Cheap buses in Germany/Austria
Jul 4th, 2015, 12:04 PM
#3
Jul 4th, 2015, 12:53 PM
#4
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You know you can get discounted train tickets like for 29 euros for long-distance trains by booking really early - and trains run much more frequently and are infinitely core comfy than a crowded bus - ditto for Austrian Railways - www.oebb.com or www.oebb.at and Westbahn is a cheap competitor with its parent company the Austrian State Railways (I think that they own Westbahn but not important- they compete on the main Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck route.
For lots of good info on trains check www.seat61.com - good on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
For lots of good info on trains check www.seat61.com - good on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Jul 4th, 2015, 12:54 PM
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Oops - forget the www.oebb.com site - not Austrian Railways but some religious site - www.oebb.at works though.
Jul 4th, 2015, 01:39 PM
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I used Meinfernbus.de (linked above) for a day trip in 2014 from Freiburg im Breisgau to Zurich and back. Because I didn't book til the last minute, train tickets were ungodly expensive, but the bus was still available a day before and not expensive at all. The bus ride was much smoother than I expected, about 2.5 hrs each way. I would definitely use this company again. I'd always prefer a train if the convenience and price are even close to the same, though.
Jul 4th, 2015, 09:37 PM
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Hi wordfreak,
You've gotten good advice and links for long-distance bus routes in the reagion. I just want to add a few thoughts on the comfort --
As Andrew notes, he prefers a train, and I do too, if it makes sense for convenience and price. I found the bus to be pretty uncomfortable. While you can stretch out on a train or walk the aisles or visit the restaurant or bar cars, you can't do that on a bus. The seats are narrow and have little leg room, much like the conventional economy seat on an airplane; I felt wedged in and stuck for my 2-hour bus trip. Because the seats on trains have low backs and the wagons have large windows, there is a feeling of spaciousness and airiness on a train; in contrast, the seatbacks on a bus are very high and block out the sun.
They do sell snacks on board the bus, like pretzels and nuts in a small pouch, and there is a tiny toilet right by the middle door.
Have fun as you plan!
s
You've gotten good advice and links for long-distance bus routes in the reagion. I just want to add a few thoughts on the comfort --
As Andrew notes, he prefers a train, and I do too, if it makes sense for convenience and price. I found the bus to be pretty uncomfortable. While you can stretch out on a train or walk the aisles or visit the restaurant or bar cars, you can't do that on a bus. The seats are narrow and have little leg room, much like the conventional economy seat on an airplane; I felt wedged in and stuck for my 2-hour bus trip. Because the seats on trains have low backs and the wagons have large windows, there is a feeling of spaciousness and airiness on a train; in contrast, the seatbacks on a bus are very high and block out the sun.
They do sell snacks on board the bus, like pretzels and nuts in a small pouch, and there is a tiny toilet right by the middle door.
Have fun as you plan!
s
