Stagecoach South East has announced the return of the popular Thanet Open Top bus for the 2026 season, marking a significant milestone as the service celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Returning with a refreshed look and an updated route, the open-top service promises another year of scenic coastal travel and family-friendly experiences across Thanet.
Running between Minnis Bay, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, the Thanet Open Top bus offers a flexible way to explore the isle’s coastline.
As part of this anniversary year, the route has been extended to include Broadstairs High Street but no longer includes the Viking Ship stop at Cliffsend.
Bus passes are not valid as it is deemed a ‘special’ service. There is a £5 concessions ticket.
The service will operate across key holiday periods, including: April 3-19 (Easter holidays), May 23-31 (May half term), weekends from 6 June, daily from 22 July – 31 August (summer holidays) and September 5-6.
Families travelling over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend can look out for special appearances from the Easter Bunny and friends, who will be onboard handing out treats.
The route connects passengers to a variety of destinations along the coast, including Minnis Bay, Margate, Cliftonville, Viking Bay in Broadstairs and the harbour of Ramsgate.
Tickets are available to buy directly from the driver or in advance via the Stagecoach Bus App. Day tickets are also valid on local Stagecoach bus services within the Thanet DayRider zone.
Tickets
Day ticket adult £8, concessions and under 19s £5
Children under 5 travel free
Concession passes and Kid for a Quid not valid on this service
Single tickets also available
i’ve heard that you’ll no longer be able to use a concessionary bus pass i.e. seniors bus pass for this route. Is that correct?
Apparently so, they have a concession price of £5 I believe
Thanks Cathy. If that’s the case, for completeness, should this not be included in the article as it will make a big difference to many potential customers and save a great deal of embarrassment when being refused boarding?!
As far as I am aware, all local travel with Stagecoach South East is included in the Government scheme. Is this incorrect?
I agree. I have just read the article with interest and was looking forward to taking a trip on this with my husband, both using our bus passes. It would have been embarrassing to find out we can’t use them on the day. £5 each is still expensive for us. I have no idea how much it would be without the concession.
This is a shame. We loved being able to travel direct from Birchington/Minnis to Cliffsend last year, something impossible even by train thanks to the train to Thanet Parkway only starting from Margate.
The main photo is out of date, as it no longer goes there (and didn’t last year either).
But it’s a nice photo because it shows the iconic maroon and cream colours used on East Kent buses.
We noticed that too peter, photo of stone bay stop , where bus stopped going to last year!
Wonderful news
Can I use my disabled bus pass on this route for free?
Apparently all concession passes are charged £5 now on the open top !
Can I use my bus pass on the open top bus this summer. Aged 78.
It seems not, there is a £5 concession fare
Apparently not. The old vehicle was probably difficult to maintain due to a scarcity of spares.Burgundy and cream was the original East Kent livery.
Other resorts also charge and at £5 it is not excessive.
My summer memories are of the Devon General seadogs that plied a trade around Torquay and Babbacombe. Devon General were a BET fleet like East Kent and also had a dark red and cream livery.
£5 is the concession price. What is the full price for those over 60’s/under 67’s like me (who would get free travel in London, Scotland and Wales)?
Transfer some money out of your off shore account on the isle of Sheppey, as you are a successful author and pop mememoralist.
Stagecoach needs to make their own money under 1985 transport act they treasure so deeply, they are not a charity.
So you don’t know the answer.
Tickets
Adult Day Ticket £8
Under 19s and Concessions Day Ticket £5
Group Day Ticket (up to 5 people) £22
Under 5s travel free!
Single tickets are available from your driver
Concessions Day Tickets are available to buy on bus only and you must show a valid concessions pass to purchase.
Thanet and South East EveningRider, DayRider, 7 Day MegaRider, 28 Day MegaRider, Flexi5, Flexi10 and Xtra tickets (including Adult, Under 19 and Group) are not accepted on this service. UoK & CCCU UniRider, PlusBus, NHS Pass, Kent Travel Saver, Discovery Tickets and Kid for a Quid are also not valid. Concession passes are not valid on the Thanet Open Top service.
Thanks, though I wonder how much a single is?
Is this not the opposite of extended as it no longer goes to Cliffsend but just has an additional stop in Broadstairs where it already travels through? Feels a little misleading as the article implies it’s an improvement for the 10th anniversary, and yet it’s actually a reduction in service.