Hop a Bus
Europe by train is an enduring ideal in many people’s minds. But don’t overlook another option – the bus.
Eurolines is probably the most well-known inter-Europe bus company. They have 500 European destinations, and are especially good if you are looking to travel further east or in countries where the inter-country rail links aren’t as good. They offer online booking, however it is through the local Eurolines operators and the websites aren’t always in English. They also have a Eurolines Pass which gives you the option of 15 or 30 day unlimited travel between 40 destinations. You can book as you go (2-day advanced notice,) so it’s pretty easy to be flexible, and prices start at 199 EUR for the 15-day and 299 EUR for the 30-day for an adult pass in the low season.
Busabout is another option. They are a bit more tour-like and cater to a younger set. They run May-October and have 30 destinations in 10 countries. You can design your own trip or they have loops covering a certain region of Europe.
And don’t forget about in-country travel. Often the bus is easier, cheaper and has better options than the train. In the Czech Republic, you’ll find more direct routes and shorter travel times for most cities if you take the bus. The bus system in Spain is also excellent – nice buses and quite inexpensive.
BUG is an excellent resource for overview information about bus lines throughout Europe.
Photo Credit: srqpix@Flickr
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