Enhanced services for passengers travelling between Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London

Enhanced services for passengers travelling between Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London

• Faster journeys between Liverpool and Manchester

• Increase in services between Manchester, Birmingham and London

• New overnight service from Manchester to Heathrow

National Express has announced it is boosting its intercity coach services between the North West, Birmingham and London - offering more affordable, convenient and reliable transport choices as fuel prices continue to soar.

From Monday 13th April, the UK’s largest scheduled coach operator is introducing some changes to better meet customer demand, including a significant increase in daily journeys between Liverpool and Manchester - from 14 up to 25 - providing more direct and faster journeys between the two cities, and fares from £3 one way*.

Services between Manchester and London will also increase substantially, from 18 daily journeys up to 27, while also offering more direct connections to and from Birmingham which will rise from 17 daily journeys up to 22.

A new overnight service will launch between Manchester and Heathrow from the same date.

Javier Martinez Prieto, Managing Director at National Express, said:

“​Our enhanced services from the 13th April are among the latest improvements we’re delivering as we focus on what matters most to customers - affordable, convenient and reliable transport that gets them where they want to go across our nationwide network.

“It’s clear from a recent surge in bookings that many are looking for more cost-effective and sustainable ways to get around and coach travel allows people to enjoy their journey without worrying about the cost of filling up the car, parking or other driving expenses.

“With hundreds of great value, reliable and frequent coaches serving destinations right across the country, including all major UK airports, we’re proud to play our part in helping to keep UK breaks and airport travel for holidays abroad more affordable.”

According to VisitBritain’s March 2026 Domestic Sentiment Tracker report, 60% of UK adults say that the cost of living crisis is affecting them and they’re being careful with their finances or cutting back on spending. Nearly a quarter of people (22%) say the cost of fuel is hindering their travel plans.

National Express reports that bookings for services between Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London surged over 220% within a fortnight** recently, as households looked for more affordable ways to take a break over the Easter period.

Service enhancements from Monday 13th April 2026:

• Liverpool - Manchester: Increased from 17 daily services up to 25 with faster journeys

• Manchester - London: Increased from 18 up to 27

• Manchester - Birmingham: Increased from 17 up to 22

• Manchester - Milton Keynes: Increased from 16 up to 25

• Liverpool - Milton Keynes: Increased from 2 up to 8

• Manchester - Heathrow: New overnight service

National Express’ modern coach services link hundreds of destinations across the country including all major UK airports, with leather reclining seats, free Wi-Fi on selected services, USB power sockets and a generous luggage allowance of up to 20kg.

*Limited Availability. No booking fee when logged into My Account and purchasing on the National Express website or app, otherwise £1.50 booking fee applies. Fares correct 23.03.2026 for travel between 23.03.2026 - 19.07.2026.

**Over 220% increase when comparing overall bookings up to 31st March and 16th March on services between Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London, for travel between 28th March to 12th April 2026.