Kids travel free this festive season

Free coach journeys for children over the festive season

Kids travel for free on our coaches this festive season

Christmas just got a whole lot merrier!

This festive season, create lasting memories with the whole family. As the days grow cozier, let the kids join the adventure on us. Whether it’s a weekend escape or a new discovery together, we’ll make your family journey even more magical.

With our 'kids travel free' offer, you have the freedom to enjoy family travel without worrying about child train ticket prices to London or the airport. Discover endless possibilities for baby-friendly holidays and let the adventures begin!

Offer details:

Whilst travelling between 4 November to 4 January just book your tickets and use the code mentioned below for up to 3 kids going free with 1 adult, up to 15 years old.

How to redeem your discount

1. Use the code KIDSFREE making sure to follow the terms and conditions.

2. Plan your journey using the journey planner above.

3. Enter the code at checkout to enjoy your discount.

You can visit our 'Using a voucher' page if there are any issues adding the voucher.

Seize the day and act fast claim your discount now!

Print off some colouring sheets for the journey!

Pop into one of our coach stations and you’ll also find free children’s activity packs to help pass the time and protect your phone battery. You’re welcome.

Alternatively click the image below to access the colouring sheets and print them off at home!

Why Families Choose National Express

Hassle-free family travel

Day trips, weekend escapes, or the classic ‘why not, let’s just go’. There’s something about a family journey that always makes it into the photo album (for better or worse). We’re here to make sure your family trip is one of the great ones. Comfortable, convenient, and completely free of “I think we missed the turn.” Here’s why we’re the smarter, smoother travel choice for your next family adventure.

We drive. You parent.

Travelling with the family by car sounds great, until it doesn’t. Skip the motorway meltdowns and backseat GPS debates. With National Express, you get to sit together, relax, and let someone else deal with the road. We’ll provide the booster seats; you provide the snacks. And with guaranteed seats, there’s no risk of standing in the aisle for three hours pretending it’s fine.

Smarter than the train, without the platform sprints

Family trips and train travel don’t always mix. Delays, cancellations, surprise platform changes, it’s a lot. Our coaches go direct to hundreds of city centre destinations, no transfers required. No dragging tired kids across platforms. Just turn up, get on, and go. Simple.

Wi-Fi, charging, toilets and other essentials

We know what keeps a family journey on track: fully charged tablets, functioning toilets, and zero complaints about where the bags go. That’s why our coaches come equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, charging points, and a generous luggage allowance, yes, even for the buggy that steers like a tank. It's all the little comforts without the cost, chaos, or car keys.

Big trips, small prices

We like to keep things affordable, especially when there’s a snack budget to think about. With adult fares from just £5 one-way*, travelling with us won’t break the bank (or the Christmas shopping fund). And this winter, kids go free! Which is exactly as good as it sounds. Pop into one of our coach stations and you’ll also find free children’s activity packs to help pass the time and protect your phone battery. You’re welcome.

Don't just take it from us...

becomingmamaandme

Our savvy friend Kerry recently hopped on a coach to Manchester for a fun Mummy and Daughter day out with a twist.

To help keep costs down and travel on a budget this summer, they travelled with National Express and found fun, free activities in Manchester to keep the little one entertained. Check out her video below!

_amy.middleton

Our friend Amy recently took her daughter Elsie on a girly day out to London — made even easier (and more affordable!) thanks to National Express’ Kids Go Free offer this summer.

They set off from Poole and travelled in comfort with reclining seats, WiFi and charging points, arriving in London feeling refreshed and ready to explore. Check out the adventure below!

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We've doubled our student discount to a whopping 30% off until 31 January...

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Christmas Markets 2025: Your ultimate guide

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Terms & conditions

1) The promoter of this offer is National Express Limited (company number 00232767) of National Express House, Birmingham Coach Station, Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DD (the “Promoter”, “our” and “us”).

2) This promotion entitles the person who has the free child places voucher code to 100% off the Ticket price of a booking for child passengers making a single or return journey when purchased in the same transaction as an adult passenger (the “Free Child Discount Promotion”).

3) The Free Child Discount Promotion is open to all UK residents aged 18 years or over, except our employees, their families, agents or any third party directly associated with the administration of this offer.

4) The Free Child Discount Promotion applies:

a) to the total cost of the Child Ticket(s) only, and not to the Booking Fee and/or any of the “Add Extras” available from our website and/or the National Express App;

b) to Tickets purchased between 23 June 2025 and 4 January 2026 for travel between 1 July 2025 and 4 January 2026 (the “Promotion Period”) excluding 25 and 26 December 2026. Tickets are subject to availability and we reserve the right to exclude certain dates and times during the Promotion Period from the Free Child Discount Promotion; and

c) when a child ticket is purchased alongside an adult ticket. For each adult ticket purchased, up to 3 children may travel for free. A booking fee still applies.

d) to Tickets purchased from either our website (www.nationalexpress.com) or the National Express App or telephone call to our Customer Contact Centre, and not by any of the following means:

i) in person from one of our Stations or with a third party agents;

ii) from a driver; or

iii) from a Ticket Machine.

5) To redeem the free child places off the cost of your Ticket(s), you must enter the Free Child Discount Promotion code (KIDSFREE) prior to confirming and paying for your Ticket(s).

6) If, you have purchased a Ticket using a Free Child Discount Promotion code, and you:

a) wish to amend your booking, an amendment fee and excess fare for the new Ticket will apply; and/or

b) are entitled to a refund in accordance with our conditions of carriage, the discounted amount will not be returned to you or transferable to another booking.

7) The Free Child Discount Promotion cannot be used:

a) in respect of existing bookings;

b) in conjunction with any other promotional offer or any Coachcard; or

c) to obtain any of the following:

i) Tickets for European Services and/or Third Party Provider services;

ii) open return or season tickets;

iii) accommodation or ferry travel

iv) any of the “Add Extras”; or

v) the fee for receiving an SMS Ticket, if selected as part of a booking.

8) The Free Child Discount Promotion code, and each Ticket obtained using it, is not transferable and must not be given, loaned or resold to anyone else. The Promoter reserves the right to cancel the Free Child Discount Promotion in the event that any person, other than you, uses this offer to book or otherwise obtain travel or any other benefit from us.

9) No cash or other alternative will be given.

10) All Tickets issued are subject to availability.

11) These terms and conditions shall be governed by English law and any dispute relating to these terms and conditions will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except if the customer lives in Scotland and in such circumstances legal proceedings may be brought in either the Scottish or English courts.

12) All bookings are subject to the Promoter’s conditions of carriage.

13) Offer and terms and conditions are subject to change at any time.

Check out our Christmas blogs:

Christmas Markets 2025: Your ultimate guide

We’ve rounded up some of the best UK Christmas markets for 2025 so get ready to dive into the magic and discover what’s in store.

10 best UK Christmas Pantomimes 2025

Check out our guide of the 10 best UK Christmas Pantomimes in 2025 to help you decide which is the one for you.

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T&C: *Limited Availability. Price includes a £1.50 booking fee. 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 13.07.2026 for travel between 13.07.2026 - 09.11.2026.