Megabus UK baggage policy: Fees, Rules & Size Limits 

Megabus UK allows each passenger one large suitcase (max 75cm x 50cm x 32cm, 20kg) or two medium suitcases (combined 20kg), plus one soft carry-on bag (45cm x 35cm x 20cm). Extra bags can be pre-booked at £5.00 per piece, with a maximum of two additional pieces permitted.

Megabus is one of the UK’s most popular budget coach operators, connecting hundreds of cities and towns at some of the lowest fares available. But cheap tickets can come with a catch show up with the wrong luggage and you could be turned away at the coach door.

What Is the Standard Megabus UK Luggage Allowance?

Every Megabus UK ticket includes one free luggage allowance, which can be used in one of two ways. Passengers can either bring one large suitcase (max 75cm x 50cm x 32cm, up to 20kg) or two medium suitcases (each no larger than 70cm x 45cm x 30cm, with a combined weight of no more than 20kg). Additionally, every passenger may carry one small, soft hand luggage bag on board.

This allowance is per ticket not per person overall. If you book multiple tickets on the same journey, each ticket carries its own allowance.

Megabus UK Standard Luggage Allowance at a Glance

Can You Bring a Suitcase on a Megabus?

Yes, you can absolutely bring a suitcase on a Megabus UK coach. A standard suitcase is fully permitted as part of your free luggage allowance, as long as it falls within the size and weight limits listed above. A typical airline cabin bag (around 55cm x 40cm x 20cm) easily fits within Megabus’s carry-on dimensions, making Megabus a practical option for light travelers who don’t want to check a bag into the hold.

Larger suitcases go into the coach’s hold, which is stored underneath the passenger cabin similar to the hold on a long-haul bus. Luggage is not receipted, so Megabus recommends labeling every bag with your name and destination before boarding.

What Are the Megabus Luggage Size Rules?

Megabus UK enforces specific size limits for both hold luggage and hand luggage. The dimensions refer to the exterior measurements of the bag. If your suitcase has hard-shell casing, wheels, or a telescopic handle, those count toward the total measurement.

To avoid surprises at the coach door, measure your bag fully extended wheels, handles, and all. A standard checked airline suitcase (often sold as a “large” in UK shops) typically measures around 75cm x 50cm x 30cm, which sits right at Megabus’s upper limit.

Megabus Luggage Size Limits Summary

What Are the Megabus Baggage Weight Rules?

The weight limit for hold luggage on Megabus UK is 20kg per ticket, regardless of whether you bring one large suitcase or two medium ones. The critical detail most travelers miss: the 20kg weight limit is shared across both medium suitcases, not 20kg each.

For hand luggage, Megabus UK does not publicly specify a weight limit unlike National Express, which caps carry-on bags at 10kg. This is a genuine advantage for passengers who prefer to keep heavier items on board rather than in the hold.

Megabus vs. National Express: Weight Limit Comparison

Note: National Express allows two medium suitcases at 20kg each, which gives it a higher total weight allowance for passengers traveling with two bags. If you’re packing heavy, that difference is worth knowing.

What Is the Megabus Carry-On Baggage Policy?

Megabus UK allows one piece of soft hand luggage per passenger on board the coach, with a maximum size of 45cm x 35cm x 20cm. The bag must be soft-sided rigid hard-shell bags are unlikely to fit in overhead storage or under the seat.

On-board bags can be:

• Placed on your lap
• Stored in the overhead compartment
• Stored under the seat in front of you

No weight limit is listed for carry-on luggage in Megabus UK’s official policy. That said, if your carry-on is so heavy it can’t safely be lifted into overhead storage, staff may ask you to place it in the hold instead.

Does Megabus Allow Extra Luggage?

Yes Megabus UK allows passengers to pre-book up to two additional pieces of luggage at £5.00 per piece, added at the time of booking. This is one of the more competitive extra baggage fees in UK coach travel, and far cheaper than most airline excess baggage charges.

Key rules for extra luggage:

• Must be booked in advance, at the point of purchase
• Maximum of 2 additional pieces per ticket
• Each additional bag must still comply with standard Megabus size limits
• Extra luggage added at booking is charged a flat rate of £5.00 per item

If you forget to add extra luggage at booking, Megabus does not offer a clear post-booking add-on process via their standard booking help page. Contact Megabus customer services at enquiries@megabus.co.uk before your travel date to explore options responses are aimed within 72 hours.

Cost Breakdown: Extra Baggage Scenarios

What Is the Megabus Oversized Baggage Fee?

Megabus UK does not operate a distinct “oversized baggage fee” tier in the way that airlines do. Instead, bags that exceed standard size limits are treated as additional luggage and must be pre-booked at £5.00 per item, up to a maximum of two extra pieces.

If a bag significantly exceeds the size limits (for example, a golf bag, ski bag, or large bicycle), it is permitted under specific conditions but will count as your entire luggage allowance meaning you cannot also bring a standard suitcase.

Oversized sports equipment rules:

• Golf clubs: Permitted, but fill your full luggage entitlement
• Skis/snowboards: Permitted in protective packaging, count as full luggage allowance; additional luggage can be pre-booked at £5.00
• Bicycles: Only permitted on Scottish routes (pre-booked); not allowed on English or cross-country journeys
• Folding or children’s bicycles: Permitted on any route if they fit within standard luggage dimensions, stored in a bag or box in the hold, and count toward your allowance

How Strict Is Megabus with Luggage?

Megabus UK’s official policy states clearly: “If you arrive with more luggage than specified, we may refuse to transport it.” There are no on-the-spot fees for excess luggage the policy is refusal, not a surcharge collected at the coach door.

This matters for a few reasons:

• Unlike airlines, you cannot pay extra at the point of travel to accommodate oversized or overweight bags
• If your luggage is refused, Megabus will not refund your ticket or cover alternative travel costs
• Pre-booking additional luggage at £5.00 is the only guaranteed way to bring extra items

Practical tips to stay within limits:

• Measure your suitcase before leaving home, including wheels and handle
• Weigh your bag on a home scale before departing
• Label all bags with your name and destination
• If in doubt, email enquiries@megabus.co.uk before you travel

What Items Are Prohibited in Megabus Luggage?

Megabus UK prohibits certain items from being carried in either hold luggage or carry-on bags for safety reasons. The restricted items list, as published in the official Megabus luggage policy, includes:

• Weapons: Knives, firearms, and explosives of any kind
• Perishables: Frozen food, raw meat products, and any strongly smelling food items
• Live animals: No pets permitted the only exception is registered guide dogs, hearing dogs, or assistance dogs
• Flammable materials: Flammable liquids and solids, including certain aerosols and solvents
• Hazardous substances: Poisonous, infectious, corrosive, and radioactive materials

If you’re unsure whether an item is permitted, Megabus recommends contacting their customer services team before you travel at enquiries@megabus.co.uk.

Megabus UK Baggage Policy: Special Items and Edge Cases

Can you bring a pushchair or stroller on Megabus UK?

Yes. Buggies, pushchairs, and strollers are permitted on Megabus UK coaches and must be folded and stored in the hold. Importantly, pushchairs are carried in addition to your standard luggage allowance they do not count against it. This is a useful benefit for families traveling with young children.

What happens if your luggage is lost or damaged on Megabus?

Megabus UK accepts liability for luggage loss or damage only where the carrier has been negligent. The maximum payout is £500 per claim, regardless of the value of your belongings. For high-value items, travel insurance is strongly recommended.

For lost property, Megabus UK uses the NotLost platform. Passengers can submit a claim via the NotLost form (notlostenquiry.com/scottish-citylink-and-megabus/) and Megabus will arrange collection or shipping once ownership is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many kg of luggage is allowed on a Megabus UK coach?
Each Megabus UK ticket includes a 20kg hold luggage allowance, whether you use it for one large bag or split it between two medium bags. No separate weight limit is specified for hand luggage.

Can I add extra luggage to my Megabus booking after purchase?
Megabus’s official policy states that additional luggage must be added at the point of booking. If you’ve already booked, contact enquiries@megabus.co.uk before your travel date. No guaranteed post-booking add-on system exists.

What does a Megabus extra bag cost?
Pre-booked additional luggage costs £5.00 per piece, with a maximum of two extra pieces per ticket. Each extra bag must still comply with standard Megabus size limits.

Does Megabus weigh luggage at the coach?
Megabus UK does not consistently weigh bags at every boarding point, but coaches do have hold capacity limits. Staff can and will refuse bags that visibly exceed size limits or where hold space is full.

Can you take a bike on a Megabus UK coach?
Full-size bicycles are only permitted on Scottish routes, pre-booked at time of purchase. They are not allowed on English or cross-country journeys. Folding and children’s bikes are allowed on any route if they fit within standard luggage dimensions and are packed in a bag or box.

Are pets allowed on Megabus UK coaches?
No. Only registered guide dogs, hearing dogs, and assistance dogs are permitted. All other animals are prohibited.

What is the maximum number of bags I can bring on Megabus UK?
Each ticket allows one luggage allowance (one large or two medium bags in the hold, plus one carry-on). Up to two additional pieces can be pre-booked at £5.00 each making a maximum of four bags in the hold (two medium + two extra) plus one carry-on.

Can I bring skis or a snowboard on a Megabus UK coach?
Yes, subject to protective packaging. Skis and snowboards count as your full luggage allowance, stored in the hold. An extra luggage ticket (£5.00) can be added at booking if you also need to bring a suitcase.

What is Megabus UK’s liability if my luggage is damaged?
Megabus UK limits its maximum liability to £500 per claim, and only where negligence is proven. No insurance is provided beyond this. For high-value or irreplaceable items, personal travel insurance is advisable.

 Does each passenger get a separate luggage allowance on a Megabus group booking?
Yes. The luggage allowance applies per ticket. A family of four with four separate tickets each has their own full luggage allowance, including the option to pre-book up to two extra bags per ticket at £5.00 each.