Flixbus and the like?
 

Has anyone here actually ridden one of the new buses in Germany like the Flixbus? Thoughts? We will take the train if possible, but we honestly don't know exactly where we're going yet, save our entry point of Munich and exit of Vienna.

Hi wordfreak,

I gave you this personal account of my trip on a Meinfernbus (partners with Flixbus) on your other thread:


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

* * *

Let us know if you have further questions --

s

My son rides meinfernbus (they have merged with flixbus) very often. The buses are like buses are, but they have a good service (free coffee,free wifi). You will find many students among the passengers and a few pensioneers. The atmosphere on board is usually quiet and friendly (most passengers are working on their laptops).

The tickets can be dirt cheap, but be aware that the travelling times are much longer than train rides. This is because the buses have so many stops. They leave the autobahn, drive into the city center, pick up passengers, drive back to the autobahn, drive into the next city etc. Also there is a chance of traffic congestions.

Conclusion: Usually the train in the better option and if you book early you may find cheap train fares. If you are on a budget or if the train connection is not good, you may take the bus.

Hi again,

Yes, that's a good note -- in addition to being more comfortable (imo), some trains are a lot faster than the busses.

For instance, in Feb I took a trip from Munich to Frankfurt, and the train ran at speeds of over 200 km/hour most of the way and sometimes got as high as 299 km/hr. Obviously, the bus can't go that fast, even on the autobahns. The train takes just over 3h for that route, while the bus takes 5h to 6h.

Just something to consider!

s

One major advantage of the inter-city buses is that they don't go on strike like German Rail does all the time ;-)

Certain bus lines beat rail connections by speed and ease of traveling, like on the nororiously bad rail connection between Munich and Prague. Or the slow rail connection between Munich and Zurich.
Flixbus' competitor IC Bus (a German Rail subsidiary) runs those lines and their double-decker buses are comfortable. And 2nd Class on the upper level offers better views than the train.

Another advantage of the buses is their lower walk-up fare. Even when you consider on the spot to go from Munich to Vienna tomorrow, it's half price from what you'd pay for going by train. Though you "pay" for that by traveling almost 2 hrs longer by bus on that route.

Not all inter-city lines stop at every mid-sized city along the route, though. So you always have to pull up the respective timetable to see if you lose time for going into city centers and back to the motorway.

VOUCHER WRONG!!!
FLIXBUS

Hello,
I've canceled my trip in order to change a wrong return date,
but I've received just half voucher value.

My hole trip was 38,00 EUR
and I've receive a voucher of 19,00 EUR

I'm waiting a answer from FlixBus, already 3 days, and no email has been sent to me,
I need buy my way back!

<i>I need buy my way back!</i>

Then buy another ticket?

What did the T&C say with regards to refunds? Germans are very inflexible with their T&C and contracts.

I would definitely recommend Flixbus, I traveled from Stockholm to Copenhagen, to Berlin, to Munich, to Innsbruck. All the buses I took were very cheap compared to the train and they all had free WiFi and phone chargers. A couple of the buses were late but no more than 30 minutes and the app informed me of the new departure time so I was always informed. I blogged about my experience with pictures of the actual buses taken:

http://www.onlybyland.com/2016/08/co...to-berlin.html

Hi again,

Since I initially wrote on this thread, I've taken the Flixbus a few more times, between Garmsich (where I live) and the Munich airport.

The busses are always seem to be late. They get stuck in a traffic jam (stau), and they reach their destination 1h or 2h late (in my two experiences, exactly 1h and 2h late).

My friend also took the bus from Garmisch to the Munich airport, and it was 45 minutes late. She said she almost missed her flight.

So -- be careful. I wouldn't take the bus if I absolutely had to be somewhere at a specific time.

s

This is about the Bus Company FlixBus that runs to Park Asterix near Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Do not use this service. It is a company run by Germans out of Germany and their attitude is 80 years out of date.

Greedy, greedy Germans.

Their bus driver drove past us, and the company won't return our money.

Exceptionally negligible customer service.

Everything I have ever bought made by Germans is rubbish, never works, useless manual.

Don't use this service. Don't buy from Germans ever.

Despite the bad review of the traitors the Vichy Regime, I'm very very surprised the French let the Germany back into their country.

Avoid, Avoid, Avoid.

Wow notharry, that was over the top. Hate much?

I have been getting pop up ads for this bus so have many questions answered. You can't predict traffic and accidents so much is out of their control. Think I will stick to the train.
Train travel in Germany has always been a pleasure.