Train vs Bus Travel

I love trains!

Everyone knows I love travelling by train. I travelled by train for 3 months on a Eurail Pass in 2011–12. For the amount of travel we did, it was very cost-effective even with the surcharges for first-class seats on fast trains.

Here’s the story of that trip. We activated our pass in Bergen and finished in Paris.

But I have travelled by bus — when it’s been significantly cheaper and or faster than train travel. And I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The first Flixbus trip was from Vienna to Bratislava on my last trip to Europe pre-pandemic.

Vienna to Bratislava

I had pre-booked a seat on Flixbus using the app weeks before. I had it on my phone as well as a hard copy. I had a couple of hours to wait so I dragged my suitcases out of the airport terminal and found the tiny sign indicating the bus stop, and found a seat. There were no buses at the stop. In the meantime, I looked at my bus ticket. ( Insert swear word!) I had somehow booked the 5.25 AM bus! It had been and gone hours ago. I was almost in tears. I have no sooner arrived in Europe and I’ve made my first mistake. Maybe I’m not meant to travel solo. I had no idea what to do, but when a Flixbus pulled into the stop, I decided I’d ask the driver, hoping against hope he spoke English. I can’t speak German or Austrian — if that’s even a language.

Fortunately, luck was on my side — he spoke perfect English. With tears in my eyes, I explained my predicament. He replied, “Hop on!” I did as I was told. I wasn’t sure where the bus was going but anything was better than sitting outside the airport waiting for a non-existent bus. I sat next to a girl and asked did she know where the bus was going. “To Bratislava.” Phew!

We chatted all the way there — it wasn’t far — she was surprised I was travelling on my own when I was so obviously clueless. Not only did it take me to Bratislava it took me to a bus stop within walking distance of my airbnb. My host rode her bike down to the bus stop to walk me to my apartment.

All’s well that ends well, right?

After a fantastic four days in Bratislava, I decided I’d catch another Flixbus to Budapest. I did have train tickets booked but there was no direct route to Budapest, I’d have to go via Vienna and change trains there. So I decided to forgo the few euros I’d paid for the train tickets, and catch the bus instead.

Here is the story of my four days in Bratislava if you’re interested in finding out more about this fascinating city.

Bratislava to Budapest

I was packed and ready to leave my comfy apartment when the cleaning ladies arrived just after 9. They spoke no English, but I demonstrated they could have the beer, wine and butter I had left if indeed it is butter. Sad to leave a lovely bottle of Portuguese red but no way I could carry it.

With the help of one of the cleaners, I managed to get my two suitcases, backpack and Thai bag up the stairs and onto the footpath where I called a Bolt — a different version of Uber — but for the princely sum of 2.90 euro drove me to the bus terminal.

I found that it was easier to manage both my cases separately rather than clip my carry-on onto the top of my big suitcase, which I have been doing until now. On entering the terminal building, I discovered a number of cafés offering a wide range of food. I needn’t have bothered stocking up on food for the journey!

I was so early that the large screen with times, destinations, departures and gate numbers wasn’t displaying my 11.05 to Budapest yet. I knew all the details except the gate number, which was the most important piece of information as there were 17 gates to choose from. Eventually, gate 3 came up for my bus. I ate my sandwich, as I didn’t think you could eat food on the bus.

Taking my own advice, I made a toilet stop, as it’s a 2-and-a-half-hour journey. Unfortunately, in the process of exiting said loo with two suitcases and two bags, one of the straps of my backpack became caught on the door handle and broke off, leaving my travel pillow trailing on the floor. Undeterred, I headed out to gate 3. I had my ticket already open on my phone to show the driver, but when he tried to scan it, it wouldn’t work. Momentary panic! I closed down the app and when I reopened it, it worked. Whew!

Leaving Bratislava

Ominous dark storm clouds were gathering as we drove through the part of Bratislava dominated by the ugly communist-built housing complexes you see all over Eastern Europe. We were on the highway to Vienna (Wien) but soon branched off to Budapest.

Flat, featureless, sparsely vegetated landscape did its job and put me to sleep. When I awoke, it was to undulating hills with rocky outcrops and scattered villages visible on both sides of the highway. When billboards started popping up on the side of the road, I surmised we must be close to Budapest.

Welcome to Budapest

Bus stations are not always in the centre of cities and Budapest’s Kelenföld Bus Station was on the outskirts of Budapest on the Buda side of the river. I summoned a Bolt, which cost 4150 forint. I definitely think it’s more than the 2.90 euro Bolt fare in Bratislava as it was a long way to my hostel from the bus station. The Bolt driver pulled to the side of the road to a tiny sign that said Baroque Hostel 50 m. I had arrived! As it turned out, the Budapest Keleti Train Station was just a hop, skip and a jump down the road. I caught a train to Prague, but that’s another story.

But the more you travel, the more you learn.

What I learned from this experience was don’t say no to bus travel without checking out all the options. Train travel may not always be the best way to travel, nor the cheapest!

Here’s TRAVEL STORIES BY GABE’s recent experience travelling with Flixbus through Europe. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to write about my bus experiences, Gabe.