With soaring bills and the cost of living crisis taking center stage in pubs, offices and even the race for Conservative leadership, it’s no wonder savvy Brits are looking for new ways to save money. Whether it’s switching supermarkets, your bank account or even your commute, it’s more evident than ever that the average person in the UK is struggling to make ends meet.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen my family in Scotland so I was looking forward to paying them a visit and escaping city life for a few days. But my plans were suddenly halted when I opened the Trainline app, only to find that tickets for a round trip started at around £120, four days in advance of my trip.
So instead I opted to take the reliable overnight Megabus – priced at £15 per ticket – from London Victoria Coach Station to Edinburgh, making the scenic 418-mile journey along the west coast of England before crossing through the countryside drive south of scotland I could honestly say that the trip was somehow worse than expected, from barely turning a blind eye to finding myself next to the cramped and overused toilet.
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Let me quickly add that I’m no stranger to the Megabus. I used it regularly as a Skint student, but that was usually with a group of friends and a few cans – and we were usually out somewhere exciting like a music festival. It’s an incredibly different vibe to catch yourself completely sober and exhausted after a long day at work.
My journey didn’t start too well either. When I arrived at the train station at 11:15 p.m., 15 minutes before departure, I suddenly realized that I had an empty stomach. When I looked around for restaurants, to my horror everything seemed to be closed.
There were clerks milling around little sandwich shops, but none of them seemed interested in making eye contact and selling one last item before heading home for the night. And I don’t blame them.
Moments later, as I approached platform 16, I was relieved to see a small corner shop — simply called “Treats” — that has apparently been serving “handmade fresh groceries” to hungry bus passengers since 1979. The shopkeeper looked angry when I walked in and was sweating profusely as he was obviously about to close the shop.
I got the picture as he shouted “NO MORE CUSTOMERS” as two or three more people rushed in and he erected a makeshift barrier of candy shelves and a shopping trolley to stop hungry Londoners. Panicking, I quickly grabbed a random selection of snacks and ended up with two bottles of water, a Kinder Bueno, a pack of McCoy’s BBQ chips, and last but not least, a gourmet chicken burger.
After all, beggars cannot be voters. I just counted myself lucky that I wouldn’t spend the next eight hours or so in a hungry state. On a Monday night I didn’t expect that many people would brave the Megabus for such a long journey, but it was actually completely full.
I think there was one, maybe two, vacancies. Another rookie mistake I made was that I didn’t show up early enough and found myself at the back of the line boarding the bus. That meant – you guessed it – I ended up sitting right next to the loo. I was also pleasantly surprised to notice that Megabus branded vehicles have names. There was a Tom Cruiser to Newcastle and a Great Buscape to the Welsh cities of Cardiff and Swansea.
With strangers chattering as we drove down Buckingham Palace Road, I tackled the most expensive meal I’ve ever bought – with all my bits and bobs adding up to a whopping £8. However, when I remembered how much I had saved by taking the bus, I decided not to elaborate further. Though the “gourmet” burger left a hell of a lot to be desired with cold chicken, lumpy mayo, and a sad lonely tomato, I was full and hydrated and ready for the long journey that lay ahead. Or so I thought.
I was jealous of the woman next to me, who fell asleep immediately and didn’t seem to open her eyes until 8:30 the next morning. I, on the other hand, barely got a wink and was kept awake by the loud snoring and screaming of my fellow passengers.
About 10 or 12 people had been using the toilet I was sitting next to when I decided that as we passed Birmingham I wanted to put on my shorts and t-shirt as it looked like we were running out of oxygen inside the Bus. Hot and sweaty, with no room for a 6ft 2 man to stand up straight, I climbed in.
I was shocked to discover the toilet seat was folded up as I walked in with a toilet almost overflowing with urine. Trying not to throw up, I desperately pressed the button to find it all washed away immediately. It was quite a relief, but I have no idea what my fellow passengers were thinking. Anyway, hurry on, it wasn’t long before we arrived at Sandbach Services where some people were getting off for a cigarette break while others grabbed a McDonald’s.
As the hours ticked by, I might doze off for about 10 minutes at a time, but I got restless. It was very hot and a bit cramped but luckily I had an aisle seat so I could stretch my legs unless someone was climbing over me to get to the bathroom. As night turned to day and the sun shone across the M6, we all woke up together to the sudden stop of the bus. All we could see in front of us was a huge queue of traffic.
After what felt like an eternity, which was actually only 30 minutes, we soon set off again. We later found out the delay was due to a crash south of Carlisle which thankfully no one was seriously injured.
This meant that we arrived in Edinburgh with a delay. As we were due to arrive at 7.30am we instead arrived at Edinburgh Bus Station a little over an hour late. A quick jog to Edinburgh Waverley train station and I was on a ScotRail service on my way home.
Despite all my criticisms of the Megabus experience, I will almost certainly be returning. They are almost never late, I think this trip was an exception. They’re cheap too, and to quote one of my fellow travelers who was traveling to Scotland to visit her long-haul friend, “I refuse to pay full price for anything.”
Do you have any stories you think we should cover? Contact sam.ormiston@reachplc.com
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How safe is London Underground?
In general, the London Underground is safe at night. Apart from pickpocketing, crime rates are relatively low. On average, 13.6 people per million travelers were affected by crime in 2019/2020, which corresponds to 0.00001% of passengers.
Are subway stations safe? Re: How safe are the subway stations? Yes, they are massively secure. There’s tons of staff (part of what makes the subway so expensive) and there’s CCTV everywhere. The biggest threat you are likely to encounter is body odor.
Is UK underground safe?
Statistically, there is only one fatal accident for every 300 million journeys. There are several safety warnings for passengers, such as the traditional “Mind the Gap” announcement and the regular announcements for passengers to stay behind the yellow line.
Can you get electrocuted on London Underground?
Both the positive and negative rails can electrocute you equally, and you don’t have to touch both – you just have to provide a path from one to earth (which you almost certainly will if you touch something else).
Is London Underground safe from terrorism?
The Tube is a safe, low crime environment where our staff work closely with police officers who patrol the network to ensure your safety. This means we must be adequately prepared for extremely rare but very serious incidents such as fire and terrorism (including armed attacks).
Is it safe to ride the London Tube at night?
Is the subway dangerous at night? Most of the time it is perfectly safe to travel on the subway at night. There are of course exceptions to this rule where you may wish to make alternative arrangements or report an issue to a Tube staff member.
Is the tube 24 hours?
The London Underground usually runs until around midnight. Check the signage or contact the staff at the particular subway station you plan to use to find out exactly when the last train leaves. A 24-hour night tube service operates on some routes on Fridays and Saturdays.
How long does the tube run in London?
Subways generally run from Monday to Saturday between 5 a.m. and midnight, with reduced operating hours on Sundays.
Can you sleep on a coach?
In the coach, it is best to sleep on the seats in the middle of the vehicle. However, you should avoid sitting over the wheels as this is usually the area that experiences the most movement and can often induce nausea in people prone to motion sickness.
Should you sleep on the bus? Early mornings and late evenings are probably the best choices, as there’s a greater chance of fewer passengers and you can spread out across multiple seats or even an entire row. Night buses are also a good option for better sleep quality during longer journeys.
How do you sleep on a tour bus?
Take the window seat… To get a good night’s sleep on the bus, it’s best to bring a travel pillow. Inflatable pillows are great as they take up very little space in your luggage, but you can always value them and opt for memory foam – or even use a thick sweater to wrap up and rest your head.
How do you sleep comfortably on a bus?
But fear not, here are some useful tips on how to sleep on a bus for a safe and comfortable journey.
- Make yourself comfortable. …
- wear layers. …
- bring medication. …
- Stay hydrated and bring snacks. …
- Listen to music. …
- Choose the right seat. …
- Invest in a good bus.
Where does the driver sleep on a tour bus?
Since the show doesn’t end until 10:00 am, it takes a few hours to load the equipment. Artists sleep on the bus at night so they can start at a new venue the next day, and bus drivers are taken to a hotel room so they can sleep during the day.
How do you sleep on a couch?
Sofa Sleeping Tips Treat your sofa like a mattress by covering it with breathable, moisture-wicking cotton sheets. Do not use throw pillows or couch pillows for sleeping. Use a firm pillow with a removable pillowcase to support your neck while you sleep. Position yourself consciously.
Is it OK to sleep on a couch?
Sleeping on the couch every once in a while probably won’t harm your long-term health, although you may wake up with a tingling in the neck. However, if you sleep on your sofa every night, you may be at higher risk for some health problems, such as: B. chronic back and neck pain.
Is it better to sleep on the floor or couch?
Good posture supports the natural curvature of your spine. Sleeping on the floor can make it easier for you to keep your spine straight while you sleep because you don’t have to worry about sinking too deep into a mattress.
How do you sleep comfortably on a coach bus?
The typical position for sleeping on a bus is to sit face forward and, if possible, start reclined in the seat. Use a pillow or piece of clothing to support your head while tilting it back or to the side. Try not to bend over backwards and be patient as it takes time to relax.
How do you get comfortable on a bus?
Here are seven tips to ensure your time spent on the bus is in the ultimate comfort.
- Pack a pillow and a blanket. …
- Wear comfortable clothing. …
- Bring snacks. …
- take rest breaks. …
- wear headphones. …
- Keep your toiletry bag with you. …
- bring reading material.
How do you sleep in a sleeper bus?
Can you sleep on megabus UK?
Passengers are offered their own sleeping space for the night journey. A reading lamp, blanket and pillow are provided and curtains ensure privacy. Overnight passengers will also receive a toothbrush, toothpaste and eye mask packet. The cost of the sleeper service can be $65.
Can you sleep in the Megabus? Equipped with reclining seats, seat belts and air conditioning, Megabus night buses make it easy for you to fall asleep with peace of mind.
Can you use the toilet on a megabus?
Toilet. Toilet facilities are available on board all our buses.
Can you eat on a megabus?
Can I take food and drinks with me on the bus or train? Secure. You can bring cold food, cold drinks and hot drinks with lids. For safety reasons, we cannot allow hot food on our buses.
Do they search bags on megabus?
Megabus does not check baggage or issue receipts for baggage carried by the passenger on the bus.
Are there sleeper buses in the UK?
The MegabusGold ‘Sleepercoach’ operates overnight between Scotland and London, with leather seats for day use that convert into fully flat beds. Launched in 2013, it offers year-round overnight services from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth to London’s Victoria Coach Station.
Can you sleep on a night bus?
Enjoying the time on the night bus is absolutely possible. But there are a few things you can do beforehand to ensure you’re comfortable and increase your chances of sleeping through the drive, arriving at your destination rested and ready for the day.
Are there sleeper buses in Europe?
In Europe, such vehicles are full-size coaches, but internally they are only designed to carry 8 to 18 passengers. There are always full kitchen facilities, comfortable lounges and bunk beds for passengers to eat, relax and sleep while en route to the next gig or concert.
Can you eat on a megabus?
Can I take food and drinks with me on the bus or train? Secure. You can bring cold food, cold drinks and hot drinks with lids. For safety reasons, we cannot allow hot food on our buses.
Is megabus strict with luggage?
“Customers are advised that Megabus accepts up to ONE (1) piece of baggage per passenger reservation. As a guide, this must not exceed 62 inches when adding the total external dimensions of the bag (length, width, height) and should weigh no more than 50 pounds.
Can you charge your phone on a megabus?
Yes, the Megabus has sockets for charging electronic devices. There is also free WiFi.
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