10 Places Ambassador’s Coach Transfers Pick Up From

This is a sponsored post for Ambassador Cruise Line.

Getting to the cruise terminal is rarely the part of a holiday anyone looks forward to. Between motorway traffic, expensive parking, train changes and trying to wrestle suitcases across station platforms, it can sometimes feel like the holiday hasn’t really started yet.

That’s why Ambassador Cruise Line has introduced its Regional Coach Transfers. Available from ten locations across the UK, the return coach service takes guests directly to London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury, with your luggage loaded for you and your return journey already arranged.

If you’re wondering where you can join the coach, how much it costs and whether it’s the right option for your next Ambassador cruise, here’s everything you need to know.

Ambassador Cruise Line coach pick-up points

Ambassador currently offers regional coach transfers from 10 locations across the UK. All services are return journeys to London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury, with prices including your outbound and return travel plus two suitcases per person.

Dundee

Cruisers in eastern Scotland can board the Ambassador coach at Greenmarket Coach Bay in Dundee.

This is the longest journey on the network, with coaches typically leaving at around 5:00am. Yes it’s a long day but you’ll appreciate the convenience, especially on the way back home! Return fares start from £190 per person.

Edinburgh

Guests travelling from Scotland’s capital can join the coach from the Coach Bays on Regent Road.

Departures are generally scheduled for around 5:00am, with return tickets from £170 per person.

Glasgow

Ambassador’s Glasgow service departs from Buchanan Bus Station, making it an easy option for many travellers across western Scotland.

Coaches usually leave at around 5:00am and return fares start from £180 per person.

Newcastle

Passengers from the North East can board at Ord Street Coach Park in Newcastle, which is just a short walk from Central station (including Metro services), making it an easy option for cruisers from across North East England.

Departures are typically around 7:00am, with return fares from £140 per person.

Birmingham

The Birmingham coach departs from the bus layby on Dudley Street, right in the city centre.

It’s one of the most affordable options, with return fares starting from £90 per person and departures usually around 9:00am.

Manchester

Travellers from Greater Manchester can join the coach from Store Street Coach Bays, which is right next door to Picadilly station.

Coaches generally leave at around 9:00am, with return fares from £130 per person.

Liverpool

Liverpool guests can board on William Brown Street, a familiar location close to the city centre and almost across the road from Liverpool Lime Street station.

Return tickets start from £130 per person, with departures usually around 9:00am.

Bristol

The Bristol pick-up point is at the Coach Bays on Canons Way.

With return fares from £80 per person, it’s one of the cheapest ways to reach Tilbury by coach. Coaches normally depart around 10:00am.

Cardiff

Guests sailing from Wales can board on Corbett Road in Cardiff.

Return coach tickets start from £100 per person, with departures usually around 9:30am.

Portsmouth

The closest regional departure point to Tilbury is Portsmouth, where coaches leave from Stop P on Queen Street.

Return fares start from just £70 per person, making it the lowest-priced option currently available.

Why choose the Ambassador coach?

For many guests, the coach is simply the easiest way to begin the holiday. Wherever possible, I love taking a coach for my cruises and this is another reason I love travelling with Ambassador Cruise Line.

Instead of planning fuel stops, paying for cruise parking or figuring out train connections across London, you can arrive at your chosen pick-up point, hand over your luggage and relax while someone else takes care of the journey.

Your bags stay with the coach until you reach the terminal, so there’s no need to haul heavy suitcases through stations or onto public transport – it’s all just done for you.

Because it’s an official Ambassador transfer service, it’s also designed around your sailing, with the return journey already arranged after your cruise. Trust me, when you disembark the ship, the last thing you want is a complicated journey, or a long drive that you need to do yourself!

For longer journeys, comfort stops are included along the way, giving everyone the chance to stretch their legs before continuing to Tilbury.

Is the coach better than driving?

It depends on what matters most to you.

Driving gives you complete flexibility, but you’ll also need to factor in fuel, parking charges and the drive home after your holiday, which is never fun. After a week or two of relaxing, spending several hours behind the wheel isn’t always the perfect ending.

The coach removes all of that. You can read, chat, watch a film, catch up on sleep or simply enjoy watching the countryside roll by.

For solo travellers in particular, it can also work out surprisingly well, as there’s no parking bill to pay and no need to arrange lifts to and from the terminal.

What about the train?

Travelling by train to Tilbury is certainly possible, but depending on where you’re travelling from it can involve multiple changes, particularly if you’re coming from further north.

That also means moving luggage between platforms and stations before you’ve even reached the cruise terminal.

The coach keeps everything much simpler. You board once, your luggage is loaded for you, and you’re taken directly to Tilbury.

Things to know before you book

Before booking your coach transfer, it’s worth remembering a few key points:

• Coach transfers are return journeys, you aren’t just paying for a one-way service.
• Two suitcases per person is included, and you can speak to the cruise line if you need to bring more.
• Pick-up times shown are approximate and you’ll get full confirmation when you’ve booked. Make sure you’re there in time!
• Your confirmed departure time will be provided around 21 days before sailing.
• Journey times vary depending on where you’re travelling from, with longer Scottish routes taking around eight to nine-and-a-half hours.
• Comfort breaks are included on longer journeys so you don’t have to worry about being stuck on a coach with no toilet breaks or chances to stretch your legs.
• Pick-up points and prices are correct at the time of booking but may occasionally change – you’ll always be notified, though.

Booking your Ambassador coach transfer

You can add a Regional Coach Transfer when booking your cruise, or afterwards through My Ambassador Sailing (MAS), subject to availability.

As spaces on each coach are limited, it’s worth booking as early as possible if you know you’ll be using the service – you don’t want to leave it too long to then find out all the seats have been booked!

Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a coach voucher with your exact departure point and time before your sailing.

My thoughts

One of the nicest things about cruising is that somebody else takes care of almost everything once you’re on board. Booking the coach means that feeling starts much earlier.

Instead of worrying about motorway traffic, finding somewhere to park or carrying luggage across train stations, you can simply arrive at your local pick-up point and let somebody else do the driving.

If you live near one of Ambassador’s 10 departure locations, it’s an easy, hassle-free way to start your holiday before you’ve even reached the ship. I highly recommend it!

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