Flixbus Discussion

[Blindtraveler]

The more I read this thread and other stuff online the less and less likely I am to use flixbus

 

[Bletchleyite]

The more I read this thread and other stuff online the less and less likely I am to use flixbus

It certainly doesn't seem to be a quality operation, seemingly sitting below even Megabus in the market. But then maybe that is the right call for them, as most coach travellers care about price and nothing else.

 

[route101]

It certainly doesn't seem to be a quality operation, seemingly sitting below even Megabus in the market. But then maybe that is the right call for them, as most coach travellers care about price and nothing else.

I even think Megabus are not as good as they were, they have cut a few routes. Yes, coach travellers just want to get from A to B as cheap as possible. Certainly, a different demographic to the train.

What attracted me to book with Flixbus was the option to book the seat to me!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I even think Megabus are not as good as they were, they have cut a few routes. Yes, coach travellers just want to get from A to B as cheap as possible. Certainly, a different demographic to the train.

What attracted me to book with Flixbus was the option to book the seat to me!

I wouldn't book an overnight coach without that. Question is are they enforcing it, or is it more a case of book it and fight for a refund?

 

[johncrossley]

I used Flixbus a lot before Covid on cross-Channel services and they seemed like the most professional option, and the allocated seating was respected. So their UK domestic services are a disappointment.

 

[317 forever]

It only cross border lines that ask and needs ID. No UK routes need to see ID but the website and tickets documents are a standard format as they want all websites to look same so have the ID requirement as it is case for EU routes. On other note the big thing that gets people turned away is anyone with a child under 4 without a car seat..

I have seen people off a few times, although I have never travelled, out of date passport would not cause problems and I would expect a bank card to do. Unless the ID needed is specified don't worry.

Both your posts have assured me that I need not worry about my passport being out of date. Thank you.

Something I do wonder though is that, with Flixbus often having to stop away from bus or coach stations, could that suppress their usage a bit? At least at coach stations you can usually see or find out what is happening. Admittedly some coach stations are owned by National Express, who would not allow use by competitors.

 

[route101]

Both your posts have assured me that I need not worry about my passport being out of date. Thank you.

Something I do wonder though is that, with Flixbus often having to stop away from bus or coach stations, could that suppress their usage a bit? At least at coach stations you can usually see or find out what is happening. Admittedly some coach stations are owned by National Express, who would not allow use by competitors.

Yes, Leicester Fosse Park was basically a stop outside an Asda. A few got on and off and appeared to be picked up by a few families.

 

[Stan Drews]

Yes, Leicester Fosse Park was basically a stop outside an Asda. A few got on and off and appeared to be picked up by a few families.

Fosse Park is a major retail park just minutes off the M1 at junction 21. The reason locations such as this are used, is it results in a minimal time delay to the overall long distance route, allowing Leicester to be added to the map, but without adding too much time for those wishing to travel between Edinburgh, Newcastle etc and London.
Meadowhall, would fall into the same category, with regard to Sheffield.

 

[317 forever]

Yes, Leicester Fosse Park was basically a stop outside an Asda. A few got on and off and appeared to be picked up by a few families.

That's exactly where I'm going soon! I had doubts about trains, looked up coaches, and saw Flixbus link Manchester Shude Hill and Leicester Fosse Park.

As I changed buses there in 2017 I feel confident using it for the coach. Plus, I am using it both ways so would find my stop for the return journey, whick will be after dark.

It is more fortunate timing than I thought, as CentreBus are introducing Yutong electric single-deckers onto the Leicester Outer Circle route on October 24th!

 

[route101]

Fosse Park is a major retail park just minutes off the M1 at junction 21. The reason locations such as this are used, is it results in a minimal time delay to the overall long distance route, allowing Leicester to be added to the map, but without adding too much time for those wishing to travel between Edinburgh, Newcastle etc and London.
Meadowhall, would fall into the same category, with regard to Sheffield.

Yes, the same service called at Meadowhall, which I would say is a bus station.

I did note Leeds is not served by the N10 but is on the day service.

 

[Class 33]

I'm going on a long weekend break to Rotterdam next month. I was going to go via Eurostar, but I left it too late to book at decent prices(current prices for this short notice now are absolutely ridiculous!). So I'm going with FlixBus, as it's the only option at decent prices. Megabus stopped their continental services a few years ago. National Express stopped their continental services at the start of the pandemic, and haven't brought them back since! Though it does state on their website that these services will be brought back this winter, though no specific dates given and whether that will happen I don't know. There also used to be another operater, IDBus, later to be renamed OuiBus. But they stopped operating. So FlixBus is currently the only option!

I was hoping to book the seats next to me for both journeys, so I could be guaranteed to get two seats to myself for more comfortable journeys. I was prepared to pay about £10 to £15 extra per journey for this. But apparantly this is not possible for these services. There are no specific allocated seats. You just get on and take whatever seats are available. This is better than allocated seats, as there is then the risk you may be given aisle seats. I for one HATE aisle seats, as I can't see out the window properly(and if you're in aisle seat next to someone, it's a bit awkward trying to look out the window as they may think you're staring at them!). And for such long journeys as this, I just want to relax and look out the window. The worst possible seat you could be allocated(or if you're one of the last people on the coach) is the middle seat on the back row squeezed in between two people. Can you imagine that for such a long journey like this! So for the outbound journey I'll have to make sure I'm amongst the first in the queue, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and grab a decent window seat. For the return journey though, because the service starts at Amsterdam and also calls at The Hague before Rotterdam, there is the risk that when I get on a fair number of people will allready be on the coach and all the window seats taken, and I'd have to make do with an aisle seat! It's a bit risky. From experience with my previous journeys with FlixBus, Megabus and Eurolines, it can vary as to how many people get on the coaches at Amsterdam. Sometimes it can be a fair old amount, sometimes it can be only about a dozen people. But nevertheless, it remains a bit of a risk if you're getting on any of the stops after Amsterdam and you're very fussy about getting a window seat! So I think to avoid this risk for this trip, on the day of my homeward journey I will actually get the train to Amsterdam, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and get myself a decent window seat! I just can't risk not getting a window seat!

Looking at the timetable for these services now, they depart London and Amsterdam a lot earlier than they used to. They depart London at 1900 and Amsterdam at 1845. They always used to depart at 2130!

 

[jammy36]

There also used to be another operater, IDBus, later to be renamed OuiBus. But they stopped operating.

Still operating I believe, but now called BlaBlaCar Bus - they serve London and Rotterdam, but require a change in Brussels.

 

[route101]

I'm going on a long weekend break to Rotterdam next month. I was going to go via Eurostar, but I left it too late to book at decent prices(current prices for this short notice now are absolutely ridiculous!). So I'm going with FlixBus, as it's the only option at decent prices. Megabus stopped their continental services a few years ago. National Express stopped their continental services at the start of the pandemic, and haven't brought them back since! Though it does state on their website that these services will be brought back this winter, though no specific dates given and whether that will happen I don't know. There also used to be another operater, IDBus, later to be renamed OuiBus. But they stopped operating. So FlixBus is currently the only option!

I was hoping to book the seats next to me for both journeys, so I could be guaranteed to get two seats to myself for more comfortable journeys. I was prepared to pay about £10 to £15 extra per journey for this. But apparantly this is not possible for these services. There are no specific allocated seats. You just get on and take whatever seats are available. This is better than allocated seats, as there is then the risk you may be given aisle seats. I for one HATE aisle seats, as I can't see out the window properly(and if you're in aisle seat next to someone, it's a bit awkward trying to look out the window as they may think you're staring at them!). And for such long journeys as this, I just want to relax and look out the window. The worst possible seat you could be allocated(or if you're one of the last people on the coach) is the middle seat on the back row squeezed in between two people. Can you imagine that for such a long journey like this! So for the outbound journey I'll have to make sure I'm amongst the first in the queue, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and grab a decent window seat. For the return journey though, because the service starts at Amsterdam and also calls at The Hague before Rotterdam, there is the risk that when I get on a fair number of people will allready be on the coach and all the window seats taken, and I'd have to make do with an aisle seat! It's a bit risky. From experience with my previous journeys with FlixBus, Megabus and Eurolines, it can vary as to how many people get on the coaches at Amsterdam. Sometimes it can be a fair old amount, sometimes it can be only about a dozen people. But nevertheless, it remains a bit of a risk if you're getting on any of the stops after Amsterdam and you're very fussy about getting a window seat! So I think to avoid this risk for this trip, on the day of my homeward journey I will actually get the train to Amsterdam, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and get myself a decent window seat! I just can't risk not getting a window seat!

Looking at the timetable for these services now, they depart London and Amsterdam a lot earlier than they used to. They depart London at 1900 and Amsterdam at 1845. They always used to depart at 2130!

Yes, pre - covid going somewhere short notice was cheaper, harder to do now. Even Flixbus prices in the UK can surge upwards.

I did not realise NX operated European services, I thought Flixbus took over the Eurolines network.

I prefer a window seat too as you have something to lean on if you try to sleep. Altough an aisle allows you to get out to toilet or not have to worry about the person next to you sleeping. I have noticed that its hit and miss on Flixbus, if you can book the seat next to you. I thought they were phasing it out.

 

[Martin1988]

In my view the middle seat on the back row is okay but the two back row seats in between the middle seat and the window are absolute hell on a crowded coach. Minimal amount of space for your backpack and a requirement to stand up if the person sat next to you needs the toilet.

I did a trip back from Birmingham to Bristol with Flixbus on Friday night and paid extra for a front seat. Boarded to see all 4 front seats were blocked off through the driver tying the seatbelts across. The driver reluctantly let me sit there but suggested to me Turners drivers are under instruction to ignore seat reservations, that everyone is in the same boat and that I "had no right to a front seat just because I was the first to board".

He also suggested that they are under instruction to ignore seat reservations until they get newer vehicles.

 

[Class 33]

Yes, pre - covid going somewhere short notice was cheaper, harder to do now. Even Flixbus prices in the UK can surge upwards.

I did not realise NX operated European services, I thought Flixbus took over the Eurolines network.

I prefer a window seat too as you have something to lean on if you try to sleep. Altough an aisle allows you to get out to toilet or not have to worry about the person next to you sleeping. I have noticed that its hit and miss on Flixbus, if you can book the seat next to you. I thought they were phasing it out.

I thought National Express dropped their Eurolines branded continental services some years ago, and then these services were just branded as National Express services. I also thought FlixBus took over the Megabus continental services. Though not 100% sure of the accuracy of this. Maybe some can confirm.

Yes I like the window seats to lean against. Though of course the downside is if there's someone next to you and you need the toilet, and you have to ask the person next to you to let you past. Which can be a bit awkward, especially if they are sleeping. But either way, give me a window seat over an aisle seat any day!

In my view the middle seat on the back row is okay but the two back row seats in between the middle seat and the window are absolute hell on a crowded coach. Minimal amount of space for your backpack and a requirement to stand up if the person sat next to you needs the toilet.

Ah yes, of course! Yes those seats would be dreadful to have to sit in, especially on long 12 hour journeys. Squeezed in between two people, hardly any room to put your elbows out. That would be hell on earth! If you got the middle seat of the back row, whilst you'd still have the discomfort of squeezed in between two people, at least you'd get plenty of leg room.

 

[Flying Snail]

I thought National Express dropped their Eurolines branded continental services some years ago, and then these services were just branded as National Express services. I also thought FlixBus took over the Megabus continental services. Though not 100% sure of the accuracy of this. Maybe some can confirm.

NX exited Eurolines around 2017/18 AFAIR, and started selling UK-France at least with BlaBla/Oibus or whatever they were called at the time.

NX kept the Eurolines branding on their UK-Ireland (London - Cork) service until they dropped it dropped pre-pandemic and the recently re-started Dublin - London is still run by Bus Eireann as Expressway Eurolines, I assume that the rights for the Eurolines brand for the Irish services were not part of the deal when the remains of their continental network was bought out by Flixbus.

 

[Class 33]

Still operating I believe, but now called BlaBlaCar Bus - they serve London and Rotterdam, but require a change in Brussels.

Ah yes, I had noticed BlaBlaCar Bus too. But the hassle of having to change coaches in Brussels puts me off booking with them. In fact doing a quick search now for the date I will be going to Rotterdam, I see it would involve getting a service to Gare Lille Europe departing London Victoria at 2230. Arriving Gare Lille Europe at 0530, and then the connecting service to Rotterdam not departing until 1604 and arriving at Rotterdam at 1855. An overall journey time of 19 hours 25 minutes! Absolutely NO to that!

I do remember going to Amsterdam with IDBus not long after they started back in 2014. The services between London and Amsterdam called intermediately at Brussels only. Unlike Eurolines and Megabus at the time, which called at numerous stops in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

I don't know why IDBus didn't keep their original name. They later renamed it OuiBus. The French spelling of "Yes Bus". But pronounced in English as "Wee Bus"!!! Then then they renamed it BlaBlaCar, which is a pretty bizarre name for a coach company!

NX exited Eurolines around 2017/18 AFAIR, and started selling UK-France at least with BlaBla/Oibus or whatever they were called at the time.

NX kept the Eurolines branding on their UK-Ireland (London - Cork) service until they dropped it dropped pre-pandemic and the recently re-started Dublin - London is still run by Bus Eireann as Expressway Eurolines, I assume that the rights for the Eurolines brand for the Irish services were not part of the deal when the remains of their continental network was bought out by Flixbus.

Thanks for confirming that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't know why IDBus didn't keep their original name. They later renamed it OuiBus. The French spelling of "Yes Bus".

This is an SNCF thing. Ouibus, Ouigo, inOui, oui.sncf etc.

But pronounced in English as "Wee Bus"!!! Then then they renamed it BlaBlaCar, which is a pretty bizarre name for a coach company!

A coach in French is "un autocar" to be fair.

 

[paul1609]

I'm going on a long weekend break to Rotterdam next month. I was going to go via Eurostar, but I left it too late to book at decent prices(current prices for this short notice now are absolutely ridiculous!). So I'm going with FlixBus, as it's the only option at decent prices. Megabus stopped their continental services a few years ago. National Express stopped their continental services at the start of the pandemic, and haven't brought them back since! Though it does state on their website that these services will be brought back this winter, though no specific dates given and whether that will happen I don't know. There also used to be another operater, IDBus, later to be renamed OuiBus. But they stopped operating. So FlixBus is currently the only option!

I was hoping to book the seats next to me for both journeys, so I could be guaranteed to get two seats to myself for more comfortable journeys. I was prepared to pay about £10 to £15 extra per journey for this. But apparantly this is not possible for these services. There are no specific allocated seats. You just get on and take whatever seats are available. This is better than allocated seats, as there is then the risk you may be given aisle seats. I for one HATE aisle seats, as I can't see out the window properly(and if you're in aisle seat next to someone, it's a bit awkward trying to look out the window as they may think you're staring at them!). And for such long journeys as this, I just want to relax and look out the window. The worst possible seat you could be allocated(or if you're one of the last people on the coach) is the middle seat on the back row squeezed in between two people. Can you imagine that for such a long journey like this! So for the outbound journey I'll have to make sure I'm amongst the first in the queue, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and grab a decent window seat. For the return journey though, because the service starts at Amsterdam and also calls at The Hague before Rotterdam, there is the risk that when I get on a fair number of people will allready be on the coach and all the window seats taken, and I'd have to make do with an aisle seat! It's a bit risky. From experience with my previous journeys with FlixBus, Megabus and Eurolines, it can vary as to how many people get on the coaches at Amsterdam. Sometimes it can be a fair old amount, sometimes it can be only about a dozen people. But nevertheless, it remains a bit of a risk if you're getting on any of the stops after Amsterdam and you're very fussy about getting a window seat! So I think to avoid this risk for this trip, on the day of my homeward journey I will actually get the train to Amsterdam, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and get myself a decent window seat! I just can't risk not getting a window seat!

Looking at the timetable for these services now, they depart London and Amsterdam a lot earlier than they used to. They depart London at 1900 and Amsterdam at 1845. They always used to depart at 2130!

Have you looked at Dutch Flyer fares on Greater Anglia? Thats the best way imho.

 

[WestCoast]

Travelled on the relatively new Scottish internal service 091 Aberdeen - Glasgow today operated by McGill‘s. I can’t speak for any of the other Flix operations but in contrast I thought that McGill‘s did an excellent job. The Turismo was really high quality and competed well against anything I have used on NX/Megabus/Citylink/Parks services in Scotland. I booked the front two seats for 14.99 which was lower than what Megabus wanted for a basic ticket at the same time. The driver seemed like an experienced coach driver and asked everyone nicely to sit in their assigned seats and to keep the coach tidy for everyone. The sleek coach rolling into Perth certainly attracted a bit of attention from passengers waiting for Megabus/Citylink services. No complaints at all from me, wouldn’t hesistate to use a McGill‘s Flix service again.

 

[Class 33]

Ah I had forgot about those! Thanks for the reminder. The last time I did "Rail Sail to Holland"(as I think it was called back then) was way back in 2008 or 2009! Yes it's an excellent way to get over to Holland. The train from London Liverpool Street-Harwich International and then an overnight sailing to Hook Van Holland with cabin accommodation onboard, getting a good nights sleep and waking up fresh in Holland the next morning. Unlike if you get an overnight coach, where you'd be very tired and bleary eyed by the time you're in Holland the next morning! There is also cheaper daytime crossings available too, but never used those as it involves a very early departure from London Liverpool Street at about 6:35.

I've already booked my FlixBus journeys now though for this trip. £25.99 each way, which isn't too bad really.

 

[route101]

Travelled on the relatively new Scottish internal service 091 Aberdeen - Glasgow today operated by McGill‘s. I can’t speak for any of the other Flix operations but in contrast I thought that McGill‘s did an excellent job. The Turismo was really high quality and competed well against anything I have used on NX/Megabus/Citylink/Parks services in Scotland. I booked the front two seats for 14.99 which was lower than what Megabus wanted for a basic ticket at the same time. The driver seemed like an experienced coach driver and asked everyone nicely to sit in their assigned seats and to keep the coach tidy for everyone. The sleek coach rolling into Perth certainly attracted a bit of attention from passengers waiting for Megabus/Citylink services. No complaints at all from me, wouldn’t hesistate to use a McGill‘s Flix service again.

I have used that service too. How busy was your service? I do find the fares a bit lower than Citylink.

 

[WestCoast]

I have used that service too. How busy was your service? I do find the fares a bit lower than Citylink.

Around 60 percent full with the majority of passengers travelling the full route.

 

[Class 33]

I'm going on a long weekend break to Rotterdam next month. I was going to go via Eurostar, but I left it too late to book at decent prices(current prices for this short notice now are absolutely ridiculous!). So I'm going with FlixBus, as it's the only option at decent prices.

I was hoping to book the seats next to me for both journeys, so I could be guaranteed to get two seats to myself for more comfortable journeys. I was prepared to pay about £10 to £15 extra per journey for this. But apparantly this is not possible for these services. There are no specific allocated seats. You just get on and take whatever seats are available. This is better than allocated seats, as there is then the risk you may be given aisle seats. I for one HATE aisle seats, as I can't see out the window properly(and if you're in aisle seat next to someone, it's a bit awkward trying to look out the window as they may think you're staring at them!). And for such long journeys as this, I just want to relax and look out the window. The worst possible seat you could be allocated(or if you're one of the last people on the coach) is the middle seat on the back row squeezed in between two people. Can you imagine that for such a long journey like this! So for the outbound journey I'll have to make sure I'm amongst the first in the queue, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and grab a decent window seat. For the return journey though, because the service starts at Amsterdam and also calls at The Hague before Rotterdam, there is the risk that when I get on a fair number of people will allready be on the coach and all the window seats taken, and I'd have to make do with an aisle seat! It's a bit risky. From experience with my previous journeys with FlixBus, Megabus and Eurolines, it can vary as to how many people get on the coaches at Amsterdam. Sometimes it can be a fair old amount, sometimes it can be only about a dozen people. But nevertheless, it remains a bit of a risk if you're getting on any of the stops after Amsterdam and you're very fussy about getting a window seat! So I think to avoid this risk for this trip, on the day of my homeward journey I will actually get the train to Amsterdam, so I can be amongst the first on the coach and get myself a decent window seat! I just can't risk not getting a window seat!

Looking at the timetable for these services now, they depart London and Amsterdam a lot earlier than they used to. They depart London at 1900 and Amsterdam at 1845. They always used to depart at 2130!

Update to that. This morning I received emails from FlixBus informing me my bookings have changed. "What's this all about then?" I thought. I load up the revised PDF tickets, and at first couldn't see any difference. I was expecting the departure and arrival times may have changed slightly. But I then discover that I have now been allocated specific seats for both my journeys! On the outbound journey I am given an xxB seat, and on the return journey I've been given an xxD seat. If you NOW book continental Flixbus journeys you can now book a specific seat and the "Travel Neighbour Free" option is back again. The problem for me with my London-Rotterdam booking, I discover the xxB seats are darn aisle seats! Oh no! What an absolute bugger! For such a long journey I would HATE to be stuck in an aisle seat, not being able to just relax and watch the scenery go by! Not being able to rest against the window either. I'd find it an uncomfortable journey stuck in an aisle seat all those hours. It's probably a bit too much contacting FlixBus to see if they can change my allocated seat to a window seat, so I think I'm going to have to cancel that journey booking with no refund, and rebook again and selecting the "Travel Neighbour Free" option, at a total additional cost of £34.48. It's a bit of a bugger all this and having to pay extra to avoid getting an aisle seat. Paying an extra £34.48 won't break the bank, but still.

What's interesting also is that for this booking I've been given an allocated seat of 20B. But when I looked just now at booking again and reserving a seat, it then loads the coach seating layout, and it only has 15 rows of seating. So that's weird. As if I stick to that original booking(which I'm now not going to), there would be no seat 20B available on the coach anyway!

There's only really FlixBus now that run continental services between London and The Netherlands and Germany! Other operators really need to introduce/re-introduce continental services! What exactly is the reason for the delay National Express bringing back their continental services again? They stopped them at the start of the pandemic some 31 months ago, and not brought them back since! Though they're supposedly bringing them back sometime this winter. If I recall correctly a few years or so ago, they had about FOUR daily services in each direction between London and the Netherlands!

 

[asb]

Now there are full on border controls at the port, I'm guessing the unpredictability of how fast a coach of multi-national passengers will clear is a deterrent.

 

[paul1609]

Update to that. This morning I received emails from FlixBus informing me my bookings have changed. "What's this all about then?" I thought. I load up the revised PDF tickets, and at first couldn't see any difference. I was expecting the departure and arrival times may have changed slightly. But I then discover that I have now been allocated specific seats for both my journeys! On the outbound journey I am given an xxB seat, and on the return journey I've been given an xxD seat. If you NOW book continental Flixbus journeys you can now book a specific seat and the "Travel Neighbour Free" option is back again. The problem for me with my London-Rotterdam booking, I discover the xxB seats are darn aisle seats! Oh no! What an absolute bugger! For such a long journey I would HATE to be stuck in an aisle seat, not being able to just relax and watch the scenery go by! Not being able to rest against the window either. I'd find it an uncomfortable journey stuck in an aisle seat all those hours. It's probably a bit too much contacting FlixBus to see if they can change my allocated seat to a window seat, so I think I'm going to have to cancel that journey booking with no refund, and rebook again and selecting the "Travel Neighbour Free" option, at a total additional cost of £34.48. It's a bit of a bugger all this and having to pay extra to avoid getting an aisle seat. Paying an extra £34.48 won't break the bank, but still.

What's interesting also is that for this booking I've been given an allocated seat of 20B. But when I looked just now at booking again and reserving a seat, it then loads the coach seating layout, and it only has 15 rows of seating. So that's weird. As if I stick to that original booking(which I'm now not going to), there would be no seat 20B available on the coach anyway!

There's only really FlixBus now that run continental services between London and The Netherlands and Germany! Other operators really need to introduce/re-introduce continental services! What exactly is the reason for the delay National Express bringing back their continental services again? They stopped them at the start of the pandemic some 31 months ago, and not brought them back since! Though they're supposedly bringing them back sometime this winter. If I recall correctly a few years or so ago, they had about FOUR daily services in each direction between London and the Netherlands!

From Romney Marsh to Hook of Holland with a railcard and via Stratford / International and Harwich I can get return fares of about £100 by train and ferry. This compares to a bus taking 10 to 11 hours for whats not a lot cheaper. I think the cheapest flixbus fare is £26 single plus fees, often a lot more. The overnight ferries with a cheap cabin gives you an extra day in holland at much less cost than a budget hotel.
I suggest with the ferries, eurostar and cheap flights theres very little market left for the buses..

 

[route101]

Now there are full on border controls at the port, I'm guessing the unpredictability of how fast a coach of multi-national passengers will clear is a deterrent.

Have the border checks always been full on though since Brexit? When I took the Paris to London Flixbus we were held up for a few Non Eu passengers who were questioned.

From Romney Marsh to Hook of Holland with a railcard and via Stratford / International and Harwich I can get return fares of about £100 by train and ferry. This compares to a bus taking 10 to 11 hours for whats not a lot cheaper. I think the cheapest flixbus fare is £26 single plus fees, often a lot more. The overnight ferries with a cheap cabin gives you an extra day in holland at much less cost than a budget hotel.
I suggest with the ferries, eurostar and cheap flights theres very little market left for the buses..

I've seen one-way prices on Flixbus near enough £100 one way! Surge pricing!

 

[Eyersey468]

@Class 33 I suspect the reason NX haven't brought Continental journeys back yet is driver shortages, there's a lot they want to bring back but can't as the operators don't have the drivers

 

[route101]

@Class 33 I suspect the reason NX haven't brought Continental journeys back yet is driver shortages, there's a lot they want to bring back but can't as the operators don't have the drivers

I never knew NX operated European services, what coaches did they use?

With the Flixbus services I have used, there are always seat hoppers that move throughout the journey.

 

[johncrossley]

Now there are full on border controls at the port, I'm guessing the unpredictability of how fast a coach of multi-national passengers will clear is a deterrent.

The border controls have always been unpredictable. I was a regular user of Eurolines circa 1997 to 2000 and there would often be delays going to the UK because of certain passengers being questioned by UK immigration and sometimes those passengers would be refused entry to the UK and therefore their luggage had to be offloaded. If that happened, you would miss the booked Eurotunnel crossing and if there was overnight engineering there might be a several hours wait for the next train.