National Express coach journey long distance - any recent experiences?

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I'd hoped to travel by train at half term to see the GP but the trains are not looking like a good bet. I do drive so it's not that I have no other option but it's a long drive and I was looking forward to not having to do it, plus trying to be kind to the planet, save money etc.

I'm contemplating the coach which will cost £60 for DD and I together (petrol for my car would be £100) but it's a six-hour journey.

Has anyone travelled with National Express in the last year or so? What was it like?

Some questions...

Are there proper 3 point seatbelts?

Would you take a car seat for a five year old for comfort/safety reasons?

Are the toilets available all the time or only if the coach stops? Are the toilets grim?

Are the seats reasonably comfortable and do they all have a table available in front of them for DD to do drawing/little games on etc.?

Coaches are great. We get them a lot. The seat belts and toilets are fine. I don't know about baby seats. You can book a seat with a table for extra. Yes the seats are comfortable. The toilets are available when needed

We've got trains recently too and found them worse than coaches. Crowded, people playing music, arguing etc

I hate them. After my last experience, I’ve decided that I don’t care about how much cheaper they are. I just wouldn’t go if I couldn’t get there any other way. I’d rather walk.

I haven't got national express recently but 2 other coach companies between uk cities.

I was impressed - clean toilet, wifi, comfy seats, charging points.

If you check the website they will list facilities.

I got the National express from Nottingham to London last year. The journey out was a breeze, got right into the centre of London no trouble in a couple of hours, just a few quick stops en route. The journey back, there was an accident on M1 and we had a three hour detour round the entire country.

Not the company’s fault but that illustrates the risk with road travel - could still be a better bet than relying on trains running though.

Seats were comfy, toilets were fine (I only used when moving). It wasn’t too busy, which I liked. And it was less than half the price of the Train.

Maybe check with the company about car seats etc. We all had proper seatbelts.

I’d probably do it again on balance, but avoid Friday afternoons travelling up the M1 is my advice.

I've used them loads. The only bad toilets I have come across are the ones in arrivals at Victoria Coach Station in London.
It's brilliant having your luggage taken away and put in the boot* rather than it all ending up piled by the doors/blocking aisles/taking over the wheelchair space or shoved by your feet.
People seem quieter on the coach than the train. Don't know why. I think the motion sends people to sleep.
When my daughter was a baby we used her car seat (the carrier kind) and it was held in place by the seatbelt. After she outgrew it (about a year old) she either sat on the seat or on one of our laps - which would be the same as on a train which will be traveling faster (ie up to 125mph) and they don't have any type of seatbelts.
There is usually WiFi.
The view from the window is usually more interesting. Lots of cars, lorries, people, branches of McDonalds to count (train is tree, tree, tree, cow, tree....)
Go for it.

*is it called the boot on a coach?

I've been considering the coach for a trip I've got coming up. About 160 miles. Train is about £150. Coach £40, if I got a changeable ticket. Its good to see positive reviews.

In fact train prices are ludicrous. Its probably not so bad for people who aren't working, who can get cheap deals by being flexible with time. Something I can't do.