Glasgow to Bolton bus with FlixBus

Fri 18 Sept
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FlixBus
Megabus
National Express
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2,000+ travel companies
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2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Glasgow to Bolton

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept

Cheapest price on 18 Sept

£23

Average ticket price on 18 Sept

£33

Fastest journey on 18 Sept

4 h

Average journey duration on 18 Sept

10 h 48 m

Buses on 18 Sept

5

Distance

279 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Glasgow to Bolton is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Glasgow to Bolton will cost around £33 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £23.

Fast coaches

On Fri 18 Sept, we found 5 buses from Glasgow to Bolton, including 2 direct services.

These direct buses cover the 279 km distance in an average of 10 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h .

The slowest buses will take 15 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • FlixBusFlixBus
    22:404h00
    Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
    2:40Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus
    10:205h00
    Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
    15:20Manchester, Shudehill Interchange
    £291One-way
    0 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    22:4015h30
    Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
    14:10Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    £331One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    21:1514h05
    Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
    11:20Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    £361One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    23:5515h25
    Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station
    15:20Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East
    £441One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Glasgow to Bolton

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Glasgow to Bolton among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £28 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 23m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £28, while a flight costs an average of £183.

Distance: 279 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Flight
Driving

£34

Average Price

£28

Average Price

Cheapest

£183

Average Price

£85

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

5h 6m

Average total duration

4h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 28m

Average total duration

5h 28m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

3h 30m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.3 - 0.7kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

-

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Glasgow to Bolton is a train with an average price of £28.

This is compared to other travel options from Glasgow to Bolton:

A train is £6 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Glasgow to Bolton costing on average £34.

A train is £155 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Glasgow to Bolton costing on average £183.

The fastest way to travel from Glasgow to Bolton is by train with an average journey time of 2h 53m.

Other travel options to Bolton take longer:

Coach takes on average 4h 36m.

Flight takes on average 5h 28m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Glasgow and Bolton including taking a train, coach and flight.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £34 compared to roughly £85 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £51. The journey takes 4h 36m versus 3h 30m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Direct services are operated by Megabus.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Glasgow to Bolton bus times

The table below shows live departures for Glasgow to Bolton coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBus21:40 Glasgow
12h15
9:55 Bolton0 changesdirect
FlixBus22:40 Glasgow
4h00
2:40 Bolton0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Glasgow to Bolton by train, coach or flight

Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept

Why should you book Glasgow to Bolton coaches with Omio?

FlixBus as well as Megabus or National Express offer coaches services from Glasgow to Bolton.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Glasgow to Bolton.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of Megabus or National Express to find the best option for your trip from Glasgow to Bolton.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Glasgow to Bolton.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Megabus or National Express to find the best option for your trip from Glasgow to Bolton.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Glasgow to Bolton.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Glasgow to Bolton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Glasgow to Bolton run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £15 if you book in advance.

There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 02:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 279 km distance in 4h 0m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
279 km
Average bus duration
4h 36m
Cheapest ticket price
£15
Buses per day
3
Direct buses
2
Fastest bus
4h 0m
First bus
2:10
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
Oct
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
28 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus, Megabus, National Express from Glasgow to BoltonYou can travel by bus between Glasgow to Bolton with FlixBus, Megabus, National Express for as low as £15. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
4h 0m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£15
FlixBus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average National Express Duration
10h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£52
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.

Megabus

About
Megabus is a low-cost intercity bus service operating across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Known for its affordable fares, including promotional $1 tickets, Megabus offers routes connecting over 500 cities and university campuses in North America. The company provides amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi, and onboard restrooms, with many routes utilizing double-decker buses for scenic views. Megabus aims to provide safe, convenient, and affordable express bus travel.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Megabus Duration
5h 17m
Megabus frequency
4 a day
Luggage included
One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
Refund
If Megabus fails to provide on-time reliable service for reasons wholly within their control, refunds or alternative travel arrangements may be offered.
Pregnant on board
Being pregnant on board is allowed, but no specific details or restrictions are provided.
Unaccompagned minor
Unaccompanied minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to travel on Megabus.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cold food and drinks, as well as hot drinks with a lid, are allowed on board, but hot food is not.
Seat reservation
Reserved seats can be purchased for an additional fee, starting from £2.
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.

Complete guide to Bolton

Things to do in Bolton

Discover the best of Bolton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bolton trip today.

  • Must visit

Bolton Museum and Art Gallery

Bolton's main museum with local history, art, Egyptology and aquarium displays, all close to the town centre.

  • Recommended

Bolton Steam Museum

Independent museum telling the story of local steam, electricity and engineering through working exhibits and volunteer guides.

  • Recommended

Hall i' th' Wood Museum

Art gallery and museum in a former house, showing decorative arts, paintings and objects linked to local collecting history.

Pound sterling (£)

Bolton is usually cheaper than Manchester or London for hotels, meals and local travel, making it good value for most visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£15-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£2.50-4 for a coffee.

Tipping culture

Service is often included or optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is typical for good service. Round up taxi fares. Tipping in cafés is optional.

FAQs: Glasgow to Bolton coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Glasgow to Bolton by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bolton, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Glasgow to Bolton can start from as little as £15 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Glasgow to Bolton is £34; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Glasgow to Bolton is 4h 0m to travel the 279 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Glasgow to Bolton leaves at 2:10. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Glasgow to Bolton leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 2 direct coaches a day from Glasgow to Bolton with Megabus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Glasgow to Bolton, you can count on FlixBus, Megabus, National Express for the best way to get you to Bolton. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Glasgow and Bolton and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Glasgow , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station . When arriving in Bolton , you can end your route in coach stations like Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East, Warrington, Winwick Street (Bus Interchange), Bolton, Interchange, Bolton, Astley Bridge.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Manchester, Shudehill Interchange, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Bolton from Glasgow is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Glasgow to Bolton is October.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Glasgow and Bolton including taking a train, coach and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Glasgow to Bolton:
  • Megabus
    • Megabus is ADA-compliant and provides assistance to customers with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and those with service animals.
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Glasgow to Bolton for coach company FlixBus, Megabus, National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Glasgow to Bolton depends on the coach companies:
  • Megabus
    • Megabus reservations cannot be canceled or refunded, but they can be traded in for another journey up to 3 hours before your original scheduled departure for a fee.
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company FlixBus, National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Glasgow to Bolton.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Glasgow to Bolton:
  • Megabus
    • One piece of luggage is included per passenger reservation. For guidance, a piece of luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and should not weigh more than 50 pounds (23kg).
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Glasgow to Bolton:
  • Megabus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased by buying an additional travel ticket in advance or by adding up to two additional pieces when booking for a fee.
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Glasgow to Bolton. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Glasgow to Bolton with the following coach company: FlixBus, Megabus, National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Glasgow to Bolton with the following coach company: FlixBus, Megabus, National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Glasgow to Bolton with the following coach company: FlixBus, Megabus, National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Glasgow and Bolton

Most Glasgow to Bolton buses use the Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station to Manchester, Shudehill Interchange station pair, with some services arriving at Manchester, Princess Road / Moss Lane East. Use this guide to compare Glasgow and Bolton bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Glasgow
Arrival bus stations in Bolton

Which Glasgow station do buses to Bolton leave from?

Buses from Glasgow to Bolton leave from Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station. The station is from Glasgow city centre at Killermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW, United Kingdom.
Glasgow, Buchanan Bus StationKillermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station from Glasgow city centre

Bus15 · 2m · £0.90 · every ~8 min
4 · 4m · £2 · every ~6 min
9, 9A, X8 · 6m · £2 · every ~26 min

Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station bus station facilities and services

Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Cafeteria Buchanan (in the station), Coffee Express (in the station), Fast Bites (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Glasgow, Buchanan Bus Station: Elevators, ramps.

More options for your journey from Glasgow to Bolton

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

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