Bus and Train Routes Across the World

Riding a bus or train in a foreign country can be daunting, especially for Americans (like us) who have limited non-car ground transportation options at home.

Buses and trains are obviously the more environmentally-friendly options, but there are other advantages, too. You get to see the countryside when you travel by land, which will give you a different perspective on the region. And you’ll have a chance to chat up fellow travelers and locals, especially on longer journeys. What else are you going to do when you’re stuck on a train for 5 days?

These websites will give you the info you need – from route maps, to ticketing information, to departure schedules – to travel by bus or train just about anywhere in the world.

North America

Bus/Coach Systems

• Greyhound
• Megabus

Regional Bus Systems

East Coast (Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Philadelphia)

• Bolt Bus
• Vamoose
• Fung Wah
• Apex (Warning: Google the safety records of the last three companies before you choose to book a trip on them. I have plenty of friends who have ridden the buses and found them to be nice enough, though with the safety record of these companies it may be wiser to pay a few more dollars and ride Greyhound.)

West Coast

• Lux Bus

Train Systems

• Amtrak (U.S. and Canada)
• VIA Rail
• Ontario Northland
• Rocky Mountaineer
• Algoma Central

Europe

Bus/Coach Systems

• Eurolines
• BusAbout

Train Systems

• Eurostar
• Eurail
• ThaylsCNL
• Cisalpino

Eurail has the most extensive (but sometimes pricey) network. Countries may also have their own networks. For example, we’ve gotten a pass and ridden extensively on the Polish and Russian train systems.

Asia

Bus/Coach Systems

• JR Bus Kanto Japan
• Alpico Japan
• Nishitetsu Japan
• GreenBusThailand
• The Transport Company, Ltd. Thailand

Train Systems

• Japan
• Thailand
• China
• Vietnam

Australia

Bus/Coach Systems

• Greyhound Australia
• Firefly Express Coaches
• Premier Motor Service
• Integrity Coach Lines
• Kynoch Coaches

Train Systems

• Rail Australia
• Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra
• Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide,Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin
• Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns
• V-Line Victoria

A phenomenal resource for train and sea based travel is Seat61, although it doesn’t have information on bus systems.

Too often people (myself included) look at flights only and never even consider the alternatives. Not only are trains and buses better for the environment; they are often cheaper than flights and provide a true adventure.

This is the fifth post in Go Green Travel Green’s 25 Days to Green Travel series. You can see the complete list of articles in the 25 Days to Green Travel Index.

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