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I remember when i moved to London in the early 90s using the overnight coach services between Glasgow and London. The choice of companies then was; Western Scottish Stagecoach National Express London Liner from Kings Cross. All these company's coaches were superb luxury double Deckers compaired to the boring single deckers used now. The National Express Neoplan double decker was my favourite as they even served coffee and snacks. Aw i miss those overnight journeys!!
Great video, you should consider trying out the brand new Volvo 9700 Double Deckers from Megabus on the Glasgow to London or London to Glasgow route. Be interesting to see your review.. keep up the great videos 🚌
M6 toll was always free for coach and passengers, however! You have to stop at the services there for around 20 minutes to claim the free voucher. 8 years at least since my last visit so apologies if it's not anymore
Did Glasgow to Preston by Flixbus on Friday just gone. It was a lot cheaper than what the train fares were, and as I wasn't in a rush to get home, it made absolute sense.
I always remember National Express running direct services from Aberdeen to London, however they stopped when COVID came along sadly and never returned. I sympathise with the cold, I got a summer cold too, the worst time of the year to get one! Love your comment “nice sun rise, guy snoring loudly, iconic moment” 😂
I’m half-tempted by the Flixbus service! I dunno, need a rest after his one tbh. I’m quite jealous of people go away able to sleep on these journeys really. Must be nice to get there and get on with your day.
Great video again. Thank you. Whilst the price of £20 sounds very tempting, I am at an age now where long nights awake does not agree with me. I would prefer to pay the extra and just get a flight.
Cheers Alan. Yep BHX - GLA or EDI with EZY can be around £20 ish if you’re lucky plus getting to/from the airport so as usualit’s a time/cost thing and the coach isn’t for everyone. Depends how close you are to the airport too. For me, I’d probably take the train. A bit more expensive and a little longer than flying but city centre to city centre probably the best choice in my situation. Everyone’s different though 😊👍
Recently took a trip from Nottingham to London on NE. Great value, comfortable seats (highly recommend booking a specific seat) and good timing, even with London traffic. Only downsides were the Victoria coach station which was cramped and a bit chaotic due to other late services and certain other passengers who felt the need to have long, loud phone conversations throughout the trip - definitely worth investing in noise cancelling headphones to drown out those selfish tossers.
Interesting. For a time, in the 1980s, I used the overnight coach several times between Glasgow and London, and it was pretty decent way to travel really - even I normally managed a couple of hours sleep! But...in those days, it was normally a pretty smooth journey. No doubt due to the increased traffic levels, these days major roadworks are done at night, which means that any journeys between 8pm and 6am are lotteries as to whether the route is closed and time consuming diversions are required. I gather that your journey was due into London at 7.30AM? (7 at Golders Green). That's OK on a Sunday morning, but on a Mon-Fri, the traffic into London starts being chaotic after 6AM, so I guess it would be pretty slow by 7.30, especially if you were delayed due to roadwork diversions. In the 80s, my Citylink journeys usually left Glasgow at 22:00 and arrived at Victoria at 6.30, and of course in those days, traffic wasn't quite so bad. Yes, getting off at Golders Green is always going to makes sense unless you are connecting at Victoria, as its always going to be a crawl across central London. There seems to have been a stop at Hamilton since the beginning of time - not sure why as few seem to get on there, and it doesn't seem to be particularly well connected to other public transport!
6:45 in at Golders Green and yes totally agree about travelling onward to Victoria. I had no reason to do it though of course it does cost an extra £3 to get into the centre but same would apply to Victoria (or Sloane Square) unless you walk it.
One thoughtful feature is the way a window is cut into the bottom of the sun shade in the windscreen so that you can see through it. It's often very annoying if your view is blocked by that
I've not used Golders Green from the coach (or any of the other underground stations.) within the last year. Usually it's the coach between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh overnight . I think it's only usually worth using the Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness , Aberdeen or Fort William with a bed. I suspect I'll be on their seats again soon.
Coach travel is okay if people are quiet and you have something to keep you entertained (Music, videos, or an online magazine app 😊). I've been on a few coaches in my time, the longest being from Spain to Northern France (Never again 😂). The beeping of the reversing coach in your video sounds exactly like our tumble dryer, making my wife to keep going to check it, which I found very entertaining 😂 Great video, Mark.
Haha, cheers mate, sorry had to laugh at the tumble dryer thing. Can you apologise to your wife on my behalf! Spain to NI seems quite a trek. I did south of France one year with no a/c - just absolutely terrible. Thankfully things have improved since then!
My wife has been going nuts for the last 20 mins while I watched this video complaining that the tumble dryer keeps making a noise.... you've just made me realise its this video hahah🤣🤣
100% correct to never get the coach all of the way into Victoria Coach Station - if you need the train (and especially underground) after it. It you are at all able - get off at any other stops near to underground (or mainline) stations. Was caught out on that a couple of times when travelling from Bristol into London and now never go past either Hammersmith or Earls Court stops. (It always feels like it takes for ever to get from the arrivals at V.C.S to the underground entrance in Victoria Station).
Great tip when arriving from Wales or West Country, it may only be a 10 minute walk to the side entrance to Victoria BR to get to Kent or Sussex but dragging two large cases is hard work and trying to get a cab often results in a two word answer with three F's in it. They are not supposed to refuse a fare but 250m is taking the mickey.
Only trouble with getting off at somewhere like a Tube station is that after a journey of that length you'd surely want a 🚾, and there almost certainly wouldnt be one at the station. What I'd usually do is make for a nearby coffee shop, although they probably wouldn't be open at that time either
I use the Victoria to Norwich National Express service maybe every couple of months and the seats on the NE coaches are horrible. I can just about tolerate the 90 mins between Stratford and Thetford so I have no idea how you could stand that journey. I've been spoiled by the superb Oxford Tube recently and I'd love to take my trips to Glasgow on a similar bus / coach but no saving would make travel on an NE coach acceptable.
The Oxford Tube is a nice service I agree. I prefer the NX seats to Flixbus or Megabus for longer journeys, I guess everyone’s different but I’ve certainly had worse.
Not been there for years but Buchanen's one of my favourite bus/coach stations. I remember a virtually idyllic overnight NX journey from Glasgow-Birmingham back in June 1990, the journey down the M74/A74 to Carlisle taking in the last of the mid summer daylight, with me drifitng into sleep beyond Carlisle and not waking up until passing Stafford! Don't think I could hack overnight journeys today though!
I've done the night coach from Birmingham to Edinburgh and vice-versa a couple of times when I worked at the Fringe - yes it was cheap, but I decided that in future I'd pay the extra for the train.
Hi Mark I'm just having a catch up on your videos, last time I was in Glasgow I stocked up on refreshments from that Sainsbury's, staying in the maldron around the corner. Let's just say a good night was had. I'm definitely with you about getting off early it's a bit of a trek to victoria station.
I think overnight coaches are ok if I have a bed at the other end. Manchester is a bit too near London so the overnights go round the houses to kill time. Selwyns operate the NE from Manchester and as they have just opened a new base at Milton Keynes nearly all their services now stop there for a quick driver change. This means there is no Services stop anymore but the journey is 20/30 mins quicker. Some services go via Golders Green and it’s a popular alighting point. Their coaches are brand new 24 plates and the seats are very comfy and decent leg room if not in 2A.
Cheers mate and thanks for the info. I may well try this route but tbh, I’d probably want to do it in the day. I did think of getting a day room in London for this trip but in the end I decided to head home. It was a killer but y’know tight budgets and all that!
Well the train is a five hour journey booked a week in advance with a railcard (split ticketing) for £26 with the possibility of a bit of delay repay. so its a no brainier it has to be the coach (Not)
I done the overnight journey from Glasgow to Golders Green just over 5 weeks ago, it was the quick journey, leaving at 10.45pm, only stopped at Hamilton and Milton Keynes coachway. I was in seat 2A, which was great, but i didn't get much sleep, it wasn't good, i'd rather get the train
Yes, same as me Steven. I’m quite happy to do this in an effort to showcase the trip for people who need it. I’d rather do it in the day personally or, second option for me would be flying tbh.
Glad it wasn’t a scary one like your previous London-Glasgow trek. I am more a train and plane person but, as a visitor, use buses too in the UK and Ireland but prefer day journeys to see more of the country. :)
I prefer day journeys tbh but this is an option for some. Saves on a nights accommodation too if you can get some sleep. Just doesn’t work for me though and the next day, well I’m totally ruined unfortunately!
@@LetsMakeaTrip As an American who travelled to Prague for 15 years a few times a year before moving here, I spent many, many hours on the long plane ride. I've had enough of those long, uncomfortable trips for a lifetime. Here in the Czech Republic we have great rail, so rail is the best option here for longer trips.
If you do intend to make a video about Condor Islander would love to see your take on the Guernsey state owned airline Aurigny. Also, some of the smaller islands like Alderney, Sark and Herm are definitely worth a visit
Cheers James. Yes I’ve been wanting to film Aurigny for a while now. I have got a trip on the Condor Liberation coming out soon but I wouldn’t need much of an excuse to go back 😊👍
Great video, I used to take the overnight service from London Victoria coach station to Falmouth which is roughly the same price. The seats can be a bit hard but taking a pillow and a blanket really helps.
I did Carlisle to London overnight on a National Express last August, i ended up with a seat towards the back with a bloke snoring all night next to me. The bus was coming down from Glasgow so was already nearly full by the time I got on. It was a rough night with me getting virtually no sleep. Don't think I'd ever do it again
Thanks Mark, great video, journey went well I thought, glad to see your getting sponsored now, that'll help bud, easier on the wallet 😉 keep them coming 👍
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it. Just wanted to show the experience from north to south and yes it is the best way to do it if you’re wanting to keep money in your pocket. 👍
If you can tolerate the overnight journey on a coach and are not needing to be bright and alert the next day then I reckon it's worth it. After all, you can take comfort from the fact that you got a bargain AND didn’t have to fork out for accommodation. The vehicle looked spotless and as for the snorer, well, I would bring along earplugs just in case. Another good video, thanks!
Good comment Bob. I agree, the next day is a killer. As well as earplugs, I would recommend an eye mask, one of those things that go around your neck and a fleece blanket. 👍
I told you about my overnight coach from Glasgow to Birmingham and I couldn’t sleep loll cos I wanted to have a lot more roads and places on my camera roll
Nice video! The last time I took a trip with National Express was when me and my Dad took a trip from Leeds to Newcastle on 3rd June (we were going for the England game at St James's Park that night and stopping overnight in a Premier Inn in Newcastle city centre afterwards) before doing the reverse journey on the 4th June (the coach both ways made stops at Sunderland and Middlesbrough). The coaches were nice and clean and the drivers were nice but the only issue we had is that at Newcastle Coach Station, there were no bins or toilets! It was just basically an outdoor waiting area!
Newcastle resident here: Yes - the coach station is appalling. It replaces what was a wonderful much bigger and better more central bus station - a backward move we think for this city.
@@jackking5567 yeah in contrast to the one at Leeds (which was all indoors, and had toilets and refreshments facilities) - the current Newcastle one looks like an eyesore!
I looked at this in more detail in my Newcastle to Manchester vid. The coach station at the time seemed under-used. In fact, all ‘indoor facilities’ were locked and like you said, it just became an outside waiting area. It could be really good as NX have obvs spent a bit of cash on it.
Quite difficult choice. Did once take the over night sleeper london to Edinburgh then scotrail through to Queens street thru taxi to site. Found this too triring
Sorry - not even going to watch all of this. Madness to spend so long on a bus when cheap flights/trains are available which are so much quicker. (I get some people can’t fly!)
No pity required Erik, if you’ve stopped enjoying my videos because of ‘too much time on sponsership ad (sic) well I can’t really do much about that can I! Advertising something once in a while enables (or enabled in your case) me to make more videos for people to enjoy. Use the bloody ‘fast forward’ button if you don’t want to sit through it. That’s why it’s there! Another question or two: are you a RUclips premium member? Do you subscribe to anything? Do you (or did you) subscribe to my channel? Do you subscribe to any other channels that constantly promote stuff (I.e. Noel Phillips, Paul Lucas, Nonstop Eurotrip, Planes, Trains whatever it is, Ruth Aisling etc etc? Im going on a bit tbh but I hope you get the point. I don’t normally reply to comments like these. My time is very precious and I’d rather it replying to subscribers that are appreciative of my efforts. But I’m very tired tonight, these videos take time and money to make and honestly for some people to complain just because I occasionally promote something that is RELEVANT, to my demographic and I earn a few quid from it. Well, it just grates with me sometimes.
Well, i need that amount of time to tell you about all the amazing features! The good thing about RUclips though is you can just fast forward on if you want. 👍
Cheers Pete, yes the sleeper is fine, but, depends how much you’ve got to spend. Agree, I’m pleased to have discovered the advantages of Golders Green! 👍
Sleep is at a premium on those buses and you are lucky to get 1 hour.I've done loads of them over the years to Middlesbrough and Newcastle from London, Birmingham and Oxford .
I've been a long-time subscriber to Readly - it's an amazing resource. I LOVE magazines and used to spend a small fortune on them every month. I was pretty ashamed of how much paper I was chucking into the recycling every month.
Hi TherymasterWidnes, thanks for the comment and the sub. I turn down LOTS of sponsorship offers (yes even at my lowly level) because they’re not relevant to the content I’m making. It costs a lot of money to film some of these trips. All travel, food, accommodation it’s all self-funded. I get NOTHING for free. So where an offer is relevant and can help out with the bills, then I feel it’s worth promoting. I’m sure you’re aware that lots of other, much bigger RUclipsrs than me promote all sorts of stuff much more regularly than I do. It’s kind of how it works for some and for me it’s nice to occasionally break-even. Appreciate you’re not interested mate but just use the fast-forward button. Problem solved. Hope you don’t see this reply as ‘bull shit’ or a rant, I’m just trying to explain my reasoning in a genuine way. I get that a few people won’t like it but y’know I’m just gonna have to live with that. All the best anyway, Mark 😊
In the 1970s we used to travel on the Scottish coach from London to Glasgow and return. It was a terribly long journey. Stopping at Lockerbie. The cafeteria there was the worst ever along with the rudest staff.
@LetsMakeaTrip In the 70's, I actually travelled extensively between London where I worked and lived, to my home in Fife. Initially I used the London to Edinburgh service, with family meeting me in Edinburgh. On odd occasions, I used the Glasgow route, to fit in with family plans. The Scottish Bus Group coaches used then were quite unique, with Double Glazed windows, reclining seats, excellent floor level heating throughout, individual air vents and reading lights above each seat, plus each seat would have a tartan travel blanket and small pillow supplied. There was also an on board Toilet, at the rear of the coach. Lighting was subdued for the main part of the journey, with an average 12 hours end to end. The coaches were quiet, comfortable and had good suspension, ironing out any road surface issues. Sleep was certainly possible to achieve. En-Route, there was usually a 45 minute refreshment break at a service area. There were also 2 drivers, who shared the driving. Then, it was £3 Return and the service was far better than what is offered today, though nowadays, the trip is down to around 8-9 hours with better roads.
The coach was indeed lovely. A Western SMT. Its slanting windows made it look very modern. You can today buy models of those very coaches. I also remember the two drivers and if it wasn't to busy one could have a sleep at the back..
Didn't the driver put the interior lights on when passengers were boarding? Did you have to find your seat and sort yourself out and everything just with that blue lighting which is supposed to be for when you're on the move?
It’s a good question and, in a nutshell, what you saw was constant. Haven’t really thought about it tbh until you mentioned it but yep, it was pretty dark in there throughout.
My policy has always not to travel into central London on the roads if I can help it. So I would definitely have chosen Golders Green as the place to alight.
After being nearly 2 hours late in a coach from Manchester due to an accident in the M1 I decided to get off at Golders Green. Managed to get home at a reasonable hour because of it. Great video, as always.
I would love to do this journey, only on seat 2A of course. Last time I did a National Express coach at night was one from Birmingham to Luton Airport where somebody also tried to nick my 2A seat.
I’ve seen a few occasions where there aren’t enough of these ‘reserved’ signs on the seats and people assume they can sit there. Cool if no one has reserved them but often they have and have to move. Poor coach driver ends up sorting it out though I’m surprised (though relieved) no one chose to sit in 1A on this trip.
Text book trip that was, surprisingly sunny weather and a decent dawn makes it look so much better than when its tipping down with rain,. Glasgow coach stations got my vote if its got a greggs, MK coach station looked tidy to, how much would this trip cost if you had booked to disembark at golders green ?, i can see the problem with victoria coach station not being close to mainline trains and underground, ive only done it once but its a bit of a hike with a large suitcase and a carry on bag getting from a to b,.good tip on the reserve seat banner to, no mention about your drivers being good/helpfull etc, cheers,.
Sunrise was the highlight of the trip. I had to check before I could state this on the video but the price to Golders Green seems to be exactly the same as Victoria. The drivers were ok, not really anything to mention about them one way or the other. Tbh, if I get really good, friendly customer service I’ll always make a point of saying that. Conversely bad service will also get a mention. Cheers Mike 😊👍
Yes Andy, the bargain price is a massive plus point for some. Honestly if I had the money I’d fly down and stay in a posh hotel! But I don’t. Importantly, there is a travel option for everyone and yes for less than £20 it can be done👍
Yep, quite a lot of people do it, as @argyle83 said, I film these kind of trips really for anyone who maybe wants to save money and isn’t too bothered about the length of time or time of departure. There are plenty out there, the coach was probably 80% full . Personally, I’d prefer to do these journeys in the day. 😊👍
2A can be hit and miss sometimes. If the driver has the CCTV on at night, you’ll have that lighting up your face. Them paying for security to make sure people pay the 30p for the lav seems a false economy 😂 The A50 to East Midlands and M1 would maybe have been a good option to avoid spaghetti junction, but given the M69 excursion, they might have got lost anyway 😂
Cheers Kev. I always take an eye mask these days. Even though I couldn’t sleep, I guess they do get rested a little. All the passengers on this coach were pretty good, no music, chatter, just a bit of snoring late on 😂I’m sure security were doing more than toilet checks tbf to them - it’s not a job I’d fancy tbh. All-in-all, it was pretty decent and ultimately, we got there on time which is all you can ask for really.
Interesting content here! I have been on this trip myself, Torquay to London, London to Inverness via Glasgow and Edinburgh. The highest point in the UK, national express go is up to edinburgh. Then I got the city link coach from Edinburgh to Inverness. Quite a long journey but really enjoyed it
Enjoy the video guys and don't forget, you can claim your Readly 2-month free trial using this link here: gb.readly.com/letsmakeatrip and remember, you can CANCEL ANYTIME!
Loved The Simpsons reference at 14:23. 😌
Haha, yep I just noticed it too! 😂
@@kevinmcmullan1827 Nobody who speaks German could be a evil man 😆
@@peterainsworth8026 "The Bart, the" 😂
I remember when i moved to London in the early 90s using the overnight coach services between Glasgow and London.
The choice of companies then was;
Western Scottish
Stagecoach
National Express
London Liner from Kings Cross.
All these company's coaches were superb luxury double Deckers compaired to the boring single deckers used now.
The National Express Neoplan double decker was my favourite as they even served coffee and snacks.
Aw i miss those overnight journeys!!
Great video, you should consider trying out the brand new Volvo 9700 Double Deckers from Megabus on the Glasgow to London or London to Glasgow route. Be interesting to see your review.. keep up the great videos 🚌
I’ve seen a few pics. Yep, cheers Ryan I may well do them at some point 👍
Coach travel is a limited market cheap maybe but!!!
ngl its actually a nice alternative to trains for shorter (2-3 hours max) services, not so much for these insane 9 hour long journeys
M6 toll was always free for coach and passengers, however! You have to stop at the services there for around 20 minutes to claim the free voucher.
8 years at least since my last visit so apologies if it's not anymore
Oh that’s interesting Marc never knew that. So the services and M6 Toll are effectively ‘in it together’!
Four minutes on about a reading app that Im not interested in, lost interest went and watched someone elses videos
@@paulhutchinson5695 There's literally chapters on the video. It would literally take 1 second to skip that part 🙄
Man has to make money some how.
Seat 2A on National Express and Golders Green Underground Station - two very good tips!
Yes Mike, definitely recommend both if you can grab seat 2A. And register for NX as well to save on the booking fee. It all helps 😊👍
Did Glasgow to Preston by Flixbus on Friday just gone. It was a lot cheaper than what the train fares were, and as I wasn't in a rush to get home, it made absolute sense.
This is exactly the thing Neil. If you’re not in a rush, relax, enjoy the ride and think about the money you’ve saved. Nice one 😊👍
A great price for the journey. I thought it would be about £60.
I always remember National Express running direct services from Aberdeen to London, however they stopped when COVID came along sadly and never returned. I sympathise with the cold, I got a summer cold too, the worst time of the year to get one! Love your comment “nice sun rise, guy snoring loudly, iconic moment” 😂
I’m half-tempted by the Flixbus service! I dunno, need a rest after his one tbh. I’m quite jealous of people go away able to sleep on these journeys really. Must be nice to get there and get on with your day.
Megabus have brought back direct London to Aberdeen. There was also national express to Inverness too.
Great video again. Thank you.
Whilst the price of £20 sounds very tempting, I am at an age now where long nights awake does not agree with me. I would prefer to pay the extra and just get a flight.
Cheers Alan. Yep BHX - GLA or EDI with EZY can be around £20 ish if you’re lucky plus getting to/from the airport so as usualit’s a time/cost thing and the coach isn’t for everyone. Depends how close you are to the airport too. For me, I’d probably take the train. A bit more expensive and a little longer than flying but city centre to city centre probably the best choice in my situation. Everyone’s different though 😊👍
your night camera is......awwww
Recently took a trip from Nottingham to London on NE. Great value, comfortable seats (highly recommend booking a specific seat) and good timing, even with London traffic. Only downsides were the Victoria coach station which was cramped and a bit chaotic due to other late services and certain other passengers who felt the need to have long, loud phone conversations throughout the trip - definitely worth investing in noise cancelling headphones to drown out those selfish tossers.
Interesting. For a time, in the 1980s, I used the overnight coach several times between Glasgow and London, and it was pretty decent way to travel really - even I normally managed a couple of hours sleep! But...in those days, it was normally a pretty smooth journey. No doubt due to the increased traffic levels, these days major roadworks are done at night, which means that any journeys between 8pm and 6am are lotteries as to whether the route is closed and time consuming diversions are required. I gather that your journey was due into London at 7.30AM? (7 at Golders Green). That's OK on a Sunday morning, but on a Mon-Fri, the traffic into London starts being chaotic after 6AM, so I guess it would be pretty slow by 7.30, especially if you were delayed due to roadwork diversions. In the 80s, my Citylink journeys usually left Glasgow at 22:00 and arrived at Victoria at 6.30, and of course in those days, traffic wasn't quite so bad. Yes, getting off at Golders Green is always going to makes sense unless you are connecting at Victoria, as its always going to be a crawl across central London. There seems to have been a stop at Hamilton since the beginning of time - not sure why as few seem to get on there, and it doesn't seem to be particularly well connected to other public transport!
It makes sense for NX revenue wise, another £100 of payload,.just topping off at hamilton,.
6:45 in at Golders Green and yes totally agree about travelling onward to Victoria. I had no reason to do it though of course it does cost an extra £3 to get into the centre but same would apply to Victoria (or Sloane Square) unless you walk it.
As a rather large guy I have to inquire if National Express and other companies allow you to purchase 2 seats for one person?
Cheers Jason. Yes I can’t see why not if you pay for both. You need to reserve in the first 5 rows though - they are the only bookable seats.
It would be cheaper to get the Tube from Victoria than Golders Green.
Well it’s a zone thing isn’t it but the convenience and time saving may out-weigh the additional cost?
Cheapest way to travel if you don't want to pay train prices or drive yourself
Exactly Jack. A long journey but relatively stress-free.
How much do you tip the driver? I always give them £10
I’ve never actually seen anyone tip the driver tbh. I’m sure it’s appreciated though 👍
Seat 2A. Duly noted. A fine watch as always Mark.
Cheers Tim and thanks (as always) for leaving a comment. Book that seat!!
One thoughtful feature is the way a window is cut into the bottom of the sun shade in the windscreen so that you can see through it. It's often very annoying if your view is blocked by that
It is. I’ve often thought that too 👍
That’s so the driver can still see their mirrors through the blind.
I did the London to Aberdeen overnight National Express in the '90's. I think it was 12 hours. Not in a hurry to repeat the experience 😂
I've not used Golders Green from the coach (or any of the other underground stations.) within the last year.
Usually it's the coach between London and Glasgow/Edinburgh overnight . I think it's only usually worth using the Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness , Aberdeen or Fort William with a bed. I suspect I'll be on their seats again soon.
I keep threatening myself with the CalSleeper seats but haven’t plucked up the courage yet!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Fair enough. If you end up there and see a suitcase with multiple IKEA bags inside , I'm probably there 😂😂.
Coach travel is okay if people are quiet and you have something to keep you entertained (Music, videos, or an online magazine app 😊). I've been on a few coaches in my time, the longest being from Spain to Northern France (Never again 😂). The beeping of the reversing coach in your video sounds exactly like our tumble dryer, making my wife to keep going to check it, which I found very entertaining 😂 Great video, Mark.
Haha, cheers mate, sorry had to laugh at the tumble dryer thing. Can you apologise to your wife on my behalf! Spain to NI seems quite a trek. I did south of France one year with no a/c - just absolutely terrible. Thankfully things have improved since then!
@LetsMakeaTrip She knows how childish I am and said, "You're going to play that part of the video every time the tumble dryer is on, aren't you?". 😂
My wife has been going nuts for the last 20 mins while I watched this video complaining that the tumble dryer keeps making a noise.... you've just made me realise its this video hahah🤣🤣
Finally a new National Express video, ive been waiting for this
Hope you enjoyed it mate 😊
100% correct to never get the coach all of the way into Victoria Coach Station - if you need the train (and especially underground) after it. It you are at all able - get off at any other stops near to underground (or mainline) stations.
Was caught out on that a couple of times when travelling from Bristol into London and now never go past either Hammersmith or Earls Court stops. (It always feels like it takes for ever to get from the arrivals at V.C.S to the underground entrance in Victoria Station).
Cheers Alan and thanks for the tip when coming from Bristol. I’ll have to remember that one 😊👍
Great tip when arriving from Wales or West Country, it may only be a 10 minute walk to the side entrance to Victoria BR to get to Kent or Sussex but dragging two large cases is hard work and trying to get a cab often results in a two word answer with three F's in it. They are not supposed to refuse a fare but 250m is taking the mickey.
I haven't bought a magazine for like 15 odd years, well there was no point ! there was nothing on the top shelf 🤣
587 is an oddly unmemorable route number. More like a local town circular service than a blue-riband international trip.
It was changed recently
Yep, tbh I don’t think too much about the route numbers although there are some good ones out there (the 727 to ABZ springs to mind).
Enjoy all your work🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thanks Derisley and I always appreciate your comments and look forward to the emojis 😊😊😊😊👍👍👍🚌🚌🚌🚌🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Lands End to John O'Groats by town service buses - not National Express coming soon.....You need 7days
Yes I do need at least a week but it would be a great ‘challenge video’. I should have more time next year though so watch this space!
Only trouble with getting off at somewhere like a Tube station is that after a journey of that length you'd surely want a 🚾, and there almost certainly wouldnt be one at the station. What I'd usually do is make for a nearby coffee shop, although they probably wouldn't be open at that time either
I just went on the coach as we were nearing London. Sorted 👍
Nice one mate. I don't think I could do that nowadays, I'm tired enough on a normal day and amount of sleep 😂
So am I mate! Need a couple of days rest after one of these!
I use the Victoria to Norwich National Express service maybe every couple of months and the seats on the NE coaches are horrible. I can just about tolerate the 90 mins between Stratford and Thetford so I have no idea how you could stand that journey.
I've been spoiled by the superb Oxford Tube recently and I'd love to take my trips to Glasgow on a similar bus / coach but no saving would make travel on an NE coach acceptable.
The Oxford Tube is a nice service I agree. I prefer the NX seats to Flixbus or Megabus for longer journeys, I guess everyone’s different but I’ve certainly had worse.
Not been there for years but Buchanen's one of my favourite bus/coach stations.
I remember a virtually idyllic overnight NX journey from Glasgow-Birmingham back in June 1990, the journey down the M74/A74 to Carlisle taking in the last of the mid summer daylight, with me drifitng into sleep beyond Carlisle and not waking up until passing Stafford! Don't think I could hack overnight journeys today though!
I wish I could sleep like that. Would love to try a proper sleeper coach as I certainly don’t have the same issues in lie-flat beds on aircraft.
I've done the night coach from Birmingham to Edinburgh and vice-versa a couple of times when I worked at the Fringe - yes it was cheap, but I decided that in future I'd pay the extra for the train.
And that’s fair enough. Tbh, I’d probably be the same though I appreciate it’s a cost-saving thing for many 👍
Hi Mark I'm just having a catch up on your videos, last time I was in Glasgow I stocked up on refreshments from that Sainsbury's, staying in the maldron around the corner. Let's just say a good night was had. I'm definitely with you about getting off early it's a bit of a trek to victoria station.
It is a trek. I guess if you’re changing coaches at Victoria it makes sense. Otherwise tube it from Golders Green I reckon.
I think overnight coaches are ok if I have a bed at the other end. Manchester is a bit too near London so the overnights go round the houses to kill time. Selwyns operate the NE from Manchester and as they have just opened a new base at Milton Keynes nearly all their services now stop there for a quick driver change. This means there is no Services stop anymore but the journey is 20/30 mins quicker. Some services go via Golders Green and it’s a popular alighting point. Their coaches are brand new 24 plates and the seats are very comfy and decent leg room if not in 2A.
Cheers mate and thanks for the info. I may well try this route but tbh, I’d probably want to do it in the day. I did think of getting a day room in London for this trip but in the end I decided to head home. It was a killer but y’know tight budgets and all that!
Sideshow Bobs truck at 14:23 as well.
Well the train is a five hour journey booked a week in advance with a railcard (split ticketing) for £26 with the possibility of a bit of delay repay. so its a no brainier it has to be the coach (Not)
Railcard makes the difference here though doesn’t it.
I have a pair of Sennheiser noise cancelling headphones. Connected to smoothed brown noise on RUclips they’re a match for any snorer.
Interesting! I might have to try that 👍
I done the overnight journey from Glasgow to Golders Green just over 5 weeks ago, it was the quick journey, leaving at 10.45pm, only stopped at Hamilton and Milton Keynes coachway. I was in seat 2A, which was great, but i didn't get much sleep, it wasn't good, i'd rather get the train
Yes, same as me Steven. I’m quite happy to do this in an effort to showcase the trip for people who need it. I’d rather do it in the day personally or, second option for me would be flying tbh.
@@LetsMakeaTrip i felt awful when i got off the coach at Golders Green, had to do a 62 mile charity walk the next day. I got the train back
Train
I’d probably choose train too but I’d have to accept it will cost a bit more.
Glad it wasn’t a scary one like your previous London-Glasgow trek. I am more a train and plane person but, as a visitor, use buses too in the UK and Ireland but prefer day journeys to see more of the country. :)
I prefer day journeys tbh but this is an option for some. Saves on a nights accommodation too if you can get some sleep. Just doesn’t work for me though and the next day, well I’m totally ruined unfortunately!
My limit on a bus is about 75 minutes. Any longer and I would take a train or fly.
You wouldn’t like my job then Steve! 😂 Seriously though yep, it’s time Vs money is t it and if you can afford it there are better options I agree.
@@LetsMakeaTrip As an American who travelled to Prague for 15 years a few times a year before moving here, I spent many, many hours on the long plane ride. I've had enough of those long, uncomfortable trips for a lifetime. Here in the Czech Republic we have great rail, so rail is the best option here for longer trips.
If you do intend to make a video about Condor Islander would love to see your take on the Guernsey state owned airline Aurigny. Also, some of the smaller islands like Alderney, Sark and Herm are definitely worth a visit
Cheers James. Yes I’ve been wanting to film Aurigny for a while now. I have got a trip on the Condor Liberation coming out soon but I wouldn’t need much of an excuse to go back 😊👍
Great video, I used to take the overnight service from London Victoria coach station to Falmouth which is roughly the same price. The seats can be a bit hard but taking a pillow and a blanket really helps.
Cheers Steven yes and I would recommend an eye mask and ear plugs too 👍
I did Carlisle to London overnight on a National Express last August, i ended up with a seat towards the back with a bloke snoring all night next to me. The bus was coming down from Glasgow so was already nearly full by the time I got on. It was a rough night with me getting virtually no sleep. Don't think I'd ever do it again
Yeh,nothing worse than getting on and it’s already busy and I bet everyone’s thinking ‘please don’t sit next to me’! You have my sympathies!!
Cheers Mark, that was an interesting watch.
Cheers mate and thanks for leaving a comment. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the video 👍 very informative..ive done Manchester to Glasgow a few times, dont really mind it saves a few pounds 😂
Exactly John and that’s why most people choose to do it I’m sure 😊👍
Thanks Mark, great video, journey went well I thought, glad to see your getting sponsored now, that'll help bud, easier on the wallet 😉 keep them coming 👍
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it. Just wanted to show the experience from north to south and yes it is the best way to do it if you’re wanting to keep money in your pocket. 👍
If you can tolerate the overnight journey on a coach and are not needing to be bright and alert the next day then I reckon it's worth it. After all, you can take comfort from the fact that you got a bargain AND didn’t have to fork out for accommodation. The vehicle looked spotless and as for the snorer, well, I would bring along earplugs just in case. Another good video, thanks!
Good comment Bob. I agree, the next day is a killer. As well as earplugs, I would recommend an eye mask, one of those things that go around your neck and a fleece blanket. 👍
I told you about my overnight coach from Glasgow to Birmingham and I couldn’t sleep loll cos I wanted to have a lot more roads and places on my camera roll
The excitement of it all keeping you awake mate!
Golders Green always better, it's a real pain to get from VCS to the tube.
I completely agree now I know. Total no-brainer for me 😊👍
Nat express will be charging extra for that seat if it becomes too popular. Good tips also🙂
Yes, it’s a possibility isn’t it!
Nice video! The last time I took a trip with National Express was when me and my Dad took a trip from Leeds to Newcastle on 3rd June (we were going for the England game at St James's Park that night and stopping overnight in a Premier Inn in Newcastle city centre afterwards) before doing the reverse journey on the 4th June (the coach both ways made stops at Sunderland and Middlesbrough). The coaches were nice and clean and the drivers were nice but the only issue we had is that at Newcastle Coach Station, there were no bins or toilets! It was just basically an outdoor waiting area!
Newcastle resident here: Yes - the coach station is appalling. It replaces what was a wonderful much bigger and better more central bus station - a backward move we think for this city.
@@jackking5567 yeah in contrast to the one at Leeds (which was all indoors, and had toilets and refreshments facilities) - the current Newcastle one looks like an eyesore!
I looked at this in more detail in my Newcastle to Manchester vid. The coach station at the time seemed under-used. In fact, all ‘indoor facilities’ were locked and like you said, it just became an outside waiting area. It could be really good as NX have obvs spent a bit of cash on it.
Getting off at Golders Green is handy if you've been up to Scotland & live in north London.
Yes 13 mins to Euston from Golders Green - you can’t beat that really👍
😊 nice 1 mark cheap journey M8 missed you last week hope you get well soon all the best John 😊😊
Cheers John. Yep I’m fine now thanks. Glad you enjoyed the vid 😊👍
I would book the coach instead of flying or going by train.
It’s definitely the cheapest option city centre to city centre 👍
Going back to London soon might bump in to you 😂 staying at the same hotel I seen you in last time
I remember it well mate! Enjoy your stay and hi to both of you 😊
Having driven London to Glasgow. Taken plane, train and coach. Really all depends on urgency. For me fly north. Coach/train back.
Maybe mixing it up is the way to go? Or maybe seats on the CalSleeper. I keep meaning to try that but haven’t plucked up the courage yet!
Quite difficult choice. Did once take the over night sleeper london to Edinburgh then scotrail through to Queens street thru taxi to site. Found this too triring
Not a bad journey at all, Mark and it helps when you get that seat! Glad your stop up here in Glasgow wasnt as bad as your last one😊
Thanks Sheila. I really like Glasgow and hope to be back soon. It’s a great base for the west coast too. Watch this space! 😊
Sorry - not even going to watch all of this. Madness to spend so long on a bus when cheap flights/trains are available which are so much quicker. (I get some people can’t fly!)
See Chris if you had have watched it, I gave my opinion on the coach Vs train Vs plane near the end.
Watched it now, and although an amazing price, I don’t think I could manage to sit that long on a coach. Readly looks an amazing idea BTW!
Too much time on sponsership ad pity I used to always enjoy your previous videos.
No pity required Erik, if you’ve stopped enjoying my videos because of ‘too much time on sponsership ad (sic) well I can’t really do much about that can I! Advertising something once in a while enables (or enabled in your case) me to make more videos for people to enjoy. Use the bloody ‘fast forward’ button if you don’t want to sit through it. That’s why it’s there!
Another question or two: are you a RUclips premium member? Do you subscribe to anything? Do you (or did you) subscribe to my channel? Do you subscribe to any other channels that constantly promote stuff (I.e. Noel Phillips, Paul Lucas, Nonstop Eurotrip, Planes, Trains whatever it is, Ruth Aisling etc etc? Im going on a bit tbh but I hope you get the point. I don’t normally reply to comments like these. My time is very precious and I’d rather it replying to subscribers that are appreciative of my efforts. But I’m very tired tonight, these videos take time and money to make and honestly for some people to complain just because I occasionally promote something that is RELEVANT, to my demographic and I earn a few quid from it. Well, it just grates with me sometimes.
Used to do Newcastle to London in my 20s. Pure torture.
The day coach is fine imo but yep, overnight wouldn’t be great!
thank you hope you had a good journey home
I did Kevin. Tired tbh but saved a few quid!
14:20die bart? A subliminal message from a Simpsons hater? Or perhaps it's the German version. Ot perhaps it's half an Eddie Stobart
Three and a half minutes for an advert, that must be a record??
Well, i need that amount of time to tell you about all the amazing features! The good thing about RUclips though is you can just fast forward on if you want. 👍
Great video i stayed in fort dunlop travelogue before
Cheers. I’ve never stayed there. Never quite sure how much of the original building the Travelodge takes up?
Get the sleeper there lol and right choice getting off golden green vcs is to packed
Cheers Pete, yes the sleeper is fine, but, depends how much you’ve got to spend. Agree, I’m pleased to have discovered the advantages of Golders Green! 👍
Brilliant video as always, hope all is well, take care
Cheers Peter. I’m on holiday atm so yep, all good. 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip good to hear, enjoy your time away on holiday, take care
Sleep is at a premium on those buses and you are lucky to get 1 hour.I've done loads of them over the years to Middlesbrough and Newcastle from London, Birmingham and Oxford .
Cheers Kevan, I agree. Some people can do it easily, others not so. I’d love to try a proper sleeper coach to see how I got on though!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Like to see you take one of the Indian or Japanese sleeper coaches - pity the Stagecoach Scottish sleeper service was discontinued.
Aaagh - I love coach travel, but that dreadful blue lighting would ruin it for me.
that wasn't a bad trip mark yep enjoyed it very much
Cheers Caleb, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍
Great Video Mark
Thanks Paul and cheers for the comment 😊👍
You feel awake because you are overtired!
Ah thanks Lisa
I've been a long-time subscriber to Readly - it's an amazing resource. I LOVE magazines and used to spend a small fortune on them every month. I was pretty ashamed of how much paper I was chucking into the recycling every month.
Please, please swerve the advertising bull shit.
Hi TherymasterWidnes, thanks for the comment and the sub.
I turn down LOTS of sponsorship offers (yes even at my lowly level) because they’re not relevant to the content I’m making. It costs a lot of money to film some of these trips. All travel, food, accommodation it’s all self-funded. I get NOTHING for free.
So where an offer is relevant and can help out with the bills, then I feel it’s worth promoting. I’m sure you’re aware that lots of other, much bigger RUclipsrs than me promote all sorts of stuff much more regularly than I do. It’s kind of how it works for some and for me it’s nice to occasionally break-even.
Appreciate you’re not interested mate but just use the fast-forward button. Problem solved. Hope you don’t see this reply as ‘bull shit’ or a rant, I’m just trying to explain my reasoning in a genuine way. I get that a few people won’t like it but y’know I’m just gonna have to live with that. All the best anyway, Mark 😊
In the 1970s we used to travel on the Scottish coach from London to Glasgow and return. It was a terribly long journey. Stopping at Lockerbie. The cafeteria there was the worst ever along with the rudest staff.
Oh dear, that doesn’t sound great! Bet the coaches weren’t the best in those days either.
@@LetsMakeaTrip Not better but a lot faster.
@LetsMakeaTrip In the 70's, I actually travelled extensively between London where I worked and lived, to my home in Fife. Initially I used the London to Edinburgh service, with family meeting me in Edinburgh. On odd occasions, I used the Glasgow route, to fit in with family plans. The Scottish Bus Group coaches used then were quite unique, with Double Glazed windows, reclining seats, excellent floor level heating throughout, individual air vents and reading lights above each seat, plus each seat would have a tartan travel blanket and small pillow supplied. There was also an on board Toilet, at the rear of the coach. Lighting was subdued for the main part of the journey, with an average 12 hours end to end. The coaches were quiet, comfortable and had good suspension, ironing out any road surface issues. Sleep was certainly possible to achieve. En-Route, there was usually a 45 minute refreshment break at a service area. There were also 2 drivers, who shared the driving. Then, it was £3 Return and the service was far better than what is offered today, though nowadays, the trip is down to around 8-9 hours with better roads.
The coach was indeed lovely. A Western SMT. Its slanting windows made it look very modern. You can today buy models of those very coaches. I also remember the two drivers and if it wasn't to busy one could have a sleep at the back..
When is your next upload
Not sure atm mate. Hope you enjoyed this one though.
Didn't the driver put the interior lights on when passengers were boarding? Did you have to find your seat and sort yourself out and everything just with that blue lighting which is supposed to be for when you're on the move?
It’s a good question and, in a nutshell, what you saw was constant. Haven’t really thought about it tbh until you mentioned it but yep, it was pretty dark in there throughout.
Rather you than me.
All for a good cause Archie! 😊
My policy has always not to travel into central London
on the roads if I can help it.
So I would definitely have chosen
Golders Green as the place to alight.
Good to hear John and I totally agree now having chosen to do this myself. Probably even more important in the week too. 👍
Hi Mark an interesting video i must admit i would have jumped on the tube myself.
Cheers Neil, yep I’m certainly glad I found this one out!
After being nearly 2 hours late in a coach from Manchester due to an accident in the M1 I decided to get off at Golders Green. Managed to get home at a reasonable hour because of it. Great video, as always.
Cheers Matthew. I’m certainly glad I got off at Golders Green. Not too bad on a Sunday but it’s a must on a weekday I would’ve thought 👍
I would love to do this journey, only on seat 2A of course. Last time I did a National Express coach at night was one from Birmingham to Luton Airport where somebody also tried to nick my 2A seat.
I’ve seen a few occasions where there aren’t enough of these ‘reserved’ signs on the seats and people assume they can sit there. Cool if no one has reserved them but often they have and have to move. Poor coach driver ends up sorting it out though I’m surprised (though relieved) no one chose to sit in 1A on this trip.
Text book trip that was, surprisingly sunny weather and a decent dawn makes it look so much better than when its tipping down with rain,. Glasgow coach stations got my vote if its got a greggs, MK coach station looked tidy to, how much would this trip cost if you had booked to disembark at golders green ?, i can see the problem with victoria coach station not being close to mainline trains and underground, ive only done it once but its a bit of a hike with a large suitcase and a carry on bag getting from a to b,.good tip on the reserve seat banner to, no mention about your drivers being good/helpfull etc, cheers,.
Sunrise was the highlight of the trip. I had to check before I could state this on the video but the price to Golders Green seems to be exactly the same as Victoria. The drivers were ok, not really anything to mention about them one way or the other. Tbh, if I get really good, friendly customer service I’ll always make a point of saying that. Conversely bad service will also get a mention. Cheers Mike 😊👍
Absolute bargain, if a bit of an enduring journey…..but for ease of travel, and overall price comparison, compared to train or plane, a no brainer👍👌🇮🇲
Yes Andy, the bargain price is a massive plus point for some. Honestly if I had the money I’d fly down and stay in a posh hotel! But I don’t. Importantly, there is a travel option for everyone and yes for less than £20 it can be done👍
Why bother get the train or drive
It’s cheaper for most people.
@LetsMakeaTrip plus it's an adventure for some people and not everyone drives
Even with the likelihood of reduced traffic on a Sunday it’s hard to make a case for staying on the bus with a tube station so close.
Yep - totally agree. All about finding these things out and making it easier. Now I know about Golders Green it’s an easy choice 👍
Great video
I'd always choose victoria as luckily its only one bus from my house.
Which is fair enough, id do the same tbh. Thanks Clare.
Based on the title alone ....... Whyyyyy 😂
Exactly what is the point , put yourself through that misery when you can just fly in an hour , but he’s a travel vlogger so it’s his job to show us
Yep, quite a lot of people do it, as @argyle83 said, I film these kind of trips really for anyone who maybe wants to save money and isn’t too bothered about the length of time or time of departure. There are plenty out there, the coach was probably 80% full . Personally, I’d prefer to do these journeys in the day. 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip stronger man then me 😂 I did Swansea to Manchester national Express in a snowstorm ........ 14 hours 😂 hardly used coaches since lol
I’m not surprised. That’s quite a trek!
Milton Keynes coachway is the only stop for MK being so close to the motorway it makes me wonder why it isn't closer to the town
It’s handy for the motorway though I guess if it was in the centre, ould it stop there at all?
2A can be hit and miss sometimes. If the driver has the CCTV on at night, you’ll have that lighting up your face. Them paying for security to make sure people pay the 30p for the lav seems a false economy 😂 The A50 to East Midlands and M1 would maybe have been a good option to avoid spaghetti junction, but given the M69 excursion, they might have got lost anyway 😂
Cheers Kev. I always take an eye mask these days. Even though I couldn’t sleep, I guess they do get rested a little. All the passengers on this coach were pretty good, no music, chatter, just a bit of snoring late on 😂I’m sure security were doing more than toilet checks tbf to them - it’s not a job I’d fancy tbh. All-in-all, it was pretty decent and ultimately, we got there on time which is all you can ask for really.
They usually go the M6 toll
With these journeys, its always cost vs speed! Im a cheap skate so will use the cheapest option which most of the time is coach
You’re right it is always the time/cost trade-off. And day beats night for me but again it can take up the whole day. 👍
Beduff, not Bedworth
Snoring....a real journey killer.
It blimmin’ is!
Seats, not beds.... Are there still no sleeper buses in the UK?
Unfortunately not. I do wonder whether there’s a market for it? Maybe it’s more complicated than that though?
Interesting content here! I have been on this trip myself, Torquay to London, London to Inverness via Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The highest point in the UK, national express go is up to edinburgh.
Then I got the city link coach from Edinburgh to Inverness.
Quite a long journey but really enjoyed it
What date was this
Why didn't you get the 2315 Caledonian Sleeper to Euston? Alas the 2330 at Queen Street is set down only.
Or, on a weekday, the 0428, arriving at 0912?
Well, it probably costs a very very great deal more, for a start. Plus the point is to do a consumer report on this service
Hi, as Andrei said, I was doing a review of the coach for this particular trip. I may well do another CalSleeper vid - in the seats possibly.
Knutsford sounds like a town full of squirrels lol
I see what you did there! 😂