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Journey Information
There are 10 intercity buses per day from Birmingham to Sunderland. Traveling by bus from Birmingham to Sunderland usually takes around 8 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest National Express bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 169 mi (271 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 25m |
| Cheapest price | €7.86 |
| Trips per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Megabus |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Birmingham to Sunderland
- FlixBus: 3 daily buses from €9
- Megabus: 5 daily buses from €7
- National Express: 4 daily buses from €21
How much is a bus ticket from Birmingham to Sunderland?
Bus tickets for a trip from Birmingham to Sunderland cost €24.69 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Birmingham to Sunderland?
There are 3 bus lines from Birmingham to Sunderland available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Megabus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 3 | 11h 45m | €31.09 |
| Megabus | 5 | 6h 13m | €22.69 |
| National Express | 4 | 5h 47m | €30.36 |
First launched in Germany in 2013, FlixBus has become one of the largest intercity bus companies in Europe. Its fleet travels through nearly every country in Europe, including the U.K. FlixBus operates an average of 3 trips from Birmingham to Sunderland, and usually makes the trip in about 11 hours and 45 minutes. On your trip, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi and live GPS, as well as restrooms, air conditioning, and power outlets.
Founded in 2003, Megabus UK was created to provide travelers with greener, more straightforward and smarter travel. The carrier has routes all across the United Kingdom in England, Scotland, and Wales. The Megabus UK fleet, easily distinguishable by its dark blue and yellow colors, has free Wi-Fi, outlets and charging ports, onboard restrooms, and 20 kg luggage allowances on each bus.
National Express is probably the UK's best-known bus company, offering intercity services to London, Manchester, Southampton, and Edinburgh. Onboard the single and double-decker vehicles, travelers enjoy a good amount of legroom – roomier than airlines have in coach class – alongside WiFi, restrooms, and air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 169 miles from Birmingham to Sunderland. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 25 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Birmingham to Sunderland for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Birmingham to Sunderland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Birmingham to Sunderland every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Birmingham to Sunderland; ticket prices start at €109.94.
City Information
Birmingham
As the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham effortlessly blends the city’s quaint vibe with modern-day high-rises. One of the top local attractions is St. Martin in the Bull Ring, the original parish church of Birmingham. Featuring remarkable Gothic Revival architecture standing in stark contrast with the futuristic-looking shopping centers, the church is a great spot for travelers looking for a bit of respite. As you stroll around the city, don’t forget to visit the famous Cadbury World, which details the long history of the brand, as well as all the products it produces. For culturally-inclined activities, head to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which offers over 40 exhibits.
If you wish to try out authentic Indian dishes with a local twist, head over to Pushkar. For those who wish to enjoy a more upscale dining experience, Bank offers a chic menu in an elegant setting.
The principal rail station is Birmingham New Street Station, which is the busiest train station in the UK. The Birmingham Coach Station offers coach services by National Express as far as London and Dublin. The city’s main airport is the Birmingham Airport, which is located 6 miles east of the city center.
Sunderland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
The city of Sunderland is mainly known for its football team; however, the city is home to a rich history beyond the pitch. The port city was only officially granted city status in 1992, but there are records of settlements in the area as early as the year 674.
Besides its football team, Sunderland's shipbuilding prowess also put it on the map, such that in the 19th century, the city was hailed the "shipbuilding capital of the world." Many of the shipyards are still visible if you were to take a relaxing stroll along the idyllic river Wear.
As well as ships, Sunderland was also a large producer of glass, and it was the first place in England to produce stained glass windows. The National Glass Centre remains a popular place to visit, with its exhibitions and educational programs making it a great place to spend a creative afternoon.
Sunderland is easily accessible via train or bus, with National Express, Megabus, and FlixBus providing stops within the city. The Durham Coast Line provides train access from Newcastle and Middlesborough, among other regional stops around the North East of England. For international travelers heading to Sunderland, the city is conveniently only 27 miles from Newcastle International Airport and 37 miles from Teesside International Airport.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Birmingham?
Main departure station: Brunel St
Buses to Sunderland leave from 3 stations in Birmingham.
All bus stations in Birmingham:
Brunel St
Birmingham Summer Row- Great Charles Street
Coach Station
Where does the bus arrive in Sunderland?
Image credit: Reading Tom
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Park Lane Subway Station
A modern circular glass structure, the Sunderland Transport Interchange is also known as Park Lane Interchange, named for its Park Lane location just south of the city center. It contains 21 bus bays and is a stop on the Green Line of the Tyne and Wear Metro with connections to Newcastle Upon Tyne. Facilities include public restrooms, a convenience store, and ATM. National Express and Megabus provide service across the UK to this station.
All bus stations in Sunderland:
Park Lane Subway Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Sunderland to Birmingham?
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