For extensive travel throughout the U.K., you can save money by opting for a Brit Xplorer bus pass rather than a rail pass such as the BritRail Consecutive Youth Pass. The Brit Xplorer pass covers the bus network of the National Express, allowing you to travel to more than 1,000 destinations throughout the country. Passes start at £79 (for seven days of consecutive bus travel).

The deal

Brit Xplorer bus passes allow unlimited travel for seven, 14, or 28 consecutive days on the National Express, National Express Airport, and Hotel Hoppa networks. The passes may be purchased by travelers of any age. Bus passes start at about £79 (about $159, see XE.com for the current exchange rate) for seven days of travel, £139 (about $280) for 14 days of travel, and £219 (about $441) for 28 days.

In contrast, the BritRail Consecutive Youth Pass starts at $185 for only four days, $265 for eight days, $400 for 15 days, $505 for 22 days, and $599 for one month. You must also purchase this pass in North America before arriving in Europe.

The bus pass however, can be bought in the U.K. Also, no reservations are required to use it. However, if a bus is full, you will not be able to travel unless you have an advance reservation for a seat. If you are concerned about being denied boarding for a specific trip, you can make a reservation through a Brit Xplorer agent for an additional fee of £1.50 (about $3.03).

To book

Purchase passes through the National Express website. You must pick up your pass in the U.K. at one of 15 Brit Xplorer agencies. If you’re arriving from overseas, there are locations conveniently located in Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick airports.

The pass is not valid on any National Express Europe, Eurolines Services, Scottish Citylink, or special event buses. Other restrictions may apply.

All prices, dates, and booking details listed here were valid at the time of publication. Some information may have changed since that time.

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