The Cheapest Ways to Travel Between European Cities: Train vs Bus

 When exploring Europe on a student budget, choosing the most affordable travel option is key. During my interrail trip, we travelled across the continent by train and bus, striking the perfect balance between flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Here’s a rundown of the cheapest ways to travel between European cities and why both train and bus are unbeatable options for student budget transport across Europe.

Train vs. Bus Travel in Europe: Eurail Pass Advantage

If you’re planning on visiting multiple European countries, the Eurail Pass is a must. This pass is incredibly cost-effective for students, offering many different flexible options using European train routes. You could choose from several options from as little as 3 travel days within a week to unlimited travel days over a longer period. However, we chose 15 travel days over a 2-month period which was most suitable for our trip. We could jump on almost any train and for the more popular routes you only needed to reserve a seat for a small fee. For journeys like Amsterdam to and Berlin to Prague, we hopped on high-speed trains with ease, all covered by our Interrail Pass. The freedom it provided made it worth every penny.


When to Choose FlixBus

However, for routes not covered by trains or when costs were especially high, FlixBus came to the rescue. This budget-friendly bus service connects countless European cities and was perfect for routes like Belgrade to Kotor. Booking with FlixBus was simple, and fares were often cheaper than trains, especially when booking in advance. It also has an app that made our bookings and itineraries easy to track.


Tips for Finding the Best Fares

To make the most of these options, always book in advance, especially for FlixBus, where early bookings mean cheaper fares. Additionally, look out for student or group discounts, often available on both trains and buses.

Want More Budget Tips?

For a free guide on booking the cheapest transportation options across Europe, subscribe to our blog. We’ve got all the insider tips you need to make the most of your European travels without breaking the bank.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Travel in Europe with Friends on a Budget: 5 Essential Tips

Image
Traveling in Europe with friends is a rewarding adventure, even though it comes with challenges. With the right approach, group travel can be both budget-friendly and fun. Here are five tips we found essential for making the most of traveling in Europe with friends on a budget. Split Costs to Maximize Savings Sharing costs is one of the biggest advantages of traveling with friends. By splitting accommodation expenses and booking group rooms on Hostelworld , you can keep your stays affordable while staying together. Use apps like Splitwise to track shared expenses—this makes managing budgets simple and ensures everyone contributes fairly. Take Advantage of Group Discounts Many popular European attractions offer group discounts, which can make a huge difference for students on a budget. Whether it’s enjoying Budapest’s thermal baths or joining a walking tour in Prague, booking as a group often means discounted rates, allowing you to experience more without overspending. Book Affo...
Read more

How to Plan an Affordable European Interrailing Trip as a Student

Image
Planning an affordable European adventure might seem overwhelming, but as a full-time student, interrailing is the perfect way to explore Europe’s vibrant cultures while sticking to a budget. In the summer of 2023, I embarked on a 5-week interrail journey visiting 11 cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Budapest. with five other friends all being full time students. With the right planning, this kind of trip is within reach for cost-conscious students! Situation of the Market The travel industry is saturated with high-priced trips and luxury experiences, but students need accessible and affordable options. Many students still opt for the classic “lads holiday,” but my blog helps break away from that norm, offering an alternative that mixes culture, nightlife, and adventure without breaking the bank. Interrailing is ideal because it’s flexible, affordable, and allows you to experience multiple destinations within the one trip. Through resources like Hostelworld, Eurail, and Fli...
Read more