London to Birmingham coach guide: Southall and Slough to the Midlands on the Daily Express

If you need a London to Birmingham coach that doesn't mean trekking into central London first, you're in luck. The NP Coaches Daily Express picks up in Southall and Slough and runs straight to Coventry, two Birmingham stops (Soho Road and Smethwick) and Wolverhampton, seven days a week, for £15 single or £25 return.

We've been running coaches from Iver since 1999, and the Daily Express connects West London with communities across the Midlands, whether you're visiting family, going to the gurdwara or heading home after a weekend away. This guide covers what you need to know: stops, times, fares, luggage, booking and a few tips we've picked up over the years.

The Daily Express at a glance

• Route: Southall and Slough to Coventry, Birmingham (Soho Road and Smethwick) and Wolverhampton, plus the return journey
• Frequency: 7 days a week, with two departures each way
• Fares: £15 single, £25 return per passenger
• Luggage: 1 suitcase (20kg) plus 1 piece of hand luggage (7kg)
• Booking: online, at least 1 hour before departure
• Bonus route: London to Leicester, Friday to Monday

Times and stops can change, so always check the live Daily Express timetable on the day you travel. The times in this guide come from the current timetable, but the live page is the one to trust.

Where the coach stops

London pick-ups: Southall and Slough

• Southall: 1A Priory Way, Southall, UB2 5EB
• Slough: Library (Stop W), opposite the Moxy Hotel, Wellington St, SL1 1YG. This is the new Slough stop, so double-check before you set off if you haven't travelled with us lately.

Midlands stops

• Coventry: Pool Meadow Bus Station, Stand C
• Birmingham, Soho Road: Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, 14-20 Soho Road, Handsworth, B21 9BH
• Birmingham, Smethwick: Smethwick Sikh Temple, High St, B66 3AP
• Wolverhampton: Faulkland Crescent Coach Park, WV1 1JN

Most coaches to Birmingham pull into the city centre. Our two Birmingham stops are in Handsworth and Smethwick instead, so if you're visiting family in that part of the city you could save yourself a second bus or a taxi fare.

London to Birmingham coach times

There are two departures every day from London to the Midlands. The full route is on our London to Wolverhampton coach page.

Morning service

• Southall 09:45
• Slough 10:15
• Coventry 12:00
• Birmingham, Soho Road 13:00
• Birmingham, Smethwick 13:30
• Wolverhampton 14:00

Afternoon service

• Southall 14:45
• Slough 15:15
• Coventry 17:00
• Birmingham, Soho Road 18:00
• Birmingham, Smethwick 18:15
• Wolverhampton 18:45

On the current timetable, the coach from Southall to Birmingham takes about 3 hours 15 minutes to Soho Road. Slough to Birmingham is about 2 hours 45 minutes, and Southall to Coventry is about 2 hours 15 minutes. Allow extra time in heavy traffic, particularly on Friday afternoons and around bank holidays.

The return: Birmingham and Wolverhampton to London

Coming home works a bit differently, so read this part carefully. The full times are on the Wolverhampton to London coach page.

Afternoon service

• Wolverhampton 14:30
• Birmingham, Smethwick 15:00
• Birmingham, Soho Road 15:15
• Coventry 16:00
• Slough 17:45
• Southall 18:15

Evening service

• Birmingham, Soho Road 18:00
• Birmingham, Smethwick 18:15
• Wolverhampton 19:15
• Slough 22:15
• Southall 22:30

The evening coach starts at Soho Road and calls at Wolverhampton before heading south, and it doesn't stop at Coventry. If you're travelling home from Coventry, take the afternoon service.

Fares and tickets

Fares are simple: £15 single and £25 return per passenger. The price is the same for everyone, as child and group concessions aren't available on this service. A few rules to know:

• Online tickets are discounted but non-refundable, so check your dates before you pay.
• Online booking closes 1 hour before departure.
• You can book between any two stops on the route. Coventry to Wolverhampton and Slough to Smethwick are both fine.

How to book in four steps

1. Go to the Daily Express booking page and choose your From and To stops.
2. Pick your travel date and the number of passengers.
3. Pay securely online. Your receipt and ticket details arrive by email.
4. Get to your stop at least 15 minutes before departure. Coaches leave on time.

Luggage allowance

Each ticket includes one suitcase up to 20kg and one piece of hand luggage up to 7kg. Extra luggage costs more, so if you're bringing wedding outfits, gifts or a big haul home from Soho Road, ask us about it before you travel. Suitcases travel in the luggage hold, so you won't be wrestling a heavy case into an overhead rack.

Why take the coach to Birmingham?

• Good value: a simple published fare, and £25 covers a return.
• Direct from West London: no Tube ride into central London first. Board in Southall or Slough and stay seated until your stop.
• No changes: one coach from start to finish, with no connections to miss.
• Room for luggage: a decent hold allowance, which helps if you're staying a while.
• No driving or parking: no motorway stress and no city-centre parking fees at the other end.
• A modern, cleaner fleet: every NP Coaches vehicle is Euro-6 and ULEZ-compliant.

Tips for a smooth journey

• Check the live timetable on the morning you travel. We know we keep saying this, but it's the most useful tip on the page.
• Arrive 15 minutes early. The coach won't wait, and you'll have time to load your bags without rushing.
• Keep your ticket email handy, either on your phone or printed.
• Pack snacks, water and a charged phone. A small power bank helps on the longer legs to Wolverhampton.
• Label your bags with your name and number, inside and out.
• Look after your valuables. We can't accept responsibility for personal items, so keep your phone, wallet and keys on you.
• Thinking of a day trip? On the current timetable you could reach Smethwick at 13:30 and catch the 18:15 back to London. Always confirm the times before you plan around them.

If you do leave something on board, report it on our lost property page as soon as you can. Found items are kept for a maximum of 14 days, an admin fee of £5 plus VAT applies, and items are collected from our Iver depot.

Going to Leicester instead?

From Friday to Monday the Daily Express also runs to Leicester (St Margaret's Bus Station, Bay SV). It leaves Southall at 08:15 and Slough at 08:45, and arrives in Leicester at 11:15. The return leaves Leicester at 17:00 and gets to Slough at 19:15 and Southall at 19:30. You buy Leicester tickets from the driver. Times are on the London to Leicester coach page.

Travelling as a big group?

The Daily Express is for individual travellers and families. If you're moving a whole party, for example relatives heading to a wedding in Birmingham, it's often easier to book a private coach that picks up at your door. Our wedding coach hire guide explains how to plan it.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the coach from London to Birmingham?

On the current timetable it takes about 3 hours 15 minutes from Southall to Birmingham Soho Road, and about 2 hours 45 minutes from Slough. Traffic can add time, so check the live timetable before you travel.

Is there a direct coach from Southall to Birmingham?

Yes. The Daily Express runs direct from Southall (1A Priory Way) to Soho Road in Handsworth and to Smethwick Sikh Temple, with no changes, seven days a week.

How much is the coach from London to Wolverhampton?

It's £15 single or £25 return per passenger, the same fare as Birmingham or Coventry. There are no child or group concessions on this service.

How much luggage can I take on the Daily Express?

One suitcase up to 20kg and one piece of hand luggage up to 7kg per ticket. Extra luggage costs more.

Can I get a refund on my ticket?

No. Online tickets are discounted and non-refundable, so check your dates and stops before you book. Our coach travel FAQs answer other common questions.

Ready to travel? See all routes on the Daily Express service page and book your seat online. For group travel, request a free, no-obligation coach hire quote or call us on 0208 843 1000 (Monday to Sunday).