For some of the most popular routes, the bus is faster, cheaper, and much less stressful without all the airport hassle to contend with.
If you think flying is always the quickest way to get around Europe, think again. A new infographic by BusBud has revealed that on some routes, hopping on a bus is not only cheaper, but quicker than catching a flight. Yes, really. Here are eight surprising routes where you could save time and money by opting for a coach instead of a plane.
Take London to Manchester, for example. The fastest bus journey on this popular route takes just 3 hours 55 minutes, whereas a flight, factoring in the time spent at the airport, will take you about 4 hours 12 minutes. And while the bus ticket costs a wallet-friendly £9, the average flight price is a whopping £231 – the ticket can be cheaper depending on when you book it.
Over in Ireland, a bus between Dublin and Donegal takes just 3 hours 15 minutes for £21, while a flight, after you’ve factored in all the waiting around, takes a total of 4 hours 18 minutes and costs £59.
Meanwhile, for a cross-Europe journey, a coach from Amsterdam to Brussels takes only 2 hours 45 minutes for just £7, whereas a flight (when you factor in the airport hassle) stretches to 4 hours 20 minutes and could cost you up to £466 – a serious markup.
The Munich to Innsbruck route is another surprise: a bus journey takes just 2 hours 9 minutes, with tickets available from £15, while a flight and airport time will stretch over 6 hours and cost you £50. In the Baltics, a bus between Helsinki and Tallinn will get you there in just 2 hours for £27 – but a flight will set you back 4 hours 15 minutes and cost around £84, the Daily Mail reports .
Even in Portugal, between Lisbon and Porto, a bus will get you there in 3 hours 15 minutes for just £5, while a flight takes 3 hours 21 minutes and will cost you £49. Finally, there’s Munich to Prague. A bus will take just 4 hours 30 minutes and cost you £21, whereas a flight (including waiting time) takes 4 hours 41 minutes and could cost you a hefty £171.
So, next time you’re planning a European getaway, don’t automatically reach for a plane ticket. For some of the most popular routes, the bus is faster, cheaper, and much less stressful. And probably better for the environment too.
