EasyBus
Product brand
UnclaimedEasyBus is an easyGroup airport-transfer brand offering low-cost bus connections between airports and city centres.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
EasyBus is a low-cost airport-transfer brand associated with easyGroup, the group founded by entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou. The service was conceived as a no-frills express-bus operation intended to apply the easyGroup model of simple products, low headline prices and cost-conscious operations to intercity and airport transportation. The brand was founded in 2003, while its first service began operating in August 2004 between London and Milton Keynes. In its early period, EasyBus competed directly with established coach operators, particularly National Express. Its original London terminal was at Hendon Central in north London, a location selected as part of the effort to keep operating costs low. The initial journey took approximately 65 minutes and was promoted with a single fare of £5. EasyBus subsequently introduced a route to Luton Airport, competing with National Express's Jetlink operation. In spring 2005 the London terminus was moved to the more central Baker Street area, improving access for passengers while retaining the brand's low-cost positioning. The company's early network changed repeatedly as routes were tested, withdrawn or integrated with partner services. The Milton Keynes route ended in February 2006, while the Luton operation was expanded and its operating contract transferred to Arriva Shires & Essex. In May 2007, EasyBus withdrew its dedicated Luton service and combined the offering with the Green Line 757 service. At the same time, it introduced a route to London Stansted Airport. In July 2008, the brand announced a half-hourly connection between Gatwick Airport and Fulham Broadway in southwest London. EasyBus later experimented with international and regional services. In May 2015 it launched a Paris city-centre to Charles de Gaulle Airport shuttle in partnership with SARL Chamexpress. That service ended in September 2016. In the United Kingdom, the company also developed services to Manchester Airport and routes linking Manchester or Liverpool-area airports with towns in the West Midlands, Shropshire, North Wales and northwest England. Some of these services were operated by licensed partner companies rather than directly by EasyBus, illustrating the brand's use of franchising, licensing and resale arrangements. The brand has also used other transport operators' services when direct operation was withdrawn. In 2015, EasyBus discontinued several of its own Stansted services and became a reseller of National Express journeys on some connections. This reflected a broader shift from a purely self-operated network toward a mixed model involving contracted operators and distribution partnerships. As described for 2024, EasyBus operates or markets airport bus transfers across a multi-country network. Its directly branded or partner-supported coverage includes five airports in the United Kingdom, three in Italy, and one airport each in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The precise operating arrangements vary by route, with additional journeys sold in cooperation with partner operators. EasyBus therefore occupies a position between a conventional coach company and a transport-distribution brand: it provides a recognizable low-price customer proposition while relying on a combination of its own services, licensed operators and third-party resale agreements.
History
EasyBus emerged from easyGroup's broader attempt to extend its low-cost, no-frills brand architecture beyond aviation. The group announced plans in 2003 for express bus services designed to challenge established coach operators. Operations began in August 2004 with a London–Milton Keynes service. The first London terminal was Hendon Central, selected in keeping with the cost-sensitive operating model. The journey took about 65 minutes and was advertised with a single fare of £5. The launch placed EasyBus in direct competition with National Express. Competitive pressure contributed to the appearance of heavily discounted fares on the London–Milton Keynes corridor, including a £1 National Express fare that Stelios Haji-Ioannou characterized as an attempt to make EasyBus's service commercially unsustainable. EasyBus soon added a Luton Airport route against National Express's Jetlink subsidiary. In spring 2005 it moved its London terminus from Hendon Central to Baker Street, giving passengers a more central departure point. The initial network was not static. EasyBus withdrew the Milton Keynes service in February 2006, increased Luton frequencies and transferred the relevant operating contract to Arriva Shires & Essex. In May 2007 the dedicated Luton service was withdrawn and combined with Green Line route 757. At the same time, the brand began serving London Stansted Airport. A further London-area expansion was announced in July 2008, with a half-hourly Gatwick Airport–Fulham Broadway service. During the following decade, EasyBus tested a mixture of direct, contracted and international operations. In July 2010 an EasyBus Optare Soroco minibus overturned on the M25 near the M23 after a collision with a car. Four people, including three passengers and the car driver, were injured; one passenger sustained serious leg injuries. The incident caused a lengthy closure of the affected motorway carriageway but is not described in the supplied reference as a finding of corporate wrongdoing. International expansion began with a Paris shuttle launched on 15 May 2015 in partnership with SARL Chamexpress. The route connected central Paris near the Louvre with Charles de Gaulle Airport, but it ended on 30 September 2016. EasyBus also changed its Stansted model in November 2015, withdrawing the Stansted–Old Street route and ceasing to operate some Stansted services with its own vehicles. It instead resold National Express services. A court challenge associated with a rival Stansted route was rejected. On 21 October 2016, EasyBus introduced two Manchester Airport services. One connected the airport with the University of Manchester and central Manchester, but it was withdrawn on 14 November. The other connected Manchester Airport with Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Wrexham and the outskirts of Chester. These services were operated by Express Airport Transfers (Europe) Ltd, established by Andrew Martin, which licensed the EasyBus brand from easyGroup. In May 2018, the network gained a Liverpool John Lennon Airport service connecting the airport with Chester, Wrexham, Oswestry and Shrewsbury. By 2024, EasyBus was described as operating airport-transfer services across the United Kingdom and several continental European countries. The network covered five United Kingdom airports, three in Italy, and one airport each in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Some additional services were sold in cooperation with partner operators. This evolution shows a transition from an experimental operator of a small number of low-cost intercity routes to a broader airport-transfer brand using a hybrid structure of direct services, licensed operations, contracted operators and third-party resale.
- 2018
Liverpool John Lennon Airport route launched
[1]A new airport connection began serving Chester, Wrexham, Oswestry and Shrewsbury.
- 2016
Manchester Airport services introduced
[1]EasyBus added two Manchester Airport-related services, including a longer-distance route through northwest England and North Wales.
- 2015
Paris airport shuttle launched
[1]A partner-operated service connected central Paris with Charles de Gaulle Airport.
- 2008
Gatwick–Fulham Broadway expansion announced
[1]EasyBus announced a half-hourly service between Gatwick Airport and Fulham Broadway.
- 2007
Stansted service introduced
[1]The dedicated Luton service was integrated with Green Line 757 and a new Stansted Airport service began.
- 2006
Milton Keynes route withdrawn
[1]The original intercity route ended, while Luton services were expanded and contracted to Arriva Shires & Essex.
- 2005
London terminal moves to Baker Street
[1]EasyBus moved its London terminus to the more central Baker Street area.
- 2004
First EasyBus service begins
[1]Operations began between London and Milton Keynes, initially using Hendon Central as the London terminal.
- 2003
easyGroup announces no-frills bus plans
[1]easyGroup announced its intention to enter express bus transportation with a low-cost service model.
Products and positioning
A no-frills, low-cost airport-transfer brand emphasizing simple fares, high-frequency or scheduled bus connections, and access to major airports from city-centre or urban locations. The brand combines direct operations with licensed partners and resale arrangements.
Airport bus transfer · 2004
London airport-transfer services
EasyBus's original and best-known activity has been providing low-cost connections between London and nearby airports, including Luton, Stansted and Gatwick. The network has changed over time, with routes launched, withdrawn, integrated into existing public services or supplied through partner operators. The proposition focuses on scheduled ground transport for passengers seeking a cheaper alternative to rail, taxi or private transfer services.
Airport bus transfer · 2015
International airport shuttles
EasyBus has extended its airport-transfer brand outside the United Kingdom through services and partnerships in continental Europe. A Paris–Charles de Gaulle shuttle operated from 2015 to 2016, while the 2024 network description includes airport services in Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Operations may be direct, licensed or delivered by local partner companies.
Intercity and regional bus service · 2016
Regional airport connections
The brand has also supported longer-distance connections to airports outside London. Examples include services associated with Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, connecting airport passengers with towns and cities in Shropshire, northwest England and North Wales. Several of these services have been operated by licensed partners rather than by EasyBus-owned vehicles.
Brand decisions
2016
Enter Manchester Airport servicesProduct launchBackground
EasyBus pursued regional airport-transfer opportunities beyond its established London network.
Action taken
Two Manchester Airport services began in October 2016, operated by Express Airport Transfers (Europe) Ltd under a licence for the EasyBus brand.
Aftermath
The university and central Manchester service was withdrawn in November, while the longer-distance route continued in the described account.
2015
Launch the Paris–Charles de Gaulle shuttleProduct launchBackground
EasyBus sought to extend its airport-transfer proposition into continental Europe.
Action taken
The company launched a Paris city-centre to Charles de Gaulle Airport shuttle with SARL Chamexpress.
Aftermath
The service was terminated on 30 September 2016.
2015
Shift some Stansted journeys to resaleStrategyBackground
EasyBus changed the way several Stansted services were supplied.
Action taken
It withdrew the Stansted–Old Street route and stopped using its own vehicles on the Stansted–Victoria/Baker Street service, reselling National Express journeys instead.
Aftermath
The change demonstrated greater reliance on partner and third-party operating arrangements.
2007
Integrate Luton operations and add StanstedStrategyBackground
EasyBus reorganized its Luton offering after operating a dedicated route.
Action taken
The dedicated Luton service was withdrawn and combined with Green Line 757, while a Stansted service was introduced.
Aftermath
The brand shifted toward a broader airport-transfer network rather than a single dedicated route structure.
2006
Withdraw the Milton Keynes routeStrategyBackground
The original London–Milton Keynes route was part of EasyBus's initial intercity strategy.
Action taken
EasyBus ended the route in February 2006 and focused additional service capacity on Luton.
Aftermath
The Luton operation was transferred under contract to Arriva Shires & Essex.
2005
Move the London terminus to Baker StreetStrategyBackground
The initial Hendon Central terminal supported a cost-conscious launch but was less central for many passengers.
Action taken
EasyBus moved its London departure point to Baker Street in spring 2005.
Aftermath
The change gave the service a more central London location while retaining its low-cost operating proposition.
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