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Rail - Bus Links

When travelling to towns and villages off the rail network a selection of bus and coach links exist to get you to your destination.  These are operated by quality bus and coach operators, although in a few cases rail companies provide their own services. 

In recent years with the break up of a national network, rail companies have been less interested in promoting these bus links.  Britain by Rail hopes to fill the information gap with a complete list of bus links.  Many of these don't appear even in the National Timetable!  If you know of any that are not listed here, please feel free to let us know.  Contact details are on the 'About' page. 

 

Summary of main British Railway Bus Links

Unless otherwise stated, tickets are purchases onboard the bus / coach. 

Note:  GNER bus links.  The former GNER franchise is now operated by National Express East Coast.  The former GNER bus links are still operating, however National Express do not promote them!  You can still find out about them, including times on the Network Rail National Timetable page.  Download the schematic map to see where the buses run and then the relevant timetable number.  The bus links are named as 'GNER' below since National Express does not recognise them.  Perhaps they view it as competition to their own services!

Type of Link / Name of Bus Link

Rail Company

Route

Notes

Plusbus

 

 

 

UK Towns Plusbus

All

add bus travel around town to your rail ticket

Available for tickets booked at railway stations...more

Airport Links

 

 

 

Tees Valley Airport

GNER

Darlington Railway Station to Durham Tees Airport

 

Robin Hood Airport

GNER

Doncaster Railway Station to Robin Hood Airport

 

Heathrow Airport

Virgin Trains

From Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston Railway Stations to Heathrow Airport

Book at Virgin Trains.co.uk

London Luton Airport

Virgin Trains

From Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston Railway Stations to Heathrow Airport

Book at Virgin Trains.co.uk

Leisure Routes - West Coast

 

 

 

Lake District

Virgin Trains


Linking southern Lake District destinations such as Keswick and Cockermouth from Penrith Railway Station.  For the northern Lake District travel direct by train to Oxenholme Station

Book at Virgin Trains.co.uk

Cambridge -  University Town

Virgin Trains

From Milton Keynes Railway Station to Cambridge.  Useful for West Coast Railway Passengers not wishing to transfer in London.  There is a Station in Cambridge with services to Kings Lynn and London. 

Book at Virgin Trains.co.uk

Leisure Routes - East Coast

 

 

 

Lincoln

GNER

Newark Railway Station to Lincoln (via Swinderby and Hykenham).  Although GNER provides it's own bus service, Lincoln Station is also served by a regular service operated by Central Trains and you may be better to take a train!

 

Southwell

GNER / NCT buses

Newark Railway Station to Southwell

 

Barnsley

GNER

Doncaster Railway Station to Barnsley.  Barnsley has it's own railway station with regualar services, however there is no direct link from Doncaster, so the bus link is best if using this route. 

 

Whitby

GNER

York Railway Station to Whitby via places not on Rail Network. 

 

Catterick

GNER

Darlington Railway Station to Catterick via Richmond

 

Dereham

GNER

Peterborough to Dereham (via Wisbech, Kings Lynn and Swaffham) 

 

Kettering

GNER

Peterborough to Kettering (via Oundle and Corby)

 

Scottish Coach Links

 

 

 

Bike Bus

Tim Dearman Coaches

From Inverness and Dingwall Railway Stations to the remote North West

Timetables available on the Tim Dearman Coaches website. 

This coach carries bikes - ideal for exploring. 

Oban / Fort William / Inverness

Citylink

Between Oban / Inverness and Fort William Stations

Timetables available on the Scottish Citylink website.

Scotrail Travelpass valid on these services.

Isle of Skye

Citylink

Kyle of Lochalsh Railway Station to Isle of Skye

Timetables available on the First Scotrail website - see the Far North Timetable. 

Scotrail Travelpass valid on these services.

 

Boarders Bus Links

First Edinburgh

Edinburgh to the Scottish Boarders towns (Kelso - Melrose - Galashiels - Peebles - Edinburgh (No 62); and Carlisle - Langholm - Hawick - Galashiels - Edinburgh (No X95). For full details call 0131 663 9233. 

Scotrail Travelpass valid on these buses. 

Ullapool / Ships to Isle of Lewis

Citylink

Inverness to Ullapool and Ferry Terminal

Timetables available on the First Scotrail website.

Scotrail Travelpass valid on these services.

 

 

Drumbeg-Lochinver

Royal Mail

Connection with Inverness - Thurso Train at Lairg Station

Timetables available on the Royal Mail Postbus website.

Gairloch, Poolewe and Inverewe Gardens

Scotbus

Connects with Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh railway at Achnasheen Station.  Buses from Achnasheen Station are timed to meet trains.

Timetables available on the Scotbus website.

Heritage Routes

 

 

 

Routemasters

London Transport

Two Heritage Routemaster Bus services in the Capital.

Travelcards are valid on these services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This site was last updated 23-Feb-2008

© Britain By Rail 2006