I haven't thought about Leigh de lamare or Membury since I was a kid. It was a regular part of our journey to visit family. In my experience, national express drivers are generally a very nice bunch of folks.

Thank you. What a great trip... and thank you for the excellent commentary as usual. 😊

This was really good to see, as I have looked into doing this journey with NE. I've been saying for years and years that I must go back down there one day. Thanks

Good video Mark, and glad your trip was a good one with no major hold ups along the way :)

i really enjoy that trip. Have been many times over the years both by National Coach and Train. I have to get to Victoria from Dover to start with so it usually takes me from 8am to 6.30pm to get to Paignton by coach. Or alight at St David's or Exeter. I actually haven't gone right through to Penzance though. It was nice for you not to have too many passengers. Thank you yet again for the lovely video. HAPPY EASTER to you and your family.

Another great video, always enjoy your coach trips, thank you. I usually use the sleeper train going down and the daytime coming back into London, but I think I would maybe consider it one time to see.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

It’s worth a go from a money point of view but I honestly believe it’s a comfortable option, albeit a long one.

Driven most of that route several times but it's nice to see the scenery along the road for a change. Coach looked really good and clean.

I have to admit it's been many years since I boarded any coach or bus, as I usually drive, or occasionally go by train.[having been a BR Signalman for years], But I have enjoyed watching this video; thanks for posting. I once did Blackpool - London Vic overnight; during the 1970s. I'll certainly watch more and subscribe.

Thanks Mark! And what lovely drivers.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

They were excellent yes 👍

Excellent report as always Mark, nice quiet comfortable journey, very little traffic or hold ups, almost on time, big plus, look forward to your next one bud 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate, yep I can definitely recommend this one and for £20 (ish) can’t go wrong really 👍

I love both coach and train journeys.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

So do I Ellen. Most of the time!😂

Heyman, Just wanted to say how much I love your videos. They make my days brighter.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Hi Mike, thanks for the comment mate and I’m glad you enjoy them. Appreciate the support 😊

What a bargain and seeing Cornwall from a coach looks lovely thank you for sharing 🙏

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Louise and thanks for taking the time to comment. 😊👍

@louisep5178

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip Pleasure 🙏

❤What a great channel.. Presented well.. And thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode... Right.. Now let's watch some more 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate and thanks for the kind words. Onwards to the Isles of Scilly this week!

That was another good video interesting journey I travelled from Hereford to Exeter 2 changes ok if not long waits at each bus station but your journey went smoothly plenty of comfort breaks 👍

Long journey but looked like a good one and with excellent, friendly drivers.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

The drivers can make the journey in my experience 😊

Loved this trip!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Paul, thanks as always for the comment 😊👍

Great video as always!! I travelled on the coach journey from Victoria to Dungarvan Ireland a few times which was 16.5hrs including nearly 4 hours on the ferry. Hope all is well, take care

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

That’s a long one Peter! I did the London - Dublin overnight last year and that was a bit of a slog! Good fun looking back though 😂

Used to drive this route when I was a national express coach driver in the 1990s. We were based in Truro and later Camborne and our coaches used to refuel in Plymouth depot on the way up to London and then again on the way back, Personally I would say the fuel stop was a top up for the return journey. I'm sure the coaches the Bruce's ( Scottish company) use are spec'd with larger non-standard fuel tanks, which allows them to do Glasgow to London and return without refuelling. Sounds farfetched, but when I was driving in the 90s, we had 3 coaches that could easily do Penzance to Edinburgh back to Plymouth without refuelling.

@jwilloughby6175

Ай бұрын

They are yes

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes afaik it was filled up. The drivers stay over at Penzance so I guess it’s pretty-much full for someone else to take it back overnight.

Thanks Mark…great watch and reminds me of Lincoln to Penzance via 🚌

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers. Doing it from Lincoln seems like a long run that (assuming you’re changing in London).

Hey mate, perfect timing for a national express video, anyways today I'm planning a trip to Bournemouth with national express because i had nothing else to do but yeah in my opinion I'm excited! But as always cheers mate 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers, hope you enjoy the trip to Bournemouth - somewhere I haven’t been so I might do it myself at some point 👍

Got caught out on that one my self, made a passing comment to a lady on the Lizard that it was England's most southerly point. Was told quite abruptly that it was Cornwall's most southerly point not England's but hey!

That looked a great trip tbh - I've got a friend moving to Cornwall and think I'll take the bus now to visit her rather than the train - the buses have come on a bit since I last used them and time and price wise, they make a good option - thanks for another very professional review!

I went from Birmingham to Exeter last year in the National Express and one of the stops was at Bridgewater in Somerset. We got stuck in loads of traffic to get to Bridgewater only for no-one getting off or on in Bridgewater. It made us over an hour late. It brought the memory back to me when I saw Exeter coach station on your video.

@Robutube1

Ай бұрын

What's worse is that you unnecessarily visited the services regularly voted as the worst in the country.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

That is a bit frustrating yes. Maybe Bridgewater is designated as a ‘must stop’ stop if that is such a thing and the driver had no option?

Great video mark. It’s funny you released this now whilst I’m on a national express bus to Glasgow from Birmingham

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thanks, I hope the trips going/gone well for you 😊👍

Great video, the coaches are pretty comfortable and great value with certain journeys not being too different from the train. If you're travelling between central London and Heathrow at night you have the added option on the N9 for the price of a single bus fare.

Hi Mark, yep have to agree with you Victoria coach station looking good. Lovely iconic building very impressive your style of presentation very food long journey….👍🏻

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Michael. Victoria Coach Station doesn’t get a lot of love but from the outside I think it’s fantastic!

Love your travel vlogs

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Dave 😊

45 mins to Heathrow is very good going from Victoria. I used to live a couple of streets down from the coach station and if I did Heathrow in under an hour I thought I was doing well.

@MrRobbo1968

Ай бұрын

In the 90s we had 35mins from VCS to LHR during the daytime departures and only 25mins on the 2330 departure from VCS to LHR on the night cars to Penzance. Certainly a lot quieter then

Funny information in Polish @ Victoria bus station: "Odloty", which is exclusively for planes. Buses don't fly, so it should be "Odjazdy".😀

Thanks for another brilliant video. Respect to you for doing this trip the whole way. My preference for seats is either the very front seats or the very back row depending on the journey. I remember a few years ago reserving a front seat for a trip from Bristol to Birmingham but upon boarding the driver told me the front seats were unavailable and I had been moved to Seats 2A and 2B. He then swapped me again to the whechair seat at the front.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I’ve seen people move to that front seat and the driver didn’t seem to mind. Only problem with the rear is it being near the toilet which could pong a bit after a while and you’ve got people in and out all the time. There is an exit row, I think it’s something like row 16 which has better leg room. That’s a good seat.

another excellent video.many thanks

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Kevin and thanks for watching 😊

An epic road trip - these trips really are very good - both in composition and delivery Mark ! - Did the trip from the North West to the South West - the feeling of being very far from home does overcome you- particularly when you have started at 04.00......

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate. That’s certainly an early start yep! I would just hope for two seats to myself, get on the coach and go to sleep if I could!

Mrs R and myself found this helpful,informative and given us food for thought. The price and time comparison between bus and train was an eye opener. We've been thinking about taking a coach holiday but not to keen on being tied to a set itinerary and length of holiday. We are now thinking of touring by bus, two or three days in a place before moving on to another place.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers both. Well actual coach holidays, I’m not so sure they’re for me because of this set itinerary thing you mentioned. Having said that, try anything once. There may be some kind of interest in it on here? I might ask the question 🤔

Very good video again Mark. Prices for trains are always more but I managed to get a bargain on Penzance to Chippenham £24.75 with a changeover at Bristol. The coach in comparison was £19.90 but only as far as Bristol then use local services runs back to Chippenham. That's booked about 2 months in advance. Enjoy Penzance, can't wait to see what else you got coming up

Nice video mark, awful long way to go , look forward to seeing your upcoming videos

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Sean. It was worth it for the next few videos. A great place 👍

Every time you say "double USB sockets" all I hear is "WSB sockets"! Great video as always. :)

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Haha, cheers. It has been mentioned before so I thought I’d keep saying it (increase my engagement 😉) but also hold two fingers up to the camera to illustrate.

Wow - £22 seems excellent value..

well done mark many years ago i did the overnight coach 504 to penzance via chippenham Bristol airport bridgewater paighton plymouth it was a great ride well done paul in kent

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Paul and well done to you for taking the overnight option!

Edwards coaches are. great had Kerry drive us Bristol last week good video mark

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Pete. I love their posh seats on the 040 London to Bristol run though I understand thoses coaches are being phased out sadly.

Looked a comfortable journey, Mark😊. Love Cornwall but it is a bit of a trek from Scotland. We visited Perranporth a few years ago but we flew down to Exeter then hired a car!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I was going to say, flying and self-drive is probably the best option - maybe even to Newquay. Don’t think I’ve been to Perranporth but plenty of time for that. 😊👍

Thanks to your National Express videos and unfortunate rail strikes we have decided to take a NX coach next time! We are looking forward to our Manchester to Newcastle trip!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Brilliant! I’ve done it the other way (see previous vid) and found it an interesting route - especially M62 over the Pennines. Enjoy 😊👍

@danielbaroy

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip That video was key in our decision and we are looking forward to it. If it goes well who knows maybe we will be regular coach travellers... 🤷‍♂️

That will chear me up after my surgery. Excited.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I hope it went well mate.

A nice chilled vid there Mark. I have not been further than Plymouth so one day I will make it all the way. In the summer the coaches are rammed with tourists even the overnight one based on videos I have seen so as usual a much more pleasant experience in the low seasons. Agree the price is excellent for such a distance with limited competition. Sad news about the FlixBus crash in Germany but given hardly anyone wears a seatbelt, even the second driver, deaths were much more likely. I used them last month to travel from Krakow to Prague and will again in October for travel from Tallinn to Riga and Warsaw. Looking forward to the next few vids of your journey.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate. Yes it was very relaxed really, certainly wasn’t overly tired at the end. I don’t see many people wearing seatbelts unfortunately, despite it being a legal requirement. Enjoy your trips in Europe mate 👍

As you said best bit of Newquay is the road out, having been there!!!

I'm the same as you regarding Newquay!

Welcome to Cornwall mark! I recommend you do the st erth to st Ives branch line (I think you have done this before) also a visit to the isles of Scilly by plane one way and ferry the other to experience both...good luck I hope you enjoy your time here all the best for the weather aswell!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Mark. The Isles of Scilly vids will be coming soon and yes, ferry out, flight back 👍

Nice one mate 👍 interesting to hear the driver called control to ask if he could bypass a stop. Once I had a booked ticket from an intermediate stop (Newmarket) and the coach was running an hour late - it just bypassed the stop, meaning i ended up on the next one, so 3 hours late rather than one. I wasn't happy! Looking forward to seeing what you get up to in Cornwall 👀

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Interesting, because they surely would’ve known that a ticket had been purchased? Like at Oakhampton if that’d been the case or if 1 person needed to get off, we would’ve had to stop. Compensation due there surely. Couple of ferry vids, a flight and a bus coming up so you can probably work out where I went after Penzance!

@TravelSignal

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip yes, after complaining I received double the original ticket cost in vouchers £18 I think it was. This was back in about 2006 so I'm not sure how joined up systems were then!

nice trip report again mark

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Caleb, thanks for leaving a comment mate 😊👍

Those Levante 3's are lovely coaches....i used to dupe the Birmingham to Glasgow over night service in the 90's now and again

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I thought so - really comfortable so a good fit for this long trip 👍

Great video Mark National Express excellent service are you going to Isles of Scilly next? Take care . Tony& Jean.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Hi both, I must just have headed over there next yes 😊👍

nice video, as you come towards the border on the A30 between Devon and Cornwall you would of passed the nearly home trees always a welcome sight on the way home.

@leeslog555

Ай бұрын

exactly 6.25 miles from my house , i work up north alot ,, and love to see these after working away ,,

@456789paul

Ай бұрын

@@leeslog555 probably about the same seeing them after a long drive home makes me really happy.

Several years ago I did the trip..Victoria Coch station to St Kew Highway...(Between Bodmin and Padstow.)

Great video, Mark. You must have travelled with all of the main coach companies by now and, from what I've seen, National Express look like one of the best. I just have to try them one day but I haven't so far because I can never seem to find a departure or arrival time that suits me. Getting to my destination far too late in the day isn't an attractive deal. In the meantime, CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast will continue to rob the pants off me!

@Mark-pp7jy

Ай бұрын

Just returned to the US, after a trip to see "Doc Martin's village. LHR to Paddington, then the next morning, PAD to Bodmin on the Great Western Railway. My return to LHR was on National Express. I would not hesitate to recommend either of those companies for their great service. Very enjoyable trip. Seeing Port Isaac was a dream come true!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

That’s a big issue isn’t it Ian - frequency but, depending on where you live I guess, you may only have one service each way a day (like here in Shrewsbury). It’s better than nothing tbh but I guess the demand is just not there yet.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Sounds great Mark and I’m glad you enjoyed it 👍

What a great vid

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thanks mate 😊👍

Used to.make a few coach journeys in the 1980s when I was a student. Don't remember waiting tooms at Victoria, we just waited at the stands. I can still recall the smell of diesel fumes. Longest journey was to Glasgow, overnight, with Stagecoach. Out of interest, it would be less miles going via the M3 and A303. But the A303 is mostly single carriageway, so it might be more stopping and starting which would use more fuel.

I used to work for NX and often travelled on the Levantes. Always found the seats slippery so i would slide down them. I agree that VCS was the pits. Looks like its been improved over the years. Wait until NX have to move out as the whole area is destined for redevelopment as its owned by the Duchy of Westminster.

Brilliant video, I think as long as the weather is dry it helps with travel, this trip would have been truly epic if the sun was shining and you had blue skies all the way, but it was still pretty good, nice coach, good fellow passengers and a couple of excellent drivers, 13 mpg for a coach is excellent, trucks only manage between 8 and 10 mpg, big plus was the coach not being rammed, I was on one of these Victoria to Lhr coaches on a connection from Telford/Victoria change and hop to Lhr, only problem was it left Victoria in the thick of afternoon/ Eve rush hour, but surprisingly it got to Lhr in around an hour and a bit, good going considering how busy it was coming out of London,. Dropped me at Lhr at 6.30 pm, so ideal for a 21.30 departure,.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Mike. Yes I think the weather would’ve been better in the Summer and obviously the day is longer. Possible trade-off the coach would be busier. Mad those mpg figures for trucks. Must be big tanks!

@cabovermike

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip 450 litres is the norm, some have dual tanks 8/900 litres +.

I'd like to have done that when it was operated by Trathens with Neoplan Skyliners. They were cool

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

They certainly looked cool those. I wonder if any still exist doing ‘heritage’ tour stuff?

Great video as always Mark. I much prefer train travel but I think I would choose the coach. 8 hours on a National Express coach sounds more appealing than 5 and half hours on those awful GWR class 800s and 802s.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Stephen and yes if you use South Western Railway and GWR it can take you longer on the train!

Very good presentation…

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thanks Michael 😊

Well done Mark I'm tempted to do this considering the train fare in advance isn't what I call cheap 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Good luck if you do. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank you.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

You're welcome!thanks for watching 😊

Another really interesting coach journey. I thought your point about taking the coach from London to Heathrow was interesting. I'd never considered it as an option. I reckon it'd be well worth it in terms of the time taken.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Tim. It’s worth a look. I’m still undecided tbh but if you’re in no rush it’s definitely an option.

Use to enjoy Penzance area years ago. Hotel was terrible, family went via train and i drove the car down. Last coach trip was sheerings from Kent to Penzance. Since then my son drives for Kings Ferry owned by National express. He has a VIP coach with onboard cinema and kitchen where a chef is employed some times. He enjoys it. Lives and breathes it. Good services they are. I am now in MerthyrTydfil, no longer a Kent man.. Frightened of going back to these places as i hear many are rundown. I will be in Somerset in two weeks , so may take a trip to Penzance and check it out.

6:20 "Overpriced heathrow express" - have you seen the price for first class on the heathrow express? it's crazy. Normal pricing is also mad for what is just a 15 minute journey. I'd take the elizabeth line if i had to use LHR. Gatwick is closer for me these days.

You must be exhausted after that long trip on the coach to go to penzance the place I still go to for my holidays in Cornwall

Well, I did travel from Heathrow to Central London (and back) using the Tube, Megabus, the Elizabeth Line and the Heathrow Experess. Indeed the Tube is the cheapest one, but not the fastest, and by coach it was quite nice. These new Caetano Levante III are indeed comfy and seat 2A is one I took advantage of many times. Must definitely go to Cornwall someday.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

But would you go to Cornwall on the coach Enrico? I reckon I know enough from your previous comments to think you would mate. 😊

@enricomonti156

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip I definitely would go to Cornwall by coach. But the views from the train in my opinion might be way better especially in Plymouth and Dawlish

@robh8814

Ай бұрын

Isnt 2A the Wheelchair seat hence why you get so much legroom.

@enricomonti156

Ай бұрын

@@robh8814 no. 2A is not a wheelchair seat but is just behind it

Use to get tea coffee sarnies served on board once

Great video as always. Good to see they give you a rest stop on this journey though, they dont if you are going to Barnstaple. One correction though, it doesn't actually stop at Exeter Bus Station; Stagecoach dont let coaches use it and you are dumped at Bampfylde Street or Sidwell Street.

@robh8814

Ай бұрын

Years ago they use to let Coaches in the Bus Station & Megabus. but was 2018 when I last used it. Overnight Megabus to Newquay in Jan. Never AGAIN. Noisy bloke talking like it was Midday until 1am.. Luckily he got off at Exeter at 4am..

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes we stopped out on the road outside the bus station (wasn’t really sure how else to describe that tbh). The rest stop was just about right time-wise. I mean, you can be there for 45 mins sometimes and that’s a little too long when you just want to get going. Cheers Daz 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

@robh8814 Noise on overnight coaches is so inconsiderate I agree!

13mpg for a coach is pretty decent! Our 2 axle coaches will average 11.5/12 mpg. So 13 for a triaxle coach is decent, given the drag of the third axle too. As always Mark, brilliant. Cheers for now

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate. Yep, quite a few comments saying 13 mpg is decent. Obviously I haven’t got a clue when it comes to stuff like this(!) So I’m glad I asked in the vid as it’s always useful to know. And I’ve learnt something about tri-axle drag aswell! Nice one 😊👍

@gar6446

Ай бұрын

It's got to be the steady cruise mode, no stop start,I found the speed made a big difference too, plus it's mostly southwards, so downhill all the way!😅

Great video as always! I’m not a huge fan of bus travel for longer distances vs. train. The mere thought you have to sit hours and hours tight unless there is a service break (or go and see the bathroom should one be there and not permanently locked by the driver) makes me chuckle. In a train you can get up any time, and walk around and no driver will moan at you for walking up and down the aisle.

@vickibrown1611

Ай бұрын

I agree! Just knowing I couldn't get up and walk around would make me restless!

@robh8814

Ай бұрын

Its NOT a Bus.. Its a Coach.. 😁Calling it a Bus makes you sound American. If you are watching a KZread Video like this then you should know the difference between a Bus & a Coach🤣

i haven’t went from coach to London Heathrow airport i think the Coach option in case London Underground train service can be off on a any specific day People can use a London bus if they need to also Wasn’t bad weather in terms of in today’s video Nice watch Thank you 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate and thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the vid 😊

@BALHAM69

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip you’re welcome

Just got off today's 11:00 departure at Exeter. And just like you it was a good coach with excellent drivers! ...and you, sir, are turning me into a coach passenger... Great video as always 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Great stuff mate. Overnight coach trips for you next then!

That was a really good price. The coach is quicker than the tube to LHR, hadnt thought of that before.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I’m the same. For me though, I’m normally coming into London on the train and it’s east just to jump on the tube from Euston rather than the hassle of getting to the coach station.

@robh8814

Ай бұрын

Only some coaches go to Heathrow though . You might have to wait over 30 mins for a departure & then there's the 10 min walk from Victoria Tube to Victoria Coach Station. Granted if you are arriving by Coach into Victoria then fair enough but once you add the waiting time then its only 45 mins on the tube from Victoria. So if you both left at the same time then it would be a tight run through thing but if you get a Piccadilly line Train straight away then would be close. The Coach usually hits traffic until it gets past Earls Court & onto the M4 at Hammersmith.

@Michael-wr1yy

Ай бұрын

Thats a good point Rob but really that tube journey from Victoria is laborious and to just sit on the coach without changes sounds ideal, of course you have to work your timings out and wouldnt comptemplate it in rush hour

I take the coach, and really think it's good value.

I think the gate numbering at Victoria is a hangover from pre National Express days and regional sectors after NE was born. When I was there a lot in the early 1980s the rule of thumb was southeast lowest then working up through southwest, Wales etc to Midlands and North up around 17 upwards for the likes of Liverpool Manchester etc. Scottish services had the very highest plus along the far wall. Hope this helps.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Simon, yes I thought it might be something like that. Like I said, every time I head north I seem to be at the highest numbered gates.

I would recommend you spend more time in Newquay at some stage Mark. the Fistral end of Newquay (south) is stunning

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yep, I mean I don’t mind the place but prefer the quieter areas of Cornwall tbh (like anywhere I guess). The Isles of Scilly for example, well, that was just an AMAZING place!

@robh8814

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip Newquay is fine outside of the Busy summer. Even in Summer then all the "Party dudes"😁 are either asleep or on the beach during the day. You can also make it across Newquay from one end to the other without going near the main High St & avoiding everybody if you know what roads to take. Once you are past the Rail Station then its quiet anyway.

Great video as always my friend 👍👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate, thanks for watching and leaving a comment 😊👍

I've done the tube to get from seven sisters to heathrow after a football game. It was an hour and ten minutes and it fell under the travel card rules at the time. (I was flying back home to aberdeen)

14:27 I took the national express to Launceston (it’s where I grew up) at Christmas to visit my parents for the Christmas and new year and I’ve got to say the seats are very very cramped

Would be interesting to make a head-to-head comparison with GWR's IETs, particularly regarding comfort

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

IET’s quicker, but worse comfort-wise imo.

1st time seeing one of your video's. Used NX lots between 1998-end 2019 & done that Newquay Journey a fair few times but last time I was in Newquay was Jan 2018.. Im sure people will know but its the law (like in a car) that you have to wear a seatbelt while on the coach.. In reality.. Its the only thing that will stop you being thrown around like a rag doll if their is an accident & worse case scenario the coach flips over.. But moving on from that 😁 They use to run 3/4 times a day down to Penzance. 0800/1100/1300/1600 from what I remember. The timings are still the same though. 45 mins to Heathrow, 3h15 to Sedgemoor Services. I think it was the 504 that then use to visit Plymouth 7 then do the Bodmin, Launceston run to Newquay. Been to Penzance 2/3 times. Once on the train (when I got a cheap ticket) & the other on the coach. Once was 90 mins late so turned into 0800-1930 & once was on time. It also use to drop oof at ST.Ives & if you have seen St.Ives "Bus Stop" just after the Tesco before you go into the main town that you have to reverse into then Im not surprised it doesn't go there any longer. Back around 2015-2016 the Coach would leave Plymouth on time & then proceed to Plymouth Depot to be "refueled" & for the toilet to be dropped. This would then make you around 30 mins late every time. SO long as you arent stuck in traffic for hours then the way to get through these journeys I found was 3 hrs to Sedgemoor,2 hrs to Plymouth, 2 hrs to Newquay with a 30 min comfort break. Travelling on a near empty coach can be lovely. Travelling on a busy noisy coach is a completely different thing especially for 8 hrs. Once did Victoria to Edinburgh once. It was 90 mins late leaving Victoria.. Then Driver "ran out of hours" so had to wait 30 mins for "2 other drivers". They then ran out of hours at 1600 so had to have an unplanned 45 min break at services & then was 3 hr15 mins late in the end & instead of arriving into Edinburgh at 1815 then it was 2130.. Luckily it was the summer & although it was dark then it wasn't cold by then. Never done Glasgow/Edinburgh direct back to London again. Luckily Ive got family in Yorkshire 7 friends in Dumfries so when I use to do it then I would break the journey up abit.

I might consider using the new Birmingham to Penzance overnight route that NX do someday.

Absolutely, vallue for money; comfort little compromise to make ! What you see is a lot more of Cornwall , Devon than on rail, something different thand Dawlish and Plymouth, Cornwall rural some seaside resorts make it more enjoyable, New Quai !

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

The Dawlish area is great on the train I have to admit but the coach was a little different yes.

Hey I did a "Mark eye roll" when you mentioned the tractor...and then we got a one from you 2 secs later.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Haha, cheers John. Yep, bloody tractors! 😂

What a lovely coach station London Victoria is said nobody ever!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I like it from the outside!

@davidjewood

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip 100% the outide is classic 1930's Art Deco, one of the finest. No wonder it's Grade 2 listed.

@AndreiTupolev

Ай бұрын

It's a brilliant place. Considerably modernised in recent years, although that does mean they now frown on you wandering about noting coach registrations, which is a slight disappointment. They're all Caetano Levantes now though anyway

@iainjones5002

Ай бұрын

However, in comparison to 10, 20 or more years ago, when I travelled through regularly, then it was a real mess of a Coach Station and utterly unfit for purpose.

@robh8814

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip The best way of seeing it. Visit it at 2300 onwards for the wait for the night coaches. I always use to wait outside until 20 mins before.😁

I used to live 5 minutes if I was travelling from Victoria it was cheaper and lot less hassle changing tubes the coach is direct especially if you going on another city you can't get from Heathrow. Its some times dearer from Heathrow play around to see what to go

I did that bus once overnight but not quite as far as it was only to Truro.19:15 doesn't need a PM!The 24 hour clock is the most sensible clock for public transportation but try telling the Americans and Trent Barton in the English East Midlands!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

When I listened to that back I thought ‘I bet someone tells me I don’t need to use the pm on a 24 hour clock’! 😂 Truro’s not a bad effort though Kevan. Looks a nice place whenever I’ve been through there.

It’s been 2017 and took the Tube in from Heathrow . Since that time the pricing on Heathrow express is way way down if you book early . Luggage on the tube unless you have hand carry is an issue perhaps . I like Paddington as a budget very transit connected base so the Heathrow Express (Different name now I believe ) would be my choice .

When you done your trip to thurso, an idea could of been taking transport from there all the way to penzance

I've only been on one coach journey from London Victoria to Glasgow in 1985. £22.10 seems very good value for money, I'd need a good book I think if I did this journey.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes Cathy, take a book and think about the money you’re saving 😊👍

For Zone 1 to Heathrow the Piccadilly line is £5.60 taking ~35mins, Elizabeth line is £13.30 taking ~30mins. As the Piccadilly line is getting brand new air conditioned trains this year and it's only about 5mins slower to zone 1 it's definitely the best option.

@kwlkid85

Ай бұрын

There's also the frequency problem with the Elizabeth line to Heathrow with some terminals only served a few times an hour. Honestly not showing the additional Elizabeth line charge to Heathrow on the tube map is close to a scam by TFL as it rarely makes sense to take as even the Heathrow express booked early can be cheaper.

@dazzlingdaz187

Ай бұрын

I guess it depends where in Central London you are starting from, and which Terminal you are going to. Personally I would take the tube every time unless your hotel was literally outside Vic Coach Station and you were going to T2 or T3. And even then you'd have to prebook it rather than just turn up and wait a few minutes for the tube

@kwlkid85

Ай бұрын

@@dazzlingdaz187 Oh yer the coach never makes sense, the Piccadilly is faster, cheaper and far far more frequent.

Looks a decent service, and coach, to be honest. Having used NX over 15 years we didn't rate NX or their staff, especially in Devon and the Midlands. Until NX changed hands the national route network, travel times and frequencies were good though. If NX has actually improved in the last couple of years it might be worth trying them again. If they haven't improved their services and attitudes, then no.

Madness. I couldn’t spend that long cramped up on a bus. Train or drive…..

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

‘madness’? I’ve done one or two coach trips that have been cramped yes but you must’ve seen the amount of space I had on this one. An empty seat next to me, plenty of leg room, comfortable, lovely views, no stress, on-time (pretty-much). OK, train is an option but there’s no chance I’d drive it these days. How much do you reckon you’d have spent in fuel?

Done this route overnight before and remember they chucked us in Exeter services for a 90 minute pit stop at 2am and forced us off the bus like cattle!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

90 minutes! That’s crazy!

@Louis-eh7mo

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip I know!

Hey mark Great Video! Just a friendly one.. Cambourne is spelt *CAMBORNE* :)

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes I’ve already been told off about that one 😂

@luketrainspotteryt2007

Ай бұрын

@LetsMakeaTrip 😆 don't worry it happens to the best of us 😀 sometimes with the amount of places people go the spelling can simply be Mistyped sometimes 😆

Has the facade of Victoria Coach building been updated? Looks much more from the sixties or seventies vintage .

I did Sunderland to Penzance with the change at London Victoria lets just say it wasnt too much fun.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

A long run that. I would do it but overnight in London and then of course, it’s costing a whole load more money!

Travelling to Heathrow by road is always a chancy option.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

There is that yes.