Train vs Bus Travel in Europe: Which Is Cheapest for Backpackers?
Travelling around Europe can get expensive quickly, especially when you’re moving between multiple countries and cities. During our backpacking trip through Europe, we used everything from overnight buses to high-speed trains, and after spending months travelling on a budget, we learned that there’s no single “best” option for everyone.
If you’re deciding between trains or buses in Europe, this guide breaks down the real costs, comfort levels, travel times, and which option is best depending on your travel style. We’ll also share our personal experiences, mistakes we made, and how we booked cheap transport throughout our trip. For anyone planning a longer backpacking trip, make sure to check out our full guide to travelling Europe on a budget and our two months in Europe itinerary.
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.
Quick Comparison: Trains vs Buses in Europe
| Factor | Buses | Trains |
| Cheapest option | Usually ✅ | Sometimes |
| Fastest option | ❌ | ✅ |
| Most comfortable | ❌ | ✅ |
| Overnight travel | ✅ | ✅ |
| Scenic journeys | Sometimes | Often ✅ |
| Best for backpackers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Easy city-centre access | ✅ | ✅ |
| Flexibility | Moderate | High |
Is It Cheaper to Travel Europe by Bus or Train?
In most cases, buses are cheaper than trains in Europe, especially for backpackers travelling long-term.
Companies like FlixBus often offer routes for as little as €10–20 if booked in advance, while train tickets on the same routes can cost significantly more.
However, trains can sometimes save money in other ways:
- Faster travel times
- Fewer overnight accommodation costs
- Less airport-style waiting
- Better luggage allowances
- More comfortable overnight journeys
We found buses were ideal for:
- Eastern Europe
- Shorter routes
- Overnight journeys
- Last-minute travel on a budget
But trains were usually better for:
- Long-distance comfort
- Western Europe
- Scenic routes
- Day trips
Real Price Comparisons Across Europe
Here are some real examples we found while travelling:
| Route | Bus Price | Train Price | Bus Time | Train Time |
| Berlin → Prague | €15 | €35 | 4.5 hrs | 4 hrs |
| Rome → Florence | €10 | €25 | 4 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| Paris → Amsterdam | €25 | €70 | 7 hrs | 3 hrs |
| Budapest → Vienna | €12 | €30 | 3 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| Barcelona → Madrid | €20 | €60+ | 8 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
Prices vary massively depending on:
- season
- how early you book
- weekends vs weekdays
- rail strikes
- holidays
One of the easiest ways we compared transport prices was by using Omio because it lets you compare buses, trains, and flights all in one place. We used it constantly while backpacking because it saved us jumping between multiple websites.
If you’re trying to keep costs low, booking transport a few weeks early can make a huge difference.
Why We Used Buses So Often
When backpacking Europe, buses became our go-to option for cheap travel.
The biggest reason was simple: price.
We managed to travel between countries for less than the cost of a hostel bed in some cities. Overnight buses also helped us save on accommodation, which adds up quickly during long trips.
Some advantages of buses:
- Extremely cheap
- Large route networks
- Overnight options
- Good for spontaneous travel
- Easy luggage storage
The downside?
Some overnight buses were rough.
One journey from Prague to Budapest barely involved sleep, and arriving exhausted at 6am definitely made us rethink whether saving €20 was worth it.
Still, for backpackers prioritising budget over comfort, buses are hard to beat.
If you’re planning a backpacking trip, we’d also recommend checking out our guide to the best hostels in Europe for backpackers.
Why Train Travel in Europe Is So Popular
Train travel in Europe is popular for a reason.
Many European train stations are located directly in city centres, making transport incredibly convenient compared to airports or long-distance bus terminals.
We especially loved trains in countries like Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and France.
Some train journeys honestly became highlights of the trip rather than just transport days.
The biggest benefits of trains:
- Faster travel times
- More leg room
- Better bathrooms
- Easier working/WiFi
- Scenic routes
- Less stressful
The downside is cost.
Western Europe trains can become extremely expensive without advance booking or rail passes.
Is Eurail Worth It?
A Eurail pass can absolutely be worth it, but only for certain travel styles.
It’s usually best if:
- You’re visiting many countries quickly
- You want flexibility
- You plan multiple long-distance train journeys
- You’re travelling in expensive rail countries
It’s probably not worth it if:
- You travel slowly
- You mainly use buses
- You’re visiting Eastern Europe
- You book transport early
We met backpackers who saved hundreds with Eurail, while others barely used their pass.
What About Budget Airlines?
Many travellers forget budget airlines can sometimes be cheaper than both buses and trains.
Ryanair, easyJet and Wizzair often offer incredibly cheap flights across Europe.
But there are hidden costs:
- baggage fees
- airport transfers
- early arrivals
- security lines
- strict luggage policies
For shorter routes, we usually preferred trains or buses because city-centre to city-centre travel was easier overall.
Best Option Depending on Your Travel Style
Choose Buses If…
- You’re backpacking Europe long-term
- Budget matters most
- You don’t mind slower travel
- You want overnight routes
- You’re travelling Eastern Europe
Choose Trains If…
- You value comfort
- You’re short on time
- You want scenic routes
- You’re travelling Western Europe
- You hate overnight buses
Use Both If…
Honestly, this is what we’d recommend.
The cheapest and smartest way to travel Europe is usually a mix of buses, trains and occasional flights.
Apps We Recommend for Travelling Europe
A few apps made travelling Europe MUCH easier for us:
- Omio
- Google Maps
- Rome2Rio
- Hostelworld
- Google Translate
You can find our full list here: 21 must-have apps for travelling
Backpacking Essentials We Wouldn’t Travel Without
Long travel days become much easier when you pack properly.
A few things that saved us repeatedly:
- portable charger
- neck pillow
- packing cubes
- reusable water bottle
- padlock
- eye mask
We cover everything in our full guide to backpacking must-haves.
FAQ: Train vs Bus Travel in Europe
In most cases, buses are cheaper than trains in Europe, especially for backpackers travelling long-term. Companies like FlixBus often offer routes for under €20, while trains can be significantly more expensive depending on the country and how early you book.
Most long-distance buses in Europe are surprisingly comfortable and usually include: reclining seats, charging ports, WiFi, luggage storage and onboard toilets. However, overnight buses can still be exhausting, especially on longer routes.
Yes, especially if you value comfort, speed, and convenience. European trains are often faster than buses and arrive directly in city centres, making travel much easier overall.
Yes. Booking early usually gives you the cheapest prices, particularly for trains in Western Europe. Last-minute train tickets can become very expensive. We recommend comparing routes and prices using Omio to find the best deals across buses, trains, and flights.
A Eurail pass can be worth it if you travel quickly between countries, want flexibility and plan lots of train journeys.
But for slower travel or Eastern Europe, individual tickets and buses are often cheaper.
Some of the best countries for train travel include: Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria, France and Germany. These countries have fast, reliable, and scenic rail networks.
Generally, yes. We used multiple overnight buses throughout Europe without issues. However, it’s always smart to keep valuables with you, avoid leaving bags unattended and bring a padlock for extra security.
Final Thoughts: Train vs Bus Travel in Europe
So, which is better?
If your goal is to spend as little money as possible, buses usually win.
If your priority is comfort and speed, trains are often worth paying extra for.
For us, the best strategy was combining both depending on:
- route
- budget
- time constraints
- energy levels
Some of our favourite travel memories came from scenic train rides, while some of our biggest savings came from overnight buses.
The good news is Europe makes both incredibly easy!
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Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.
I agree- you can’t decide between trains or buses and you do have to make this decision place by place. I am glad you have solidified this idea
So glad you agree Taylor. Let us know where you go travelling in the future.
Did you ever consider the regional trains (the ones that stop at every piddly little station)? In most cases, they are even cheaper than buses. I crossed Slovakia for 10 euro and Slovenia for 2 euro in this way. It is also possible to travel MOST of Poland on weekends for 46 zł (10 euro) using only stopping trains.
I don’t like Omio and Rome 2 Rio for the fact that regional trains are often completely ignored,
Wow thats incredible Kristian! No we didn’t consider them but we wish we had, sounds like you can come across some amazing places.