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Local bus and coach travel in England

Everyone aged 60 or over is entitled to free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England. Off-peak travel is when you travel any time after 9.30am Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends.

Local authorities can still offer extra benefits to residents, but these will only apply for travel in your local area and not everywhere. Check with your local authority to find out whether you can get extra services.

• Find your local authority
• More about free bus travel and concessions (travel and transport section)
• Leisure and travel information on the Age Concern website (opens new window)

Local bus and coach travel in Wales

In Wales, if you're over 60, you're entitled to a free bus pass from your local authority. You can use it at any time of the day and are entitled to travel on local bus services in any council area.

How to apply

You can apply to your local authority or, in urban areas, to your Passenger Transport Executive (PTE), responsible for organising public transport. You will usually have to fill in an application form and take along a passport-style photo plus proof of your age and address.

In Scotland

In Scotland everyone over 60 is entitled to free, local bus and scheduled long-distance coach services at any time of the day, including the morning rush hour. This scheme is run by Transport Scotland and you will need to apply for an Entitlement Card to travel for free.

• Free bus travel in Scotland – how to apply (opens new window)

National bus and coach travel

The National Express coach network in England and Wales, and Citylink in Scotland, can take you to most places in the UK.

Over 60 discounts

In England and Wales, if you're over 60, you automatically qualify for routesixty fares. This means you can travel half price on most National Express services. To find out more, telephone 08705 808 080. Some smaller companies such as Berrys and Baker Dolphin are also included in the scheme.

In Scotland, if you're over 60, Scottish Citylink offers Senior Specials, a range of discounted fares for the over 60s that regularly changes. If you have a concessionary travel card, you may be able to travel free on some of their services. To find out more, telephone 08705 505 050.

• routesixty on the National Express website (opens new window)
• Scottish Citylink website (opens new window)

Extra benefits

You can save money by combining bus-travel tickets with admission tickets. There's a range of travel extras to consider too, like inclusive coach and airport-hotel packages as well as theatre, shows and concert deals as well as tickets to European destinations.

More useful links

• Journey planner (travel and transport section)
• Travel, holidays and breaks (disabled people section)