west midlands travel bus fare

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West Midlands Bus Users

There are a variety of ticket types and ways to pay, depending on how often you travel and when.

Cash tickets

You can pay the driver as you board the bus. Please ensure you have a selection of coins ready, as not all operators can give change.

You can buy a single ticket if you are making just one journey. Single fares are currently capped at £2.00 for adults ( some services are excluded )

If you are making more than three bus journeys during the course of the day, it will be more cost effective to buy a day ticket. The nBus ticket allows unlimited bus travel on all bus operators’ services all day for £4.50.

Contactless Payment

Contactless payments are available on all buses within the West Midlands area. You can use a contactless bank card, or an NFC-enabled smartphone with a payment app setup, eg mobile banking, Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Before tapping your card/device on the reader, tell the driver which ticket you require, then tap when prompted to do so.

If you’re planning on travelling with the same operator, you can of course just tap your card/device without requesting a ticket, to take advantage of ‘Tap And Cap’ fares.

Tap And Cap does not work ‘cross-operator’ yet, you will need to use a Swift Go card instead (see below) or request a paper day ticket.

SWIFT Pay As You Go

The SWIFT Pay As You Go (PAYG) card is a smartcard that acts as an ‘electronic wallet’ that you can use to buy single and day tickets, so you never need to hunt around for the right change again. Top it up with credit, and you can use it to buy bus and tram tickets, as well as pay for parking at some Park And Ride sites. You can also share this card with others.

The SWIFT Go card is a smartcard that works like a contactless bank card, meaning you don’t need to buy a specific ticket, you can just “Tap And Go” on any bus operator’s service within the West Midlands, and you can also use it on trams. You can either top it up with credit, or link it to a bank card, and your fares are capped at 1, 3 or 7 day rates.

Smartphone Apps

NX Bus, Diamond, Arriva and Stagecoach all have their own apps, with which you can buy “M-tickets”, which can be stored on your smartphone and scanned under the QR reader as you board.

If using a purchased M-ticket on another operator’s service, you may need to just show the screen to the driver if the QR code is not scannable.

Season Tickets/Passes

For passengers who use the bus regularly, you can make further savings on the cost of travel by purchasing a seasonal ticket, which is valid for a week, month or even year.

If you regularly make 7 single journeys a week, or are buying at least 3 day tickets a week, a weekly pass will work out cheaper for you, and a monthly pass will save you more.

Season tickets paid for by direct debit will also see a cost saving. The monthly nBus pass costs £55 per month, and allows unlimited bus travel all day on any West Midlands operator’s services for less than £2 a day.*

* £55 per month x 12 months, divided by 364 usable days (no Christmas Day services) = £1.81 a day

Children up to the age of 5 travel free when accompanied by an adult.

Children between the ages of 5 and 15 pay reduced fares.

If you are aged 16 or over, you must pay the full adult fare. Students aged between 16-18 can however buy child-rate tickets with a 16-18 photocard , which can be obtained from the TfWM website.

Ticket Inspection

Please keep your printed ticket as you may be asked to present it to ticket inspectors or other bus operator’s member of staff. If you paid via contactless ‘tap and go’ where no ticket is issued, the inspector will ask to see your payment card number or device ID. You must have a valid ticket or pass in order to travel on buses, and you will be liable to pay a ‘penalty fare’ if you are caught.

Useful Links

• TfWM Ticket Finder
• NX Bus Ticket Prices
• NX Bus Contactless Payments
• NX Bus mTicket
• Diamond Buses Ticket Information
• Diamond Buses Contactless Payments
• Diamond Buses M-Tickets Guide
• Arriva UK Bus App Guide
• Stagecoach Bus App
• SWIFT Smartcard

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• Single trips & day tickets
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• 18 & under tickets
• Student bus pass
• Flexible ticket bundles
• Paying on the bus
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• Use our interactive map
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• Upcoming changes from 29th September
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• Adult bus passes & travelcards

Unlimited travel, everywhere for less than you pay now

Save money with a monthly bus pass.

The cheapest way to buy your bus travel

• Unlimited travel on all bus operators and all National Express buses within the nBus zone
• Save up to £236 per year with a bus pass
• Remove the hassle of renewing each week

Monthly Direct Debit

Buy online only

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

For anyone over the age of 16.

This pass holds a minimum term of 12 months and payments will automatically be deducted on a monthly basis providing you with continuous travel.

Buy on swift card or to your mobile

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Unlimited adult travel for 52 weeks from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Pre 9.30am passes

Unlimited travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday, on all bus operators and on National Express buses within the nBus zone .

Unlimited travel between 4am - 9.29am Monday to Friday

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date Monday to Friday until 9.29am on all bus operators and National Express buses within the nBus zone. For anyone over the age of 16. This pass holds a minimum term of 12 months and payments will automatically be deducted on a monthly basis providing you with continuous travel.

Buy on swift card / Unlimited travel between 4am - 9.29am Monday to Friday

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date Monday to Friday until 9.29am on all bus operators and National Express buses within the nBus zone.

NX Outer Zones (previously named NX Extra tickets)

Tickets for any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone .

This was previously referred to as the NX Extra.

NX Outer Zone tickets are for any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone. These tickets are only valid on National Express bus services.

Unlimited travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday, on any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone.

NX Outer Zone tickets are for any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone, between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday. These tickets are only valid on National Express bus services.

Bus & metro - travel on bus and Metro tram

Unlimited travel on all bus operators and National Express buses within the nBus zone  and the West Midlands Metro tram.

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone  and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4.

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone  and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4.

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone , on all National Express buses and the West Midland Metro tram zones 1-4.

Unlimited adult travel for 52 weeks from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone  and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4.

Unlimited travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday, on all bus operators and National Express buses within the nBus zone and the West Midlands Metro tram.

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all bus operators within the nBus zone and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4.

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date Monday to Friday until 9.29am on all bus operators within the nBus zone  and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4.

Unlimited adult travel for 52 weeks from your chosen date, Monday to Friday until 9.29am on all bus operators within the   nBus zone and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4.

NX Bus only + Metro tram

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area.  

£104.20

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area. 

Buy online or from a Payzone agent

£33.40

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area. 

£118.30

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area. 

Unlimited adult travel for 52 weeks from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area. 

Unlimited travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday, on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area.  

£52.10

Unlimited adult travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday, paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area.

£59.40

Unlimited adult travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area.

Unlimited adult travel between 4am and 9.29am Monday to Friday for 52 weeks from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram in the West Midlands area.

nNetwork - Zone 1 travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone  and train travel within zones 1 .

£92.50

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within zones 1 .

Buy on swift card

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within zones 1 .

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within zones 1 .

nNetwork - Zones 1 to 2 travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone  and train travel within  zones 1 - 2.

Zones 1 to 2

£95.50

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within  zones 1 - 2 .

For anyone over the age of 16. This pass holds a minimum term of 12 months and payments will automatically be deducted on a monthly basis providing you with continuous travel.

£32.50

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within  zones 1 - 2 .

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within  zones 1 - 2

nNetwork - Zones 1 to 3 travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone , the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 3. 

Zones 1 to 3

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 3 .

£37.50

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 3 .

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 3 .

nNetwork - Zones 1 to 4 travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone , the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 4.

Zones 1 to 4

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 4 .

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 4 .

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 - 4 .

nNetwork - Zones 1 to 5 travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone , the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1  - 5. 

Zones 1 to 5

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zone 1 to 5 .

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zone 1 to 5 .

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zone 1 to 5 .

nNetwork - Zones 2 to 5 travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone , the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 2 - 5.

Zones 2 to 5

Unlimited adult travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within  zones 2 - 5 .

Unlimited adult travel for 7 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within  zones 2 - 5 .

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within  zones 2 - 5 .

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© West Midlands Travel Limited 2024

Passenger descriptions

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.

Single trips & day tickets

• Adult bus passes and travelcards
• 18 & under tickets
• Student bus pass
• Flexible ticket bundles

Paying on the bus

• See all timetables
• Use our interactive map
• Latest service updates and diversions
• Our operating area
• Timetable changes from the 22nd October 2023
• Castle Hill, Dudley closure
• Priory Queensway closure
• Places to go
• Activity stop
• Ways to pay for my ticket
• October half term fun in the West Midlands
• Edgbaston's fireworks spectacular is back for another year and bigger than ever!
• 14-year-old bus enthusiast road tests future career
• Black History Month: Saluting our Sisters
• Get on board with Coventry’s all electric buses
• 16-18 photocard

Group Day Saver

Birmingham uni hop.

• Workwise travel scheme
• Free older person's travel pass
• Free disabled person's travel pass
• Frequently asked questions
• Lost property
• Ways to pay
• New online booking system
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Plan your journey

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All tickets & prices

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All help & information

Pay for bus travel on the go

Intro text...

Single trip

Price reduced until 31st October 2023

Buy on our mTicket app, using Tap & Cap, cash or contactless, or with a Swift PAYG card

Our drivers are unable to give change so if you pay with cash please use the exact fare.

Buy on the bus using contactless payment or cash, on our mTicket app or with a Swift PAYG card

Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses. Our drivers are unable to give change so if you pay with cash please use the exact fare.

Flexible 5 Day Saver ticket bundle

Buy on our mTicket app

Unlimited adult travel for 5 days on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Flexible 10 Day Saver ticket bundle

Unlimited adult travel for 10 days on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

18 & under

Buy on the bus using contactless payment or cash or with a Swift PAYG card

You are unable to buy 18 & under tickets on our mTicket app.

Unlimited 18 & under travel for 1 day on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Our drivers are unable to give change so if you pay with cash please use the exact fare. 16-18 year olds must be living within the West Midlands county and hold a valid 16-18 Swift card. The West Midlands county consists of Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull and Coventry. Children 4 years old and under travel for free when accompanied by a fare paying customer or pass holder.

Swift Pay As You Go (PAYG) top up

Pay As You Go Swift cards can be used as a cashless way to pay for Adult and 18 & under tickets on the bus.

PAYG cards can now only be topped up at a Payzone agent. The minimum you can add to your PAYG card is £10 and the card can hold a maximum of £50.

Exact fare system

Our buses have an exact fare system and the driver cannot give change, so please make sure you have the correct money. The exact fare system ensures that loading times are kept to a minimum. 

Our single journey fares are based upon 'fare stages', your fare is calculated by the number of 'fare stages' your journey takes you through. Update from 3rd July available soon. 

A Short Hop ticket lets you travel on the bus for about a mile across our network. For more information click here .

Valid for one single trip

Buy using cash, contactless payment, or a Swift PAYG card only

You are unable to buy Short Hop tickets on our mTicket app.

Birmingham Uni hop

The Birmingham Uni hop is available for all university students, employees and NHS staff members* travelling within the zone on selected services. For more information click here . 

*You must carry a valid ID card.

Buy using cash on the bus only

Birmingham Uni Hop - 5 ticket bundle

Buy on our mTicket app only

Birmingham Uni Hop - 10 ticket bundle

Group tickets are for up to 5 people travelling together within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

You can find out more about our Group day ticket  here .

*Up to 5 adults or 2 adults and up to 4 children

Unlimited travel for up to 5 people or 2 adults and up to 4 children for 1 day on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses. Our drivers are unable to give change so if you pay with cash please use the exact fare.

National Express Bus travel outside nBus zone

Tickets for any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone . 

Adult single extra ticket

Buy using cash, contactless or Tap & Cap

Tickets for any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone. These tickets are only valid on National Express bus services.

Adult NX Day Saver extra ticket

Nx group day saver extra ticket.

Buy using cash or contactless

Child single extra ticket

Buy on the bus using cash or contactless

Child NX Day Saver extra ticket

TTickets for any National Express bus service that travels to, from or between locations outside the nBus zone. These tickets are only valid on National Express bus services.

(If you are aged between 16-18 you must show a valid  West Midlands 16-18 card )

Bus & metro - travel on bus and Metro tram

Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nBus zone , on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram.

Bus + Metro day ticket

Buy on the bus using contactless payment or cash, or with a Swift PAYG card

Unlimited adult travel on all bus operators that are part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands zone and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4. Our drivers are unable to give change so if you pay with cash please use the exact fare.

Unlimited 18 & under travel on all bus operators that are part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands zone and the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4. Our drivers are unable to give change so if you pay with cash please use the exact fare. 16-18 year olds must be living within the West Midlands county and hold a valid 16-18 Swift card. The West Midlands county consists of Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull and Coventry. Children 4 years old and under travel for free when accompanied by a fare paying customer or pass holder.

(16-18 year olds must show a valid  West Midlands 16-18 card )

nNetwork - travel on bus, rail and Metro tram

Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nBus zone , on all National Express buses ,  the West Midlands Metro tram zones 1-4 and train travel within zones 1-5 .

Family tickets are for a family of up to 2 adults and 4 children* travelling together. Minimum of 1 adult and 1 child needed.

One day nNetwork zones 1-5 ticket

Buy on the bus using cash, contactless payment or Swift PAYG card, on the tram or at West Midlands rail station

You are unable to buy nNetwork tickets using our mTicket app.

nNetwork daytripper

After 9.30am weekdays and all day weekends

Y ou are unable to buy nNetwork tickets using our mTicket app.

Family daytripper

£13.60

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Search 'NXBus mTicket'

• Clean air zone
• Cookie policy
• Corporate governance policy
• Disability awareness & accessibility
• Help & information
• Modern slavery statement
• Partnerships
• Platinum buses
• Privacy policy
• Private hire
• Read our blog
• Safer travel partnership
• Services & timetables
• Sustainable travel
• Zero emissions buses

Call or get in touch online We are here to help

Coventry buses

Visit National Express Coventry

National Express great value coach travel and holidays

Part of Mobico Group

© West Midlands Travel Limited 2024

Passenger descriptions

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.