National Express

Accessible Travel Service
Who Are National Express?

National Express is the UK’s leading coach operator, offering a wide range of travel services across the country. With over 70 years of experience, National Express provides comfortable and affordable travel to major cities, towns, and airports throughout the UK. Their services include both long-distance journeys and regional connections, making it easier to travel between cities, towns, and beyond.

National Express operates an extensive network, ensuring that passengers have access to reliable and affordable travel options, whether for leisure, business, or other needs. The company’s commitment to accessibility means that people with disabilities can enjoy safe and inclusive travel across the UK.

What Areas Do National Express Cover?

National Express offers services to over 1,000 destinations, with routes covering the entire UK, including:

  • Major cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Bristol
  • Popular tourist destinations like Bath, Oxford, and Cardiff
  • Airport connections to and from key airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted
  • Regional connections to smaller towns and cities

Whether you’re traveling for business, leisure, or personal reasons, National Express ensures that wheelchair users and those with other disabilities can travel comfortably to destinations across the UK.

How is National Express Wheelchair and Disability Friendly?

National Express offers a range of services to support passengers with disabilities, ensuring safe and accessible travel across the UK. Here’s how they accommodate wheelchair users and other passengers with mobility needs:

  • Assistance Services: National Express provides a dedicated Assisted Travel Team that helps arrange the necessary support for your journey. This includes reserving front seats, wheelchair spaces, and coordinating the level of assistance required. Passengers are encouraged to contact the team at least 36 hours before travel to ensure the right arrangements are in place.

  • Wheelchair Access: Coaches are equipped with a wheelchair lift at the front for step-free access. The fleet has extra-wide entrances and flat floors throughout, making it easier to board and travel. National Express also provides manual wheelchairs onboard for transferring from the lift to a seat if needed. The wheelchair space on the coach is designed to be flexible, allowing passengers to either travel in their wheelchair or transfer to a coach seat.

  • Mobility Scooters: National Express accepts small, lightweight mobility scooters that can be safely stowed in the luggage hold, as long as they meet size and weight criteria. Passengers are advised to book at least 36 hours in advance to confirm compatibility with the coach’s storage capacity.

  • Assistance on Board: Trained drivers and station staff offer assistance with boarding, alighting, and luggage handling, including helping with wheelchairs and mobility aids (up to 20kg). Passengers who require assistance are encouraged to pre-book their travel and notify staff of their specific needs.

  • Support for Assistance Animals: National Express welcomes assistance dogs and animals, ensuring they have a seat and sufficient space for the journey. Passengers are asked to book in advance and provide information about the animal’s training.

  • Additional Services: For convenience, National Express provides a Disabled Coachcard, offering a 1/3 discount on fares for disabled passengers. The Assisted Travel Team is available to provide further support, answer queries, and ensure a smooth journey.

This comprehensive support makes National Express a reliable choice for accessible and disability-friendly travel across the UK.

How to Book Accessible Travel with National Express

Booking travel with National Express is simple and can be done online, over the phone, or at their designated stations. When booking online, be sure to specify your accessibility needs (such as requesting a wheelchair space or assistance) so that the team can ensure the appropriate arrangements are made for your journey.

For more information on accessibility or to book a journey with National Express, visit their official website: National Express Accessibility Page