How does it work? Very simple really - as the name describes you Hop-on and Hop-off our network around Europe. Its what independent travel is all about: the ability to design you own trip and stay for as long as you want. Bus days can be pre-booked online or with the guides on the buses and you are free to change your mind as often as you want (just be careful round the super busy times - Oktoberfest and Pamplona for example).
The beauty of Busabout is the endless opportunity to do your own thing. You can start and finish anywhere on the network and with buses picking up every 2 days from every destination your travel plan will have unlimited possiblities.
The only thing you need to decide now is which trip to take - Take a 1,2 or 3 Loop trip or a Flexitrip. Both are described below.
Loops
The Loops enable you to focus on a few corners of Europe or cover the entire network. We’ve broken the network down into 3 easy to use bite-size chunks - each of which will give you a fantastic adventure. This is a great way to explore a particular region, be it the vibrant capitals of the Northern Loop, the stunning contrasts of the Southern Loop or the romance and passion of the Western Loop. You can combine any 2 or 3 loops to design your ideal trip. You can stop at every destination once (linking cities more often - if you buy 2 or 3 loops). You can even break a loop up and make 2 or more separate holidays. Simply fly back and start right where you began. The passes available are a 1 loop trip, 2 loop trip and 3 loop trip - you decide which loops to mix and match.
Flexitrip
On the other hand if the destinations which you want to vist cover half of one loop and half of another then our
Flexitrip is the option for you. You can choose anywhere you’d like to go and then buy the number of corresponding flexistops. (A flexistop is any time you jump off the coach to overnight). This is ideal if you really want a true trans-continental adventure or have a clear idea of what cities you want to experience. For example: Start in London, stop in Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Venice and finish in Rome - all with only 9 ‘flexistops’. Stay in each city as long as you like. If you’d like to make an extra ‘stop’ in say Salzburg, simply buy an extra ‘flexistop’ from your On-board Guide.
Dummies guide to Busabout planning
OK just like the yellow books we will give you a step by step guide to planning your trip:
1. Raid the savings - how much money you have will pretty much determine how long you can go for in one trip. As a very rough estimate budget for around 30euros a day for food and accommodation - more if you eat pies all day. With thousands of types of cheese (over 250 in France alone), bread and cold meats which vary from country to country, we recommend making use of the local shops and start eating backpacker style. You will be amazed how many languages you can say 'can I have some cheese please'. Remember if your budget is tight our passes are valid for an entire season so you could break your trip with a jaunt to London to earn some temp-work pounds.
2. Back to school - the more knowledge you gain now the more rewarding your experience will be. How many of your relations or mates have said 'try and learn a bit of the language before you go!' - It is very true. But before you decide on the language you have to decide on the destination. Print out our brochure, make a cup of tea and start reading. Our Lonely Planet destination pages are a good start for an overview of what each destination has to offer. You will find links to local tourism board’s websites as well as Lederhosen manufacturers in Munich if that takes your fancy.
3. Join the dots - If the above was too taxing and you want to take it as it comes - no worries. Choose 1, 2 or 3 of the loops and worry about planning later. However if your circles on the maps have been thoroughly researched all you need to do is work out which pass is best for you. Learn about the Loops and Flexitrip above.
4. Spine tingle - Remember you don’t need to stick to our network all the time. Use it as the backbone of your trip and explore the regions around our pick-up points. Maybe you would like to spend time in Greece, Egypt Croatia or Morocco - there are no time limits within the season so go explore.
5. Splash the cash - Either buy online here or visit one of our esteemed travel agent friends from around the world.
6. MyBusabout - Once you have received your eticket, register with MyBusabout and start booking your bus journeys and accommodation. More on MyBusabout here.
7. Forget your plans - The reason we love Busabout so much is because its the way we travel ourselves. Where availability allows you can rip-up all your well-made plans and make an unscheduled visit to St Johann, just because you like the look of it. It's what we would do - so we encourage you to fly by your pants a bit too. All you need to do is ask the guide about availability and s/he can re-schedule your journeys for you.