Along with trains, long-distance coaches are the most environmentally friendly means of transportation for long-distance travel. This is the result of an emissions comparison of individual modes of transport carried out by the German Federal Environment Agency in 2022. What’s more, long-distance coach travel is often significantly cheaper than comparable rail travel. However, you may have to compromise on comfort and travel time. Nevertheless, you should wait until the end of this article to decide whether a vacation by long-distance coach is an option for you, and consider not only the benefits of this mode of transportation, but also the sustainable accommodations that will make your eco-friendly trip complete.

How environmentally friendly is a vacation by long-distance coach?

In 2021, the carbon footprint of long-distance bus travel was considered even lower than that of long-distance train travel. According to the Federal Environment Agency, in 2022, both long-distance train and long-distance bus travel produce an avarage of 31 grams of emissions (greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, particulates) per passenger kilometer. In contrast, travel by car causes an average of 166 grams of emissions per passenger kilometer.

Occupancy is an important factor

The reason why trains and long-distance coaches were not as far apart as in 2021 (when long-distance coaches were at 27 g/km and long-distance trains at 50 g/km) is probably that the occupancy figures have been adjusted. Previously, it was assumed that long-distance coaches would normally be almost fully occupied. In the more recent calculation, long-distance trains are assumed to be 46 percent full and long-distance buses 52 percent full. This brings the two figures closer together.

One long-distance coach replaces up to 30 cars

Another argument in favor of long-distance buses is that they relieve congestion on the highways. According to the Bavarian Association of Bus Companies, one bus can replace “a good 30 cars” on the road. ( The calculation is probably made on the basis that a bus has about 50 to 80 seats). This helps the environment, reduces wear and tear on the roads, and is good for stress levels 🙂

Long-distance coach travel is inexpensive.

According to the newspaper Der Standard, the most important argument for traveling by bus is the low price. A quick comparison for a one-way trip today shows me:

• The route Cologne – Paris (direct) costs 85.98 euros (as an overnight trip) and takes 6 hours with Flixbus.
• Cologne – Paris (direct) by Eurostar train costs 135 euros and takes 3:22 hours

It pays to compare

Of course, this is just an example, but I personally compared the prices of trains and long-distance buses for various European routes many times, and as a rule, the bus is always the cheapest. The first thing you can do is to include the bus in your next travel research and compare the prices.

Is Flixbus a sustainable company?

Flixbus is one of the largest long-distance bus operators in Europe and has a sustainability policy. Some of the goals include switching to alternative fuels and e-buses. (FYI: Flixbus did not start with a new bus fleet, but rather bought up existing bus companies). Flixbus aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. As a customer, you already have the opportunity to offset your CO2 emissions through our climate partner atmosfair.

For comparison, trains already run on green electricity on many routes. Another advantage of trains is that they have no tires. Tire abrasion is a major source of microplastics. However, as the effects of microplastics have not yet been fully researched, this factor is not included in current comparative calculations by the Federal Environment Agency, etc.

Are long-distance coach trips pleasant?

Most long-distance coaches in Europe have seats with adjustable backrests, a toilet, air conditioning/heating, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and luggage racks. Sounds comfortable, doesn’t it? Yet Flixbus, the largest company on Trustpilot with over 10,000 German-language reviews, has a lot of 1-star ratings (about 49%; 28% award 5 stars). There are many reasons for this:

• Delays
• Unfriendly bus driver
• No toilet paper
• Seat reservation problems

However, you should take the disproportionate amount of criticism with a grain of salt (as is often the case on the Internet). As you can imagine, people who are upset about something (like a lack of toilet paper) are more likely to write a comment. And while 10,000 reviews may sound like a lot, the Trustpilot writers only represent a fraction of that number.

“My own experience with Flixbus: I’ve always had a faultless experience. Punctual, clean and if there were delays, you were informed.” – Mara Biebow from Green Pearls

Long distance coach travel is no limousine service

You should be prepared: Long-distance coach travel is an inexpensive way to get from A to B in an eco-friendly way, but you have to make some compromises. You can’t get up, stretch your legs, and go to the on-board restaurant like you can on a train; the road can be stressful (traffic jams, heavy traffic); and you have to adjust to the breaks.

A vacation by long-distance coach in Germany – popular destinations and suitable eco-lodgings

#1 Freiburg – Green City Hotel Vauban

Freiburg im Breisgau is known as the “capital of the Black Forest” and has the most sunny hours in Germany.  Close to France and Switzerland, the university city has a charming flair and is well worth a visit. Flixbus offers several direct routes to Freiburg. An alternative is BlaBlaCar, which offers both bus routes and carpooling opportunities.

The Long-distance buses stop at Freiburg’s main train station. From here you can take bus number 11 or tram number 3 in about 15 minutes to the modern Vauban district, where the Green City Hotel Vauban is located right next to the tram stop. The Green Hotel is an inclusive establishment with a simple and bright design and an ecological commitment.

#2 Füssen – Romantic Boutique Hotel Das Rübezahl

You can reach Füssen by bus from Amsterdam, Budapest, Madrid, Copenhagen, Vienna and many other cities. The Bavarian town in the Allgäu is so popular because of its location in the green foothills of the Alps between the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. The latter can be admired directly from Hotel Das Rübezahl. A small, romantic, family-run boutique hotel in Füssen with a wellness garden and natural swimming pond.

#3 Erlangen – Hotel Luise

Erlangen is the “smallest big city” in Bavaria and offers an ideal mix of urban amenities and relaxation. Here you can enjoy a coffee on the beautiful market square or go hiking in the surrounding area..

Long-distance buses stop at Erlangen train station, which is only 2 kilometers from the ecologically run Hotel Luise. A public bus will take you to Mozartstraße, right next to the hotel. As of 2024, you will be able to take the bus in Erlangen’s city center for free.

A sustainable vacation by long-distance coach in Italy 

#1 Milan – Zero Emission Hotel Milano Scala

Have you ever been to Milan? The northern Italian fashion capital is definitely worth a visit! Especially if you are interested in culture, art and museums. Long-distance buses to Milan are available from all European cities, and a trip can sometimes be purchased for less than 50 euros!

The zero-emissions Hotel Milano Scala is located in the center of Milan at the famous La Scala opera house. The sustainable hotel produces its own geothermal energy and has a beautiful green roof terrace where you can enjoy a wonderful evening after an eventful day in the city.

#2 Brixen

Brixen is the oldest town in Tyrol and is one of the Flixbus destinations for South Tyrol. A shuttle will pick you up at the bus station and take you to My Arbor, a 15-minute drive away. Situated on 34 meters of stilts in the middle of the forest, the hotel offers a breathtaking view over the treetops. It is the perfect place for a vacation with nature experiences, wellness and relaxation.

#3 Bozen

From the bus station in Bolzano you can take the cable car to Soprabolzano in about 10 minutes, from where you can reach the special APIPURA Hotel Ritten by the historic Renon cable car. The use of the cable car and the Rittenbahn (as well as all other public transport on the Ritten) is free of charge, as the hotel will provide you with the Ritten Card and send it to your home on request. The Hotel APIPURA of the Rinner family has its own beehive, from which you can breathe the air in the Apipura Wellness. There is also a large selection of homemade organic honey at the breakfast buffet. The rest of the hotel’s food is also organic.

#4 Imperia

Imperia is a coastal town in Liguria from where you can reach our Green Pearls® partner Relais del Maro. Situated inland in the small village of Borgomaro, it is an Albergo Diffuso, which means that the hotel is spread around the village. You stay among the locals, in former residential and commercial buildings owned by the owner’s family. This concept has successfully helped to combat the rural exodus and preserve villages in Italy.

Take the long-distance coach to Paris and spend the night there in a sustainable way

Paris is one of the major cities to which many (long-distance) bus companies travel regularly. The Gare Routière Porte Maillot bus station is about 4 kilometers from the city center, where our three Green PearlsⓇ partners, the Green Spirit Hotels, are located. The small city hotels Hotel Le Pavilon, Hotel Marlar and Hotel Amélie are located in the 7th arrondissement, within walking distance of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.

Is it worth traveling by coach?

The simple answer from an environmental and budget perspective is yes, long-distance buses are a good way to travel. They are

• cheap
• environmentally friendly
• and have a fairly well-developed route network

But they also have disadvantages. Of course, you have more privacy in a train compartment or in your own car, and you are much more flexible when traveling by car. But perhaps the sustainable aspect is an additional motivation for you to vacation by long-distance coach – for the sake of the environment. And if you decide to travel by train, take a look at this article on the most beautiful train destinations in Europe.

Rail Romance: Traveling by train

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