The Best Train, Bus & Ferry Booking Sites
Ground transport is often cheaper, greener and more scenic than flying, especially in Europe and Asia. Route planners show every way to get from A to B, and multi-modal booking sites sell train, bus and ferry tickets in one place. Rail passes can save money on long multi-country trips, but point-to-point tickets booked early are often cheaper.
What is the best app for booking trains and buses?
Rome2rio is the best place to start: enter any two places and it shows every way to travel between them, with times, prices and links to book. In Europe, Trainline and Omio sell train, coach and sometimes flight tickets across dozens of operators in one app, with e-tickets on your phone. FlixBus runs a huge low-cost coach network across Europe and the Americas. In Southeast Asia, 12Go books trains, buses and ferries that are otherwise hard to buy online, and Direct Ferries compares ferry routes in over 100 countries.
Is a Eurail or Interrail pass worth it?
A rail pass makes sense if you will take several long journeys, travel at short notice, or ride trains with fixed fares such as in Switzerland and much of Germany. For a few trips booked in advance, especially on high-speed routes in France, Spain and Italy, point-to-point tickets are usually cheaper. Remember that many high-speed and night trains need a seat reservation on top of the pass. Eurail is for non-European residents and Interrail for European residents.
How do I find the cheapest train tickets?
Book as early as possible: many European operators release tickets three to six months ahead at their lowest prices. Travel off-peak, look for railcards and young-person discounts, and compare the operator's own website with booking apps, which sometimes add fees. For deep, route-by-route advice on trains anywhere in the world, The Man in Seat 61 is the definitive guide.
Is the bus or train better?
Trains are faster, more comfortable and let you move around, while buses are usually cheaper and reach smaller towns. In much of Latin America and Southeast Asia, long-distance buses are the main way to travel and range from basic to luxurious with reclining seats. In Europe, the train is usually worth the extra cost on routes over three hours.
Tips for ground travel
- Consider night trains and buses to save a night's accommodation.
- Check luggage limits on budget coaches.
- Download tickets to your phone before you lose signal.
- Book ferries early in peak summer, especially with a car.