anyone used airport by coach X5?

surfsister

Has anyone out there used airport by coach X5?

I'm using it to go to Stansted from Ipswich and back but wonder what happens if I book certain times and the plane is late on the way back? Can I then take the next coach?

I can book on the bus but it's cheaper to by an advance return.

wealdroam

From their website, it looks like they charge the same fare on the coach as they do online.

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  If this is the case, why not buy on the coach?

Edited to add:
Although on another page it does appear to be £1 cheaper each way if booked online.
But here they are suggesting £25 return when booked online.

I think I would be asking for a return ticket booked on the coach for £23.00...

uncomplicated fares with no restrictions.

Ring them to clarify this contradiction.

surfsister

wealdroam wrote: »

From their website, it looks like they charge the same fare on the coach as they do online.

• 
• 
  If this is the case, why not buy on the coach?

Edited to add:
Although on another page it does appear to be £1 cheaper each way if booked online.
But here they are suggesting £25 return when booked online.

I think I would be asking for a return ticket booked on the coach for £23.00...

uncomplicated fares with no restrictions.

Ring them to clarify this contradiction.

thanks yes I emailed them but no reply yet!!

I did a trial booking online and it cost £23 return or £17 one way - so I wanted a return if possible. Surely the coach people must be used to flights being delayed and be flexible!

Mids_Costcutter

surfsister wrote: »

thanks yes I emailed them but no reply yet!!

I did a trial booking online and it cost £23 return or £17 one way - so I wanted a return if possible. Surely the coach people must be used to flights being delayed and be flexible!

You would hope that TGM Group (operator of the X5 service) might take an integrated approach, realise that flights can often be delayed and offer passengers the flexibility they need. I've been faced with the same dilemma in the past when returning home from an airport by train: buy a cheaper (inflexible and non-refundable) advance fare or a more expensive open return? Reluctantly I've then chosen the latter. Another barrier to using public transport to access an airport?

Perhaps what is needed is for an enterprising train or coach operator to work with an airline and offer combined tickets (at reduced prices) so the flight and access to the airport are included in one fare. Of course that would require working together....

surfsister

Well I had an email from the coach people and the allow 24hrs leeway on return tickets so that's OK. pity they don't say so on their website as they might well sell more tickets!!

Also although it says £25 booked return it charged me £23 booking online!! thanks all