We might be train people, but we are also big fans of buses in Europe.
It’s a handy alternative if there’s a train strike and there are dozens of destinations that are absent of railways yet full of bus stops. Do a simple search and you’ll find top-notch bus companies in Europe.
Bus Companies in Europe:
- UK: National Express | Stagecoach | FirstGroup
- Italy: Baltour | Marozzi | Marino
- France: OUIBUS | Beauvais Bus
- Ireland: Eireagle
- Spain: ALSA | Avanza | Socibus
- Germany: IC Bus
- Portugal: Aerobus Lisbon
- Multiple European Countries: Flixbus | Eurolines | Isilines
Or find them all in one place with the best train and bus app for Europe from Trainline. We connect you to dozens of bus companies so you can easily plan your vacation by rail and by road.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Sylvain Sonnet. Image Location: Mont St-Michel, Normandy, France
Bus Trips in France
Escargot? Non, mon ami: esbusgot. These France bus tickets will show you romantic cities throughout the country that don’t start with a ‘P’ and end in an ‘aris’.
Bus from Mont-St-Michel (or Pontorson) to Villedieu-les-Poêles
After you’ve been wowed by Mont-St-Michel’s astounding abbey, catch a ride to the medieval town of Villedieu-les-Poêles where coppersmiths and artisans offer some of the best souvenir shopping in Normandy.
Annecy to Lyon-Part-Dieu Gare Routière
If you can pull yourself away from the snow-capped mountains and lakeside bliss of Annecy, Lyon’s ready to fill your itinerary with everything from millennia-old Roman history to live performances from today’s hottest musicians at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Chamonix Sud Bus Station to Geneva Bus Station
Though Geneva is technically in neighboring Switzerland, the bus ride between the border and Chamonix makes a French ski vacation from Genève Aéroport super convenient.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Dhwee. Image Location: San Sebastián–Donostia, Spain
Most popular bus trips in Spain
You don’t need a train in Spain to get to the head of the tapas table. Roll over to a bus station in Spain and make your way to every delicious corner of the country.
Bus Trip From Granada Estación de Autobuses to Sevilla Plaza de Armas
You’ll have no trouble getting your steps in when visiting the Alhambra, the San Nicolás Mirador, and the Royal Chapel in Granada. A bus ride is a clutch way to rest your feet before all-night flamenco dancing in Seville.
Take The Bus From Bilbao Estación de Autobuses to San Sebastián-Donostia
The skyscraper-filled Bilbao provides the perfect city break; San Sebastián offers an ideal beach break. A single trip pairs these two bus stations in Spain together better than tapas and sangria.
Psst: there’s a bus from Barcelona to Perpignan, France, too, if you’re keen for country hopping. Find Barcelona - Nord and zoom across the border to Gare routière de Perpignan.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Pucci. Image Location: Spaccanapoli, Naples, Italy
Most popular bus trips in Italy
Lugging your souvenir vino around Italia is a bit easier when you can set them down safely on an air-conditioned bus. The bottles on the bus go clink, clink, clink…
Bus Trip From Colico to Tirano
Relax on the shores of Lake Como then settle into a cozy cabin on the alpine slopes; Italy bus tickets and a good book are all you need to make it happen.
Napoli Afragola to Sorrento
Visiting Sorrento is a worthy stop on any Italian itinerary, but it’s also smart to note that you’ll need wheels, not rails, to get around to the Amalfi Coast. Consider Sorrento one of the prettiest bus stops you’ll ever wait at.
Naples Metropark Central Parking to Rome Tiburtina Largo Mazzoni
All roads (and rails) lead to Rome, right? You can’t visit Italy without seeing Rome and you can’t go wrong with an easy bus ride from Naples.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Hinterhaus Productions
Most popular bus trips across Europe
No matter if it’s your first-time in Europe or you’re a pro at racking up transatlantic airline miles, tackling two capital cities in one jaunt is rarely a bad idea, especially with a cheap and convenient bus ticket.
Bus trip From Bruxelles Midi to Paris Bercy Seine
Along with chocolate, waffles, and beer, add France bus tickets to your menu of musts when visiting Brussels. Paris is a perfect digestive distance from the Belgian capital, allowing you to slide into your seat with a full belly and arrive in France feeling wonderfully famished.
Take The Bus From Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Paris Bercy Sein
Oh hi, Paris - Bercy Sein, so nice to see you again. If you’re a cafe connoisseur, then we cannot help but recommend a snack from a canalfront coffeeshop in Amsterdam followed by a calm bus ride to a Parisian cafe.
Bus From London Victoria Coach Station to Paris Bercy Sein
Catching a trend here? Getting to Paris from other Euro capitals is easy, even when venturing across (or rather, under) the English Channel. A bus from London Victoria station will take you through the Chunnel to the City of Lights, no flight required.
Download the Trainline app, compare the best train and bus routes around Europe, and instantly purchase e-tickets for both.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Milos-Muller