When planning a European getaway, air travel often comes to mind first for its reputation as the quickest option. However, for those seeking affordability, efficiency, and sustainability, bus travel has emerged as a compelling alternative. From major cities to scenic routes, here’s a look at eight routes across Europe where the bus not only competes with but often surpasses flights in convenience and environmental impact.
Here are 8 routes in Europe where bus travel beats flying:
1. London (Victoria Coach Station) to Manchester (Coach Station)
- Bus Time: 3 hrs 55 mins (via National Express)
- Bus Cost: £9
- Emissions: 41kg CO2
- Carriers: National Express, Flixbus, Megabus
- Flight Time: 1 hr + 2 hrs airport time + 47 mins + 26 mins to city center = 4 hrs 12 mins
- Flight Cost: £231 (British Airways)
- Emissions: 85kg CO2
- Savings: 96% on cost, 52% fewer emissions
Book London to Manchester bus tickets
2. Dublin (Airport) to Donegal (Centre)
- Bus Time: 3 hrs 15 mins (via Expressway)
- Bus Cost: £21
- Emissions: 31kg CO2
- Carriers: Expressway
- Flight Time: 1 hr 10 mins + 2 hrs airport time + 1 hr 8 mins to city center = 4 hrs 18 mins
- Flight Cost: £59 (Aer Lingus)
- Emissions: 80kg CO2
- Savings: 64% on cost, 61% fewer emissions
3. Amsterdam (Sloterdijk Station) to Brussels
- Bus Time: 2 hrs 45 mins (via BlaBlaCar Bus)
- Bus Cost: £7
- Emissions: 27kg CO2
- Carriers: BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus
- Flight Time: 45 mins + 3 hrs airport time + 13 mins + 22 mins to city center = 4 hrs 20 mins
- Flight Cost: £466 (KLM)
- Emissions: 56kg CO2
- Savings: 98% on cost, 50% fewer emissions
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4. Munich (Hackerbrücke) to Innsbruck (Südbahnstraße)
- Bus Time: 2 hrs 9 mins (via Flixbus)
- Bus Cost: £15
- Emissions: 21kg CO2
- Carriers: Flixbus
- Flight Time: 2 hrs 25 mins + 3 hrs airport time + 30 mins + 11 mins to city center = 6 hrs 6 mins
- Flight Cost: £50 (Lufthansa)
- Emissions: 51kg CO2
- Savings: 70% on cost, 59% fewer emissions
Book bus tickets from Munich to Innsbruck
5. Helsinki (Terminal 2) to Tallinn (Reisitierminal D)
- Bus Time: 2 hrs (via Flixbus)
- Bus Cost: £27
- Emissions: 11kg CO2
- Carriers: Flixbus
- Flight Time: 30 mins + 3 hrs airport time + 32 mins + 13 mins to city center = 4 hrs 15 mins
- Flight Cost: £84 (Finnair)
- Emissions: 33kg CO2
- Savings: 68% on cost, 66% fewer emissions
Book bus tickets from Helsinki to Tallinn
6. Stuttgart (Airport) to Zurich (Sihlquai – Limmatstraße)
- Bus Time: 3 hrs (via Flixbus)
- Bus Cost: £17
- Emissions: 28kg CO2
- Carriers: Flixbus, BlaBlaCar Bus
- Flight Time: 45 mins + 3 hrs airport time + 14 mins to city center = 4 hrs
- Flight Cost: £192
- Emissions: 56kg CO2
- Savings: 91% on cost, 50% fewer emissions
Find and book tickets from Stuttgart to Zurich
7. Lisbon (Oriente) to Porto (Terminal Intermodal Campanhã)
- Bus Time: 3 hrs 10 mins (via Flixbus)
- Bus Cost: £5
- Emissions: 40kg CO2
- Carriers: BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus, Rede Expressos
- Flight Time: 1 hr + 2 hrs airport time + 9 mins + 12 mins to city center = 3 hrs 21 mins
- Flight Cost: £49 (Air Portugal)
- Emissions: 83kg CO2
- Savings: 88% on cost, 52% fewer emissions
Book Lisbon to Porto bus tickets
8. Munich (Fröttmaning) to Prague (Main Railway Station)
- Bus Time: 4 hrs 30 mins (via Flixbus)
- Bus Cost: £21
- Emissions: 48kg CO2
- Carriers: Flixbus, RegioJet
- Flight Time: 50 mins + 3 hrs airport time + 32 mins + 19 mins to city center = 4 hrs 41 mins
- Flight Cost: £171 (Lufthansa)
- Emissions: 107kg CO2
- Savings: 88% on cost, 55% fewer emissions
Find bus tickets from Munich to Prague
Why choose the bus in Europe?
- Time Efficiency: While flight times may appear shorter, they often do not account for lengthy security checks, travel to and from airports, and early arrivals. On many European routes, buses provide a faster overall travel time.
- Budget-Friendly: The significant cost savings with bus travel make it easier to explore Europe without breaking the bank.
- Eco-Friendly Travel: With lower CO2 emissions, choosing the bus is a sustainable way to travel while enjoying Europe’s beauty.
Plan your next journey with ease by comparing schedules, prices, and amenities at your fingertips. Check out Busbud amd start your European adventure by bus.
*Methodology: All prices and travel times are based on one-way journeys on October 1st, 2024. The prices reflect bookings made four weeks in advance. Emission comparisons were calculated using Go Climate (www.goclimate.com). Travel times account for transit to and from the city center and the recommended early arrival for flights.