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.
With Omio, you can also book bus airport transfers.
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.
Europe has a number of budget-friendly bus companies operating nationally and on trans-European routes. Bus services vary according to provider and destination, however to bag the cheapest bus tickets it’s best to buy in advance. Unlike trains, peak and off-peak times do not usually apply; however prices can decrease or increase depending on the popularity of the service – particularly between busy routes such as London to Paris. With hundreds of destinations to buzzing cities in Europe, the easiest way to find cheap tickets is through the Omio search tool or app. We’ve gathered the latest routes, timetables and greatest deals on bus tickets in one place, so it’s easy to book no matter which language or currency you’re working with.
Take the bus to Prague in the Czech Republic. Credit: Unsplash
Popular bus companies such as FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus and Megabus have a wide network of routes across Western Europe, with a regular schedule of buses between France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Most long-haul, trans-European services offer comfortable seating and toilets on board, with many now also providing WiFi and charging points.
Germany | Spain | Italy | United Kingdom | France
Getting the bus to mainland Europe from the United Kingdom is a popular and affordable option for travelers on a budget. There are over 20 daily buses between London to Paris, running from 6 a.m. in the morning to around 9 p.m. at night. The services are run by multiple bus companies, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus, most of which offer plug sockets, WiFi as well as toilets aboard. The 253 miles takes between 8 to 9 hours, setting off from London Victoria Bus Terminal and arriving in Paris Bercy. The London to Paris bus doesn’t charge for luggage (unless you’re traveling with two or more large suitcases) and gets passengers directly into the city center, making it a convenient alternative to flying. Load up your backpack, sit back and relax on your next bus journey from London to Paris.
London | Barcelona | Rome | Berling | Paris
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.
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.
Nettbuss: Nettbus (now, Vy Bus) 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 primarily 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.
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 : 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. BlaBlaCarBus advertises comfort, plenty of legroom, affordable prices and exchangeable tickets for maximum flexibility. A special bonus is the relatively high free baggage allowance. It offers numerous routes from major French cities as well as traveling to Turin and Milan, Barcelona, London, Brussels Amsterdam.
Traveling by bus in the United States is often a cheaper and more convenient way to explore. In the US, buses can reach some smaller cities and towns that are otherwise hard to access, allowing for a cheap way to discover unique landscapes and urban cityscapes. The biggest bus company in the US is Greyhound, the USA’s iconic flagship bus company, which makes cross-country journeys between cities such as Miami, Orlando and Los Angeles to New York. Budget bus lines Megabus and FlixBus also run long-distance routes through the US and offer cheap bus tickets, even when buying a few days before departure. Omio allows you to easily compare bus services, find the cheapest bus ticket and the most convenient route for your journey.
Canada is the second largest country in the world, with the majority of its population in the southern and coastal regions, and is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. Traveling by bus in Canada offers a great opportunity to discover the country at an affordable price, particularly when looking to travel outside urban centers. The two most popular bus providers in Canada are Megabus and Greyhound Canada, both offer cheap bus tickets to the US and between major Canadian cities including Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. To find the cheapest bus tickets it’s best to book well in advance, although tickets can still be affordable in the days running up to departure (when compared to train or flights). Find the latest bus schedules via the Omio platform, where we gather the cheapest tickets and latest timetables just for you.
Booking cheap bus tickets is easy with Omio. Once you know your route simply put the departure and arrivals points—along with the date you wish to travel—into the search and within seconds you’ll be given all the route options, including cheapest tickets and latest deals from all bus providers. To buy your ticket, simply follow the steps and within a few minutes, you’ll have your ticket for your saved.
With Omio, tickets can be sent directly to your email or stored on your phone via the Omio app. All you have to do is show your digital ticket to the bus driver. Will recommend to bring the print version (depending on the company you are traveling with)
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 leave and give yourself plenty of time to find the station.
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. However, every different bus company will provide different services aboard their buses – with some offering extra wide seats, air conditioning and even the option to buy food from the friendly bus driver. You can find out about what to expect on your journey by searching for your provider on the Omio pages, where we detail amenities and popular routes for each bus company.
Unlike airlines, buses tend to 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 fits above or underneath the seat, with the price of your ticket.
Pet policy varies from company to company so it is always best to check with the bus company directly. Buses generally allow guide dogs, 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.
Refunds depend on the company you are traveling with and the type of ticket you originally bought. If you bought a flexible ticket then it is 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 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.
Traveling with children varies from bus company to company as well as country to country. Babies and toddlers can often travel for free if traveling with an adult but will need a car seat for safety. With most companies, 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.
In the case of delays or cancellations, most bus carriers will find alternative bus options to get you to your destination. The Omio Customer Care team are also on hand to help in the case of any disruptions to your journey. Refunds are made according to each bus providers policies so it’s best to check with them, or get in touch with us!