Many travellers in Europe these days are turning to international bus travel as a cost effective and convenient alternative to other modes of transportation. This phenomenon is also evident in the United States where long distance bus travel on discount bus lines is increasing.
Those travellers whose only experience riding buses is in a frequently snarled, over-crowded urban public transportation system will be pleasantly surprised by the comfort and amenities provided on long distance bus trips.
Instead of having to make your way to a remote airport, it is possible to start your holiday to the continent from London’s centrally located Victoria Coach Station. iDBUS offers routes from there to Lille, Paris – Bercy Station, and Charles Degaulle Airport (CDG). From Paris, routes spread out to Amsterdam, Brussels, Lyon, the French Riviera and the Northern Italian cities of Genoa, Milan and Turin. If you get seasick, on most iDBus routes, buses are loaded onto trains to use the EuroTunnel although some cross the English Channel by ferry.
If you are on a budget, international bus travel is ideal. On iDBUS, currently you can travel to Lille for as little as £29 each way, Paris for £35 and Lyon for £45 – and these price examples are not difficult to find on their user friendly website. Promos can take these prices even lower.
iDBUS is also a great deal for family and group travel. If you book four seats, you only pay for three! You can book up to 9 seats at a time and pay for only 7. Moreover, unlike on some airlines, once you know your price, iDBUS does not add charges for a la carte services, so you do not end up with any unpleasant surprises. You can check one piece of hold luggage and take one carry on for no additional cost. (Check the iDBUS website for size allowances).
If you are really watching your budget, you can take a late coach and sleep on the bus, thus saving a night of hotel expense. For example, the 11:30 p.m. bus from London, arrives in Paris at 9:30 a.m. which would be 8:30 a.m. GMT*.
If you have flown lately, you will be happy to learn that iDBUS prides itself on having coaches with reclining seats and extra leg room. Seats are assigned when you book your ticket, so there is no concern about being first on the bus. Staff is dedicated to each bus 30 minutes prior to departure to make sure the loading process goes smoothly. Coaches have toilets, electric outlets for your electronic devices and free wifi.
When driving from England to France or vice versa, at some point in the journey, you find yourself driving on the wrong side. As far as I’m concerned, the best part of travel by international long distance bus is that a professional is driving — not me! All I have to do is sit back and enjoy the view.
*Obviously, prices, routes and schedule are subject to chance, so it is important to check the iDBUS website when you are planning your trip.
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I would love to travel Europe by bus! It seems so much fun, Suzanne!