National Express

National Express offers one of the biggest travel discounts available to the UK forces community. Serving personnel and reservists get 60% off standard coach fares. Veterans, spouses and partners of serving personnel, MOD civil servants, bereaved family members, cadet forces members aged 16 and over, and NATO personnel based in the UK get 30% off. Both come through Defence Discount Service, and the scheme has been running since 2013 when National Express became the first UK company to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Does National Express Offer a Military Discount?

Yes — and it's one of the most generous in the travel sector. Serving personnel and reservists receive 60% off standard fares. Veterans, forces spouses and partners, MOD civil servants, bereaved family members, cadet forces members over 16 and NATO personnel based in the UK receive 30% off. Both rates are available through Defence Discount Service.

More than 100,000 discounted journeys have been made through the scheme, saving the forces community well over a million pounds in travel costs since launch.

Who Is Eligible for the National Express Forces Discount

The 60% rate covers serving regular and reserve armed forces personnel. The 30% rate covers a broader group — veterans, spouses and partners of serving personnel, MOD civil servants, bereaved family members, cadet forces members aged 16 and over, and NATO personnel based in the UK. Serving personnel can also lead group bookings, with the 60% discount extending to everyone in the group — useful for families travelling together or a group returning from leave.

How Much Can Forces Personnel Save with National Express

On a standard London to Manchester single fare at around £25, the 60% discount brings the cost down to £10. For longer or more expensive journeys the saving is proportionally larger. The 60% rate makes National Express competitive with — or cheaper than — the cheapest advance rail fares on most UK routes, without needing to book weeks in advance.

For broader travel deals relevant to the forces community, the forces travel and holidays section covers current savings across flights, hotels and package holidays.

How to Claim the National Express Forces Discount

1. Register for free at the Defence Discount Service website — defencediscountservice.co.uk.
2. For the 60% serving personnel rate, no card purchase is needed — DDS free membership is sufficient.
3. For the 30% veteran and wider DDS community rate, purchase a Defence Privilege Card (£4.99 for five years).
4. Book your National Express coach journey through the National Express website or app.
5. Present your valid MOD90, Service ID or Defence Privilege Card when boarding the coach.

About National Express

National Express is the UK's largest coach operator, running services to more than 900 destinations across the country. Routes connect most major cities — London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff and beyond — with frequent departures on busy corridors. Coaches across the main fleet carry free wi-fi, USB charging points and allocated seating as standard.

For forces personnel who move frequently — postings, leave travel, family visits — the 60% discount on a national coach network represents a genuine practical benefit. The group booking extension makes it particularly valuable for families and groups rather than just individuals.

For other travel discounts worth comparing, the British Airways forces savings page covers air travel options, and the easyJet Holidays armed forces deals page is worth checking for package travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What discount does National Express offer the military?

Serving personnel and reservists receive 60% off standard coach fares. Veterans, forces spouses, MOD civil servants and other eligible DDS members receive 30% off. Both are available through Defence Discount Service.

How do I claim the National Express military discount?

Register free at defencediscountservice.co.uk. Book your journey on the National Express website or app, then present your MOD90, Service ID or Defence Privilege Card when boarding. No code is needed at checkout — the verification happens in person.

Do veterans get a discount with National Express?

Yes — veterans with a Defence Privilege Card receive 30% off standard National Express coach fares across the UK network.

Can forces families use the National Express military discount?

Spouses and partners of serving personnel receive 30% off with a Defence Privilege Card. Serving personnel leading a group booking can extend the 60% rate to the whole group, which includes family members travelling with them.

Does the National Express discount apply to all routes?

The discount applies to standard fares across the National Express coach network. It covers more than 900 UK destinations. Terms and conditions apply — check the Defence Discount Service listing for the current full terms.

When did National Express sign the Armed Forces Covenant?

National Express became the first UK company to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013. The forces travel discount scheme has been running since that point.

More Forces Deals You Might Like

For air travel, the British Airways forces discount page covers what's available on flights. The forces travel and holidays section brings together the full range of current travel deals for serving personnel, veterans and their families across hotels, flights and package holidays.