Southampton to Plymouth bus with National Express

Tue 20 Oct
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Southampton to Plymouth

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 20 Oct

Cheapest price on 20 Oct

£56

Average ticket price on 20 Oct

£63

Fastest journey on 20 Oct

7 h 15 m

Average journey duration on 20 Oct

7 h 37 m

Buses on 20 Oct

12

Distance

202 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Southampton to Plymouth will cost around £63 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £56.

Fast coaches

To travel from Southampton to Plymouth you need to make at least one change.

  • National ExpressNX032 · NX504
    5:508h15
    Southampton, University
    14:05Plymouth, Coach Station
    £561One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NX501
    13:458h20
    Southampton, Coach Station
    22:05Plymouth, Coach Station
    £561One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NX501
    16:408h15
    Southampton, Coach Station
    0:55Plymouth, Coach Station
    £561One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NX504
    5:358h30
    Southampton, Coach Station
    14:05Plymouth, Coach Station
    £561One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NX501
    12:359h30
    Southampton, University
    22:05Plymouth, Coach Station
    £581One-way
    1 change

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Southampton to Plymouth

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Southampton to Plymouth run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £43 but you can travel from only £28 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 202 km distance in 6h 10m.

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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £28
Distance
202 km
Average bus duration
6h 49m
Cheapest ticket price
£43
Buses per day
12
Fastest bus
6h 10m
First bus
0:30
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
Jan
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
1 day
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £28

Live departures

Southampton to Plymouth bus times

The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Plymouth coaches for today, Monday 19 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express15:20 Southampton
7h25
22:45 Plymouth0 changesdirect
Tuesday 20 October
National ExpressNX032 · NX5045:35 Southampton, Coach Station
8h30
14:05 Plymouth, Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX5045:50 Southampton, University
8h15
14:05 Plymouth, Coach Station1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Southampton to Plymouth coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Southampton to Plymouth.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Southampton to Plymouth.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • 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 National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Southampton to Plymouth.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Southampton to Plymouth.

Bus providers: National Express from Southampton to PlymouthYou can travel by bus between Southampton to Plymouth with National Express for as low as £17. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

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
6h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£43
National Express frequency
13 a day
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.

Complete guide to Plymouth

Things to do in Plymouth

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

  • Must visit

The Box

Plymouth’s main museum and gallery, covering local history, art, natural history and archives in a modern city-centre building.

  • Recommended

Plymouth Gin Distillery

Independent museum exploring Plymouth’s role in gin distilling, set in a historic Barbican building with tours and original features.

  • Recommended

Mayflower Museum

Small local museum on the Barbican focused on migration, seafaring and Plymouth’s links with transatlantic departures.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for the UK: dining and buses are reasonable, while hotels rise in summer and at weekends. Costs are usually lower than London but similar to other regional waterfront cities.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a simple meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£50+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip around 10% for good service. Taxi tips are usually by rounding up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

Best day trips from Plymouth by bus

The most popular day trips by bus from Plymouth are Exeter, Torquay and Paignton. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your bus from Plymouth on Omio.

A view of Exeter

Day trip from Plymouth to Exeter by bus

Why visit Exeter for the day?

Exeter is a compact Devon city known for its Norman cathedral, Roman history and lively quayside. Medieval streets, independent shops and a strong student presence give it a relaxed but energetic character.

How to get from Plymouth to Exeter by bus?

There are 30 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:04, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 59 km distance in 55m.

A view of Torquay

Day trip from Plymouth to Torquay by bus

Why visit Torquay for the day?

Torquay is a seaside town in Devon, known for its palm-lined harbour, mild climate and Agatha Christie connections. It combines Victorian character with marina views, nearby beaches and an easy-going English Riviera atmosphere.

How to get from Plymouth to Torquay by bus?

There are 2 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:20, the last at 23:58. The fastest coach covers the 46 km distance in 1h 5m.

A view of Paignton

Day trip from Plymouth to Paignton by bus

Why visit Paignton for the day?

Paignton is a traditional seaside town on Tor Bay, known for its sandy beach and family-friendly atmosphere. With its pier, promenade and Paignton Zoo, it has the easy-going character of a classic English resort.

How to get from Plymouth to Paignton by bus?

There are 3 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:20, the last at 23:58. The fastest coach covers the 41 km distance in 50m.

FAQs: Southampton to Plymouth coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton to Plymouth 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 Plymouth, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Southampton to Plymouth can start from as little as £43 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Southampton to Plymouth is £64; 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 Southampton to Plymouth is 6h 10m to travel the 202 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 Southampton to Plymouth leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southampton to Plymouth leaves at 23:55.
There are 12 coaches a day from Southampton to Plymouth which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Southampton to Plymouth, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Plymouth. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Southampton and Plymouth and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Southampton , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Southampton, Coach Station, Southampton, University . When arriving in Plymouth , you can end your route in coach stations like Plymouth, Coach Station.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Southampton, Coach Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Plymouth, Coach Station, located 0 away from the city centre.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Plymouth including taking a coach and train.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Southampton to Plymouth for coach company National Express.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Southampton to Plymouth:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Southampton to Plymouth depends on the coach companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company 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 Southampton to Plymouth.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Southampton to Plymouth:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Southampton to Plymouth:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southampton to Plymouth.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Southampton to Plymouth with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Southampton to Plymouth with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Southampton to Plymouth with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Southampton and Plymouth

Most Southampton to Plymouth buses use the Southampton, Coach Station to Plymouth, Coach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Southampton and Plymouth bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Southampton
Arrival bus stations in Plymouth

Which Southampton station do buses to Plymouth leave from?

Buses from Southampton to Plymouth leave from Southampton, Coach Station. The station is from Southampton city centre at Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United Kingdom.
Southampton, Coach StationHarbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, Coach Station from Southampton city centre

BusX4, X5 · 5m · £2 · every ~20 min

Southampton, Coach Station bus station facilities and services

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

Food and drink

Food options include: Café Express (in the station), Sandwich Bar (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance for cash withdrawals.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton, Coach Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.

Southampton, UniversityUniversity Rd, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, University from Southampton city centre

Southampton, University is 3 km from Southampton city centre. Public transport options include:

BusU2b, U2 · 11m · £2 · every ~6 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 25m · £2 · every ~37 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 29m · £2 · every ~37 min

Southampton, University bus station facilities and services

Southampton, University has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Southampton, University. ATMs are available at Southampton, University.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton, University.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton, University: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, University: Basic accessibility features are available for passengers.

More options for your journey from Southampton to Plymouth

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

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