bus about tour europe

12 Reasons Why You Should Explore Europe with a Busabout Hop-on | Hop-off Pass

I just finished three incredible weeks hopping-on and hopping different coaches with Busabout Europe , and it was an absolute blast!

From getting lost among the scenic canals of Amsterdam, being mesmerized by gorgeous sunsets in Prague, and spending four wild days camping, dancing, and partying it up at Europe’s most famous electronic music festival, Tomorrowland…it’s safe to say that this was an experience that I’ll never forget!

This was my first trip with Busabout Europe , but I’ve got a feeling it won’t be my last!  I love the hop-on / hop-off travel flexibility, the social atmosphere is amazing, and ALL of the Busabout crewmembers I met are so much fun.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe over the summer, take a look at why I think you should consider getting your hands on a Busabout pass !

All pictures in this article were taken during my three-week Busabout trip!

1) Flexibility is Freedom

Have you ever arrived into a new city and found out about a really cool event, concert, or festival that you want to attend…but you’ve already booked a flight for that day?  It’s honestly happened to me countless times, and it’s always a terrible feeling.

Well, that’s why I love the hop-on / hop off travel style .  It gives you that flexibility to make last minute changes and add some spontaneous adventures when necessary.

If you fall in love with a city…stay for a week!

If you’re not feeling a certain destination…hop on the next bus!

It’s that easy…

2) Top-Rated Recommended Accommodation

While you’re always free to stay at whatever hostel, hotel, AirBNB, or friends couch that you want in each place…the official recommended accommodations  are the pick-up and drop off points for the Busabout network , and they’re all fantastic choices.

They’re focused on fun hostels that have a lively atmosphere ideal for meeting other travelers, which are well equipped with great reviews and strong wi-fi.

A couple of my favorites were St. Christopher’s Inn in Paris, BauHaus in Bruges, and Wombats Hostel in Munich.

3) Door-to-Door Service

How much time and money have you spent on taxis/ public transportation costs to/from airports, train stations, and bus stations in the past…?

I honestly never think about those costs, but they really do add up quickly…so having door-to-door service is a huge benefit to traveling around Europe.

Instead of lugging your backpack and suitcase kilometers to your accommodation, you can simply lay back, relax, and watch movies on the bus until you’re ready to check-in.

4) Amazing BusAbout Guides & Drivers

During my three week trip on the hop-on/ hop-off bus network, I probably met at least 20-30 different Busabout crew members, and ALL of them were super awesome people!

I actually used to be a travel guide in Europe (read my  About Me page), so I definitely have a lot of respect for all of their hard work.

You can tell they have a real passion for travel, and were always doing everything they could to make sure everyone was having the best time possible.

Whether they’re giving brief introductions about the next city during the bus ride, discussing all excursion options, or planning group dinners/ pub crawls – the Busabout guides really can make a big difference.  ASK THEM QUESTIONS – because they’ve been to all these places so many times, and are more than happy to give you all their insider tips.

5) Comfortable, Modern, & Spacious Coaches

I’ve been on A LOT of different busses in my time in Europe, and BusAbout has an absolutely beautiful fleet.  They’re super clean, spacious, and pretty damn comfortable.

There is Wi-Fi on board that works surprisingly well at sometimes, but can sporadically be annoying to deal with.  Everyone gets 10 minutes for free each bus trip, but there is an option to purchase 1GB of data for 12 euro (which I ended up doing twice due to SIM card issues).

It’s also extremely rare for a bus to be completely sold-out, and I NEVER had to share a row with anyone.   I really loved that aspect mainly because I’m just a big guy, and enjoy having a bit more room to spread out.

Pro-tip – Be the first person to check-in for the bus to try and snag the entire back row.  If you’re lucky, you’ll have the ideal bus sleeping situation.  ;-)

6) International Backpacker Vibe

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles” – Tim Cahill

Sorry for the cliché travel quote, but it seemed fitting, lol.

The truth is though that it’s practically impossible to complete a Busabout trip without having dozens of new travel friends.  It’s ideal for solo travelers like myself, and it’s simply an easy way to find people to share your travels with.

As well, since it’s a hop-on / hop-off travel style, you’re constantly going to be meeting new people on the bus rides!

7) Hit up a Music Festival

Europe is home to some of the best music festivals in the world , and there are DOZENS to choose from all summer across Busabout’s expansive network .  If you plan strategically plan ahead, you could easily hit up 4 or 5 different festivals in one summer.

I joined the Busabout squad on their sold-out Tomorrowland tour, and it was easily the highlight of my European travels!!

Check out my full Tomorrowland Facebook Album and browse through all my pictures.

8) Excursion Discounts

Walking tours, bike rides, pub crawls, day-trips, cooking lessons, wine tasting, horseback rides, whitewater rafting, and a whole lot more…

While some of these discounts only give 1-2 euro off, there are definitely some really great deals that Busabout get its customers.

The guides do a really good job giving descriptions about each of them before getting into the next city, and you can book them directly on the bus with cash or card.

9) BusAbout Entertainment

Similar to an airplane, there are a ton of free movies to choose from to keep yourself entertained during the longer bus rides on the network.  The streaming capabilities work really well, and there are even USB plugs to keep your phone & tablet fully charged while on the bus.

All you need is the wi-fi password:  #busabout  :-)

10) Budget Friendly & No Hidden Fees

When it comes to traveling Europe during the summer on a budget, there aren’t many betters options than booking one of Busabout’s 2-Month, 3-Month, or Unlimited Passes .

You’ll have plenty of time to see dozens of places across the network, and you won’t have to worry about any ridiculous hidden airport fees, baggage restrictions, or government taxes.

Europe is absolutely amazing over summer, but it’s also high season which means everything is a bit more pricey.  If you book a pass you’ll have a lot less to worry about, with all the flexibility you’d want.

11) User Friendly Trip-Planner, App, and Website

As a travel blogger, I always a appreciate a beautiful and easy-to-use website, and I’m in LOVE with the Busabout site!  Just take a browse through it, and you’ll know what I mean.

The trip planner, network map, coach timetable, and calendar make it super simple to figure out how you want to utilize your hop on / hop off pass, and then you can book everything on the go with your phone.  If you decide to change up your plans last-minute, then that’s not a problem at all.

The site is also filled with epic sample itineraries, last-minute deals, travel articles, and so much more.  I’ve got to give a shoutout to whoever designed the Busabout site – you’re an absolute legend!

12) The Expansive Network & Easy Loops

Last, but certainly not least — Busabout can bring you to over 47 amazing destinations in Europe across 15 different countries .  I’ve actually visited the majority of their places already, and can honestly say they’ve perfectly mapped out how to make the most of bus travel in Europe.

When you look at the map of the network, it’s really easy to spot the convenient  loops  you can go on, but there really are infinite possibilities on how to utilize a pass.

My Busabout Trip went like this:

Amsterdam -> Berlin -> Prague -> Cesky Krumlov -> Munich -> Paris -> Tomorrowland -> Bruges -> Amsterdam 

That’s where all these photos in this post were taken, and really was a jam-packed few weeks!  I wish I had more time in Europe to explore more, but hey, there’s always next summer. :-)

Busabout Europe | Hop on Hop Off Review

Overall, I thoroughly loved my entire trip with Busabout!  It’s definitely the best hop-on / hop-off bus pass option out there in Europe, and I know everyone will love all the staff, destinations, and accommodation.

Thanks so much for reading!

If you ever have any questions about my trip with Busabout, feel free to shoot me an email or send me a DM on social media, and I’ll respond ASAP.  :-)  I’m always happy to help people plan their travels!

This really was an incredible 3-week adventure for me, and I had a blast re-visiting some of my favorite cities in Europe, as well as discovering a couple of hidden gems!  I just got back to California, but already planning my next trip back to my favorite continent!

Disclaimer:  I was invited by Busabout to hop on a complimentary tour this summer and attend Tomorrowland with their festival crew.  As always, all opinions are my own, and I would definitely recommend using them for future European travels!  Some of the links in this article are affiliates, which means I may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.    

Follow my adventures around the world on

Read my latest posts, 50 best travel gift ideas for men: presents & gift ideas for him, 23 words you’ll start saying when you move to australia, 17 amazing things to do on gili trawangan, share the busabout europe love .

Photography Gear

Work With Me

Privacy Policy

Destinations

Music Festivals

Travel Itineraries

Inspiration

Travel Gifts

Southeast Asia

First-time traveller to Europe? Busabout Europe, reviewed

Bus, Train or Plane- what is the best way to see Europe?

Bus, Train or Plane? Which is the best way to see Europe, I often hear from first-time travellers. So many countries to see and visit but so little time-trying to fit in all the must see cities you’ve dreamed of visiting can become a bit of an ordeal. Then there is a question of budget. Organising your trip becomes a bit of nightmarish experience. Especially if your travelling solo. You also want to have the spontaineity to be able to just get on a bus or a train without the fear of the last-minute price tag.

Earlier this year, as many of you may know,  I ventured on a quest to visit  50 of Europe’s best luxury hostels . I was going to cover a lot of ground so I adopted a flexible approach of using the train on some routes, the plane and then the bus wherever relevant. I had a great time Interrailing across Europe in June with my Eurail pass. I loved the freedom of not having to book and hopping on some of their networks ( Germany, Austria) with no reservations. However in certain countries like France and Spain, reservations were essential and in some cases had also a price tag. For far-flung corners of Europe like Lisbon + Edinburgh- I found easyJet to be a really quick way to crisscross my way across Europe.All that was left to sample was jumping on a bus and seeing Europe.

Busabout Europe

Then someone told me about Busabout Europe – a hop-on-hop-off bus network where using their Flexitrip pass , I could visit nine cities in Italy and throw in a trip to France, Austria, Germany and Switzerland for as little as £350. It sounded like a great deal and more economical option compared to Interrail Courtesy of the nice people at Busabout, I was given a pass to sample the Busabout Europe experience. I thought I’d summarise below my thoughts about what I enjoyed about Busabout and what could be better to give you a balanced idea of whether the pass will work for you.

What I enjoyed about the Busabout Europe experience

On my first day of travel I presented my booking reference (which I printed off from the internet) and my passport and was issued with a swipe card that was to be my pass. I booked my Florence- Nice-Barcelona-Valencia sectors and all of my accommodation online at the Busabout website. The site is easy to use and it clearly lays out all of your bookings so you don’t mix up any of your plans. With the Flexitrip pass I could have 6 stops and it lasts the whole operating season ( This year was 2nd May 2012 through to 28th October 2012 )

Busabout Europe was a great experience. This is me minutes before I attended the madness that is La Tomatina

Choose from 33 destinations, stay as long as you want, explore the region.

I could visit a choice of 33 destinations in their network and have a choice of 6 stops with the Flexitrip option. There is no limit on how long you can stay in each city. I travelled from Florence to Valencia, spending a week in Florence staying at the fantasic Plus Florence , then a few days in Cinque Terre, then heading to Nice where I spent a week exploring Cote D’Azur ( Nice is the perfect base, watch out for the thieves there mind you ) before going to Barcelona for a few days and then ending my trip in Valencia where I sampled the madness that is La Tomatina – 5 stops in total and I spent a month covering that route. Most people, mostly younger first-time travellers I met were covering that route in a matter of a week or 10 days running themselves ragged in the process. After sharing my trip experiences with a few fellow Busabouters, many of them wished they had spread their journey out.

The other thing is that you have a degree of flexibility with the pass.

You can make changes to your schedule 24 hours in advance if you wish to stay on in the city for a few days extra. You can also buy additional ‘stops’ from the Busabout Guides to extend your Flexitrip pass. During the peak summer schedule note , that some of the bus routes run to capacity so it can be a problem rebooking.mMy advice is for you is that if you do want to make changes, make them early. It takes a matter of seconds for the change in itinerary to be confirmed so that is v.handy.

Top tip: The pass is valid for the whole summer so take it slow, if time isn’t an issue.

I recommend doing lots of research before you plan your itinerary if you are traveling in summer. Make at least 3 stops along the way where you can stay somewhere for a longer time and have a few ‘chill-out’ days to recharge your batteries.

Crazy night out with the Busabout crowd 🙂

Terrified of travelling solo?-then you will love Busabout

Having been on the road for the last few months, I seem to have mastered the art of travelling solo. Thanks to social networks like Twitter and Social travel networks like Gogobot, sites like Couchsurfing-making new friends on the road is not a problem. However if you like the idea of a travel network across Europe that allows you to meet fellow travellers during your trip, then Busabout is perfect for you . Busabout have an excellent community page where you can get tips prior to your departure plus via the TripMates function, you can also befriend fellow travellers who are travelling on the same departure dates as you.

Busabout Guides are a friendly bunch and often will go out of their way to entertain the gang. Busabout Adam in fancy dress on the right showing his wild side in what could be described as a crazy tomato? ( During La Tomatina )

Friendly, expert Guides

One of the other great advantages of travelling with Busabout is that you get the expert advice and insight of the Busabout Guides. The Busabout guides on each bus gave me lots of details on the destination I was heading to plus they also helped pre-plan any activities prior to me arriving at the destination. Also they are at your service, if you need to book your accommodation at the destination. Note, that they can book you on with only their recommended providers. While I didn’t need to take advantage of these features, it’s great to see the level of care and passion that the Guides put into their jobs to help the passengers. These guys are passionate travellers themselves and that comes across clearly in their jobs. I had the chance to hang out with Adam Agenda MC Bazeley who was our guide from Nice to Barcelona. From the best places to taste Paella, to the history of Spain under Franco and where to enjoy local tipples like ‘Calimocho’- Adam was a walking encyclopedia of everything Spanish. Not only does he know his history and his food, the guy turns out be an awesome Rapping Travel Vlogger. I managed to capture him on film doing an awesome Gaudi Rap on our way to Barcelona which you check out below.

Also on the long trip from Nice to Barcelona, I had the pleasure of getting to know Hannah who had just recently joined Busabout as a guide over the summer. Here is a nice wee video interview of Hannah, sharing her experience of being a Busabout Guide and her experience so far of being part of the company.

Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable experience. Even though some of the sectors like Nice to Barcelona can last upto 10 hours, the monotony of the journey was broken up watching films that they show on the bus. There are a few refreshment stops along the way at service stations to grab food.Also, another big plus point is whenever you have a mighty hangover from the night before, helps to just roll out of a bed and just hop on the bus without the stress and hassle of getting to the train station or airport.

Things that I didn’t like about Busabout

Limited routes.

While with an Eurail pass you can pretty much cover the whole of Europe, with BusAbout you are restricted to a selected routes and stops. Plus if you’re doing the ‘loop’ you are limited to heading in one direction. Busabout offers about 33 destinations while the options with InterRail are closer to 30,000 plus complete flexibility over directions.

Limited service and frequency

On popular train routes you get a number of trains running per day, while Busabout serves each stop every second day. As I mentioned earlier, during the peak summer season , book in advance to avoid getting stranded for longer than planned, as the seats on the buses get snapped up very quickly.

I don’t if this was just my experience but majority of the crowd that use Busabout are Aussies. In fact, I think it should be called ‘Ausabout’ than ‘Busabout’. While I have nothing against Aussies, in fact I have a number of friends from there, after riding with them for a few weeks, I kinda became aussied out and was craving for some variety & diversity of travellers. Plus also an older traveller, the Busabout crowd tends to be more younger, first time travellers so at times you do wish they were more older, experienced travellers to hang out with. Suggestions for improving the product would be to offer more routes, possibly bespoke networks for slightly older, mature travellers to help attract a more wider audience, more activity options at destinations , broader choice of accommodation options at each network point plus having free wifi on the buses-this would boost the brand and overall user experience.

To conclude: Is Busabout Europe for you?

I think if you are a first-time traveller in Europe and have never travelled solo before, Busabout is definitely for you. I love the concept. You can plan your own itinerary, never worry about being alone, you have expert friendly guides on the buses to answer your queries and help you,  accommodation options can be booked on the site or via the guides-all you have to do is put your name down, get of bed before the bus leaves, meet lots of people and be ready to party hard. For more about booking your Busabout Europe experience visit the website http://www.busabout.com/ Also check out the Busabout TV channel on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/BusaboutTV

Note: While Busabout sponsored my trip, the views put forward in this article are entirely my own.

• Latest Posts

Hi I am Kash aka the BudgetTraveller I'm the Luxury Hostels guy and for the last 14 years are sharing ways of how you can travel in style on a budget. Say hello to me here or on Instagram/Twitter. Lets connect!

12 years a digital nomad- Reflections and life coming full circle

Athens evening food tour of koukaki reviewed, things to do in odense- what to see, where to eat and drink, you may also like.

Day trips from Rome for under €50

Where to eat in Gozo on a budget

Things to do in Bregenz: Culture, Cake and Constance

Good insight and fit with your blog, Kash. When I planned my first solo trip to Europe, I was hesitant to go full-on alone at first so I booked a Busabout trip to Greece to get my feet wet. I felt like it was the perfect introduction to Europe. Though this was more of an organized tour, the company gave us flexibility to do our own thing and stay on islands that we liked for a few extra days if we chose to do so. We had the opportunity to catch up with the group thereafter. I like that you can do your own thing but meet other people too. That said, now that I’m in my thirties, I probably wouldn’t use Busabout now but loved this idea for when I was in my twenties.

• Pingback: Why I won't be going back to Barcelona -
• Pingback: 15 budget bus companies to check out on your next trip to Europe -
• Pingback: My 75 tips to save money when travelling in Europe -

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

More Stories

The land of ‘Black Gold’ : Visit to the Acetaia di Giorgio, Modena

    It’s difficult to know one’s calling in life….   For example, travel blogging is a profession that has come to me after…

• Coach Tours Britain & Ireland
• Coach Tours of Europe
• Coach Tours Worldwide

7-10 Day Tours of Europe visiting three or more countries

Looking for a tour 11 days or longer click here for a keyword or tour code search click here, european highlights with eurostar™ extension.

Short on time, but want a jam-packed adventure filled with European Highlights? Cruise down the Rhine River, savour a banquet in a castle and catch your breath as you see the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Yo...   read more»

• A Coach Tour of Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Franc...
• Lasting for 7 Days
• Prices Starting From £299 per day

Glimpse of Europe

Enjoy the mesmerising landscapes and rich heritage and flavours of Europe. Travel through the lush green Dutch countryside to the beautiful Rhine Valley, the shores of Lake Lucerne, and Paris, the 'Ci...   read more»

Europe Taster (ET)

• Enjoy a free day to explore Paris, with optional cabaret show
• Optional visit to Jungfraujoch during your free day in the Swiss Alps
• A Coach Tour of France, Switzerland, Germany, The Nether...
• Prices Starting From £125 per day

London to Rome Highlights

Short on time, but big on appetite to see all the highlights from London to Rome? This 8 day journey including Italy’s iconic Venice, Florence and Rome is the perfect fit for you. You’ll see the Eiffe...   read more»

• A Coach Tour of England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Vat...
• Lasting for 8 Days
• Prices Starting From £191 per day

European Traveller

Stroll through streets filled with romance, history and adventure as you travel Europe. Feed your imagination as you explore ancient Rome, watch master craftsmen create treasures in Venice and admire ...   read more»

European Dream

Hit the ground running on this 8-day Europe trip, transporting you to the beating heart of glittering cities and the picture-perfect countryside. You’ll know dreams do come true as you admire Paris, M...   read more»

• A Coach Tour of Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France

European Vistas (EV)

• Cruise along the canals in Amsterdam and the Rhine River in Germany
• Explore Paris, Innsbruck, Venice, Lucerne, Burgundy and Brussels
• A Coach Tour of The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy...
• Prices Starting From £115 per day

Taste of Eastern Europe (MET)

• Explore incredible Neuschwanstein Castle; the inspiration for the fairytale castle in Disneyland
• Visit Salzburg; the birthplace of Mozart
• A Coach Tour of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Cze...
• Prices Starting From £89 per day

Scenic Europe (MAL)

• Visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for the fairytale castle in Disneyland
• Explore Innsbruck, the Italian Lake District, Lucerne, Verona and more
• A Coach Tour of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzer...
• Lasting for 9 Days
• Prices Starting From £98 per day

Rome to Amsterdam (EX2L)

• Walking tour of Rome with a local guide
• Opportunity to visit Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps
• Cruise the Rhine Valley in Germany and the canals of Amsterdam
• A Coach Tour of Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, German...
• Lasting for 10 Days
• Prices Starting From £90 per day

Best of Western Europe (EB1L)

• Enjoy full free days to explore Paris and Lucerne
• Experience the famous Champagne region of France and the Rhine Falls in Switzerland
• A Coach Tour of United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Germ...
• Prices Starting From £121 per day

GLIMPSE OF EUROPE SUMMER 2024

7 days from £1035

A 7 day first class tour at an affordable price by coach from Amsterdam to Germany, Switzerland and to Paris. Start with canals and clogs, see Swiss mountain railways that use cogs, perhaps finish with a can can

LONDON TO ROME HIGHLIGHTS 2024

8 days from £1350

A one way tour which takes your from London to Rome. The only roundtrip tours that include Rome are 12 days or longer, so this 8 day tour is a chance to include Rome and see some top places in between

EUROPEAN HIGHLIGHTS WINTER 2024/25

7 or 8 days end Paris or London

A first class tour with Trafalgar Tours. Delve into the landscapes of Europe, from Amsterdam's gabled façades and lush Burgundy vineyards, to the sophistication of Paris and the mystical White Cliffs of Dover.

Why a Multi-Country Tour of Europe?

 Whether you're visiting Europe for the first or the hundredth time the diversity makes it difficult to decide where to go, especially if you're short on time. These 7 to 10 day tours provide you with a flavour of the diverse countries that make up Europe. The starting points vary for your multi-country tour of Europe. Most start in London and travel either to Brussels, Amsterdam, or Paris as the first stop. 

Skip London if You Want

If you want to avoid London at the beginning or end of your tour that's no problem. You can join or leave at the hotel in the city where the tour starts or ends. This gives you additional options to extend your stay in those cities. Here at Global Coach Tours we’ve brought together a great selection of the best multi-country tours, Whether it's a budget coach tour with Expat Explore, a mid-range bus tour with CostSaver or Cosmos, a first class tour with Trafalgar, or a luxury tour with Insight Vacations. We have tours to suit every budget.

Most Dates Guaranteed

Pick a guaranteed date to make sure your tour goes exactly to plan. Around 90% of tours operate as planned, but occasionally, some dates do not achieve sufficient numbers to operate and departures get consolidated with the previous or following weeks tour. This may be alright if you are flexible, but if you need to have airfare and other arrangements sorted either side of the tour, we strongly recommend you select a ‘guaranteed date’. Global Coach Tours suggest you book as far in advance as you can to get the best deals. The clockwise route around Europe typically takes you to either Brussels or Amsterdam. Followed by Germany Austria and Switzerland. Venice may also be included. You will then head back to London via Paris for one or two nights. Highlights will include Swiss mountain scenery, a Rhine cruise, glassblowing in Venice, perhaps a gondola ride.  

Don't Forget Paris

In Paris, the city of lights, you will enjoy a city tour showing you all the main sites such as the Louvre, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame and the River Seine. On premium tours ascending the Eiffel tower to the second level will be included. Some tours start in London and go first to Paris, whilst others go one way between London and Rome or Paris and Rome. Rome is a great place to start or end a tour and you'll be blown away by St Peter's Basilica, the Spanish Steps, Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. If a tour visits three or more countries we consider it a multi-country tour. So you will also find some Eastern Europe tours in this section. Then perhaps you will start in Munich or Frankfurt, visiting Prague, Vienna and maybe Budapest. Some tours will take you further south to Croatia and Slovenia, whilst others will head to Poland. There you can visit Warsaw or Krakow, which is the nearest main city to Auschwitz.   Wherever you choose, 7 to 10 days spent in Europe might just be the most amazing holiday you've ever taken and will leave you hungry for more.   Advanced Search

Busabout Review: Is This Backpacker Bus Worth it? (2020)

Let’s take a few minutes and review Busabout, which has become a favorite mode of travel for Kiwi’s, Aussies, and Americans backpacking Europe. 

But even with all their success, I am willing to wager that with the endless lines of travel companies vying for your attention that you haven’t heard of Busabout. 

Luckily, I’m here to introduce you… Busabout this is my awesome audience, audience this is Busabout. (insert vigorous handshake here)

Over the last several years I’ve traveled with Busabout a few times.

I used both their hop on hop off Europe bus loops as well as their guided tours to get near places like Italy Amalfi Coast . Each trip with has left me with unforgettable memories , life long friends, and epic adventures.

By now you are probably asking yourself  “But what’s so great about them? Are they a traditional tour organization? What are their advantages and disadvantages?”

We will discover this and more in the Busabout review below.

What’s Different Between Busabout and Tours?

Busabout isn’t a traditional tour where you are with the same driver, guide, and people for the entire time.

Instead, they take a “Freestyle Travel” approach. This means you can hop on or off there network of buses whenever you want. For example say you arrive in Rome where you are planning on spending three days learning all the facts about Rome , and seeing the city. But soon realize that’s not enough time in the eternal city.

With Busabout staying longer isn’t an issue. When you are ready to leave just hop on their next bus out of town. You have no one standing over your shoulder hurrying you along. 

After all, it’s your trip, and therefore where you want to spend your time is your choice.

Busabout Routes

I’ve been traveling the world 24/7 for the last 7 years. Along the way I have found some pretty cool places, learned awesome stunning travel tips, and had unforgettable adventures. Helping you travel is my passion.

Curious? Check out these fun facts about me ! 

The routes are a big draw for a lot of backpackers doing a whirlwind tour of Europe. Busabout visits an impressive 38 cities from stunning capitals like Paris to charming towns like Lake Bled.

Their current 2019 routes and cities include Bruges, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Munich, Bologna, Venice, Orvieto, Rome, Siena, Florence (And there are some amazing things to do in Florence Italy ), La Spezia, Lake Como, Lauterbrunnen, Lucerne, Grunau, Salzburg, Bratislava, Vienna, Krakow, Zakopane, Budapest, Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Ellmau, Stuttgart, Bern, Milan, Avignon, Nice, Barcelona, Bordeaux, San Sebastian ,

If a city you’re dying to explore isn’t on one of their routes, don’t stress. You can go your own way anytime and catch back up with the bus in a different city. 

Some of you might see this as a drawback when compared to services like Eurail that gives you the freedom to go anywhere at any time.

Although, if you are traveling Europe for a few weeks to a couple of months Busabout can take you to most of the famous cities and sights around Europe stress-free. But the tradeoff is that it is harder to get off the beaten path.

Busbaout Hop on Hop Off Europe Passes

They offer a bunch of passes at different price points but here is a quick overview of three of my favorite.

1 and 2 Week Pass – In all honesty, this probably won’t save you too much money compared to you traveling yourself. However, it will surround you with like-minded travelers and lift a lot of the stress from your shoulders.

2 Month pass – This offers great value for the money. If you move fast enough you can cover most of the cities; however, I would suggest moving slower and taking your time.

Unlimited Pass- Just slightly more than the 2- month ticket this is without a doubt the best value for your money. With this in your back pocket, you have unlimited travel with Busabout for 6 months. (from May-Oct)

Strengths of Busabout

Hostel Drop Off – A major perk of the hop off-network is that they drop you off at a hostel doorstep. Imagine not lugging your bags miles through a city just to get to your bed! If you booked a different hostel the guides can help give you directions. Personally, I think the hostels they work with are awesome and most of them offer free walking tours. 

You can book the hostels at the drop off points through Busabout’s website , app, or hostelworld ( If you are a savvy traveler and want to compare prices).

In peak season I suggest booking hostels a week or two in advance, to secure your bed, but booking too far in advance will limit your freedom.

The People – Busabout’s biggest strength is Eurail’s biggest weakness, people. Everyone is headed in the same direction, most likely the same cities, and working in a similar time frame. Often you will run into the same people multiple times, and each happy reunion is greeted with hugs and parties. It feels like you haven’t seen each other in weeks, although its probably only been a few days.

Making close friends is easy when you’re on the buses together and staying in the same hostels. While exploring the cities you’ll end up doing city (Like the Urban Adventures we tall about in our Intrepid tours review ) having hazy nights out, and wild adventures together.

The Busabout experience creates an atmosphere for building close bonds with your fellow travelers. This makes them a great choice for solo, female, or new travelers. I still talk to people I met on Busabout years ago.

The Staff – Busabout also has one of the most helpful staffs I’ve ever encountered. They’re friendly, helpful, and love their jobs. They give you advice, let you know about local hotspots, and teach you some basic phrases in the countries language.

Weaknesses of Busabout

One Way – Most of the routes are one way which means you can’t double back. For example, you can travel from Berlin to Prague, not vice versa. But I’ve never had a problem planning my travels to correspond with their routes.

Wifi – The Busabout buses have wifi, but it doesn’t work half the time. We live in the age where many public trains and buses in Europe have working wifi, so Busabout needs to up their game. 

That being said I haven’t traveled with Busabout for a while so maybe they have already fixed the wifi problem.

HOw Much Does Busabout Cost?

Recent Post

Popular Post

How Much Does It cost to Travel Europe for a month

Awesome Resources Before Traveling Europe

INsider Guide to Backpacking Europe

Walks of Italy Review

Now I bet some of you are saying, “ Wow, I mean, these passes sound great, but I bet they aren’t affordable for a budget backpacker like me.”

Well then, let’s get down to brass tax and talk about the passes and prices.

Busabout Prices

1 Week Pass –  $229 2 Week Pass – $439 1 Month Pass –  $829 2 Month Pass-  $1019 Unlimited Pass-  $1189  (Unlimited travel between May-Oct 2019)

If you have a lot of time, anything over two months, the unlimited pass holds the best value.  I find it mind blowing that for just over $1,100 you get six months of nonstop travel through 16 countries and 38 different cities in Europe.   That’s enough time to take a couple of month trip, go home, save more, and take another trip using the same pass!

The passes are a little more expensive than a Eurail, another way I love to travel to Europe. 

However, with Busbaout there are no reservation fees  (which can add up quick with Eurail) , so it probably equals to around the same price in the longer run. Plus, the longest Eurail pass is only three months.

Is Busabout Worth It?

Well, that depends on how you like to travel. If you don’t mind knowing where you are heading in advance, then Busabout is a great option. If you want to wake up, hop on a train at a whim and head to an unknown destination that you should check out my Eurail Review .

Busabout is also a fantastic option if you are backpacking Europe solo, new to travel, or looking for a relaxing holiday that doesn’t take to much planning. 

They focus on keeping all the good things about a tour while disguarding the bad ones.

I can’t help but smile when I look back at my time on their hop on and off-network and Sail Croatia tour. The friends I made all over the world have stuck with me, the adventures were beyond epic, and the places I visited are some of the best in Europe.

Check Out Busabout

Have you used them at all? Then leave your experience in the comments below! After reading this Busabout review what do you think, would you like to travel with them?

Related Posts

Important things you should consider when looking for a hotel, you shouldn’t overlook these 6 things the next time you travel, the best ibiza beach clubs for sun, sand, and sound in 2023, best backpacking tips to travel in canada, 41 thoughts on “busabout review: is this backpacker bus worth it (2020)”.

i have never heard of busabout – thank you for sharing your insight and experience with us! when it comes to travel though, i like to keep it pretty conventional either by car or plane haha

Thx! I am glad you like the post! haha it is nice! It’s the easiest way to trvel Europe.

This is a great system for backpackers on the move! Buses through most of Europe’s major cities! Yes please! Having the route planned out for you in advance takes a lot of the stress of travel planning off your back. Getting dropped off at the doorstep of a hostel sounds amazing. The less moving of luggage, the better. It’s good to know that all of the buses are one-way routes, that helps with knowing where to go next but can be a bit limiting I suppose. It’s always a miracle when the bus WIFi works, I hope they continue improving. Thanks for sharing!

This is an interesting read- I haven’t heard about Busabout before. It’s cool that they have collaborated with hostels where they drop you off. A bit sad that you can’t do a turnaround trip, does seem little lesser flexibility than Eurorail. Also, that their WIFI doesn’t work so well is a disadvantage. Having said that, as long as the route connects you to major cities in Europe, it’s a pretty inexpensive and cool way for backpackers to travel around at low cost.

Yep! If you are going on a loop, instead of backtracking then this is a great choice. Hopefully the wifi is fixed by now.

I haven’t tried busabout in Europe. I actually went around to different countries via plane but it’s interesting. I should try it next time.

For our Spain trip, we haven’t decided where we are going to go, from the looks of this map, if I stay in Barcelona I could make a trip to Provence, too. That would be incredible.

haha yes! check them out!

I had no idea there was such a service as this! We have been studying Italy and have been trying to figure out the best way to go to multiple cities, thanks for this info!

Haha cool! Glad you like it. If you are just heading to Italy than trains are the better option. But if you are moving around a lot of countries check out Busabout.

I had NO idea this existed!! We are planning to roadtrip in Europe later this year and it sounds like a perfect way to move around for cheap. So very convenient. Thank you!

Very cool! If you use them let me know what you think!

I haven’t heard of this before. The few times I’ve gone out of the country, we haven’t done any tours, but I would love to!

Glad you like the post! Thanks for the comment.

Never knew about Busabout. Thanks for bringing it to our attention/ We did a month in Europe last October using trains, going to 5 cities

Awesome! I love trains, but if I want to relax and not plan then busabout is a great option.

I am a huge fan of hop on hop off buses & have used them every time I have visited any European city.This service too looks very useful.

haha Thanks for the comment Subhashish. Hope you check them out next time.

This is such a new concept of mode of travel for me. I am used to planning my destinations.

But I guess I should try this, the prices seem reasonable to me.

THe price for the amount of time definitely makes it worth it if you are going around Europe for a few months.

I have thought about using Busabout in the past but haven’t looked into the company, thank you for the introduction. The routes are certainly convenient

NP! The routes are awesome for hitting all the main sites. Thanks for the comment.

What a great way to travel. Never heard about the company and it sounds really good. The network is amazing. Wouldn’t mind to try it out one day.

Seems like great concept to change up your way of travel! I’ve never been abroad, but plan to one day. I’ll have to keep this in mind.

I will have to keep this in mind when the time comes that we can go traveling again. It does seem like a good service, especially if it is your first time in a new city. Thanks for the thorough review!

Wow this is great for European travelers! This is very useful information!

I have never heard about Busabout before. Great to know that they have both hop-on-hop-off buses and guided tours. And that they travel between major European cities! Good tip that the Unlimited Pass may be the best value. This is certainly something our children may be interested in trying.

I have heard of Busabout, but didn’t know what’s all about. This is the first time I read a post about it. For young backpackers with a thirst for exploring Europe, Busabout seems like a dream come true.

Glad to read you keep nice memories of Croatia.

Cheers from Croatia 🙂

I’ve seen these kind of “tours.” They’re so cool and such a great option for people who don’t want to try and setup separate ways to go see multiple spots.

My nephew is getting ready for a backpacking trip through Europe. I”ll send your site information over to him for some helpful hints!

Hmm, I’m not that adventurous so when it comes to traveling, I would rather have tours. :0)

I confess that I’d never heard about Busabout, but am glad to know of it now. The routing seems to be ultra-convenient, hitting many major European cities like Berlin and Barcelona. I’ll have to keep this in mind for my backpacking teenagers, thanks for the tip!

Not happy to hear that the WiFi isn’t reliable on the Busabout. That’s important, more so with so much going on via online.

I never heard of this service before. It sounds like it’s great, especially when you’re in a foreign country.

Woah… This is crazy wonderful. I am pinning This for my trip coming up soon.

I’ve never heard of this but it sounds great. I would consider trying this.

This is so interesting, very creative and makes everything easy, i have not heard about them before and the hostel collaboration is a huge plus

I quite like the Busabout concept. Will help to connect with like-minded people & make new friends.

Well this is new information! Who knew this existed? I have to plan a trip now

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

• INTELLIGENT TRAVEL

Tour Guide: Busabout Europe

We all know that the Eurail is one of the most convenient ways to travel around Europe, but it can also cost a pretty penny (er, euro). But for the young and adventurous (or even young at heart) there’s another option: Busabout , or more specifically, Busabout Explorer, which expanded on the "hop-on, hop-off" city tour bus model to create network covering 30 cities in ten European countries.

The cool part: Busabout has its own tour guides that travel with passengers on every bus. So before arriving at each city, they can tell you everything you need to know about that destination, as well as answer questions and give recommendations on where to stay, eat, etc. Once you arrive at your city, the exploration part is up to you, so you’re never being dragged on any boring, stereotypical tours. The guides also have an extensive selection of the best accommodations in every city of hostels, budget hotels, and camping villages, all based on Busabout passenger recommendations, so it takes the guesswork out of finding a decent (and affordable) place to stay.

Neat technology: Every Busabout guide carries a handheld computer that has a seat- and bed-booking system. This means that travelers never need to search a city for a cheap Internet café to book the next part of their trip. Every passenger also gets a Busabout Travel Pass, a card which holds your personal details, a full itinerary and other useful information, and is swiped through the handheld computer so that someone in the world knows where you are (worrisome parents, perhaps?).

The best part: Trip options are split into loops, the Northern Loop (like Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Munich), Southern Loop (think Venice, Rome, Florence, and Nice), and Western Loop (to Paris, Nice, Avignon, Barcelona, Madrid, Bordeaux, and beyond). Travelers can stay for as many days as they like in each city, and the Busabout buses stop in every city once every two days, making travel easy. Busabout also encourages sustainable tourism , and is part of The Leading Travel Companies of the World Conservation Foundation (which is always a plus in our books). The pretty penny: Loop passes start at $639 for one loop. The Flexitrip pass costs $549 for six stops along any of the three loops, plus $59 for each additional "hop."

Photo: Busabout

Subscribe to this blog’s feed

• Nat Geo Expeditions

FOURTH OF JULY SPECIAL

Get National Geographic magazine for $10 off

Related Topics

• TRANSPORTATION
• Environment

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Interactive Graphic
• Paid Content
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Did you know that in Europe, buses are often the cheapest way to travel from place to place? The long-distance luxury buses are frequently used by locals and visitors alike because bus travel allows you to cover large distances on a budget.

The standards for bus travel in Europe is much higher compared to other bus networks like Greyhound in the USA, and most operators are very modern, offering online booking and ticketing.

Buying Bus Tickets in Europe

Since bus prices don’t fluctuate like airline tickets , planning as you go is a budget-friendly plan. While there is not an equivalent to Greyhound bus in Europe, you will find even better options.

Traveling by bus in Europe is a favorite mode of transport for students, backpackers, and locals. While bus travel in Europe is not as fast as train or flight, it is by far the cheapest way to get from A to B if you are traveling Europe on a budget.

Buses in Europe are well-equipped with modern conveniences and have big comfortable seats. The majority of buses in Europe have climate control, restrooms, reclining seats, and tinted windows. You will find that on popular routes, buses are even equipped with TV/video equipment.

The largest long-distance bus provider in Europe is Flixbus .When traveling Europe, you’re bound to see plenty of these oversized green buses transporting fellow budget travelers between the major cities. Although they are usually the cheapest way to get from A to B, they have a great reputation, are very clean and comfortable.

Because of Europe’s fragmented past, there are also a lot of regional bus travel companies serving popular bus routes throughout Europe. In order to make sure you’re getting the best deal, the easiest way to find a bus option is to use the travel search website, Omio . They have the most extensive inventory of European bus companies.

Using Omio , you can compare train, bus, and even flight options for thousands of routes to see the best options. They offer direct booking and mobile tickets in their app.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Europe

You have probably seen the hop on hop off bus tours within cities in Europe, but did you know that this concept applies to the entire European continent?

Busabout is a hop-on, hop-off bus travel company in Europe that also provides deals on accommodation. Busabout is a good option if you want to stay completely flexible. Many solo travelers like this style of travel because of the community atmosphere of the buses. You will inevitably meet fellow backpackers to spend time in cities with, and Busabout also provides guided tours and activities.

Note: Unfortunately, Busabout has suspended their operations in Europe since Covid hit. But once they’re ready to come back, it’s a great option to travel Europe by bus!

Organized Group Trips

If you’re in Europe for a backpacking trip, there are situations when it might make sense to go with a guide or a small group. For these times, one popular option among backpackers is Contiki tours. These trips are geared toward travelers 18-35, and offers more than just transportation, it’s an organized social group travel, which is perfect for young solo travelers. Contiki tours are perfect for people looking to have a blast, meet new friends, and form lifelong memories. There are Contiki tours that cover the entire European continent or specific regions.

Another option for group travel is  G Adventures . They hand-select local guides to ensure authenticity and quality, and their affordable tours include accommodation for a range of budgets. Going with G Adventures is especially a good option for those traveling Europe alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travelers.

Safety Issues When Traveling by Bus in Europe

Bus travel in Europe is exceptionally safe. In fact, according to the Statistical Federal Office, bus travel is the safest mode of transport on the roads in Europe. Many bus travel companies in Europe offer you an increased level of security by picking up and dropping off passengers directly from hostels .

This can allow you to avoid bus stations, which can be unsafe at night. The convenient drop off points also means that if the bus stops in a city that you want to see, you can disembark right in the city center. As with any travel, be sure to keep an eye on your belongings.

Useful Links for Bus Travel in Europe

• Omio – search buses and trains for all countries in Europe. Offers online booking and mobile tickets for bus tickets.
• FlixBus   – the leading bus company in all of Europe
• Eurolines   – another major bus company in Europe with point-to-point express service.
• Busabout   – a hop-on, hop-off tour bus company in Europe that also provides deals on accommodation
• Travelling Europe by train

Liked this article? Share it with others who might be after the same information!

I WANT TO TRAVEL EUROPE BY BUS PASS PL GUIDE ME CAN I USE HOPON HOP OFF SIGHT SEEING BUSES IN BUS PAss CAN I TRAVEL WITHIN CITI BY PUBLIC BUSSES I WANT TO PURCHASE BUS PASS IN SUMMER

Need help to explore Europe by Bus and accomodations in different cities.

Leave a Reply

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Europe Bus Trips 2024/2025

Bus trips in Europe. Looking to explore Europe on a bus tour? We offer 40+ bus tours through-out Europe, backed by 25+ reviews and offering discounts up to 35%. All our trips are offered by expert trip designers and Europe destination experts, with trip durations ranging from 2 to 24 days.

Showing  44 Trips in Europe  with 28 Reviews

We use cookies to analyze traffic and give you personalized content and ads. It's an essential part of giving you a great site experience. Click on the 'Accept' button if you agree with our use of tracking and analytical cookies. Please refer to our  Cookie Policy  for more information.

Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus 7 Day Package

Dubrovnik to Athens

• Brochure Price: USD 3,450
• Special Deal 30% OFF - USD 1,035
• Total Price from: USD 2,415

Patterns Of Turkey - 13 Days

• Brochure Price: USD 1,850
• Special Deal 15% OFF - USD 278
• Total Price from: USD 1,573

Best Of Turkey - 10 Days

• Brochure Price: USD 1,500
• Special Deal 20% OFF - USD 300
• Total Price from: USD 1,200

Treasures of Turkey

• Brochure Price: USD 2,095
• Special Deal 14% OFF - USD 287
• Total Price from: USD 1,808

11 Days - Salamanca, Vigo, Porto, Lisbon, Seville, Granada & Toledo From Madrid

Undiscovered Balkans

Anatolian Trilogy

• Brochure Price: USD 2,225
• Special Deal 25% OFF - USD 556
• Total Price from: USD 1,669

7 Day Guided Tour Castilla And Portugal From Madrid

4 Days-istanbul&cappadocia

• Brochure Price: USD 770
• Special Deal 15% OFF - USD 116
• Total Price from: USD 655

From Copenhagen to Berlin: The Baltic Sea and the Oder and Havel Rivers (port-to-port cruise)

4-days Seven Churches Of Revelation

• Brochure Price: USD 615
• Special Deal 15% OFF - USD 92
• Total Price from: USD 523

4-day Andalusia And Toledo Guided Tour From Madrid

Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans Windmills day tour

Europe bus tour reviews.

• Julia Clarke
• Europe Tours
• Europe Eco tours
• Europe Solo trips
• Europe Tours for senior citizens
• Europe Tours for young adults
• Europe Family tour packages
• Europe Guided tours
• Europe Group tours
• Europe Budget tours
• Europe Travel deals
• Europe Small group tours
• Europe Tailor-made vacation packages
• Europe Last minute deals
• Europe Private tours
• Europe Self-guided tours
• Europe Luxury tours
• Europe Romantic holidays

Popular Destinations

• Italy Tours
• France Tours
• Spain Tours
• Turkey Tours
• Greece Tours
• England Tours
• Germany Tours
• Portugal Tours
• Croatia Tours
• Holland Tours
• Hungary Tours
• Austria Tours
• Scotland Tours
• Iceland Tours
• Switzerland Tours
• Ireland Tours
• Czech Republic Tours
• Romania Tours
• Norway Tours
• Denmark Tours
• Finland Tours
• Belgium Tours
• Sweden Tours
• Georgia Tours
• Bulgaria Tours
• Poland Tours
• Estonia Tours
• Albania Tours
• Lithuania Tours
• Slovenia Tours

Popular Activities

• Active and outdoor Tours
• Adventure Tours
• Art and architecture Tours
• Beach Tours
• Bicycle Tours
• City sightseeing Tours
• Cruise Tours
• Cultural, religious and historic sites Tours
• Explorer Tours
• Local culture Tours
• Museum and gallery visits Tours
• Natural landmarks sightseeing Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Trekking and Hiking Tours
• Walking Tours

Upcoming Departures

• Summer tours
• Spring tours
• Winter tours
• July 2024 tours
• August 2024 tours
• September 2024 tours
• October 2024 tours
• November 2024 tours
• December 2024 tours
• January 2025 tours
• February 2025 tours
• March 2025 tours
• April 2025 tours
• May 2025 tours
• June 2025 tours
• July 2025 tours
• August 2025 tours
• September 2025 tours
• October 2025 tours
• November 2025 tours
• December 2025 tours
• January 2026 tours
• February 2026 tours
• March 2026 tours
• April 2026 tours
• May 2026 tours
• July 2026 tours

Trips per Duration

• 1 day tours
• 2 days tours
• 3 days tours
• 4 days tours
• 5 days tours
• 6 days tours
• 1 week tours
• 8 days tours
• 9 days tours
• 10 days tours
• 11 days tours
• 12 days tours
• 13 days tours
• 2 weeks tours
• 15 days tours
• 16 days tours
• 17 days tours
• 18 days tours
• 19 days tours
• 20 days tours
• 3 weeks tours

Deals of the Week   Must-haves for 2025   Up to 50% OFF

Europe Tours & Trips

• Europe from London
• Europe 10 day
• Europe River Cruise
• Eastern Europe
• Western Europe

250+ Europe tour packages with 93,464 reviews

Explorer Family Coach / Bus Christmas & New Year +1

Europe Taster

"I loved all the activities. The river cruise was nice and the wine tasting was great in Germany." Lesley, traveled in June 2024

• 10% deposit on some dates

Explorer Family Coach / Bus

Europe Escape

"Had the best time on this tour. Would recommend for families travelling together!" Maria, traveled in May 2024

Explorer Sightseeing Wine tasting +1

European Horizon (Start London, End London, 11 Days)

"I absolutely loved being able to go on my trip. I got to meet so many like-minded people and do so much more than I ever imagined possible." Amy, traveled in July 2022

• €100 deposit on some dates

Explorer Coach / Bus

European Discovery (Start Amsterdam, Age 27-35, 12 Days)

"I made a bunch of friends on the trip, everything being organized for us and planned out was epic." Anthony, traveled in September 2023

Explorer Family Historical Christmas & New Year +1

The Great Adventure

"Everything on the tour was so well organised and the hotels we stayed at were very clean, spacious and had a big variety for breakfast." Marina, traveled in February 2023

In-depth Cultural Family Christmas & New Year +1

European Highlights Escape - 12 Days

"The trip was very well organized and the mentioned hotels were of high quality!" Lotte, traveled in June 2019

• €50 deposit on some dates

Explorer Family Coach / Bus Sightseeing Historical Christmas & New Year +3

United Kingdom and Ireland ( 10 days )

"Efficiently organised. Covered several places in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland." RAJENDRAN, traveled in May 2024

In-depth Cultural Active Explorer Christmas & New Year +2

Mamma Mia! - 13 Days/12 Nights

"This sentiment was shared by the entire group. Anastasia was devoted to ensuring the group felt taken care of." Matt, traveled in September 2023

In-depth Cultural Active Family Explorer Coach / Bus +3

Best of Ireland and Scotland (15 Days)

"Everything went smoothly." Donna, traveled in September 2022

Britain and Ireland Delight (Summer, 8 Days)

"The bus had problems with air con too, but the new bus was not as comfortable." phillip, traveled in June 2023

Explorer Historical Christmas & New Year +1

Balkan Discovery (4 Star Hotels)

"It was an amazing experience with very knowledgeable tour guide all the way through 7 countries." Sidona, traveled in April 2024

• €150 deposit on some dates

All About Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

"The hotels were good and centrally located for the most part." LuisAlonso, traveled in April 2024

Explorer Family Coach / Bus Historical Christmas & New Year +2

European Cavalcade (End Paris, 18 Days)

"Awesome trip, travel director great fun and very knowledgeable, would definitely use again." Carla, traveled in April 2024

Timeless Cities in Modern Transportation: Turkey Unleashed 10 Day Tour

"I liked the fact that it was a small group. We got along really well." Sonia, traveled in May 2024

Explorer Beach Family Island Hopping Sightseeing Historical +3

Best of Greece (15 days) Athens & 4 Islands in 15 days (Self-Guided)

"The tours, hotels, transfers and customer service were all great. Very nice price for the first timers to experience what there is to offer." Cassandra, traveled in March 2024

What people love about Europe Tours

This trip exceeded my expectations. It was a great way to see many places in Europe within a short time and to give a taste of those places. After after visited, I would like to explore these destinations further. Our guide again was fantastic!

The team from Zara tours guiding and supporten us on the Lemosho route on Kilimanjaro was outstanding. We was taken good care of at all times, on the treck, in the camps and when needing assistance. All did their outmost to make our trip as good as possible for us to succeed to the top of Africa. My warmest reccomendations for them.

Ashleigh was absolutely amazing as a tour guide, very knowledgeable, fun and overall great personality

Top operators

"Overall, the tour experience was amazing! However, some of the hotels were not convenient and/or were not in the safest neighborhoods! Also, on most of the included excursions, the restaurants were not what I expected! I expected better food, and restaurants that locals would go!

Expat Explore Travel is an expert in:

• In-depth Cultural

"the trip was really well organised and we were really well informed for all the locations about history and language

Contiki is an expert in:

• Festival & Events

"Tour was very enjoyable and went according to time and the sights visited were intriguing.

Europamundo is an expert in:

• River Cruise

Destinations

• Western Europe tours (6569)
• Mediterranean tours (4712)
• Balkans tours (2299)
• Central Europe tours (2139)
• UK and Great Britain tours (718)
• Nordic / Scandinavia tours (615)
• Eastern Europe tours (474)
• Baltic tours (175)
• Italy tours (1181)
• Greece tours (877)
• Turkey tours (648)
• France tours (580)
• Spain tours (561)
• Germany tours (552)
• Croatia tours (399)
• Portugal tours (310)
• Austria tours (296)
• Iceland tours (278)
• Ireland tours (234)
• Romania tours (201)
• Scotland tours (181)
• England tours (165)
• Albania tours (143)
• Norway tours (121)
• Switzerland tours (92)
• Finland tours (92)
• Slovenia tours (89)
• Bosnia tours (80)
• Netherlands tours (62)
• Poland tours (58)
• Czech Republic tours (49)
• Bulgaria tours (48)
• Sweden tours (45)
• Montenegro tours (29)
• Serbia tours (23)
• Malta tours (23)
• Macedonia tours (18)
• Slovakia tours (16)
• Hungary tours (15)
• Moldova tours (14)
• Svalbard tours (11)
• Wales tours (10)
• Northern Ireland tours (10)
• Estonia tours (10)
• Lithuania tours (9)
• Denmark tours (9)
• Belgium tours (7)
• Latvia tours (7)

Travel Styles

• Small Group (2937)
• Budget (1087)
• Luxury (1084)
• Singles and Solo (8832)
• For Couples (4170)
• Young Adults (493)
• Seniors (4660)
• Group (7415)
• Fully Guided (6278)
• Family (6186)
• Explorer (5055)
• Personalized (3234)
• In-depth Cultural (2717)
• Private (2075)
• Partially Guided (1625)
• Self-Guided (1523)
• River Cruise (1185)
• Coach / Bus (1184)
• Bicycle (815)
• Hiking & Trekking (711)
• Active (650)
• Sailing (312)
• Custom (173)
• Intl. Flights Included (173)
• Self Drive (154)
• Food & Culinary (135)
• Train & Rail (109)
• Northern Lights (98)
• Ocean Cruise (78)
• Festival & Events (63)
• Health, Spa & Wellness (16)
• Educational (15)
• Romantic (14)
• Honeymoon (12)
• Jeep & 4WD (7)
• Gay Travel (6)
• Hop On/Off (6)
• 3 Day Tours (601)
• 7 Day Tours (2859)
• 10 Day Tours (3880)
• 2 Week Tours (1369)
• 3 Week Tours (855)
• 4 Week Tours (163)
• 1 Month+ Tours (43)
• Summer 2024 (6730)
• Fall / Autumn 2024 (7835)
• Winter 2024 / 2025 (3187)
• Spring 2025 (4474)
• Spring 2026 (586)
• July 2024 (5962)
• August 2024 (6686)
• September 2024 (7092)
• October 2024 (6294)
• November 2024 (3390)
• December 2024 (2919)
• January 2025 (2140)
• February 2025 (2184)
• March 2025 (2810)
• April 2025 (3036)
• May 2025 (3422)
• June 2025 (3330)

Europe Tours starting in

• Starting in Athens (767)
• Starting in Istanbul (519)
• Starting in London (467)
• Starting in Rome (446)
• Starting in Madrid (353)
• Starting in Paris (257)
• Starting in Amsterdam (241)
• Starting in Dublin (226)
• Starting in Bucharest (216)
• Starting in Reykjavik (197)
• Best 3 Weeks Europe Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• 10 Best Luxury River Cruises & Lines 2022
• Hiking in Europe in February
• Hiking in Europe in January
• Hiking in Europe in March
• Hiking in Europe in April
• Hiking in Europe in May
• Hiking in Europe in June
• Hiking in Europe in July
• Hiking in Europe in August
• Hiking in Europe in September
• Hiking in Europe in October
• Hiking in Europe in December

Discover TourRadar

• New Zealand Tours
• Indonesia Tours
• Best of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour)
• Guatemala: Copan Rio Dulce Plateau - 10 days
• Ultimate South America with Galapagos Cruise
• National Park Explorer - Los Angeles Airport
• Central Nepal Tour - 7 days

• Adventure Planner New

The alternative award-winning way to travel Europe independently.

• What Makes it Unique
• How it Works
• Pick Up & Drop Off Points
• Our Accommodation
• Meet Your Travel Guides and Drivers

You choose where you go, how long you stay, and what you do.

Europe Trip Planner

• City Excursions and Activities

Get all the inspiration you need for your trip of a lifetime!

• The Best Destinations to Visit in Europe
• Hop-on Hop-off Travel Articles
• Book A Europe Pass

The ultimate flexible travel network in Europe and Asia.

• Europe Hop-on Hop-off
• Asia Unlimited Pass

Hand-crafted tours around the world run by our expert guides.

• Italian Adventure
• Turkey Aegean
• Vietnam Adventure
• Ultimate Scandi-baltic
• Morocco Encompassed

Sailing holidays and island-hopping trips to suit every style and budget.

• Croatia Sailing
• Greek Island Hopper
• Turkey Sail
• All In Croatia Sail
• Thai Islands Hopper
• Thai Islands Moon Party

Go beyond the destination and discover a side of it you didn’t know existed.

• Eastern Wanderer
• Roman Footprints
• Northern Highlights
• La Dolce Vita

Guided tours to the craziest cultural and music festivals and celebration.

• Tomorrowland
• Oktoberfest
• La Tomatina
• Ultra Croatia
• Sziget Budapest
• Lollapalooza Berlin
• Halloween Trek

Guided trips and ski packages through Europe’s winter wonderland.

• Ultimate Winter Adventure
• Eastern Festive Trek
• Scotland Highland Christmas
• Alpine Festive Trek

It can only happen in Europe. One day you’re on the Amalfi Coast savouring an Italian pizza, the next you’re in a beer hall munching bratwurst and pretzels.

• Croatia and the Balkans
• Eastern Europe
• Spain and Portugal

Roll through the legendary highways, the big cities, chill in National Parks and the sunniest beaches.

• West to East Roadtrip
• East to West Roadtrip
• East USA and Canada Adventure
• Western National Parks Adventure
• Canada Rockies

Our Asia trips suit all budgets and tastes. From Thai’s party islands and the vivacious Hanoi, all the way to the Angkor Wat and other incredible UNESCO sights.

• Unlimited Asia Pass

Ride camels across Saharan sand dunes, chill out on the golden surf beaches of Essaouira, barter in the bustling souks of Marrakech and get lost in ancient Fes.

• Morocco and the Sahara

Whenever you travel with us in Scotland and Ireland we'll cram in plenty of sightseeing, storytelling and authentic, real local experiences.

• Sustainable Tourism
• Travel Update

Plan your perfect trip. Pack your bags and go. We take care of all the rest.

Plan your perfect trip to Europe.

Create your route to Europe's most beautiful destinations. We'll book your accommodation and our expert travel guides will drive you from city-to-city by private bus transfer. You just relax and enjoy Europe in comfort.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions in place globally, we will not be running any trips in 2021. Get more information on why this decision was made and read about suggested travel alternatives with our sister brands.

Create My Custom Trip From Scratch

Don't want to start from scratch? These popular routes are a great starting point to get inspired.

Each one of these itineraries can be tailored perfectly to your travel needs.

Popular Europe Tours

First time to Europe? Start here!

See itineraries

Trips for Travellers in their 30s and 40s

Routes covering unique destinations for more experienced travellers.

Sensational Swim Spots

Dive in to these epic itineraries

Staff Picks

Our favorite routes to get you started!

Travel Europe with Alex Dyson

Road to Lollapalooza

The Great Food Tour

Trips to sink your teeth into

2 Week Trips

The perfect taster of Europe

Coast To Coast

Life’s a beach on these coastal getaways.

Weekend Breaks

Perfect trips for a long weekend.

40+ itineraries

Choose from over 40 popular travel style itineraries

See all itineraries

We offer free travel planning advice at anytime. We'd love to talk to you about your travel plans!

As European travel specialists we have over 20 years of experience to share - and we'd love to hear from you.

Ask a Question

Still researching your travels? Check out our sister company

Find out more

• +1 877 668 4328