Five of the world’s toughest bus journeys, from a five-day ride in South America to an American route across the Mexican border and an epic 4,000 kilometer journey through Europe. Are YOU tempted? They are cheap!
Coach trips can be a great way to see more on your holiday, as new landscapes unfold outside your window.
But what if the journey covers thousands of miles… still tempted?
Here we reveal some of the toughest bus services in the world, which might make you wonder who that would be.
From a two-and-a-half-day journey through eight countries in Europe to a five-day ride through the Amazon rainforest, it’s all a regular, direct service with no stops. Scroll down and discover the routes with the longest route at the bottom.
Europe
Lagos, Portugal – Sofia, Bulgaria: 2d 3pm
The Union Ivkoni service runs from the coastal city of Lagos (left), in the Portuguese Algarve, to the Bulgarian capital Sofia. On the right of the photo you can see the city’s St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A one-way ticket costs £122.57 ($156) in May and Union Ivkoni operates several buses per week, similar to the one pictured here
The bus travels approximately 3,991 km through eight countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria
Perhaps no bus journey benefits more from the EU’s open borders policy than the Union Ivkoni service from the coastal city of Lagos, in the Portuguese Algarve, to the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
The bus travels approximately 3,991 km through eight countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria. The two-and-a-half-day trip will include stops in every country except Serbia, the company said.
Each bus has a toilet on board and has several scheduled breaks per day.
A one-way ticket costs £122.57 ($156) in May and there are several buses every week.
Visit en.union-ivkoni.com
Bordeaux, France – Bucharest, Romania: 2d 2h
FlixBus provides a service from Bordeaux (left), in France, to the Romanian capital Bucharest. Pictured right: The Palace of Deposits and Consignments in Bucharest
FlixBus ticket prices start at £94.99 ($121) for routes from Bordeaux to Bucharest
Facilities on board the FlixBus (left) include free Wi-Fi and USB charging points for every passenger. Each bus has a toilet on board, as shown on the right
The bus covers a total of 3,173 km and travels through parts of France, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary on the journey from Western to Eastern Europe
Another contender for the longest bus journey in Europe is the FlixBus service from Bordeaux, France, to the Romanian capital Bucharest.
The bus covers a total of 3,173 km and travels through parts of France, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary on a two-day, two-hour journey from Western to Eastern Europe and has three scheduled breaks each day. said.
Ticket prices in May start at £94.99 one way.
Onboard facilities include a toilet, free WiFi and USB charging points for each passenger.
Visit shop.flixbus.co.uk
North America
Los Angeles, USA – San Salvador, El Salvador: 4d 3h
USA Tours has a regular service from Los Angeles (left) in sunny California to San Salvador (right). The four-day journey covers an epic distance of 5,008 kilometers
The incredible journey will take place in four countries: the US, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador
US Tours operates a regular service from Los Angeles, sunny California, to San Salvador, El Salvador.
The four-day journey covers an epic distance of 5,008 kilometers through four countries: the US, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.
A one-way ticket costs £230 ($294).
Los Angeles, California – Houston, Texas, USA: 1d 9h
This 2,374 km (1,475 mi) journey passes through four US states: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas
Greyhound’s longest continuous bus service in North America is the US1001 service from Los Angeles (left) to Houston (right). There are five scheduled breaks during the trip
A Greyhound bus is used for the trip, as pictured above in Colorado
GreyhoundThe longest continuous bus service in North America is the US1001 service from Los Angeles to Houston, Texas, the company revealed.
The route covers 2,374 km (1,475 miles) in one day and nine hours and passes through four states: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
On board the bus, passengers can use a toilet, free WiFi and USB charging points.
Passengers can stretch their legs and stock up on food and drinks during five scheduled breaks during the journey.
A single ticket costs £105 ($135) in May. Several buses run from Los Angeles Union Station every day.
Visit shop.greyhound.com
South America
Lima, Peru – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 5d 1h
Trans Acreana operates a 6,420 km (3,989 mi) route from Lima, Peru, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The bus journey from Lima (left) to Rio de Janeiro takes five days from start to finish. RIGHT: Christ the Redeemer on top of Mount Corcovado
In the photo: examples of Trans Acreana buses
This service, offered by Trans Acreana, covers 3,989 miles (6,420 km) in five days and one hour, and includes one border crossing between Peru and Brazil.
The route passes through Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire in the Peruvian Andes, passing through part of the Amazon rainforest along the way.
The bus makes three stops a day “for personal hygiene and meals,” according to the company’s website.
A one-way ticket costs £163 ($207) and includes filtered water and onboard Wi-Fi.
Visit www.transacreana.com.br/en.
San Antonio del Tachira, Venezuela – Buenos Aires, Argentina: 5d 5h
This Lineas de los Andes bus service covers 8,162 km (5,072 miles) in five days and five hours, passing through six countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina
See the longest bus trip on our list: the Lineas de los Andes bus service from San Antonio del Tachira to Buenos Aires. Pictured: An image of one of the company’s buses
See the longest bus journey on our list: the Lines of the Andes bus service from San Antonio del Tachira to Buenos Aires.
The journey covers 5,072 miles (8,162 km). five days, five hours and passes through six countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina.
A single ticket costs £368 ($465) in May.
Visit lineasdelosandes.com
Costs may vary depending on travel date and booking date.