June 18, 2003 -- Many travelers to Europe don't think about taking buses to get around. That's understandable, as most European nations' train systems are so convenient, speedy, comfortable and affordable that there's no reason to set foot on a motor coach.
But there are plenty of reasons to make buses part of your European journey. Bus passes can be much cheaper than even the cheapest rail pass. Buses reach some places, such as rural Ireland, where trains don't go. And even in countries with decent train systems, buses can help you make connections where there are gaps in the rail lines, such as between Portugal's Algarve and Spain's Costa del Sol.
Europe on the Ultimate Cheap
Probably the cheapest way to roam Europe, the Eurolines Pass (www.eurolinespass.com) knocks the socks off of any rail pass fare for sheer penny-pinching. A 15-day, adult high-season pass costs €285 ($333) and gives you access to 31 major cities from Madrid to Bucharest. Eurolines is Europe's major international bus network. Think Greyhound, but cheaper, faster, less smelly and more comfortable.
Admittedly, a Eurailpass gives you a lot more flexibility -- it'll take you to hundreds of destinations, and you never need to sleep on a bus -- but a 15-day Eurailpass costs $588.
At Busabout, you pay a little more for a lot of atmosphere. Not a public transportation system, Busabout is a private system of buses exclusively for backpackers, most of whom are young, hip and friendly. Think of it as a rolling hostel: in fact, Busabout has deals with hostels or campsites in all of the cities it serves, so that you can roll off the bus directly into pre-booked backpacker accommodation. The only downside is that Busabout buses don't leave from every destination every day, so you've got to be flexible with your travel schedule.
Busabout offers a wide range of passes, from seven-day flexipasses (seven trips, non-consecutive days) for $359 in the high season to two-week consecutive-day passes, also $359, and even three-month passes for $1,039. Find out more at www.busabout.com.
Right now, Busabout is advertising a special trip to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls from July 6-11. This is a hard-core backpacker experience, as they're putting you up in a camp on the beach, but it's a reasonable £99 ($166.32) for three nights' accommodation, free breakfasts, transfers to Pamplona, tent accommodation and opening-night parties. If you want to take advantage of the trip without using a Busabout pass, contact Busabout at info@busabout.co.uk.
Getting From Here to There
Looking for a way into the secretive principality of Liechtenstein? Want to ramble the Irish countryside? Or are you trying to reach somewhere in Spain where trains just don't go? It's time to check out The Bus Station (www.busstation.net), an amazing collection of thousands of links to official and unofficial bus-related sites worldwide.
Like most great sites of this kind, The Bus Station is a labor of love run by a transit geek, in this case a fellow named Steve Annells, who lives in central England. Annells tries to keep the links on his site fresh, and his list is marvelously organized. First, click on your region of the world on the left hand side of the screen. Then, click on a country on the left. Finally, look for a relevant site. Annells has highlighted sites with bus schedules in yellow and coded other sites: entries coded G, O, P, and T feature public transportation systems that could be useful to travelers.
Beware, as many of these bus sites are only in local languages and may not offer full timetables or ticket prices. Most at least have a phone number where you can get more information.
Looking for a bus company on the Costa Del Sol that might get me to Portugal, I found Damas S.A. in Huelva (www.damas-sa.es) on The Bus Station's Spain page. Using my poor Spanish, I figured out that Damas does run buses from Faro to Huelva twice a day -- and I got a phone number for more information.
My curiosity about Liechtenstein, which is nestled between Switzerland and Austria, led me to Liechtenstein Bus's (www.lba.li) official site, which offers schedules, maps and fares for buses throughout the principality -- although the site is only in German.
The Bus Eireann site, (www.buseireann.ie) in Ireland, is more readable for the language-impaired, offering a full range of services throughout the Emerald Isle. On The Bus Station, the site is highlighted in yellow.
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