My Worst Trip EVER!! Taking the Megabus Overnight Coach from London to Glasgow.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Guys, I had a few comments on here basically saying ‘what did you expect for £11’. Well just to let you know, I’ve booked another overnight trip from London to Edinburgh for the same price. THIS time, with National Express. So after I’ve taken that trip, I guess we’ll find out whether my expectations for some degree of comfort and basic hygiene with Megabus were reasonable or not. Many thanks for all your engagement on this video. Much appreciated 😊

[@0kimbc28]

Have you done a video for you London to Edinburgh National Express trip?

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

As a former driver on our awful excuse for national road public transport, I know a few things. Like the Care Bear or driver who talked of using the 'crew seat' would be in serious trouble if you made a thing about it. Firstly, it is marked crew seat to be in no doubt, but the main reason is literally a tale of life or death. The first life-saving bulkhead of a coaches main structure, sits at the feet and knees of the first four passenger seats. That does not include the driver or crew seat. Everything before is for steering, controls, and aesthetics, bar the windscreen. In the event of a serious head-on collision, there is little chance of survival for the driver and crew seat, and that is why you NEVER can use it as a passenger seat. On the other two issues. Companies will do anything not to use toilets, if they can avoid it. The cost of constant hygiene, and a stench that never leaves as the coach ages, keeps operators loathing them. There was no excuse for not keeping the auxiliary potable water tank full for passenger use though, other than a driver being pushed for every passing minute. They work drivers to the absolute maximum legal hours, which is fine when you can keep good time, which given your distance to travel, was actually the best part of your trip. [ VDL btw way, is the modern company made up of these former manufacturers: Berkhof, Bova, DAF Bus, Hainje, Jonckheere and Kusters in the Netherlands]. I'm guessing for Megabus being almost the same as National Express operationally. Although they both have head offices, central to each organisation, almost all routes are franchised these days, to private operators. They receive enough standard and liveried vehicles to operate, and if you look down to the right of the main passenger door, just before the front nearside wheel, the name of the operator is written there. Sometimes, enough mechanical failures happen that the private company has to use one of their company private hire fleet buses. It also seems as you might have happened upon, what is known as a 'dupe'. A duplicate service vehicle. Tickets do not stop being sold, if the scheduled service exceeds the capacity of the service vehicle, or if that scheduled, missing vehicle had more seats sold than the one replacing it has capacity for. So if you have 60 seats to sell, and you sell 75, 80 or even 100 tickets, a second vehicle carrying the same service number and even time of service, will arrive to take the next set of passengers. The record I had for a 'duplicate' was around 350 passengers for one service, on a Good Friday, from Portsmouth International Harbour Terminal, to London Victoria. I had to fill 5 duplicate private hire vehicles, and my own, before setting off, as they all fell under my allotted journey. Most drivers I have known are truly excellent at their jobs, they really do their very best for you under the circumstances, and I'm sure the operating companies would too, if they weren't under almost permanent threat of going under, for just fuel costs at this time (June 2022) Where airlines learned lessons over the decades, that always tries to balance passenger comfort, against seat volume, it has never changed for coaches. With each one needing to cram. I honestly would always say get the train, unless you and some friends or associates are travelling out for leisure, when that sort of coach and driver will be far more fun, and will have a greater say on your comfort, and wishes. The way national transport is set up, is dictated first by the Ministry of Transport (heavily subsidised in some cases) and then made worse by the policies of corporates like National Express (NX) or Megabus. However, their procedures are often based on historic incidents and idiots, like NX not using double-deckers after a young driver tipped one over horrifically. Or you might remember vaping being allowed on Megabus, until the vape coming out of someone's luggage, triggered a major terrorist alert, and a massive emergency response and presence some years back. Just one more thing. Never trust timetables. They are set using Easter Sunday logistical journey data, so on the other 364 days of the year, you have no chance, on any route involving distance. I have to say, I truly despised my time in national public transport. It broke my heart that so many have had the exact experience you went through, and much, much worse sometimes. Like arriving 5 hours late, after being trapped on a closed motorway, for instance. All I would ask, is slag the companies if you like, they always deserve it, but never have a go at your driver, because they are the last before yourself, to know of any issues, and still they will always give their best. Unlike the local bus drivers, that you see in towns. They are miserable gits. Sorry guys, but you are 🤣🤣🤣

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Steven, many, many thanks for this detailed reply. I have taken a screenshot (hope you don’t mind) as I found it very interesting and will be very useful in my future travels. As you may know with my channel, coach travel is not something I do that often so I’m certainly not an expert (though judging by the view/sub numbers I will be booking a lot more!!). The crew seat thing. Yep, all I can relay is what was said to us on the night but tbf, somebody else (probably the driver) did point out that it could not be used so that idea was quickly dropped. Interestingly I was on the aircoach to Dublin Airport recently and the driver told me to sit in the crew seat as the coach was full. I did, but I would think twice about it now, knowing what you’ve said about the vulnerability of it. The toilet was disappointing. Did the driver even know it was empty? Is there an indicator on the dash? A few flights (Loganair mainly) I’ve been on have had similar issues but they at least leave wipes and sanitizer in the sink. Somebody else in the comments mentioned ‘dupes’ and I totally get that. The m11x I guess would be an ‘extra’ service. It only leaves half an hour after the previous one and does not stop anywhere (other than Sandbach). Like I said in the video, the driver was ok really, under trying circumstances I’m sure. He was saying Megabus were supposed to be getting some new buses on the route in a week or so. I think, overall I was unlucky with a number of factors. Some people have commented along the lines of ‘what do you expect for £11’ which I think misses the point a bit. I can pay the same money for the same trip in a better coach in terms of comfort, facilities, punctuality and I would also be happy to pay more for better. I get that not everyone can but that doesn’t mean you should put up with anything so long as it gets you from A to B. Otherwise, you might as well be in the back of a lorry. Has it put me off coach travel? Yes and no. I think there’s a lot more to discover (Citylink and Eurolines to name two) and a lot more interesting routes. However, I’m definitely thinking that overnight routes are not for me. Never say never though. Again, many thanks for the reply, it’s truly appreciated. All the best, Mark 😊👍

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

@@LetsMakeaTrip No, I don't mind at all, every public word is there for others. It's funny you mention an airline, I would like to see aircraft style checklists. I would always upset me how fixtures and fittings were so unimportant to companies, and only engine and safety mattered. That of course is the priority, but a coach speaks a lot about the driver, and when it's falling apart you can't help but attribute the condition to the driver somehow. The days are gone for most companies, where each driver has their own coach. If there's anything that makes a driver work to 110% safety, it's knowing the first bulkhead is behind you. Turns out a great sense of self-preservation can only be a good thing for your passengers 🤣 Sadly I can never travel on coaches, now I don't drive them for a living. Ever since childhood, I actually get coach sick, unless I'm in the driver's seat. Nice to speak to you Mark, and I shall follow your channel. All the education and experience is no use being just in my head, so I will always share. Plus I still hold my licence, so if you ever simply decide to just buy your own coach and have done with it, then I never fell out of love with the driving part. It was the company politics, and the way passengers were always lied to at every opportunity, that burned me. There's even a clause in your contract at NX, that forbids you from telling the truth, as it would always bring the company into disrepute. I only broke that clause errrrrr 100% of the time. As Tony Montana famously said, 'All I have in life, is my word, and my balls, and I don't break them for nobody' - Thank you for your content, and your obvious resilience 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@stevenmacdonald9619 Great words mate, really enjoyed reading your, well, honest experiences and advice really. I don’t know if you’ve had the time (or the inclination) but I have taken some other coach journeys over the last year or so and, you know, in the main, they’ve been ok - especially the last two NX journeys. I was always dreading the overnight experience but this was worse than even I imagined. However, the earlier journeys did whet my appetite and there will be more! I didn’t mention before but I was over in Mexico City last month and I took a coach down to Acapulco. That was an amazing experience and I’ll post up that video in around a months time (I’m running a bit behind on trip reports atm). All the best mate, Mark 👍

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

@@LetsMakeaTrip It didn't happen, but that was something I really wanted to do. Drive coaches in other countries, which suddenly gets called a motorhome in the U.S. Coast to coast would be great fun. I will check out your other videos for sure 😁

[@catrescuer]

Excellent insight…can the driver simply refuse entry to passengers if overbooked? Really scary to be left behind.

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

Around 15 years ago I took a National Express coach from Victoria to Loughborough, stopping via Leicester. We pulled off the M1 and spent a good 45 minutes just driving around Leicester until eventually the driver stood up and said "does anyone know where the coach station is?" ... One of the passengers then went up front and sat next to the driver guiding him around the ring road until eventually he got us to the coach terminal. Classic trip that was.

[@gbjanuary]

Nice I think I remember I that. Used to take that trip to visit a friend at uni in Loughborough 😀👍🏻

[@bobnice3044]

I would have guided it to my doorstep.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You should watch my Flixbus video Clive! Similar experience.

[@davidhealy4534]

I went from Victoria to Liverpool in 2009 on National express to see Gloria Estefan. The trip and concert were good,i just couldn't get out of Liverpool fast enough. What a toilet.

[@cccRRR7]

How can 😂😂😂😂😂

[@algie-t2w]

Travelling by public transport in Britain is always utterly ghastly. It is symbolic of what a shambolic, dirty slum of a country we now inhabit. The financially well-off will wonder what I'm talking about.

[@davidyoung9561]

I couldn't agree more. This country is the pits now. Public transport in this country is over priced and inefficient and then they wonder why there are so many cars on the road, hence why the roads are constantly gridlocked. This will be a 3rd world country by 2030.

[@calpsy]

I was in total agreement with everything you said about this service UNTIL you gave the price. What exactly are you looking for when you pay £10.99 ? ? You really do get what you pay for.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I think any passenger should expect a reasonable level of comfort and basic hygiene standards. I won’t talk about driver working practices because others who know a lot more than me have already commented on that from a safety perspective. Yes of course you get what you pay for, I get that. But would you pay say £6 to travel up there on a wooden bench in the back of a lorry to save yourself a fiver? I say that because National Express looks a lot more comfortable experience and you can get o/w tickets with them, same journey for approx £15. Like I said in the video, if you can put up with the aforementioned issues and sleep through it all, it’s brilliant value for money and I wish you all the best. But it’s not for me.

[@aclark903]

@@LetsMakeaTrip How about train or plane options? It is still considerably cheaper right? To be honest, I went from Belgium to #Austria by coach, & also #Amsterdam to London, wouldn't recommend it either, but it is usually the cheapest option.

[@magicunclefergaloreilly6699]

For 10.99 you should be on the roof.

[@TheWacoKid1963]

@@magicunclefergaloreilly6699 Looks like the passengers would be used to travelling on a bus roof

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@magicunclefergaloreilly6699 probably more comfortable up there 😂

[@abigailmurray5897]

The reason it was hot was because you were sat on top of the engine. The back seats of a coach are usually the hottest.

[@elliottg.1954]

Thanks for your video. "Cramped, smelly, and late", spot on. Add drunks and noisy louts to that, and feeling like you're in a cattle truck. That's how these coach companies treat their passengers. Travelling up and down the country on coaches for decades, it's pretty much pot luck and a take it or leave it scenario. Some trips have been good, others absolutely terrible. Same with staff and passengers. Trains are vastly overpriced and our whole transport system seems to be in permanent chaos thanks to bad management. Sometimes you're definitely better off in a private car. Real shame and the public transport sector needs to sort itself out.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Can’t help thinking there’s an element of ‘pot luck’ to most of these coach journeys but definitely going to try for better! Although I’ve had a lot of views on this video, it’s not my aim to make disaster movies! 😂

[@YouTube-are-Trump-Toilet-Crud]

I’m confident Grant Shapps, as transport secretary, is working on a Tory designed integrated transport system, well, confident that is what Shapps would say. Privatised transport will never get us out of our cars, there isn’t enough profit in it. Pfff!

[@connoroleary591]

Keep one or two heritage train routes, the rest, turn the train lines over to desigated bus routes. Much cheaper and easier to operate than being stuck in a 19th century romance with rail.

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

They mix the coke bottles with Vodka .

[@YouTube-are-Trump-Toilet-Crud]

@@johnsmith-rs2vk …..and call it Vodka & Coke. The swines.

[@paulmark63]

I used McLeans about 10 years ago it was the 596 National express to Edinburgh This is very true a man on the Coach was not feeling well as we were near Edinburgh the coach pulled in to the hospital and took the passenger in side the hospital that was great service

[@josephhughes1498]

Wow

[@paulmark63]

There where 2 drivers one of them took him in to A&E as I went to Edinburgh for the day I returned on the same coach overnight with the same 2 drivers I spoke to the drivers and emailed the company for the kind service the person on board had high pressure This coach service at the time stopped at Heathrow Carlisle carried on the M6 but turned of through the countryside A702

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I think it's really important to give credit where it's due. Too many people only comment on social media when they've had poor service. OK, I had a poor experience this time round but I'll still give Megabus another chance at some point down the line.

[@Obullshtter]

I've that service lots of times. Back in 1990 I and another person missed the bus(it was the fault of national express) they would have flown us ,got us there by train or black cab but in the end they got a driver to drive us to London in a car. Great service.

[@mpatey63]

Travelled overnight several times Aberdeen to London with Northern Scottish in the 80s. Two really professional drivers who changed over every two hours. Given a snack of decent sandwiches and orange juice at the start of the journey, then at 1am a stop at Southwaite Services long enough for a proper sit down meal. Quiet, respectable passengers and clean toilet. Still tiring, but as good a journey as it could be.

[@marionfarrell1716]

I did this journey once about 10 years ago and I see it hasn't improved. Due to the lack of leg room, and I'm not even very tall, my feet had swollen by about two sizes. I could barely walk when I got off the bus. It was a 10 hour journey at that point too. Absolutely horrendous.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Marion, that’s just terrible isn’t it. And the leg room is one thing but when it’s packed, you can’t even move your upper body either. One thing I took away with me was never ever sit on the back row again. Never! Worse place on the coach. I could put up with the time taken if it’s comfortable but yeh, transporting livestock springs to mind.

[@welshlyn9097]

Good god cry me a river.

[@marionfarrell1716]

@@welshlyn9097 It's a video about an uncomfortable bus journey. I'm agreeing it's an uncomfortable bus journey, because I also did this journey once. I don't get the issue here.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@marionfarrell1716 yep, Lyn doesn’t really get the point of the video. No problem (you very quickly learn to develop a thick skin when you put yourself out there on KZbin) 😂

[@Joe_Peroni]

I've travelled from Glasgow to London numerous times, by overnight "sleeper" train (I couldn't sleep), by bus & by car. All in the 1980s. After each one I said "never again". And I haven't, since then.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Sounds like you've exhausted all the options Joe! I'm a really light sleeper so I feel your pain. Fair play to those that can sleep through it though - I wish I could in some ways.

[@janettegardner7144]

Many years ago I frequently used the overnight bus from East Kilbride to London and London to East Kilbride. If it was a double decker the seats on lower deck were good as there was a table. The bus driver would announce the estimated time of arrival and the one stop for 15 minutes at service station. My secret weapon for sleep was a large dose of Benylyn cough mixture did the trick as I always woke up just as the bus pulled into Victoria Coach Station! Thanks for sharing your experience - lack of leg room for such a long journey sounds awful.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Janette, thanks for the comment. Yes the leg room was the biggest issue really. It must be amazing to be able to sleep for such a long journey - wish I could do it. Not sure I’d fancy Benelyn tbh, I might just go in the day next time 😂

[@allylou5151]

Me to 👍

[@peterhoey7453]

Benylyn cough mixture. I'll remember that.👍

[@tonymaries1652]

I always thought Buckie tasted like a mixture of vodka and Benylin. I expect drinking on buses is not allowed but it would knock you out for sure.

[@GooseMcSwan]

Im sure this was Silver Choice that operated that. I drove some of their ex London service deckers on hires.

[@WDH59510]

Haven't taken the overnight bus from Victoria to Glasgow for by my calculations 37 years. After watching your video I feel no great urge to do so again. At least you didn't have a drunken fight breaking out somewhere around Milton Keynes (happened to me). This kind of thing really only should be used by folk on a very tight budget.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Sorry to bring back bad memories! I agree. I am fortunate I don't need to take the coach and can only report on my own experience as a 'casual passenger'. Regular users must get used to it after a while but it's not for me. Yes it was only £11 but surely passengers still have a right to expect basic standards of comfort, hygiene and safety.

[@transportforever]

I have done the service in the night in December and it was horrible and it wasnt a double decker going back to glasgow it was a old ceatano levante

[@simonlatham5110]

It's a tough one: On the one hand, you kind of get what you pay for (Imagine how much that journey would cost in fuel at current prices!), but on the other, that's no excuse for not providing clean and fully functional sanitary facilities etc. We all want top dollar service at bottom dollar cost, and somewhere amongst that compromises come into play. If 50 passengers pay £11 each for that journey, that comes to £550. Or £1.33ish per mile gross revenue to the operator. With diesel at nigh on £2 a litre and the coach probably doing around 10-12mpg, irrespective of anything else, the operator ain't making much out of it. The driver is probably only getting around £11-12/hr to work through the night, put up with us moaning, adhere to drivers hours regulations (hence the 30 minute compulsory break at Sandbach), negotiate traffic and overnight road closures, probably not get much sleep between shifts etc, and can't do much else about everything and anything other than get us from A to B safely. Add maintenance, tyres, operator licence obligations and cost, road tax, insurance, blah yada, and you'll probably find that the coach operator ran that service at a loss.....(I was a haulage contractor (just me and 1 vehicle) from the early 90s until 2013, and quit while I was still just ahead. I was, ironically enough, paid £1.33 per mile gross at the time, which was pretty poor even then, with fuel at £1-1.20 per litre, and my profit margins were always measured in single figure percentages, despite all manner of methods to keep costs down. My final income was a joke that I won't recount!) Hardly surprising luxury was lacking. So, if that's the case, why and how do these operators still do it this way?! It's beyond me, but I guess it's essentially because you and me want something for nothing, and someone ends up having to provide it! Hopefully, videos like this and other peoples experiences might make a difference, but don't stop breathing....!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Simon, an excellent comment mate. Really appreciate you taking the time to detail your thoughts and experience. Totally agree with what you say as well. In terms of profit/loss, I wonder how many passengers rock-up on the day or buy tickets a few days in advance? It’s £25 if you want that same journey in the next five days, then it goes down to £15 for a bit after that. There must be a few travellers in that category so maybe that helps with the margins? Maybe they only sell, say a dozen tickets at £10.99 per trip? I don’t know tbh but I’d love to find out. Thing is, £25 would be cheap if no-one ever sold lower fares than that. So competition is a factor too. I would pay that for the journey, but I’m more concerned with comfort really. So my money (next time) would go to National Express even if it means paying twice as much as Megabus. Granted not everyone is in a position to do this tbf but that’s the reality. Of course you can fly to Glasgow for around £25 too!! Crazy isn’t it! I will do another video on the same journey at some point - probably with NX. Watch this space! All the best, Mark 👍

[@simonlatham5110]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Thanks for replying Mark, much appreciated. It hadn't occurred to me when I commented (despite being aware of it) that the cheaper fares are usually only available well in advance, and that later bookings would be more expensive, but I totally agree that £25 is still a bargain, and that it would make it much more viable from the operators perspective. Even in a 1 litre eco car, it would probably cost at least 3 times as much in fuel travelling at the same speed as the coach (I believe they're now restricted to 100kph/62mph). Look forward to the next one, and will subscribe so as not to miss it. Cheers

[@anyexpat]

Megabus is in a tough spot if National Express is markedly better and only 4 quid more. Of course this is for budget travellers but if they put prices up 1 or 2 quid then their customers might just leave. I feel sorry for anyone that has to endure these rides on a regular basis.

[@GabrielsReviews]

@@LetsMakeaTrip'' Of course you can fly to Glasgow for around £25 too!! '' but this doesn't consider the need for airport transfers which are often costly and sometimes lengthy. First bus charges £10.50 single (booked online ) at Glasgow Airport but it's quick. Heathrow however I did see that the Heathrow express can be booked in advance for £10 under a railcard .

[@indigohammer5732]

Last time I took a London-Glasgow coach was in 1990, and it was fu#king crazy! Family of five passing Whisky around, smoking and singing with the lights on. It's particularly ghastly, and it hasn't changed.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, I have to say that sounds terrible yet I have a strange thought that, if I’m not going to get any sleep anyway, I might as well be partying! This particular journey was both tiring and boring 😂

[@annother3350]

Its worse today - they dont even let you smoke any more!

[@philipbonner6486]

@@annother3350 It's because it's against the law smoke on public transport, and people liked me don't want to inhaler your filthy smoke.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@annother3350 those were the days 👍

[@annother3350]

@@LetsMakeaTrip ..and all because of Roy Castle - the only man to claim cancer through 2nd hsnd smoke - what a record breaker!

[@stuartmccall5474]

Anyone who travels regularly by bus knows that the only way to travel is by National Express, particularly London to Glasgow, as the little bit extra you pay is worth it after two hours, well worth it after four hours and extremely well worth it as the journey progresses. Megabus is a bit like flying with Ryanair, it might get you there, but the flight being cancelled is a very good 2nd prize.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Just booked National Express, London to Edinburgh for £11 (same price as this one) so it will be good to compare.

[@anyexpat]

WHY would anyone travel REGULARLY like that?

[@heene]

I was a coach driver and this is the one type of work I didn't fancy doing, and I have done pretty much everything else.

[@neilwoodward7336]

Completely agree about people reclining their seats. Absolutely hate the fact they must know their seat back is in the face of the passenger behind them. I haven't done coach trips but on the few flights I've taken it really annoys me. Because it annoys me so much, I won't do it to other people.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, I’m the same but not everyone’s as considerate Neil unfortunately.

[@petetube99]

I once made the mistake of reclining my seat for a few seconds before putting it back up pre takeoff, the woman behind locked her knees with her feet on the back of my seat so her feet were digging into my back for the whole 4 hour flight.

[@anyexpat]

The solution is just ask the person behind if they mind. Everyone is more comfortable if everyone reclines because you are all less upright. Just do not sit on the back row!

[@jamesjameson4566]

@@petetube99 didn't you take the hint

[@adamvernon82]

I made that exact same journey on the same service back in February. It was a McLeans coach then as well. In fact my experience was virtually identical in every way your journey. The coach was full and 1 person was asked to leave on my journey. I would never ever consider using that service again even if it was on offer for £1. Absolutely rubbish service.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, totally agree. Although it’s interesting to hear from one or two people on here that we shouldn’t expect anything more for the price!?!

[@baseballfan99]

Used them last week from London to Manchester overnight. £2 extra for a lot of extra legroom was well worth it though of course it was one of their busses. As for the 11X and the other Glasgow bus there were issues due to a previous breakdown. Both arrived together and the lone Megabus rep did his best but he had to contend with, people with tickets for other companies, people turning up on the wrong day, people with no ticket at all when they were both sold out, people missing the bus despite them already leaving late and people with too much luggage despite limits clearly noted on the website. I would always avoid the back row on any coach though.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, some good info here and yes, totally agree, sitting on the back row was a big mistake. I’m pretty inexperienced when it comes to travelling by coach tbh but starting to figure it all out. In the main, NX seem way ahead of the competition in the UK but yes, maybe if I can actually make it onto a proper Megabus and Flixbus in the future, I’ll have a different opinion!

[@simonsays2685]

@@LetsMakeaTrip the engine is usually at the back so you're sitting on top of it. At £10 a head I doubt the bus company is making anything out of that journey.

[@markm-1976]

I did the reverse journey on the M11X from Edinburgh via Glasgow to Victoria in March - on the MacLeans coach . I had the same experience - it was awful and I will never do it again. My knees were in agony through the journey and sore when I got off the coach at Victoria. I decided not to take the return I had booked on the M11X and ended up taking the sleeper train in seated carriage from Euston up to Edinburgh - it was far more comfy with loads of leg room and as I have a rail card, worth the £24 extra than that cramped MacLeans coach.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Mark, yes crikey one way is bad enough but the thought of a return leg!! Absolutely no chance and I would have done exactly the same as you. In fact I would have gladly gone into debt and booked a room on the sleeper instead 😂 (not that I get much sleep on those either - see my relevant videos for example).

[@GabrielsReviews]

12:00 As far as I know, the only booked overnight Citylink work is between Edinburgh and Glasgow on the N900 (the AIR and 900 daytime services are combined into a single Edinburgh to Glasgow route via Edinburgh Airport ) . They often cover for megabus too on the M20! I've heard a lot about Citylink's Fort William one.

[@hazelb7218]

How can they ask someone to leave the bus...who has booked and paid for their seat...just because two people want to sit together?? That's not right....the two people should have left and be booked onto the next coach!!

[@seany84uk]

I only found your channel today but i really enjoy your videos. These smaller channels are much better than the larger ones! :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Do you know what Sean, I totally agree with that. There’s lots of people making great content all over KZbin that just don’t get much exposure because with low sub numbers the perception is they can’t be worth watching. Most of the channels I subscribe to are similar to myself and one of the main advantages of where we’re at I guess is that the engagement rate is much higher. I’ve commented on big channels in the past and never had much of a response so I just don’t bother any more. We’re much more sociable than those guys so thanks for giving me a try! 😊👍

[@seany84uk]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Couldnt agree any better myself! Thanks! :)

[@hollyr.2846]

I like Planes Trains Everything. Scott does similar videos.

[@seany84uk]

@@hollyr.2846 yes ive watched him for a while too

[@anyexpat]

Well that is totally illogical, the reason big channels are big is because people like them

[@Del-bm]

Cheap fair is handy for low income people who are short, but I think I would spend the extra for National Express, based on your comments of their coaches. This was interesting, thanks for sharing the experience

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, glad you found it useful

[@johnpoole8332]

I did this journey a few days ago by National Express, the seats were definitely more comfy. I also took a sleeping tablet, which helped.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Agreed, if I did this again it would have to be NX. Never say never!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@violet see what you did there 😉

[@suzatlarge]

I'm sorry the journey was so dire, and I loved your sense of humor. I was dying at "I was eventually able to reclaim use of my legs" - 🤣🤣

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Suz, thanks for getting my sense of humour (many don’t - see comments 😂). Hope I haven’t put you off, most of my coach journeys are turning out ok tbh 👍

[@Timstravels01]

“Chariot of Dire” 😂 This reminded me of some truly horrible overnight coach journeys I took back in the day. I feel your pain.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

This surpassed even my worst nightmares. Like I said in the video: there were no redeeming factors at all (well I meant features but I was so tired at that point). Even if I took another overnight coach, I reckon I’m safe in the knowledge that it could not be any worse than this travelling travesty! Just crap.

[@dazzlingdaz187]

"Chariot of Dire". Loved that. Great trip report, terrible journey. Great advert for NX! Hope your knees have recovered

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, yeh totally agree and also for Avanti West Coast! Knees will be fine (this time). 👍

[@stuartnicholson1478]

McLeans always seem to operate that particular service- I've seen it on at least half a dozen occassions at Victoria. I travelled on that service in early May because it was express, but had a very similar experience, including it being totally full and that time three booked pax were thrown off for it being overbooked, and that's the last coach of the night to Scotland- they were the last to arrive so were simply denied travel. No coach company is insured for pax to use the crew seat. I would have been far better off on one of the earlier megabus double deckers with a few more stops. The one half an hour ahead of us via Manchester arrived at the same time at Buchanan,

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Stuart, I wish I’d have spoken to you before I booked this! I too thought this would be less hassle because it doesn’t stop to pick up passengers so more chance of more room on board. But it’s obviously popular I just can’t believe they’ve stuck this tiny coach on it - especially with the hassle it seems to cause. The crew seat, after someone had asked if anyone wanted to sit on it, someone else was heard saying something along the lines of ‘we can’t do that’ so yep, must be the insurance thing.

[@catrescuer]

@@kathrynapps8798 greyhound coaches were subsidised. The company went under.

[@catrescuer]

Why did you not tell the passengers in the front to put their seats up? Unacceptable.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@catrescuer I agree, I should have asked. Whether they did or not, at least I would’ve known.

[@alcaviation]

I spoke to the McLeans owner and he says the Megabus deal is a 5 year deal

[@PaulRoseGuitar]

Great video. I did Newcastle to London on the overnight National Express about 40 years ago and it was a total nightmare. Even as a gullible and naive teenager who was up for adventure I vowed never to do it again. And thus far I've stuck with my decision. NEVER AGAIN

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Paul. I will probably do this again (not just for comparison purposes but it's done really well in terms of views and subs on the channel too to be perfectly honest!). I would like to see how NX compare so yep, watch this space!

[@frglee]

I've done the Megabus and National Express night services from London to Scotland (well, technically Carlisle, but onwards to Dumfries on the first bus) several times in the recent decade pre covid. I think they are OK for the price, the main reason why I use them. I've travelled midweek each time (very cheap fares) and they've been about half full each time with quite a few students. Everyone seems well behaved on the bus and it's quiet. The staff seem OK to me. Victoria Coach Station is a bit cramped and scruffy but has been improved recently. My recommendations would be to try and get some sleep the afternoon before, and go straight to bed when you get home. Sleeping/napping on the coach is possible (they turn down the lights), the seats and legroom are OK, even for quite tall people, but it helps if you have a few cushions or even a light travel blanket. Take plenty to drink and some snacks. Internet advertised aboard was either very slow or non-existant, so maybe a book, magazine or paper is a good idea, or even something to listen to or a film stored on your phone.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi frglee, thanks for the comment and the advice - very useful. I just wish I'd had more room tbh, even with a full coach the leg room was appalling. It was quiet on the coach and I reckon a lot of people were probably a lot more experienced at travelling on it than me. I took a pillow and a blanket but it was so tight where I was, they just got in the way and yes I made mistakes in choosing the wrong seat tbh, but it's all about trying these things and making a 100% honest review of my experience.

[@TheWacoKid1963]

I'm not surprised iVictoria is cramped, it was built for dinky toy sized buses of the 1930s, not the modern 36 footer

[@GOMAROMA]

I travelled by bus on this route before, many years ago… just to try it, never again! Terrible! Nice to see that since then we have mobile phones, satellite and high definition tv’s, electric cars but that journey is still the same! Enjoy!!!

[@davebirch1976]

I think the actual Megabus coaches have a higher capacity which is probably why this happened, because the booking system will use the capacity based on the buses that should be used, not the buses that end up being used

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That's a good point. Though the guy did have a list he was working off. I wonder if it was over-subscribed pre-trip, some others had their booking cancelled in advance?

[@andrewmulley5222]

Kudos to you Sir , you suffer for your channel 👏🏻👏🏻

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, cheers Andrew. I try my best 😂

[@jambojambo313]

For that price I wouldn’t expect much of a service (as you found out) but great review none the less. 👍 I’ll be watching more of your videos.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, thanks for the support 😊👍

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you very much for your efforts in providing this review. What a horror story ! Clearly, Megabus are best avoided, and how appalling there was no representative from Megabus at Victoria Coach station to explain what was going on. I hope you have now recovered !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Anthony - it certainly was a bit of an effort tbh but, like I say, for some it wouldn’t be any problem at all getting some sleep and obviously it’s significantly cheaper than other options. It’s just not for me but at least I tried it. Once! Tbf, there was someone checking tickets against a list when we boarded whom I presume was from Megabus as he was also on the coach trying to figure out how to manage it. Looking back, yeh terrible experience for me but you live and learn I guess 👍

[@starr086]

Really bad toilet facilities there, no water You would think they would put some hand sanitizers on board. I'm glad you did it so I don't have too! Great videos.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Lee. One or two comments on here like ‘what do you expect for £11’ well, basic hygiene in the toilet would be a start!

[@seanj565]

Fair played for sticking it out. I would have thrown the towel in at the services. If i hadnt changed my mind before leaving Victoria.

[@andythompson7450]

Your videos are improving all the time buddy ! Keep smashing it

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Andy and thanks for the support. I’ll remember you mate when I turn pro 😂

[@chrisgorman2717]

Hi lol I'm a coach driver. We do megabus trials some times. Vdl buses are best for school runs. I'll keep watching it's interesting to get your point of view

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Chris, yep having been on several NX coaches and the occasional foray abroad, it didn’t feel to me like it was a coach for this kind of journey. I’m thinking of leg room really more than anything else. OK it’s cheap but I can get (in fact I’ve just booked) an NX coach from London to Edinburgh overnight for the same price. Would be good to get your professional opinion and any expert advice you can give me to make the journey easier would be much appreciated 😊

[@benitobueno3373]

I was waiting for Razzo Rizzo to peg out beside you cos that's how rough the experience seemed to be..just subscribed and looking forward to you taking the frankfurt bus if you dare

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Lol, thanks for the sub Benito. Sounds like a challenge there (it does look a nice coach tbf). I’ve got another coach video coming up in a few weeks and yep, I will plan some more as they do seem to attract quite a few views 👍

[@AndreiTupolev]

VDL Futura, very popular coach. That was was 69 reg, so only about two years old. The main complaint seems to be bring cramped; well, right at the back, in the non-reclining back row, you're going to be squeezed in rather.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes being right at the back well, I wouldn’t do that again. Shouldn’t have to accept poor leg room though just because you’re on the back row.

[@ThunderboltWisdom]

Got the same bus down to and from Glasgow to London myself. I thought the journey down was bad enough with every seat being full, smelly toilet, not enough room to swing a mouse. The journey back to Glasgow was like an endurance trial. Every seat was taken, and an argument had broken out about who was the first to get on the bus, on neither journey did my partner or I get to sit together, and the toilet was awful. I went to use the loo and it was full and wouldn't flush. The bowl was full, it was a big bowl of smelly pee and when I approached the driver to tell him he just brushed me off with a "they must have forgot to empty it", and that was it. When we stopped at the services about 6 of us guys went to pee in the bushes and it seemed like business as usual to the driver so I take it that happens all the time. The drivers weren't helpful, the bus stank, and we were treated like cattle. Nothing is worth saving a few quid like a Megabus super rider or whatever they call it. I'd rather walk next time. Next time we went on Virgin rail first class to London. Totally no bother, worth the extra money, loved it.

[@frglee]

Good for you if you can afford it. But for those that can't, then the coach service is about their only resort. But yes, you are right to complain about conditions, especially that of the toilet. Sometimes the service stops are long enough to use the bathroom and stretch your legs (and even have a quick breakfast on the night service to Scotland at the M6 Killington Lake Services), and in this case the driver should have been more sympathetic. Write to the company, state the facts and complain firmly but politely. It's the only way they'll know that paying customers are unhappy with their product. I could suggest avoiding weekends and finding a quieter time to travel - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays get lower customer numbers and so have discounted fares for National Express Coachcard holders, so even a daytime service might be a better bet then. If you can book ahead, Megabus have some great long distance fares, pick one of the quieter days - even if it may mean a very early start.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Question for you both (or anyone else). Who’s responsible for emptying/cleaning the toilet? Is it the driver?

[@ThunderboltWisdom]

@@LetsMakeaTrip It's definitely not me! But seriously, I don't know. But I'd say that it's the driver's responsibility to make sure he has a safe, clean and hygienic vehicle before he departs.

[@Porkcylinder]

One Costa a tenner one costs £200

[@kevsmithard5586]

3rd World.

[@Sunburst75]

Interesting video! I once went on a football supporters bus from Glasgow to Düsseldorf. The toilet was a bin at the door which got emptied several times on the hard shoulder. The bus was the same as what took you to the local shops. This bus had to travel to Dover, board the ferry to Belgium, then drive all the way to Düsseldorf. I think in total it took over 24 hours. It was the worst journey of my life, I’ve never sat in a bus longer than an hour since that which was in 1979. Hell doesn’t even come close to describing it. Worse still, we had to repeat it to get back home 3 days later. The only saver was that our team Rangers got through to the next round but the journey home was even worse. The channel crossing was delayed by bad weather then we hit roadworks near London. I think it took 36 hours to get back, on a bus with no toilet that was only fit for taking people to school or the shops. Moral of the story, never travel by BUS !!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I admit defeat - that experience is far worse than mine! 🤣

[@Sunburst75]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I think so, but the excuse is that it was 43 years ago. Given yours was in 2022, I think that makes yours just as bad!!🤣

[@mattwiper]

Last long distance coach journey I did was sunderland to Southampton back in 2011 worst journey I have ever done rude people on the bus always smelt bad and zero room to move. Since then desided train was worth the extra cost till I could drive.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Matt, you talk a lot of sense! I guess for some people it’s affordability and my intention with this video was not to demean that, just to give everyone my experience and yes, I’m lucky I can afford to choose. Tbh, if I could only afford the £11 I’d try and put it off and either stay at home or wait until I’d saved the extra £20 to do it on the train.

[@MrMonero]

When I was a wee nipper I used to use MegaBus and National Express coaches from London to Scotland often. Was always always utter hell. I feel blessed to say that it has been many a year since I have had the misfortune of finding myself in such a precarious situation 🍻

[@josephhughes1498]

This is bringing back bad memories…I only go by coach these days if I’m going to a gig in London and think it finishes too late to make the train home and only if I need to be back early the next day because it can truly be grim like this just getting to Manchester tbh

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, good shout about it being an alternative to the last train though if I did that, I’d need the next day off. Some people I guess can get off these things in the morning and go straight to work! Pfft, not for me I’m afraid.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

“Chariot of dire” 😂. Worth the watch just for that line.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you Johnny - good to know my humour wasn’t wasted on you mate 😂👍

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

Really good video . I did this route some years ago , simply because I wanted to spend as little money as possible . It was full to the max , the guy next door stunk . I remember traveling after a busy day so I wanted to be tired as possible . The great thing about traveling that way ,it’s super cheap . A small tenner takes you 500 miles up to nice friendly people and the best scenery in the world , can’t be bad . I did subscribe as well , great effort sir , well played .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Nicolas, thanks for the sub, good to have you here. All the comments you made were in the back of my mind before I took the trip. Most of them came true! Yes it’s cheap but, for me, there is a limit and unfortunately my tolerance by the end was just completely gone. Onwards though 😊👍

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

@@LetsMakeaTrip what I like about this service , it's extremely cheap . Anyone can afford this 500 miles journey . I know it's sore as well . Very sore and uncomfortable .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@NicolasValentinScotland oh yes it’s certainly cheap, I’d certainly try another company one day to see how it compares IF I could get it for the same price or thereabouts.

[@redwine2664]

Cheers, and thank you for the video. Plan to visit Edinburgh this autumn. Just fell off my chair!

[@enricomonti156]

I travelled on a fairly empty Megabus service between Heathrow and Victoria recently. It wasn't that bad since I had an upper deck seat but the charging ports weren't working, so make sure to have a power bank (as I had) just in case

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Good tip, the power bank thing is totally essential. I NEVER leave home without one.

[@racheltaylor6578]

I used to get the bus regularly between Glasgow and London.I hated it every time.Bus driver used to nod off at the wheel.I’d rather take the train anytime

[@paulbenson3441]

Thanks for sharing your experience. You've answered our question Megabus or National Express to London? Well, I think we'll stick with National Express. My wife and I live in Sheffield and we've been tempted to try Megabus, but the pick-up point is too far away from us and we'd have to get a taxi. National Express is brilliant as it has key pick-up points leaving Sheffield and one of them is near us. The coaches have always been comfortable and spacious, good comfy seats and a quick and smooth service. The only thing that puts us off is waiting at Victoria for the return journey. We're very familiar with that part of the coach station where you waited for the Megabus, the London to Barnsley National Express leaves from near enough the same stance. Come to think of it, we've never seen the Megabus office open either. Have a good one. Paul and Moira.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi both, thanks for commenting! Yes I always seem to end up at those last few gates in Victoria CS. Totally agree about NX though I probably need to do the same journey with them for a real comparison, the trips I have taken with them so far have been generally good. People ask ‘what do you expect for £10.99’? Well, a degree of comfort and basic hygiene for a start. I can do the same route with NX for £11 so let’s find out 👍 All the best, Mark

[@danielstripreports]

Great video mate, couldn't do this myself would die from either boredom or a broken back!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

cheers Daniel. I'm certainly impressed by the stoicism of people who do this regularly and think nothing of it. But yeh, like you, I just prefer the alternatives but then again I guess I'm lucky I can afford the choice. Not everyone can.

[@standrewpics]

I wish some of these coaches come with an ejector seats. I could not cope being on a crowded coach. Especially all thoughts long hours. Oh yes and those over night road works have experienced that many times over the years . Plus the nightmare reclined seats in front of you, yes a mega over night night mare coach journey.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Guess who I would have ejected (apart from myself) 😂

[@mozzerianmisanthrope406]

Your first sentence had me rolling. Lmao.

[@davefrommelbourne1237]

Haha I found this randomly on my feed and subscribed! I had a laugh at the beginning as you talk about the anticipation of a long haul coach ride 😵‍💫. And what a way to end the journey with someone blowing their nose as you disembarked.. Looking forward to seeing your other videos. 🦘

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Dave, thanks for the sub, glad you enjoyed the video though I must say not all my content is ‘entertainment at my expense’ kind of stuff 😂 I was wondering if anyone would pick up the ‘germ transmitter’ at the end. Well spotted 👍

[@davefrommelbourne1237]

@@LetsMakeaTrip haha it’s your light hearted comments I like. Keep it up 👍

[@DateTwoRelate]

I, for one am glad this trip, is over. Best to get some tea before moving on to the next video.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Steve you should ALWAYS get a cup of tea before watching one of my videos 😂

[@joemclaughlin995]

Class stuff! I always seem to get those two passengers in front of me too! That is inflation busting fares.From London to Glasgow for a few quid! Definitely no frills.But will still suit a lot of travellers.First time I have viewed your channel and it is these smaller channels that are the hidden gems.Best of luck!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Joe, thanks for the kind words. I agree, some of the smaller channels have some great content. A bit harder to get the exposure but, tbh, this video's certainly helped me!

[@alexlyons5856]

I find watching videos like this very interesting and intrigued I do like watching these type of video your good man for doing this some one has to do it 😀😀😀😄👍👍

[@jensunray1]

A bus from London to Glasgow overnight for £12...you know its going to be beyond dreadful and it always will be!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Agree, but surely there’s a more bearable experience - even for minimal money. Anyone on here that says what do you expect for £11’ well the proper Megabus service is the same price and surely that’s better than this nightmare?!?

[@vincentheath2639]

New to the channel great to see a honest review come them coming mate

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Vincent, great to have you here and yep, i’m not as big as some other similar KZbinrs on here doing similar stuff, but I have to put the hard yards in at this stage to grow the channel. One of the main reasons I’m doing it is to provide people with 100% honest experiences and factual, unbiased information. I won’t be influenced by the companies I’m reviewing and hopefully this comes across in the content. All the best, Mark 👍😊

[@MaidaValeTom]

I'm not massively knowledgeable on specific situations with coach travel, So this might not be the case for this route, But on a lot of National Express, Flixbus and Megabus routes, the services are not actually operated by the companies themselves, rather being operated by smaller coach operators, who just own and operate coaches that are in megabus specification and livery. If this is the case with the M11X, it'll be down to McLeans having a shortage of Megabus specified coaches, and having to eat into their regular private hire fleet. You see it very rarely with NX, fairly rarely with Megabus although quite common with Flixbus. I don't travel by coach at all, Although if I had to do so, It'd definitely be with Flixbus, as I feel they offer the best value for money overall.

[@railvlogger1439]

All of Flixbus services are run by third party operators.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I have had some good journeys on the coach in the UK. Best one was with NX London to Bristol - a fantastic double-decker coach though that too was operated by a company called Edwards I seem to recall. All in the NX livery as well.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes afaik all Flixbus are 3rd party.

[@railvlogger1439]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Pretty much all NX services are also run by third party operators The only difference being that they must use Caetano Levante coaches which are exclusively built for National Express.The only NX coaches that are run by the company itself are mostly airport services such as Stansted- London, The 727 from Norwich to Brighton via Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

[@sandiandgregh]

Oh my gosh. What a nightmare experience. Sorry you had to endure but thank you for sharing...advance warning...the rest of us!

[@chrisbond6869]

McLeans Coaches often replace NX, Megabus & Flix liveried coaches on the Edinburgh - London runs, once endured never to be repeated. If I can’t get to London on a train, plane or in extreme circumstances car I would recommend cancelling the journey.

[@80721]

10:00 Megabus: *has loud PA system* Oxford tube: challenge accepted *turns volume up to 100000%*

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I haven’t tried Oxford Tube yet. I’ll be sure to bring earplugs if I do!

[@coasttocoast23]

Great video again mate. Showing the true horrors of megabus🤣 Have not known anyone who has had a decent experience with them. I had to get an overnight bud a few years ago from Glasgow to London at short notice due to family illness and flights and trains were crazy expensive. National Express, £18 one way and actually was quite comfortable, lots of legroom, and only one stop. If I had to Recommend one it would be National Express. I wouldn’t say long distance coach travel is something out of choice, unless your budget really demands it, which in these challenging times will become more popular! Cheers for now. Liam

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Liam, cheers for the comment. I totally agree, in my limited experience so far, NX are the only ones I would choose again so far and their London to Bristol double-decker service is excellent. I’m really keen to try something like Citylink up in Scotland, they look quite nice.

[@happyapple4269]

True horrors🤣🤣.. how would you describe D-day or a first world war trench?

[@theglobalpeasant]

Boy, this video brought back the memories. When I did the reverse trip it was on their bilevel bus, which was equally uncomfortable and crammed. Never again. Cheers!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

lol, apologies! You don't fancy doing something similar on your channel then tgp? Never say never!

[@theglobalpeasant]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I stand corrected. May be good for the channel. Though I'd require a few pints prior to purchasing a ticket for this quality product lol.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@theglobalpeasant 😂

[@simonwhitlock9189]

It's only eight hours, words to regret ever there was and the look on your face at the start said this will not end well. I had the misfortune of doing an overnight trip from Brisbane to Sydney in very similar conditions on the noisiest Greyhound coach in existence and to make the trip even more tedious we managed to stop at every flyspeck town along the way so what did I learn?, simple really, never again and to date I have never been on a bus trip longer than half an hour within the city I live and never will. I understand that for economic reasons the bus is a vital means of transport for many and for the most part they do a good job but I have learnt my lesson. Cheers and stay safe and look forward to the next bottom numbing instalment in your adventures in bus travel.

[@frglee]

Yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice. If yer ain't got much money, yer ain't got much choice, really. The bus gets you there, but, indeed, a certain amount of stoicism and patience is needed. Take stuff to keep you entertained, refreshed and comfortable, and think of the money you are saving!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, like I said in the video, you know what to expect and you know what you've paid. If you can do it (and obviously lots of people can) then it's great value for money.

[@coover65]

Were you a foreign backpacker? Most people who take a coach in Australia are travelling backpackers. Out of curiosity I looked at Greyhound and Virgin Australia prices going from Brisbane (my home town) to Sydney. Greyhound-$79 "early bird", Virgin Australia $79-$99. And the Greyhound trip takes 17 hours. You can drive it in less than 10 hours in your own car, or fly it in 1 hour 35. You have my greatest sympathy.

[@simonwhitlock9189]

@@coover65 At the time I was in my late teens and as broke as a fish but had to get to Sydney for work, as you rightly say there are many faster and less tedious ways of getting there but needs must, I did drive there about two years ago and yes it was about 10 hours thanks to new bypasses, other than that it has been a plane every time. I have never been a backpacker in any country.

[@coover65]

@@simonwhitlock9189 It's a good run nowadays. We used to drive to Sydney via the New England Hwy and to Melbourne via the Newell due to trucks and crashes choking the Pacific back when it was one lane each way everywhere. Now it's nearly all freeway from Brisbane to Melbourne.

[@willyeckerslike9437]

Megabus from London to Manchester on a Friday night. Used to get myself at the back with a few cans of high strength beer, was the only way to make it tolerable

[@hoof2001]

Surely a couple bottle of Buckie for the trip? Mc Nastie Buses are the pinnacle of coach services (somewhere)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

McNastie lol, tbh if I’d brought a load of stuff like food and drink I doubt i’d have been able to reach it. Like a straight-jacket in that seat!

[@gamerforlife7661]

iv always use national express from London Vic to Scarborough coach station really nice place to go never had problem with them

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

My parents took us to salou Spain by coach in the early 80s, 36 hours of child cruelty lol scared me for life and never gone long haul on a coach since haha.Parents fighting,us kids green with travel sickness knowing we had to do it all in 14 days back,oh the memories

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I went coach-camping way back in the 80’s. No air-con on the bus, it was a bloody nightmare!

[@braveheart196]

I did the journey with my young son across my knees blocking any chance of blood to the feet never ever again still have flash backs

[@davidwelch6796]

Thank you for the warning. I will heed it.

[@linnm6271]

M11x is ran by McLeans subcontracted from megabus they use a vdl and a double decker sometimes on the route I went on it on Tuesday night Glasgow-London and they used a really nice duble deck astromega might of spelled that wrong, I went on that coach you went on and the leg room is appalling luckily it was quite quiet but I would recommend trying the night FlixBus they use eather a Mercedes torismo or a volvo 9700 great coaches

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Linn, cheers for the info. Looks like I was doubly unlucky! Just such a terrible coach for this kind of journey. Tbh, I won't be in a hurry to do the overnighter again but I will be back on Flixbus. Looking for a route with a 'proper' green bus though so, if anyone knows of such...

[@alcaviation]

Contract nearly one year into this 5 year contract it's predominantly on the Astromegas

[@Useaname]

This popped up in my recommendations. I don't know why. But I'm glad. Subbed.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you very much 😊

[@Simon-Andersen]

Seeing the row in front reclined before the depature would have had me bail 😅. A seat on the Caledonian sleeper seems to be £70, no wonder the overnight busses are full when they cost £11

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I know. Believe me I was almost 50:50 on this but I found I had more determination than even I thought! Yes the sleeper seats must be better than this. At least you can get up and walk around!

[@GabrielsReviews]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes , you can but the only place other than the seating coach you'd be able to access is the toilets.

[@dandoeswalks2019]

I’ve been on some nasty coach journeys myself, but I think I’d have bailed off that torture chamber on wheels immediately. Well done for seeing it through.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

‘Torture chamber on wheels’ 🤣 very true and yes, bailing out crossed my mind on several occasions!

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

As a passenger on a long-distance coach, you put your life in the hands of one person - the driver. Any miscalculation in the part of the driver and you're dead. Likewise if he or she nods off, you're dead. The monitoring of driving standards in coach companies is usually pretty cursory. I feel safer on a plane than on a coach - at least on a plane there's usually more than one driver and standards are continually monitored . . .

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Steven Macdonald put a really detailed comment on here about drivers and the area in front of the first bulkhead in the event of a crash. Quite thought-provoking really because I think they’d probably get smashed to bits!

[@riccccccardo]

And train drivers? Crane drivers? Etc? 🤣

[@blissy1]

Wow Victoria Bus Station, still operating, back in the sixties coming back from cousins when I was a kid catch a 89 or 192 from Shooters Hill London SE 18 to Victoria then a Thames Valley bus to Reading A Or B route one went through Slough no M4 A4 all the way

[@karenblackadder1183]

I won't even take a coach from Carlisle to Glasgow! Train for me every time!!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ive had some good experiences, just not this one!

[@TeamMcGrath]

We had a similar experience on FlixBus over to Cornwall from London. Same thing with reclining seats in front of us and people kicking off in our comments calling us snowflakes despite the fact we did 7 hours, then visited Newquay for a few hours, then took another 7 hours bus home all within a less than 24 Hour period. You can't please em all eh, great stuff man and we truly relate to your pain!

[@AtoZbyLocalBus]

When I was on a flight from London to Dublin, I had someone reclined their seat all the way back, just after take off. I was in Economy class, and it was not even a over night flight. I don't think they were even sleeping.

[@herenow6953]

I like EasyJet planes - there is no recline function. And they are spacious and the tray table the right size - who did you fly with?

[@AtoZbyLocalBus]

@@herenow6953 I like to fly with either British Airways, Aer Lingus or City Jet, depend who has the cheapest return fare at the time I want to fly. I don't like flying with Ryanair, as I like to travel with a case most of the time.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yeh some people cannot wait to recline their seat on these short haul flights. I mean does it really make that much difference to their 1 hour travel experience?!? Just inconsiderate but some people are like that aren’t they.

[@AtoZbyLocalBus]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Yes you are right there. On long haul flights, I just recline the seat a little way back, so the person behide still has enough room.

[@daveys]

@@herenow6953 - I flew with Jet2 the other week and they were same. No-one really needs to recline seats on a bus or train.

[@cheryldodds7067]

Yep heard horrendous stories of megabus, a friend of mine went on it last year. The toilet wasnt in use,wasnt working. That goes against health and safety standards. Shocking whether it was cheap or not. You expect clean facilities,and the seat you booked. When you arrive next day. You have to sleep it off,as you cant sleep on that bus

[@britainonabudget]

Wow, I thought my trip on National Express was rough but I really lucked out and had an empty seat next to me.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

That’s the holy grail I’m beginning to think.

[@snotwurfit]

I would have asked the people in front if they wouldn't mind moving their seat forward a little bit. Explain that you have no leg room whatsoever. If they refused, just keep kneeing the back of their seat for the whole journey until they got sick of it and moved their seat forward. If they complained about you kneeing their seat then just explain it's totally accidental and due to you not having enough room and that you can't help it if you bang their seat every time you move your legs.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yeh it was so tight that I did keep continually banging into their seat, pulling and pushing it, dropping stuff on them. None of which worked. In hindsight, I should have asked them tbh.

[@djharto4917]

I once went to Edinburgh from London with my Scottish girlfriend. I said I would pay for us to go up and she would to come down. So we flew from Luton! She got us the mega bus! 16 hours! Think broke down at Newcastle. Typical Scot

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, great story Dj, I feel for you mate 😂

[@paulwilliamdixon3674]

I did Sao Paulo to Recife, 54 hours.

[@nevango0690]

just FYI, it is quite common practice for big coach companies (national express, megabus) to hire buses when they don't have enough buses

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Judging by others comments on here, this service is frequently over-booked. So you would think they’d put the smaller coaches on less popular routes and/or times?

[@improperrunner]

Blimey that looks awful. I struggle on coaches with travel sickness as it is. I would happily pay the extra and get the Train.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, I think in the day it’s more bearable but overnight we’ll, as you can see, it’s just terrible. It’s the whole overnight thing and a false economy really because when I got there, I was so tired it was just a waste of a day!

[@robg521]

In the 1980’s I used to regularly get the Coach from Portsmouth to Norwich and you had to change at Victoria bus station. [It was all I could afford] The Victoria to Norwich bus was always OK, double decker, spacious, comfy reclining seats, toilet and usually was half empty of passengers. The Bus between Portsmouth and Victoria was always absolutely bloody horrendous. Single decker, small and cramped, over crowded, basic dirty non reclining seats, and no facilities. ……… Nearly 40 years on and sounds like not a lot has changed,….. and they wonder why people won’t get out of their cars and use public transport. 🙄 ……. last week I drove my car from Portsmouth to York for a 2 day stay over and back again, 6 hr journey each way, and at the end of each journey got out of the car as fresh as when I got in it. [I can’t see myself ever getting back on a coach again]

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I guess it’s a price thing for many - especially with fuel costs rising and also for people that can’t drive. I get the point that some people are quite prepared to stand on their heads all the way there for £11 but, for me, there’s got to be a basic element of comfort and hygiene. Others happy to live with it, good luck to them. I’m sure I can find better, even for that money!

[@craigthurston7731]

Oh Mark, at least viewers love misery. Really good video, thank you 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Craig. I like to think I maintained a dry sense of humour throughout but, tbh it was the pits. Even I have my limits!

[@rockerjim8045]

I’ve done this night route a few years ago. 9.5 hours / £4.50 !! inc £0.50 booking fee. great journey / read my library book whilst awake. Also £12.00 to Amsterdam in a Blizzard what fun

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great prices Jim. Were they both Megabus?

[@rockerjim8045]

@@LetsMakeaTrip yep

[@anianoenrique2115]

Don't worry, Mark. The worse the travel experience, the more views the video gets !

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

This is very true!

[@wavecreatures]

Gee thanks for enduring that trip for us! Cheers!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Phil, cheers mate. I would love to say it was a pleasure but.......

[@Dorkingwanderer]

This coach is like a non league away day supporters coach

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, so true! I’ll have to remember this line for a future video! Love it 👍

[@vanessaruiz4705]

I did a 9 hours bus trip back in Spain many years ago and I arrived to my destination with such horrible leg pain that i did not enjoy my holiday. However, that did not happen when I travelled to Japan which was a longer journey. So yeah, comfort and leg room are crucial. Thanks for the review

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

There are some awesome coaches in Japan. My great friend @nonstopeurotrip has been over there recently doing such journeys 👍

[@marshajohnstonmenehan6385]

I traveled from Aberdeen to Sheffield on Megabus and was disgusted in the mess of toilet no toilet paper 🧻 the floor was soaked absaloutly disgusting tried to tell the driver but that was a waste of time National express is the best so far And I definitely won’t be using mega bus again

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

See what I don’t get Marsha is that some people on here would say ‘what do you expect for £11’! Well, basic hygiene for one. This is not acceptable and I agree, NX are much better in my recent experience 👍

[@ravsingh1576]

I admire your tenacity and willingness to complete your journey, even when facing these terrible conditions.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Rav, I try my best but even I don’t want to be travelling on this coach again!

[@ravsingh1576]

@@LetsMakeaTrip completely agree. No one should have to go through all that. Looking forward to the next video. Keep safe and be careful of this freezing cold weather.

[@wildernesstraining1957]

Thankyou for an informative video. I’ve hitchhiked, drove, taken the coach, train, and aeroplane to Glasgow in my lifetime. The coach was always hard work. Cheap,and not exactly cheerful, as you’ve eloquently pointed out. Thanks again!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks. I’ve tried to show my 100% honest experience of the trip and believe me, I really wanted it to work out but ultimately, it was just terrible. I would have much preferred to hitchhike!

[@mr-wx3lv]

I remember taking an overnight coach from London to Edinburgh around 20 years ago. Can't remember if it was Megabus or national express... It was horrendous. It was full of drunkards and the heating didn't work. And it was middle of February. The only redeeming factor I can think of was that it got us there. But having watched your video, there's going to be plenty of folk wanting to do that trip for £10.99. it's a steal...

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, £11 for people with a higher pain threshold than me - I wish them all the best! Quite fancy doing this in he day next time to see what that’s like. Earlyish start from London but would be good to compare. Cheers mr 2010 and watch this space!