FlixBus vs Megabus which is cheaper in the UK
Jun 24 2026
Neither wins every route. FlixBus often undercuts Megabus on cross-country runs like Manchester to Bristol, where it can land near £25 against Megabus at £40. On Anglo-Scottish routes like London to Edinburgh, Megabus frequently comes in cheaper. Both beat the train by a wide margin. Compare the exact route and date, because the cheaper operator flips depending on where you are going.
Cheapest overall is usually a toss-up between FlixBus and Megabus, decided route by route. FlixBus tends to win on certain cross-country corridors, Megabus on Anglo-Scottish runs. National Express costs more but offers the broadest UK network and a more generous luggage allowance. Always compare all three for your specific journey.
The honest verdict
There is no fixed cheaper operator between FlixBus and Megabus in Britain. Both run ultra-low-cost intercity coach services, and which one wins comes down to your exact route and how early you book. A traveller going Manchester to Bristol found FlixBus at £25 against Megabus at £40, with the train above £100. On the London to Edinburgh run, the pattern can reverse, with Megabus singles undercutting FlixBus.
So the real answer is to compare. Both are far cheaper than rail on most corridors, which is the whole point of coach travel. Promotional fares can start from just a few pounds on quieter routes and off-peak departures.
Price on real routes
Coach pricing is dynamic, so treat these as indicative rather than fixed. The pattern that holds: FlixBus is aggressive on certain cross-country corridors, Megabus is strong on the high-volume Anglo-Scottish trunk routes, and both leave the train far behind on price.
Route | Rough coach fare | Notes |
Manchester to Bristol | FlixBus ~£25, Megabus ~£40 | FlixBus often wins this cross-country run |
London to Edinburgh | Megabus ~£19, FlixBus can run higher | Megabus competitive on Anglo-Scottish singles |
Quiet / off-peak routes | From a few pounds | Promotional fares on either operator |
Versus rail | Coach far cheaper | Train often 2-4x the coach fare on these corridors |
Network and routes
FlixBus runs an enormous European network, over 2,500 destinations across 40-plus countries, and operates in the UK as part of that web. Its strength is connecting Britain to the Continent and covering major UK city pairs. If you might continue a journey into Europe, FlixBus is the natural pick.
Megabus operates across the UK and into parts of Europe, with a smaller network than FlixBus overall but a strong, well-established presence on core British routes, especially the Anglo-Scottish corridors. For straightforward UK city-to-city travel, both cover the main routes well.
Where National Express fits National Express is the UK's largest scheduled coach operator, reaching most cities and towns of any size. It usually costs more than FlixBus or Megabus, but the network breadth and a more generous luggage allowance make it the pick when the budget pair does not serve your stop or you are carrying a lot.
Comfort and onboard experience
All three run modern coaches with reclining seats, on most services WiFi, power sockets, and toilets. The honest hierarchy that regular riders describe: National Express tends to lead on operational quality and comfort, Megabus sits in the middle, and FlixBus is the cheapest with a more variable experience.
FlixBus reviews swing widely. Many riders report clean coaches, helpful drivers, and on-time arrivals. Others report basic WiFi, occasional cancellations, and stops on the outskirts of cities rather than central stations. The pattern is normal for the lowest-cost operator: you trade a little reliability and polish for the lowest fare.
Luggage: a real difference
This is where the operators genuinely diverge, and it can change which is cheaper once you factor it in.
Operator | Free luggage allowance |
FlixBus | One carry-on and one stowed bag free. Extra or oversized bags cost a fee. |
Megabus | One item of luggage up to around 20kg plus one carry-on. Extra bags may be charged. |
National Express | More generous: typically two medium suitcases plus a carry-on free. |
If you are carrying more than one large bag, National Express can work out cheaper overall despite a higher headline fare, because you avoid extra-baggage charges. For light travellers, FlixBus or Megabus on a low fare is the cheapest route.
Stops and stations
National Express and the others cluster around major hubs like London Victoria Coach Station, which runs like a busy regional airport with departure screens and gates. The watch-out with FlixBus, and sometimes Megabus, is that budget operators occasionally use less central stops on the outskirts. That can add a local fare and time at each end, which eats into the saving.
Check the exact departure and arrival points before you book. A central station saves you a connecting journey. A peripheral stop can turn a cheap headline fare into a slower, pricier door-to-door trip, especially late at night when a stop can feel less safe to wait at.
Which should you book?
Book FlixBus if
The FlixBus fare wins on your exact route, common on certain cross-country corridors.
You might continue your journey into Europe on the same network.
You are travelling light and want the lowest possible headline fare.
Book Megabus if
You are on an Anglo-Scottish route where Megabus singles often undercut.
You want a middle ground on comfort at a low price.
Its fare beats FlixBus for your specific date and time.
Consider National Express if
The budget pair does not serve your town, since its network is the broadest.
You are carrying two large suitcases and want them included free.
You value the most consistent comfort and operational reliability.
The habit that saves the most
Do not pick an operator first. Pick your route, then compare FlixBus, Megabus, and National Express for that exact journey and date. A comparison site can pull all three at once. Factor in luggage and how central the stops are, not just the headline fare. Two minutes of comparison routinely beats any loyalty to one brand.
FAQs
Is FlixBus or Megabus cheaper in the UK?
It depends on the route and date. FlixBus often undercuts on certain cross-country corridors like Manchester to Bristol, while Megabus is competitive on Anglo-Scottish routes such as London to Edinburgh. Compare both for your exact journey.
Is FlixBus reliable in the UK?
Mostly. Many riders report clean coaches, helpful drivers, and on-time arrivals. As the lowest-cost operator, it has more variable reviews, with occasional cancellations and some stops on city outskirts. Check your stop locations before booking.
How does National Express compare to FlixBus and Megabus?
National Express usually costs more but offers the broadest UK network and a more generous luggage allowance, typically two suitcases plus a carry-on free. It is the pick when the budget pair does not serve your stop or you are carrying a lot.
Which UK coach has the best luggage allowance?
National Express, with roughly two medium suitcases plus a carry-on free. FlixBus and Megabus include one main bag plus a carry-on, with fees for extra or oversized luggage.
Are UK coaches cheaper than the train?
Almost always on intercity routes. Coach fares are frequently a fraction of the rail price. One Manchester to Bristol example showed the train above £100 against coach fares of £25 to £40.