Cheap buses in Germany/Austria
 

Can anyone direct me to bus services like MegaBus that run in Germany and Austria? Are they worthwhile?

Flixbus.

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.

Oops - forget the www.oebb.com site - not Austrian Railways but some religious site - www.oebb.at works though.

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.

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