TRAVEL BLOG
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
European Bus Passes
A Eurail or Interrail pass is often the first thought when it comes to getting around Europe with a travel pass. While a bus pass may not get you to as many places as the train, it's a far more economical option and thus a worthy consideration with the current value of the Euro.
Here are some bus pass options for travel in Europe.
Europe Wide
For pan-European bus passes there are two major choices: Eurolines and Busabout.
Eurolines is a network of bus companies across Europe that operate international services under the Eurolines brand. A Eurolines Pass offers unlimited coach travel to 45 cities across Europe. Passes are valid for 15 or 30 days travel.
Busabout is a hop-on hop-off style network that caters for backpackers. The Busabout network covers the most popular cities across western and central Europe.
Eurolines and Busabout have their distinct differences so it is a matter of weighing up what is important for you before deciding which is the right pass. Here are some advantages of the two passes.
Eurolines:
- It's the cheapest bus pass available.
- Available all year.
- Travel with locals.
- More city stops available.
Busabout:
- Travel with fellow backpackers.
- It is hop-on hop-off, but they can arrange hostels bookings and pick up and drop off at the hostel, saving the hassle of finding accommodation.
If you are planning to travel within one country there are some bus passes available from national bus lines. You will need to work out if you will do enough travel to make the pass worthwhile.
U.K
Travel across Britain with a Brit Xplorer pass from National Expressg(156400)a(392360))
. There are passes available for 7, 14 and 28 days.
For travel in Scotland Explorer Pass from Citylink has 3,5 and 8 day passes.
Ireland
Ireland's national bus company Bus Éireann has a list of Tourist Travel Passes that are valid for travel in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (with Ulsterbus).
France
A backpacker style hop-on hop-off bus service for the south-west of France.
Ze Bus
Switzerland
Switzerland is so well connected with trains that bus travel is mostly used for the smaller places. Post Bus offer a 4-Pass tour that loops Meiringen - Grimsel Pass - Nufenen Pass - Gotthardpass - Andermatt - Sustenpass - Meiringen.
Turkey
Fez Travel is a tour company that offer a hop-on hop-off service to the most popular spots in Turkey.
Fez Travel
Here are some bus pass options for travel in Europe.
Europe Wide
For pan-European bus passes there are two major choices: Eurolines and Busabout.
Eurolines is a network of bus companies across Europe that operate international services under the Eurolines brand. A Eurolines Pass offers unlimited coach travel to 45 cities across Europe. Passes are valid for 15 or 30 days travel.
Busabout is a hop-on hop-off style network that caters for backpackers. The Busabout network covers the most popular cities across western and central Europe.
Eurolines and Busabout have their distinct differences so it is a matter of weighing up what is important for you before deciding which is the right pass. Here are some advantages of the two passes.
Eurolines:
- It's the cheapest bus pass available.
- Available all year.
- Travel with locals.
- More city stops available.
Busabout:
- Travel with fellow backpackers.
- It is hop-on hop-off, but they can arrange hostels bookings and pick up and drop off at the hostel, saving the hassle of finding accommodation.
If you are planning to travel within one country there are some bus passes available from national bus lines. You will need to work out if you will do enough travel to make the pass worthwhile.
U.K
Travel across Britain with a Brit Xplorer pass from National Express
For travel in Scotland Explorer Pass from Citylink has 3,5 and 8 day passes.
Ireland
Ireland's national bus company Bus Éireann has a list of Tourist Travel Passes that are valid for travel in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (with Ulsterbus).
France
A backpacker style hop-on hop-off bus service for the south-west of France.
Ze Bus
Switzerland
Switzerland is so well connected with trains that bus travel is mostly used for the smaller places. Post Bus offer a 4-Pass tour that loops Meiringen - Grimsel Pass - Nufenen Pass - Gotthardpass - Andermatt - Sustenpass - Meiringen.
Turkey
Fez Travel is a tour company that offer a hop-on hop-off service to the most popular spots in Turkey.
Fez Travel
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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