📜 Introduction.
Not every journey has to be by plane. There are plenty of options to discover the world such as trains, buses and ferries too.
In fact, some of the most scenic, affordable, and sustainable ways to explore a country (or even cross borders) are overland. These modes of transport allow you to enjoy the journey, not only the destination, while often saving money and reducing your carbon footprint. Moreover, there are usually more daily schedules available and you can even travel overnight and save time for long distances. Some buses and trains are equipped with beds, making the journey a even a relaxing experience
From city-to-city trips to multi-country adventures, the booking platforms listed below make planning these alterative transport options easier than ever.
⚠️Disclaimer: Some of the websites below are affiliate links or require a promo code for receving a discount. If you book through them or use my personal promo code at the time of subscription or reservation, I’ll earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you), and you’ll get a discount or a special promotion too. It’s a win–win!
Please be aware that affiliate links may expire and promo codes may reach their usage limit. If you find that a link or code no longer works, kindly let me know. I’ll be happy to share an updated one (if available) directly with you.
Omio.com
For travelling across Europe, Omio.com is an absolute lifesaver. It’s perfect for booking trains, buses, and even ferries, giving you easy access to public transport across the continent without the headache of navigating multiple country-specific websites. What I love most is that it includes user reviews and ratings for many routes, helping you pick the most convenient and reliable options. Whether it’s a quick city-to-city trip or a longer international journey, Omio.com makes travel planning simple, fast, and stress-free.
🎁Subscribe here to receive up to €10 off your first booking (conditions apply)🎁
TrainPal
TrainPal is a smart platform designed to help travellers save money on train tickets across the UK and Europe. Its standout feature is split-ticketing technology, which automatically finds cheaper combinations of tickets for the same journey. In this way, it often reduces costs significantly compared to standard fares. TrainPal also allows you to book buses and other ground transport, making it a versatile option.
🎁Use the refer code below to register on TrainPal to receive up to €11 discount🎁
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12Go Asia
12Go Asia is perfect for exploring Asia by land and sea. It allows to book trains, buses, and ferries across multiple countries, making it easy to plan complex itineraries without juggling different websites. In fact, within the same reservation, you can book a train, a bus and a ferry connecting two destinations all in one click. Furthermore, the platform is now expanding globally: you can check out their worldwide portal here at 12Go.com where you can easily book trains, buses, and ferries across different countries, all in one place.
FlixBus
When it comes to long-distance bus travel across Europe, FlixBus is hard to beat. With a vast network connecting major cities and smaller towns alike, it’s ideal for travellers on a budget. Comfortable coaches, flexible schedules, and affordable fares make it popular among backpackers and road-trip enthusiasts. FlixBus is also expanding globally, now operating in the Americas, in India, and soon in Australia, making it a top choice for international bus travels.
Trip.com
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: Trip.com has truly become my favorite platform for booking, especially for purchasing train tickets in China. Travelling by rail there can feel overwhelming at first, but Trip.com makes the whole process so much easier. Being able to reserve tickets up to 60 days in advance and receive instant notifications when they’re released is a real lifesaver during busy seasons. Another big plus is their straightforward refund policy. If you change your mind, Trip.com usually keeps only the small reservation fee and refunds the rest in full, making the process both simple and fair.
🎁Use the refer code below to register on Trip.com to unlock your €10 discount🎁
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Traghetti.com
For those exploring Europe by ferry, Traghetti.com is an invaluable resource. It allows travellers to compare prices, schedules, and routes between ports across the Mediterranean and beyond. Whether you’re planning a short hop between islands or a longer international ferry journey, Traghetti.com makes booking smooth, reliable, and cost-effective.
Rome2Rio
Finally, Rome2Rio is a powerful search engine for planning multi-modal journeys worldwide. It shows routes by car, train, bus, ferry, and flight, providing estimated travel times, prices, and connections in one place. It’s an essential tool for travellers who want to compare different transport options and find the fastest or cheapest routes between any two destinations.
🎈 Conclusion
Trains, buses and ferries offer affordable, scenic, and eco-friendly alternatives to flying, whether you’re travelling within a country or across continents. These platforms make planning these journeys simpler, faster, and more convenient than ever by offering discounts and great deals. However, some destinations can only be reached by plane, so check out my posts Cheapest Airlines for Travelling the World and Best Travel Websites for Booking Cheap Flights.
💬 And you? Do you have a favorite platform for booking trains, buses, and ferries? Share your tips in the comments below and help fellow travellers discover more sustainable ways to explore the world!
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