’t it. I’m always interested to see where they’re going if I see one on my travels 😊

[@MarcsCupofTea]

Another Great review 👍 The price was unreal £1.22 good find there! I tried flix for the first time last week and thought that was cheap for the price of a happy meal😂 Plug sockets seem to be so hit and miss now but a power bank is definitely a must have item 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Marc, yep tbh this was a great deal and I’d consider anything around a tenner to be a bargain, anywhere. Flix are pretty good for these deals too, just gotta keep an eye out 😊👍

[@MarcsCupofTea]

@@LetsMakeaTrip yeah the competition is really good for the paying public now. I remember national express being really expensive back before Megabus turned up in the early 2000's

[@robertalan3214]

Great trip Mark, pity about the weather 🙄, absolute bargain though 👌

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Total bargain mate. And it was Jan so I guess that’s the weather isn’t it atm.

[@218colin1]

Lovely video can’t beat a London trip especially at that price. I worked for Newport bus. The green bus you overtook on the motorway. And in Newport city centre not now no patience to drive buses on road only minibuses.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Colin, total bargain price yes. I liked the look of those Newport buses, very smart 👍

[@user-fs7yp9vl2g]

That price is amazing mate, even worth a trip to London in that terrible weather for that price, I payed more than that the other day on the tram in Blackpool for a short distance!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was pretty-good wasn't it. I've been on the Blackpool Trams myself and no they're not particularly cheap I didn't think.

[@tsl56]

Yes, I wanted to book for April, but not scheduled yet. Have used NE before to and from Heathrow, and no regrets

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You can get some decent fares from around 5 weeks in advance (see pinned post) 😊👍

[@user-nx8ii4ef7f]

They are lovely coaches, well driven, not expensive but sadly rarely full!!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve had one or two cases where someone’s sat next to me but in the main, I manage to have two to myself.

[@Midlandstransporthub]

Great video mate! Back in 2018 I once went from my hometown of Leamington Spa to London for just £1.40! Unfortunately NX don't serve here anymore though

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That's a pretty good price. Surprised they don't serve Leamington Spa anymore though. I bet they go to Warwick?

[@pas7680]

national express is normally reasonably priced with the exception of when there's a train strike and they 10x the price and take the piss. megabus and flix don't seem to do this anywhere as bad.

[@maxwilson5176]

The new Levante 3As are fantastic, good to see USB-C has also been rolled out into them as well

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

USB C -that’s interesting and yep, good to see with how charging is these days. I may need to book a flight from Bristol and try one of these out 👍

[@maxwilson5176]

@@LetsMakeaTrip You will also often find them on the 200/201 routes between Gatwick and Bristol/Swansea via Heathrow as you mentioned, very common as well. Really nice ride. Great video as always 👍

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Incredible price, remember its a marathon not a snickers.. I survived my NX journey to London in November, have to say I had no problems and like you found the staff really great. I'm now always considering it as an alternative when the trains are a ridiculous price. Shame about the weather, but its the UK in December, it never gets better!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Daz, I’m old enough to remember Marathons too - there was uproar when they decided to ‘Americanise’ the name 😂 I hope they run the promotion again but like you say, regular prices are still decent and a viable alternative to the train if you have the time.

[@sunflower-xj6pe]

I was thinking of taking a Flixbus coach from London to Bruges but after I heard that screaming baby on your video I best give it a miss 😂

[@paulmark63]

Hi mark it’s Paul from Kent thank you a again for the video I tel l you a story about the 509 which I put on my Facebook group group.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Paul, I did enjoy that story. If you saw my Flixbus video to Liverpool the driver there didn't know his way to the bus station. Different circumstances tbh and well, it was quite funny in the end really!

[@elliottg.1954]

Thanks for your video. NX are cheap sometimes but they have cut a lot of services. Things may have changed lately, but our last trip was a nightmare with rowdy drunks onboard. NX advertises free WiFi and USB, but they're often turned off or just not available. If the staff are actually polite and friendly, well that aspect really has improved.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Generally speaking the staff have been pretty good in my experience. Passengers, yes but of a lottery unfortunately!

[@pitmatix1457]

Coach prices are ridiculously cheap, especially compared to the insane train prices we have nowadays. I think the rain just makes you more glad to be inside the bus. I'd rather that than a hot day stuck on the bus.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

And you’re guaranteed a seat on the coach of course 👍

[@jackmaher9296]

Quality video mark. Was the price one off or is it always this price?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was a promo deal, best price in advance is currently £4.90

[@thomasfy4]

I once paid £3 from London to Leeds and an overnight hotel, plus train would have been £250

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

And this is why coach travel can be a viable alternative. Trains can be ridiculous price-wise.

[@utube20able]

£1.22 that's impressive 😊

[@steve-marsh]

Oh I'd love to get on one of those brand new coaches! But hey, not a bad price for what you got eh?! :D

[@charliebrady9649]

You need to do a video of Aberdeen to London on Flixbus 😉

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, can't go wrong for that price. I may have to try a flight from BRS and getting the train down to Cardiff and the coach from there (now I know about it) is probably the cheapest way of doing it.

[@dps8435]

Me and my mate in the 80"s used to use promotions with persil washing powder and national express to travel from coventry to liverpool for the footy it was so cheap they were almost paying us.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great memories those I used to ride on the Hotspur bus from Shrews up to Liverpool for the football. Good days 😊👍

[@kevinmartin3859]

Glad you enjoyed the journey as an ex express driver for national Welsh in 83/84 that was a fair deal the route was then over the old Severn bridge with only pick up in Newport also we started from the central bus as it was then from Newport to Heathrow then straight to Victoria coach station although there one or two we called into Chepstow. On one I drove I was coming out of the tunnel at Heathrow when the bomb went off because of this there was a delay on the return trip but I can't remember the outcome of the explosion but I glad to be coming out of Heathrow but my thoughts are with anybody that got caught in explosion

[@meichong8278]

Are you saying there was a bomb attack at Heathrow ..... I dont remember that

[@philiptownsend4026]

That was the first video of yours that I have seen. It was interesting, I enjoyed it and it got me thinking. In a lifetime of working in the UK the types of jobs that I had entailed a lot of travel by all technologies and I must have travelled almost everywhere in the UK at some time or other. I am now retired and live in a village on top of a hill in Central Europe, seldom travelling more than 20 miles or so. I am bored and miss my home country, England, for many reasons but try to make the best of it here as there are some benefits to living here. I shall watch many more of your videos for nostalgia's sake. Thank you. P.S. Please don't think me rude but it seems to me that you have carved yourself a nice entertaining, worthwhile, and fun new retirement career as a travel vlogger - very enterprising and well done.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Phillip, I’ve got to say, I’m not sure I’ve ever had a comment like yours before. wrt where you live, I guess lots of people aspire to that kind of thing (I know I have in the past) but these days of course the likes of KZbin can provide some escapism. If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t bother with ‘normal’ tv anymore because on KZbin you can get anything you want, whenever you want it. It’s totally revolutionised this kind of entertainment imo and you’re right, anyone can do it if they want to. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy though, it’s taken a lot of hard work to get to the point where I can see any return for it. Not that that was the point of doing it in the first place but yes, it’s going to allow me to retire early (which is great) but I’m certainly not going to stop doing this for a bit! I enjoy it too much. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Appreciated 😊

[@mothmagic1]

The railways could learn a few lessons from National Express. My wife and I are frequent users and can't fault them.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Very true! And you are guaranteed a seat 👍

[@sharonellis8776]

I used NE between Birmingham and Cardiff for a Dr Who weekend in 2017. It was great. xx

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Surprised you didn't use the TARDIS.....

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

There will be a comment about a tardis here I guarantee!

[@margaretsofocleous1999]

I would not recommend a solo female arriving in Sophia gardens after dark on the return journey from London. It felt unsafe and badly lit as I made my connection to a local bus stop. As a university city and the capital I think it's disgusting to have such a situation. There are taxis but again I wouldn't suggest travelling alone after dark

[@paulkelly9554]

Cornwall to Liverpool cost me £85.00 it was a 12 hour Journey with a change of coach at Birmingham, the coach out of Birmingham was packed to the rafters with students, and i thought my price was good. Good going on the fare.

[@adammoat3100]

I went from Canterbury to Liverpool for a week was so cheap will use to to travel to Scotland next time

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

The Scottish runs are some of my favourites though you do need some stamina on the overnights tbh!

[@randomtransportguyx4397]

The levante 2s and 2.5s are something special. Been trying to get one for ages

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Interesting, didn’t know there was a 2.5 👍

[@randomtransportguyx4397]

@@LetsMakeaTrip yeah it looks like a 2 but with elements of the three

[@FrostyGaming8394]

Hi Mark how you doing? Great video as always very well filmed and edited with perfect background music added in the road scenes, its very weird that National Express have a coach station in a park, those new national express coaches are really nice its ashame that you had the older one that was parked up there it was registered first in July 2017 its 6 years old but 7 in July its mental but it looked alright for the age, the seats on the coach looked very standard indeed but everything standard very weird place to put a usb charging port, the toilet did look looked after indeed plus fully stocked for soap plus toilet roll, its great that the internet worked on the coach without no issues which also tops off the coaches well looked after perspective, the price you paid for the journey £4.90 original but £1.22 for that funny vending machine plus Amazon is an abosulte bargain for a 4 hour coach journey from Cardiff to London definitly worth doing anyways i hope your having a good day Mark and keep up the great content on your channel like always 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers FG mate, nice comment as usual and good to see you agree with the price etc. Yes it was an older coach but it was well looked after don't you think? I'd love to try one of those new ones though.

[@jeffreycrawley1216]

Cheaper than chips and a lot less fattening - well done!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Jeffrey and thanks for watching and commenting mate, much appreciated

[@JulieAsh]

Thanks for testing this as I've been thinking of trying out the coach to London for a cheaper alternative. Nice looking seats and a bargain price 👌 Unfortunately I can't walk that far from Cardiff Station due to arthritis in my hip. I wonder...was that a carpark there at Sophia Gardens for passengers to leave their cars or just a place for dropping off only

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’m not sure but I would imagine that car park is just a regular pay and display for the area. So I guess you could still use it but depends if you can park overnight. Alternatively, maybe train to Newport and coach from there as the station’s a bit nearer?

[@martinholland3938]

Wow what an absolute bargin you got there. I hope to visit Cardiff to go to the cricket ground you mentioned. If I can find some reasonable priced accommodation anything you can recommend under 100 a night. Thanks

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Martin. Premier inn and Travelodge would be your best bet imo.

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

I’ve noticed this on National Express since Covid - living in Manchester and having family in Ireland they withdrew the 880 overnight service from Leeds, via Manchester, Liverpool & Holyhead to Dublin, then they replaced this with a connecting service to join the existing 871 overnight service from London at Birmingham to Dublin via Holyhead - it’s now over 50% cheaper for me to use the SailRail via Chester, Crewe or Lladnuo to Dublin via Holyhead, but with constant rail strikes and disruptions it’s not without its problems - as I’m totally reliant on public transport, I’ve noticed the same things are happening on flights from Manchester and Liverpool to Dublin and flight disruptions are happening at the last minute, even after checking in and before you get to the gate

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I did the overnight London - Dublin coach, I wouldn’t do it again. Sail Rail is competitively priced and if I don’t have luggage, I’ll fly.

[@andrewvannan1714]

I got a £1 london to glasgow in the days of oldskool megabus, and one or two £9 Nat Express equivalent ones

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I remember those £1 fares with Megabus. Haven't seen any remotely close to that for a while but I'm always on the look out for promos.

[@meichong8278]

Did you ever use the overnight coaches at the side of Kings X / St Pancras ...£10 to Edinburgh or Glasgow , cant remembering if it was a big coach company or private one but they were always fullish ...

[@andrewvannan1714]

@@meichong8278 I have not yet, but used the NX and at times Megabus to Victoria.

[@meichong8278]

@@andrewvannan1714 Yeah I've been thinking and Citylink I think was the company ... was a long time ago though .. before the gentrification

[@andrewvannan1714]

@@meichong8278 as far as I last know citylink London only provides from KGX to Stansted and oth airports

[@enricomonti156]

My goodness £1.22. It is absolutely a no brainer to travel on such promotional fare straight into London. My cheapest National Express so far is one I booked for 16th February at 2 am between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport, which costed me £5.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know and even without the discount this kind of journey for under a fiver is pretty good. There's quite a few about, London - Portsmouth for around £4 etc. Best advice I can give is to sign up to their website and you never have to pay the £1 booking fee (unlike Megabus and Flixbus). Cheers Enrico

[@enricomonti156]

@@LetsMakeaTrip luckily I have registered with National Express for about 6 years so usually book them online

[@johnroberts2331]

Hi Mark, how do you go about using National Express on Prime? Or have I misunderstood? I've not heard of this before! Cheers and Thank you for another great coach video. Your coach reviews are my favourite! I'll never use MB or FB! Always NX for me.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers John. It was just a promo in November mate. If they do it again, you just basically pay via Amazon and all the instructions are on there.

[@johnroberts2331]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Interesting Thank you Mark! I subscribe to NX and Prime so I'll keep an eye out! Keep the videos coming.

[@user-ze7ij7ei8y]

What a bargain Mark….enjoyed your video…

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it.

[@stevekirkby6570]

As I left the UK I had to travel from Lincoln to Heathrow. I decided to leave in style and got a taxi! LOL, it was about a tenner more expensive than the train and it was door to door. No hassle. I did think about the coach, but too slow and several changes.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s the time/cost conundrum isn’t it and yes if you afford it, taxi is fine 😊

[@joesophie90]

The cheapest coach trip I have ever taken was via MegaBus. I travelled from Sheffield to Aviemore via Edinburgh and back, for £4.50 A return journey of around 750 miles. I was charged £1 from Sheffield to Edinburgh and £1 from Edinburgh to Aviemore and the same on my return plus a 50p booking fee.

[@joesophie90]

I have managed this twice!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Wow, superb price and note the booking fee has doubled since then too! Well done on finding those prices 👍