Buses in Europe

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Alsa
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Bla Bla Bus

Buses in Europe: Everything You Need to Know

Most Popular Bus Routes in Europe
Bus Companies in Europe
FAQs
Buses to European Destinations

Across Europe, traveling by bus is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike!

Buses are a safe and reliable option for both traveling within European countries such as France and Spain as often buses offer routes not only between cities but also to smaller locations that are harder to reach—even by train! Buses are also a great option for traveling across countries, with lots of companies offering intercontinental routes.

The biggest perk of traveling by bus is that it often the most cost-effective choice. Prices don't fluctuate as much meaning buses are a great option for those on a tighter budget or those who want to be more flexible with their plans.

Popular Bus Routes Across Europe

Ouibus
Buses from London to Paris
Alsa
Buses from Barcelona to Madrid
Quibus
Buses from Paris to London
Ouibus
Buses from Paris to Brussels
Nettbus
Buses from Stockholm to Oslo
alsa
Buses from Madrid to Barcelona
avanza
Buses from Madrid to Valencia
eurolines
Buses from Paris to Amsterdam
Regiojet
Buses from Budapest to Vienna
Trenitalia
Buses from Madrid to Malaga

 



Top Bus Companies In Europe

There are lots of different bus companies in Europe. Some are regional and only serve one country whereas others travel across Europe. Below is a list of the biggest bus companies in Europe.


Alsa: ALSA or Automóviles Luarca, S.A. is the primary bus company in Spain. Most Alsa buses are equipped with WiFi, Air Conditioning, onboard restrooms, and power outlets at every seat. Since 2005, Alsa has functioned as a Spanish subsidiary of National Express.


Avanza: Avanza is a Spanish bus company primarily operating out of Madrid. Avanza buses travel between Madrid and other major cities in Spain including Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Salamanca as well as Portugal's capital city, Lisbon.


Baltour: Baltour, now part of Flixbus, was the main bus company in Italy and the Adriatic zone. Baltour's routes will now be provided by Flixbus.


Nettbuss: Nettbus buses run between several different locations in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, including Gothenburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo.


BusCenter: Buscenter is one of Italy's main bus companies, combining 5 different bus lines under one brand. Segesta, Interbus, Onbus, Etna Trasporti and Sicilbus all operate as BusCenter in Italy and abroad. BusCenter's head office is located in Palermo and also offers a regional transport service in Sicily which connects to Italy's mainland.


Ecolines: Ecolines is a popular bus company that operates primarly in Poland, BeNeLux, eastern Europe, the Baltic states, and Russia. Ecolines uses Berlin, Hamburg, and Warsaw as transport hubs. Ecolines destinations include Amsterdam, Kiev, Minsk, Odessa, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg.


Eurolines: Eurolines is a network of 29 cooperating bus companies from all over Europe founded in 1985 and headquartered in Brussels. Eurolines buses cover all of Europe traveling to 600 destinations. Eurolines is a major method of travel between neighboring European countries. Bus services vary depending on the specific country due to Eurolines decentralized business model.


FlixBus: FlixBus is the leading bus company in Germany and is now rapidly expanding its coverage across Europe. FlixBus also operates nationally in France, Italy, and the Netherlands as well as international routes to cities in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.


National Express: National Express is the main bus company in the United Kingdom. National Express also offers buses in Spain, Portugal, and Germany as well as long-distance buses which travel throughout Europe.


BlaBlaCar Bus (formerly BlaBlaBus): BlaBlaCarBus is one of the largest bus companies in France. A subsidiary of the French Comuto, better known as the BlaBlaCar ride-sharing company. The long-distance bus provider operates on an increasing number of routes in Central Europe. BlaBlaCar Bus advertises comfort, plenty of legroom, affordable prices and exchangeable tickets for maximum flexibility. A special bonus is the relatively high free baggage allowance. Ouibus offers numerous routes from major French cities as well as traveling to Turin and Milan, Barcelona, London, Brussels Amsterdam.


RegioJet: RegioJet (the rebranded name of Student Agency) is the main bus company in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. RegioJet also offers international connections to other European destinations including London, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Paris, Budapest, Rome, Naples, Venice and Zurich.



Popular Bus Routes in Europe

Bus services vary across Europe according to provider and destination. Travelers can expect services ranging from transit buses to comfortable coaches, short distance connections to long-haul services, and overnight journeys on select routes. Many bus operators provide scheduled bus times that are similar or at the same time each day, making planning last minute trips easy, as well as making pre-booking possible to ensure there is a space on the bus. Peak and off-peak times usually are not applied to bus services in the same way as trains; however, prices can vary according to the popularity of a particular service.


FAQs: Buses In Europe

Buying a Bus Ticket

Booking a bus ticket in Europe is easy with Omio. Once you know your route simply put the departure and arrivals points—along with date you wish to travel—into the search and within seconds you’ll be given plenty of options, meaning you can pick the journey that suits you best. Then just follow the simple steps and within a few minutes, you’ll have your ticket for your trip!

Collecting Tickets and Pre-boarding

Getting Your Ticket:If your ticket is a mobile ticket—don’t worry we’ll let you know—then all you need to do before getting on your bus is make sure you can access it to show it to the driver. If your ticket is not a mobile ticket then you’ll need to make sure you’ve downloaded or printed the pdf of your ticket prior to departure. Then just make sure you have your ticket on hand when you board the bus so you can show it to the driver.

Good to know: Although most buses leave from a bus station, they can sometimes leave from other bus stops around the city. We recommend checking the address of the bus stop before you plan to leave and giving yourself plenty of time to find it. If you can find the stop at some point during your stay then even better!

What Amenities Are on Buses?

All long-distance buses will have a bathroom onboard. It is also becoming more frequent for buses to provide WiFi and power sockets — particularly useful for longer trips. In some cases, some buses companies, such as RegioJet, even have an onboard trolley service providing snacks and hot beverages. To be sure of what your bus will offer, you can find out by checking the company page.

What Luggage Can I Take Onboard?

Unlike airlines, buses in Europe often have generous luggage allowances that don’t come at an extra cost. Company policies do vary so it is best to check with the company to be on the safe side. However, the general rule is that you are allowed a bigger bag to go in the hold and a smaller bag, one that fit above or underneath the seat.

Can I Take Pets Onboard?

Pet policy varies from company to company so it is always best to check with the bus company directly. It is safe to assume that guide dogs are allowed on all buses across Europe, however, the bus company should be notified before you travel. Some bus companies, such as Flixbus, allow small animals (no bigger than a domestic cat) onboard if they are in a proper animal carrier.

Can I Cancel My Ticket and Get a Refund?

Refunds depend on the company you are traveling with and the type of ticket you originally purchased. If you bought a flexible ticket then it is often likely you can change the bus you are meant to be traveling on and, in some cases, get a refund. However, if you bought a non-flexible ticket then it is unlikely you would be able to get a refund if you decide to cancel your journey. To check if you apply for a refund it is best to check with the bus company directly or you can speak to some in our Customer Service department.

Do Children Travel for Free?

Traveling with children varies from bus company to company as well as country to country. Generally, children up to 15 are considered children throughout Europe and will need to travel with an adult. Babies and toddlers can often travel for free if traveling with an adult but will need a car seat for safety. All children under 15 will be able to travel at a discounted rate. If you are unsure then we recommend checking with the bus company you are traveling with directly to find out their child policy.

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