1. Can I buy PlusBus online?
Yes, you can buy PlusBus day tickets online. Rail ticket websites offer PlusBus during the purchase process. Select the desired town or city to add it to your basket.
Rail ticket retailers:
- Avanti West Coast
- Cross Country Trains
- C2C
- East Midlands Trains
- GWR
- Greater Anglia
- Great Northern
- Hull Trains
- LNER
- London Northwestern Railway
- Northern Railway
- RedSpottedHankey
- ScotRail
- Southeastern
- Southern
- South Western Railway
- Thameslink
- Transport for Wales
- West Midlands Railway
How to get tickets bought online:
- Collect from a self-service machine (free).
- Delivered by post (allow 5 days).
- Delivered by courier (fee applies).
Collect in advance for bus travel at the start of your journey. Show the physical PlusBus ticket to the driver or conductor.
2. I have already bought my train ticket, can I still buy PlusBus?
Yes, buy PlusBus at a National Rail station ticket office with your valid train ticket.
3. Can I buy PlusBus on the train from a conductor?
Please buy train and PlusBus tickets before travelling. If that's not possible, you may be able to buy train and PlusBus tickets from the conductor, but railcard discounts may not apply.
4. Can I buy PlusBus on the bus?
No, PlusBus must be bought with a train ticket before boarding. Bus drivers cannot issue PlusBus tickets.
5. Do I get a discount off PlusBus with my Railcard?
Yes, 1/3 off day tickets with a valid Railcard. Railcard discounts do not apply to season tickets.
Railcards offering discounts:
- 16-17 Saver
- 16-25 Railcard
- 26-30 Railcard
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- Family & Friends Railcard
- HM Forces Railcard
- Network Railcard (or Gold Card)
- Seniors Railcard
- Two Together Railcard (buy 2 tickets together)
6. What is included in the price of PlusBus?
PlusBus covers unlimited local bus and tram travel in the urban area of a rail-served town. It does not include train travel. Must be bought with a train ticket.
Some premium services may not accept PlusBus. Check "Excluded services" on town-specific pages.
7. Is it possible to buy season tickets for PlusBus?
Yes, with a rail season ticket. PlusBus season tickets are available for most PlusBus areas. Prices are on town-specific pages.
Season tickets are available for 7 days, a month, a quarter year, or annually. PlusBus season ticket expiry must match or precede the rail season ticket expiry.
8. Can I use a PlusBus ticket on days that I don't travel by train?
PlusBus day tickets are valid only on the train travel date. Season ticket holders can travel any day.
9. Can I use PlusBus to travel on trams?
Yes, on these tram networks:
These tram systems do not accept PlusBus: Croydon TramLink, Glasgow Subway, Manchester MetroLink, Tyne & Wear Metro.
10. Can I use my PlusBus ticket more than once in a day?
Yes, unlimited travel on participating operators' services within the PlusBus zone for the ticket's validity period. Valid from first service until midnight.
11. Can I use PlusBus if I only want to travel by bus?
No, PlusBus is for integrated train and bus travel.
12. Can I use PlusBus if my train journey is between two stations within the same town?
No, at least one train station must be outside the PlusBus travel zone.
Example: Dewsbury to Sheffield is valid; Sheffield to Meadowhall is not.
13. Does PlusBus operate its own buses?
No, PlusBus is a National Rail ticket accepted by participating bus companies.
14. Are refunds available for PlusBus tickets?
Yes, National Rail terms apply. Refunds must be applied for within 28 days from the purchase location. Fees may apply.
Season ticket refunds follow National Rail season ticket terms.
15. What other integrated ticketing schemes are available in Britain for train & bus travel?
Integrated ticketing schemes information is available.
16. Where can I check bus route and timetable information?
Visit traveline or call 0871 200 22 33 (12p/minute plus access charge).
Main bus company websites:
List of bus operators by town and region.
For Northern Ireland: Translink
17. Can I buy PlusBus from a self-service ticketing machine?
Yes, PlusBus day tickets are available at self-service ticket machines at stations managed by:
Avanti West Coast, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway, Southern, Southeastern.
LNER and First TransPennine Express main stations also sell PlusBus day tickets.
Click here to see how to purchase a PlusBus day ticket.
18. How can I contact PlusBus?
Email us at [email protected].
Include details: dates, times, locations, operators, ticket details, feedback. Images are helpful.
Emails answered Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm.
Bus and tram routes: www.traveline.info
Train times and fares: www.nationalrail.co.uk
19. Does my rail station origin / destination have to link with my PlusBus?
Yes, PlusBus tickets are only valid for locations on your train ticket as origin or destination.