Did anyone go on the Magic Bus coach trips in the 1970’s?

Leigh Mitchell… No – but I’d go on one now at those prices

Rebecca Roach… What a memory – delighted to find this – I went on the Magic Bus to Athens from Kings Cross station in 1972/3 (?) stayed at The Funny Trumpet hostal in Athens – that was an experience!

R Stene… Yes. London to Athens in 1978. I was the oldest person on the ride (36) and best dressed it turned out. No head rests for three days and a memorable toilet stop for two girls on the side of the road in Yugoslavia in the snow. Lots of interesong smoking going on in the back seats.

Mike Curtis… No. Cos it was “too much”

John Wilde… Yes twice to Amsterdam.

Vicki Campbell… Yes, Athens to Amsterdam 1975. Yugoslavia we broke down near Skopje.  Pretty rough travel but the price was right! I remember how happy everyone was to cross into Austria! The fresh produce in Yugoslavia was the best anywhere.

Heather Sidery… Yes.. France and back. We we’re stopped in UK, and searched by police. Nothing found…..

Julie Findlay-jones… My uncle used to drive for them in the 70s.

David Hamblett… Went to Athens 1979, it cost £28,Should have been 3 days but took 4 as Yugoslavia police stopped the bus and took away the driver, Fantastic

Amanda Darling… David, I was on that bus too! My son was conceived on the roadside in Yugoslavia when the bus driver was taken off by the police!

Joan Hicks… I (a Kiwi) traveled Athens to London 1976. Alan was the lone driver. He had his kids Claire and Roger with him. Alan had a kidney stone attack in the Alps, so the whole busload baby sat until he came back. Also got stuck at the Yugoslavian border, the border guards demanding $200 US for a Visa I already had. Also got an unplanned day in Amsterdam. Brilliant trip. Made some good friends and still keep in touch with a couple of them. Traveled on with Alan down to Cornwall and stayed with him and his wife Flora for a few days. Happy days!

Meryl Gay… Yes, I took the 3day trip in 1975 from London via France, Italy over the ferry at Brindisi to Greece down to Athens. What a adventure. We had a puncture in France! Had many happy memories.

Peter Ellingworth… I didn’t myself but my youngest cousin Moira, sadly no longer with us having succumbed to cancer, and over from Australia at the time (1975-8) on their traditional overseas rite of passage, did so with her Canadian flat mate she lodged with in Shepherds Bush…..and ended up in Athens marrying a Greek. Did the bus go from the old coach station half way up Pentonville Rd., (now an upmarket restaurant) or from outside King’s Cross Rail station itself, most likely in York Way ?

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The original Magic Bus

photo © Richard Gregory

Richard Gregory… This is the original Magic Bus, painted in Pakistan in 1972. Company owner Greg Williams drove it to England, visited Cornwall in July, left from Amsterdam in August, and made it to Kathmandu and back again. The Magic Bus company was founded in 1973.

Mike Gingold… I worked for Magic Bus in the 1980s when Greg Williams was in charge. Buses ran out of King’s Cross goods yard to many destinations daily.

Richard Gregory… Hey Mike, I have access to Greg’s archive and I am attempting to compile a company history – I would very much like to hear from you or anyone else who worked for Magic Bus. magicbus@richardgregory.org.uk

Spiros Vasiliou… My name is Spiros Vasiliou and I am a journalist from Greece. I am doing some research regarding the Magic Bus in Greece in the 1970s and also about a hostel that I assume existed in Athens, the Funny Trumpets. While searching for information on the internet I came across your website. I was wondering if you could help me with my research. s.vasiliou@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Magic Bus photos from Roger Henderson

All images © Roger Henderson

Roger Henderson… A few memories of Magic Bus when my dad was a driver

Alan Esdaile… I keep thinking the Magic Bus Story would make a great film or tv series!!

Stephen Kolimbarides… they could use The Who’s record as the theme tune.

Alan Esdaile… Perhaps Roger Daltrey could be the coach driver?

Roger Henderson… I’ve had a chat with a chap I know about that very thing, so who knows

Alan Esdaile… I also mentioned it to a friend, who’s passed the idea on to an award winning director.

Roger Henderson… I could hook him up with my dad and give him a few stories myself. You can contact me through my website. https://coachousemotorbodies.co.uk

Robin Hayter… Wow! I remember this. Though I never went on it personally. Went to Amsterdam I seem to recall.

Liv Wells… Anne Wells, did you see this bus on your trip? Seems like you went to the same countries at the same time-ish?

Anne Wells… We knew about the bus but didn’t actually see it. We did take longer (a year) and went further though in our camper. We ate at the famous (mentioned above) Pudding Shop in Istanbul. You were with us – although only 2/3 years old! Saw a few old buses and coaches converted into campers on the trip, some with great sound systems!

Mike Gingold… I and my girlfriend both worked for Magic Bus in the 1980s. Thanks for the memories!