- Must visit
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Major local museum with natural history, archaeology, ceramics, and art. A strong introduction to Sunderland's people and heritage.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$34
Fastest journey
6 h 5 m
Average duration
7 h 15 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
272 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Birmingham to Sunderland is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Sunderland will cost around $34 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 3 buses that leave Birmingham for Sunderland on Fri, Jul 31, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 31 the direct buses cover the 272 km distance in an average of 7 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 5 m .
On Fri, Jul 31 the slowest buses will take 8 h 35 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Sunderland among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 45m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $23, and a train costs an average of $49.
Distance: 169 miles (272 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$34 Average price Cheapest | $143 Average price | $82 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 32m Average total duration 6h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 15m Average total duration Fastest 3h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Sunderland:
A bus is $108 (€89) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Sunderland costing on average $143 (€117).
Other travel options to Sunderland take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 2m.
Tickets start at around $34 (€28) compared to roughly $82 (€67) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $48 (€39). The journey takes 6h 2m versus 3h 31m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by National Express, Megabus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 11:55AM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 9h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 03:05PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:10AM | Arrival Time 06:05PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:45PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 4h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 11:20PM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 6h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 6h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $40 |
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Sunderland buses for today, Thursday, July 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 3:20 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h35 | 11:55 AM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX422 · NX172 | 3:40 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 7h00 | 10:40 AM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:35 AM Birmingham | 9h40 | 2:15 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX131 · NX426 | 6:45 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 6h55 | 1:40 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:00 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 7h15 | 2:15 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX121 · NX172 | 7:30 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 7h45 | 3:15 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:00 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 7h05 | 3:05 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX131 · NX426 | 9:30 AM Birmingham, Coach Station | 7h00 | 4:30 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:10 AM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 7h55 | 7:05 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX590 · NX172 | 12:50 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 6h50 | 7:40 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX133 | 3:30 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 5h15 | 8:45 PM Sunderland, Interchange | 0 transfersDirect | |
NX131 · NX426 | 5:30 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 7h15 | 12:45 AM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:30 PM Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 8h40 | 3:10 AM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:00 PM Birmingham | 8h10 | 3:10 AM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
NX541 · NX172 | 9:05 PM Birmingham, Coach Station | 6h50 | 3:55 AM Sunderland, Interchange | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Birmingham to Sunderland run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 2m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€19) if you book in advance.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 169 miles (272 km) distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 169 miles (272 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€19) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 56 days |
Discover the best of Sunderland — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Sunderland trip today.
Major local museum with natural history, archaeology, ceramics, and art. A strong introduction to Sunderland's people and heritage.
National museum on Sunderland's industrial riverfront. It explores shipbuilding, coal mining, and local innovation with large exhibits.
Contemporary gallery in the city centre showing changing exhibitions, Northern art, and projects linked to Sunderland's cultural scene.
Seafront district with sandy beach, promenade, lighthouse views, and regular events. It is Sunderland's classic area for coastal walks.
Broad urban beach and promenade south of Roker. Popular for sea views, exercise, and a classic North East seaside atmosphere.
Large country park with lakes, sculpture trail, and wide walking routes. It is a favourite local green space with expansive open views.
Stottie cake is a dense North East flat loaf, often filled with ham and pease pudding. It is a beloved regional staple found in homes, cafes, and bakeries.
Pease pudding is a smooth split-pea spread or side, traditionally served with ham or in a stottie. It is a classic Sunderland and wider Tyneside comfort food.
Panackelty is a slow-cooked North East casserole of corned beef, potatoes, onions, and root vegetables. It is traditional working-class comfort food in Wearside.
Stylish independent restaurant known for creative British cooking and polished service in a relaxed city setting.
Well-regarded Italian restaurant popular for pizza, pasta, and friendly service, with a lively but comfortable atmosphere.
Established seafood spot near the seafront, known for fish and chips and classic British takeaway favourites.
Moderate for the UK. Hotels, meals, and local transport are usually cheaper than London, with good value dining and relatively low day-to-day tourist costs.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is common for good service if not already added. Round up for taxis. Cafes usually do not expect tips.
Official public transport app
Sunderland Interchange -> Park Lane Interchange, Sunderland
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Sunderland by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Sunderland, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Birmingham to Sunderland buses use the Birmingham, Coach Station to Sunderland, Interchange station pair. Use this guide to compare Birmingham and Sunderland bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Birmingham, Coach Station is 1 km from Birmingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Birmingham, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria and fast-food options inside the station
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham, Coach Station.
Available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need