www.megabus.com, low cost intercity bus travel UK

I have used megabus a number of times over the past 5 years but most recently in october of 2008 although the service has been fairly consistent so I would imagine it is similar now. Most often I have travelled from Edinburgh/Glasgow to London and vice versa but have also gone on shorter trips from central Scotland up to Inverness and Aberdeen and once to Newcastle.

The buses are basic and leg-room can be a problem but I don't find they differ vastly from other intercity bus companies. The buses have always been reasonably clean and they stop at least once on longer journies at service stations. On two occasions the heating was broken-once it failed to work on a mid-winter overnight journey which was freezing and another trip it became boiling hot so everyone was sweating all night. Also for night trips the seats only recline a few inches at most so it can be a long and uncomfortable journey with little sleep.

All the trips I have taken have arrived on time, or within a few minutes thereof. Once on a Glasgow to London trip we arrived half an hour early but I have never been late. The buses usually stop at most main towns and cities on the route they take and so the trips are not the quickest available but there are quite frequent services. For example on the Scotland to London routes there are usually 3 buses a day that take around 8-10 hours depending on the precise service.

Of course the biggest selling point of megabus is the price. Prices start at 1 pound plus 50p booking fee although usually for longer trips these need to be booked a few months in advance. For Glasgow to London, one way, I have found that booking around four weeks typically has a price of around 7 pounds and 2 weeks or less between 12.50 and 15.00. I have never paid more than 16 pounds for the overnight trip even booking only the day before. These prices are fantastic value compared to other companies.

I found the company quite friendly and even once went on a slight detour to drop me off where I wanted to go instead of leaving me at a random bus stop in the middle of the night. This can't be guaranteed of course but I feel like the staff treat the customers at least as well as on other coach companies.

I think that if money is an issue then megabus offer a reasonable service at fantastic prices. For anyone wanting a little more comfort particularly for longer journeys this is probably not going to be the best way to travel. There are better ways to travel but the price also rises dramatically.