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 😊

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.

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 🤣🤣🤣

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.

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.

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.

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

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 !

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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. 🦘

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" - 🤣🤣

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

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

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 😀😀😀😄👍👍

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

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!

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.

Enjoyed this thanks! Yes, having seen the experience, it's one I won't be doing myself. 🤣

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

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 .

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.

Gee thanks for enduring that trip for us! Cheers!

Love your channel, just subscribed, really interesting! Top Guy!

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

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.

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!!!

Great video , I feel sorry for you and the rest of the passengers on that horrible journey . I would complain to Megabus about it . Keep up the good work 👍😃.

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

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

Subbed, great audio by the way. I used to have to take this journey when i Lived in London it was brutal

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

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.

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....!

As a student, I used to take these long distance coaches often, from Victoria via Glasgow, to Inverness - at that age it was an adventure! I couldn't see myself enjoying it as much now I'm old with a bad back! Nice video, a blast from the past 😁

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

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.

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.

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!

What an absolute nightmare! I'm 6'3 so I'd have been so uncomfortable! Thanks for doing the trip so I don't have to! Or ever will!

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.

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

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

thank you so much for adding subtitles

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Hey it was interesting to see this, I left for Aus/NZ back in '74, there's coaches in NZ with exciting trips in tunnels under mountains and currently snow covered with mountain roads, lots of fun. City of Dunedin, cheers!

Subbed! Just drove up to Aberdeen and back over the past week from Bath. Absolutely no way would even consider a coach for that length of journey! Great vid tho!

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,

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.

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 🍻

Bro..liked and subscribed...keep up the good work..

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 !!

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

Thank you for doing this so we don’t have to. Was already subscribed but surely people watching this need to give you a sub out of pure respect. Can’t stand ignorant people not being courteous and thinking they have the right to recline all the way!

YAY 👍 You're subscriber's numbers are going strong / increasing quickly now !! It'll soon be 10 K !!! 👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

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.

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.

what a brave man thanks for sharing great video

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

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.

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.

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

I subscribed as thinking about giving coach travel a go. Like your content.

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!

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

Reminds me of a bus trip I took once from Rīga to Warsaw. 12 hours. Couldn't have been happier to have gotten off they forsaken bus.

Ooof… rough journey!! I’ve never caught mega bus in Europe, but was reasonable when I took it bw New York and Washington. It was 5USD… packed as well, but definitely more comfortable and organised (and shorter) than your journey. Thanks for what was actually quite a fun video to watch, though I know not as fun to make!

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

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

Thank you for the warning. I will heed it.

Thank you for sharing your sacrifice.

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.

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.

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

Looked horrendous mate above n beyond to bring us a film ...deffo worth a sub ATB Coops 👍🏻

The things you do to keep us entertained :) another good video. Jokes aside the price does make travelling the distance affordable particularly if your on a low budget

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

Exciting!

Watches this in Auckland NZ made me chuckle as an ex Scot. Good on you for doing the hard yards champ. Best wishes from NZ

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.

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

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

I took a shirut (a taxi minibus) once from. Dhahab in the Sinai to Cairo once… it was so cramped I couldn’t move, and introduced me to the new pleasures of claustrophobia.. I honestly think it’s a toss up between that and this, over which I would like to do less. Lol

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

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

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

I subscribed- I am a happy Scotsman😃👍