Many of us dream of seeing Europe by train, but a lot of first time visitors to Europe are taken aback at just how costly intercity train travel can be on the European continent. In fact train travel in Europe can be so costly that in many cases it is cheaper to fly between cities than it is to take the train. Low cost airlines like Ryan Air have lowered the price of intra-European air travel substantially. Even so, taking the bus can be an even cheaper alternative--and a great way to see the countryside.
Making your bus travel reservations before you leave home is one of the best ways to reduce your stress level by ensuring that the routes you want will be available. While most of the time there will be room on the bus, some popular city-to-city routes can sell out, especially in the summer tourist season. By making your reservations ahead of time you will know for sure that you have a seat waiting for you. In some cases you may also be able to get a discount by booking early, helping you save even more money on your long-awaited European holiday.
In Europe most countries run their own bus service throughout the country, with the route determined by the travel needs of that country's citizens. If you are planning to confine your bus travel to one or two European countries it is probably best to focus on the bus lines run by those countries. If you will be staying at youth hostels during your trip it is a good idea to ask about available bus service when making your hostel reservations. The staff at the hostel should be familiar with the local area and the services available, and they can give you some valuable pointers for planning your adventure. In many cities the major youth hostels have worked out arrangements with their country's bus lines to have the bus stop right at the hostel's front door. This helps tourists avoid the sometimes dangerous and always crowded bus stations, while reducing the hassles associated with traveling from place to place.
If you are familiar with the Greyhound model for bus travel in the United States you will understand how Eurolines bus service works. Just like Greyhound, Eurolines offers point to point travel both within countries and across national borders. This makes Eurolines a great choice for visitors who will be covering large distances and moving between countries. Euroline operates an easy to use website visitors can use to check schedules, plan itineraries and even buy tickets ahead of time.
