Is Flixbus any good?
Posted by Cal_PCGW@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 23 comments
I always spend Christmas in Manchester with a friend and usually travel up from London by train. This year, there's a lot of disruption on the journey back (two changes, which I'm loathe to do with Christmas luggage) so I'm considering going by coach (admittedly I dislike coach travel but it's a lot cheaper).
I'm considering National Express, but Flixbus has a stop closer to my mate's place so I wonder if it's a decent service or not.
-aLonelyImpulse@reddit
Haven't used them in the UK, but was on a Flixbus for 17 hours (Kraków to Lublin; Lublin to Kyiv) and 21 hours (Kyiv to Kraków) respectively.
Pros: cheap, on time, decently warm, clean.
Cons: not much leg room, wifi was terrible.
Would use them again to be honest. Only major gripe was leg room but that's buses everywhere really.
Felim_Doyle@reddit
Wi-Fi quality is based on how many people on board are using it and how good the mobile coverage is along the route, as the Wi-Fi needs a WAN connection in order to supply LAN connections.
Different_Squash9369@reddit
I have 30% discount for any Flixbus travel if something.
TheHermeneut@reddit
The only long-haul coach service I’ve used that just completely bypassed my stop with no explanation. Customer support had no idea why it happened.
Fit_Length_7956@reddit
It's pretty bad but it's only a few hours and very cheap.
dbxp@reddit
They're fine but more useful in continental Europe simply due to the geography of the UK having most cities in a long line north of London which lends itself more to trains
Cal_PCGW@reddit (OP)
I use Avanti from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, but there's holiday rail works on the way back.
dbxp@reddit
Have a look at going via Sheffield, I don't think it will appear as one of the routes as you go into a different London station.
Cal_PCGW@reddit (OP)
I actually am. I've done that before and got my mate to drive me there but he'll be working so I'd have to get the train over. Not sure how reliable TransPennine Express but there's a bit of leeway between the two trains so it may be OK.
PendleAlice@reddit
I used it once, took longer than expected due to traffic and problem with engine so had to stop- don't expect a trolley servce with snacks or anything! Very basic and small seats but you can buy the seat next to you for not much more- it was good knowing you have a designated seat and it can't be taken off you and was very cheap compared to train.
andreibirsan92@reddit
I found it less reliable than national express
kathryn-m@reddit
Since my 26-30 railcard expired I've basically only used Flixbus when travelling between Manchester and London rather than getting the train - yes it's longer but tends to be much cheaper, service is very regular (think there is pretty much one every hour?), plugs and/or USB ports at each seat. Sometimes can be a bit delayed (30 mins max) if your arrival is in peak traffic time, or obviously if there are other issues on the road. If you've got big luggage - it's much better than the train in my opinion, especially at Christmas, as you don't have to stress about finding space for it. You can reserve seats for like £1.99 as well if you specifically want a window seat etc. Would definitely recommend!
hotbutnotathot@reddit
got my first one in july, it was 2.5hrs late and crashed into a Porsche Macan within 15 minutes of beginning the journey
Zealousideal-Habit82@reddit
My worst coach journey was in India, coach struck and killed a camel but drove on. The driver did stop a few miles later at a shrine to get out and pray. At another point in the journey the driver stopped and came to talk to us as he had been told we were consuming alcohol, it was hand sanitizer.....
RBXXIII@reddit
Probably shouldn't be consuming hand sanitizer buddy but you do you
Zealousideal-Habit82@reddit
Good job we didn't get the Brasso out.
Cal_PCGW@reddit (OP)
Um, wow.
EdmundTheInsulter@reddit
I found it ok, a lot cheaper than the train and you get a seat. I don't feel like paying a fortune for a train then someone stole my seat and the staff won't help, which is the story I keep hearing.
Weary_Bat2456@reddit
I don't know how much it is now, but I remember in 2023 and 2024 travelling from Leeds to Birmingham for usually like £3 with no discount. It did take longer than National Express, there were only two coaches a day one way and one of them did a 40 minute break at a service station. Now I have a car so I don't need to use it but damn, those prices were good - everyone on board was either a student (me) or what looked like homeless people. Prices stayed basically the same even if you bought the ticket just before departure. They've cut some cities out that they had when they first came to the UK.
I've travelled on Flixbus in mainland Europe too and it's good, much better comfort than the UK one, but more expensive.
NoLove_NoHope@reddit
I got it once in the Netherlands. First coach never turned up. After a lot of hot air from flixbus we eventually got sent a new coach 2 hours later. That coach was broke down 5 mins into the journey and we had to wait another 3 hours for a new coach.
I’ll never use them again.
Royal-Yesterday6731@reddit
Used it across Europe and the UK! I’ve taken it from Edinburgh to London before and it’s a little cramped but always bang on for the price!
If it’s a decent price and a stop closer, I would reccomend!
ClaphamOmnibusDriver@reddit
It's absolutely fine, it's a coach.
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