'I travelled 1,000 miles and visited 82 towns in 13 days - it cost me just £2'

30 June 2024 , 16:01

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Andrew Cowell, 48, on his journey (Image: Andrew Cowell / SWNS)

Here's one traveller who knows how to make the most of buses…

Andrew Cowell, 48, used the £2 fare cap to visit 82 towns in a 1,000-mile trek that took him just 13 days. The railway operations planner used 80 buses for his adventure across England and Wales. He left his home in Allestree, Derbys, on June 10 travelled 115 miles to Lancaster in one day on six routes.

Andrew said: “It’s a wonderful way to travel because you can take everything in and when there is a stop in a town or I have to change I have a chance to explore somewhere I wouldn’t normally.

Cowell toured the entire coastline of England and Wales (Andrew Cowell / SWNS)

“I used 80 buses in total. The original plan was 81 but in typical bus fashion, some routes and times had changed. It only took 13 days which I was surprised considering the miles I covered. On the whole the buses were reliable, mostly on time and very comfortable.” Andrew’s total travel bill came to just £165 and he spent around £200 on cheap B&Bs near the bus stations.

Sandbanks Ferry (Andrew Cowell / SWNS)

His most expensive days of travelling added up to £14 and the cheapest £6. He revealed his journey was “partly a personal challenge” but added: “It’s also to highlight where you can get on buses and to use them. Everyone depends on them. I do have a car. But I use the bus. We need them.”

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St Ives (Andrew Cowell / SWNS)

Andrew also visited Keswick, Cumbria, Lincoln, St Ives in Cornwall, Portsmouth, Swansea, Rhyl and Chester before he headed back at home.

Adam Aspinall