Private Coaches

[VisionOfLove]

Hey all, looking at getting transport sorted for our group, we usually book National Express coach to travel to the festival as it has the added bonus of dropping you right at the front of the gates with a dedicated entrance, plus they give 25% off for groups of 4 or more.

They have changed the policy now and don't do any discounts so they are now charging £95 return each from Manchester!

Looking at private hire for our group and wondering if anyone knows if it's worth it, given we want to avoid nasty queues that you get in usual carparks - we usually arrive at 6am and can stroll in when the gates open, but the website states the following for private hire

"Glastonbury Festival 2019 will have a dedicated area for Private Hire coaches of 15 seats and above. This will be inside Bronze Gate off the A361." Given this seems to suggest you will then have to trek to the nearest pedestrian gate, does anyone have experience doing it and can suggest if its worth it for the sake of saving a few quid in travel?

Edited February 21, 2019 by VisionOfLove

[BambooShanks]

Going off the map and my hazy memory, I'd say you're about a 5 minute walk to Ped gate A and closer to 20 to Ped Gate D from the drop off area. Either way, it's a manageable trek and as long as you're not camping at the other side of the site, you'll have the choice of spots if you get there early enough.

I'd say it's worth it.  The queues at Ped gate A aren't as bad as elsewhere so if it works out cheaper than national express, then go for it.

 

[lukemack]

Previous years travelling by private coach/mini van you had to be dropped off at the drop off point then take one of the buses/coaches that the festival puts on to Gate A.

Easy enough if you arrive at the site early morning (before say 6) but could be a nightmare if you get there peak time Wednesday. 

Edited February 21, 2019 by lukemack

[adequate8]

Done private coaches for 3/4 years now. Key is to blag your way into the coach drop off area, as opposed to the people drop off (where you then get a shuttle). 15/20 min walk to either A or D and then queue until gates open. 

[DeanoL]

19 hours ago, VisionOfLove said:

"Glastonbury Festival 2019 will have a dedicated area for Private Hire coaches of 15 seats and above. This will be inside Bronze Gate off the A361." Given this seems to suggest you will then have to trek to the nearest pedestrian gate, does anyone have experience doing it and can suggest if its worth it for the sake of saving a few quid in travel?

Yeah  I think this is new so people won't really be able to advise. In previous years, private coaches could drop off at Gate A with the other coaches, until this was changed and they had to drop off at Bath & West like taxis and other drop-offs, where you then got a bus in to Gate A.

This new area for coaches of 15 seats or greater seems to be a compromise (and likely because a lot of private coaches did blag their way into Gate A anyway)