pegtrav

We will be traveling from Brno to Budapest in June. It looks like both train and bus are available. Is one better than the other? The bus ad makes it look pretty comfortable.
Thanks for any help!

JulieCallahan

I am sure either is fine... But I take the train.

Andrew

Check Rome2rio.com to see what your options are. I almost always prefer a train myself especially if it's going to be more than a short ride, because I like to get up etc. Sometimes buses are faster, more direct, and/or cheaper. Some people don't mind a long bus ride. Some of that is just preference.

PalenQ

I've never been on a bus that is more comfortable than a train - getting up walking around not possible on buses - much more congested as folks are in smaller area - not that they can't be very comfy and I'm sure that this bus is but can't be more comfy than trains.

To get an idea of what European trains look like check out these IMO fantastic sites: www.seat61.com (tells you how to get discounted rail fares); www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Discounted tickets must be booked online thru the national rail site for each country and are typically non-changeable non-refundable - full fare tickets are always IME available, usually right up until the train.

I'm sure the bus is cheaper and if about the same time may be the way to go if price is a factor - bus tickets tend to be flat fares with little advantage to booking early.

adrienne

They both take about the same amount of time but I would take the train so I could stand up and stretch or walk around.

Christina

Lots of times a bus is just as comfortable as a train, or more so, in terms of seating and amenities. Not the walking around, true, but I never do that on a train myself. I wouldn't want to take one 6 hours, I suppose, but I usually prefer buses for shorter runs as they can be cheaper and often drop you off in a more convenient location than where the train station may be (which is not always in-town, actually). I'm speaking generalities, don't know these two routes. Also you wouldn't have to transfer with a bus. I've taken several buses that take 4 hours, doesn't bother me at all re the walking around bit.

However you can get a direct train on that route that takes only a little over 4 hours, so I would do that if price isn't an issue. I think the bus is only 16 euro, don't know the train fare.

PalenQ

Bus comfortability depends somewhat on one's physical condition - I can walk dozens of miles but if I sit very long without stretching my legs my knees start feeling it so I have to get up and move about - but if not then I agree with Christina - and the best thing about a bus is that they usually have a walk up fare that is dirt cheap compared to trains, whose discounted tickets may be higher and require purchase in stone weeks or months in advance.

adrienne

What I dislike about buses is there is often no place to stretch out your legs, even on long distance buses. Sometimes the seat in front comes down very close to the floor so you can't stretch your legs underneath the seat and one bus had metal foot rests that took the skin off my ankles every time I moved my feet. I've never been on a train where I could not stretch out my legs, even if I didn't get up from the seat.

PalenQ

I've never been on a train where I could not stretch out my legs, even if I didn't get up from the seat>

You've obviously never been in a packed standard class Eurostar train to or from London then - those seats just have no room to stretch out one's legs unless you of course are on the aisle side.

adrienne

I've never been on the Eurostar to or from London. It doesn't matter if the train is packed or empty. What's important is the space under the seat in front of you and if you can access it. Pal - I'm guessing that you're probably taller than I and might have more of a problem.

If I ever take this train I will book first-class tickets. Thanks for the advice!