Cambridgeshire coaches 

County advice overview

There are a number of coach operators servicing the region and connecting Cambridgeshire to the rest of the UK, such as National Express and Megabus, with many coaches now wheelchair accessible.

Services link the county to destinations in the Midlands and the north of England as well as London and beyond. 

Key Tips

Always check with the coach operator that vehicles are accessible in advance of travel, if you experience mobility difficulties. 

Remember, coach toilets are rarely accessible and require using a step or two. 

Regional Operators

There are no coach operators running services exclusively within the Cambridgeshire area.

National Operators 

National Express 

0871 781 8181

National Express provide a coach service from Cambridge stations to most areas of the UK. Many National Express coaches have a wheelchair lift. This will require checking before booking a journey. National Express also offer a discount card for people with disabilities. 

Megabus

Megabus provide an extensive bus service from Cambridge, connecting with many other destinations countrywide. Coaches are wheelchair accessible and can safely carry one seated wheelchair user subject to size and weight limits. (With max weight 300kg, dimensions length 1200mm x width 700mm x height 1350mm including the seated passenger.) If you wish to travel with mobility equipment, you should provide 36 hours’ notice. You can use the contact form on the Megabus website.

Greenline Arriva

By removing seating, Greenline Arriva have adapted coaches for wheelchair users. You will need to provide a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Further information can be found on the website.

0344 800 4411

As well as UK journeys, some coach companies operate a holiday / tour service with an accessible coach provision.

Help with cost

Check my Bus will help you find the cheapest fares for your journey:

National Express Senior Coachcard

If you are 60 or over you can apply for a National Express Senior Coachcard. 

It offers a 1/3 saving on Standard and Fully Flexible fares to hundreds of towns, cities and airports across the UK. There are no restrictions on peak and off-peak travel times, so you can travel when it suits you and your plans. This includes public holidays, bank holidays and weekends. 

Benefits include:

• Save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares, even at peak times
• £15 day-return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to anywhere in the UK (excluding airports), just book 3 days in advance of your travel
• Free journey if your coach is delayed for over an hour

You can apply for a card on the National Express website, by phoning 0871 781 8181, or at any National Express ticket outlet.

National Express Disabled Coachcard

If you have a disability, then a Disabled Coachcard offers a great way to save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares to hundreds of UK towns, cities and airports. Further information can be found on the National Express website.

Travelling with Mobility Equipment

National Express

National Express have a dedicated Assisted Travel Team who you can contact on 03717 818181 to talk through your needs. (Lines open 9.00am – 5.00pm, 7 days a week.) It is not a requirement to book your assistance in advance, but it will help them to provide your assistance if you do so.

Coaches are equipped with a wheelchair lift. However, it cannot be deployed at all stops, so it is best to check in advance if your stop is accessible.

Wheelchair users are advised to book travel in advance, although this is not essential. This will allow National Express to carry out the following checks:

• that the wheelchair is compatible with the space on the coach
• that the combined weight of the customer and the wheelchair do not exceed the maximum weight capacity of being lifted by the wheelchair lift
• that the locations at which the customer plans to board and alight the coach from are accessible stops at which the wheelchair lift can be deployed
• that the specific coach on which the customer plans to travel is not already fully booked

It is recommended that you contact National Express 36 hours in advance of travel on the telephone number above. This will ensure they are able to carry out checks. If you book same-day travel, they will make all reasonable efforts to carry out checks on the day. 

Customers cannot travel in their mobility scooters; however, small lightweight mobility scooters that can be dismantled and safely stowed in the luggage hold of the coach are accepted.

In order to check if your scooter will be accepted, you will need to give details of the size, make and model of the mobility scooter you will be travelling with. You will be advised

either at the time of booking or by a return call, about the suitability of your mobility scooter for carriage in the luggage hold.

Megabus

Megabus offer assistance to people with walking difficulties or those who normally use wheelchairs.

They recommend that all wheelchair users contact them before purchasing their tickets (preferably at least 36 hours before their intended journey), to book the wheelchair space.

All coaches are wheelchair accessible and can carry one seated wheelchair user subject to size and weight limits. (With max weight 300kg, dimensions length 1200mm x width 700mm x height 1350mm including the seated passenge.)

They are unable to accommodate passengers seated in mobility scooters. However, if you use a wheelchair (max weight 20kg) or mobility scooter and are able to climb the few steps into the bus, your mobility device can be stored in the luggage bay and the driver will help you to your seat.

In order to be accepted for transit, your mobility scooter must break down into separate parts each weighing no more than 20kg. You or a companion must be able to dismantle and reassemble the mobility scooter for carriage in the luggage hold.

Assistance Dogs

Are accepted on both Megabus and National Express services.

Special Assistance

National Express have created a selection of Journey Assistance Cards for passengers. These explain to staff and drivers any need for assistance or exemptions from requirements. For example, if you have a hearing impediment. They can be downloaded here. 

Routes and timetables

For National Express travel between Cambridge and London, the coach is estimated to take 2 hours. Check online for further details at National Express. 

Traveline

Traveline is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry. They can help you find the way that best suits you for making your journey using the most up to date information. From their homepage you can plan your journey from door to door, see the different ways you could travel, how long the journey will take and view your route on a map.

Help by phone

If you need help to plan a journey, Traveline’s national call centre can be contacted on 0871 200 2233 between 07.00 and 10.00 seven days a week (more limited hours at Christmas/New Year). Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.