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Why I Love Affordable Train & Bus Routes in Europe (and You Will Too)

As a solo traveller who’s tried everything from rickety night buses in the Balkans to high-speed European marvels, I’ve learned one thing: you don’t have to splash out mega bucks to see incredible landscapes, meet mad characters and arrive on time (mostly). Whether you’re criss-crossing cobblestone streets, sipping flat whites in Vienna or chasing waterfalls in Montenegro, these seven routes let you travel in style—well, budget style—without mortgaging your future. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s kick off with my fave bargains.

1. Budapest to Belgrade (Train)

Why it’s awesome
– Prices hover around EUR 20–30 one way
– Roughly 8 hours of comfy seats, panoramic Hungarian and Serbian countryside

What to expect
The iconic Hungária Express chugs along the Danube corridor, passing sleepy towns, sunflower fields and occasional border checks that are quicker than a Monday morning coffee run. It’s cosy, it’s scenic, and you’ll have time to finish that novel you keep pretending you’ll start.

Pro tip
Book 2–3 weeks ahead on Omio to snag early-bird deals. Bring snacks—onboard café cars exist but their coffee is a bit… enthusiastic.

2. Prague to Vienna (Bus)

Why it’s awesome
– From EUR 15 one way
– 4-5 hours door-to-door, many daily departures

What to expect
Sure, trains are neat, but the bus often wins on price and flexibility. Modern coaches have free Wi-Fi, power sockets and reclining seats. You’ll roll in just in time for a schnitzel—or two.

Pro tip
FlixBus is a common operator, but you can compare times and prices (and sometimes find secret promos) on Omio. Avoid the first and last departures if you hate sleeping on Ol’ Betty the Bench at the station.

3. Zagreb to Sarajevo (Bus)

Why it’s awesome
– Around EUR 20–25 one way
– 8 hours, full-on Balkan mountain views and occasional adventurous roadworks

What to expect
This road winds through green hills, bunches of vines and the occasional shepherd herd. And let’s be real, half the fun is watching the bus driver navigate hairpin bends with a steely glare. You’ll cross into Bosnia-Herzegovina at a tiny border post where they’ll wave you through—usually after a quick passport peek.

Pro tip
Book early via 12Go and choose a daytime slot so you don’t wake up mid-cliff. Oh, and bring earplugs—some buses get rowdy with chatty locals.

4. Thessaloniki to Skopje (Bus)

Why it’s awesome
– Roughly EUR 18–22 one way
– 5 hours, coffee stops at no-frills roadside cafes

What to expect
Greek to North Macedonian landscapes, where olive groves give way to rolling hills and you’ll suddenly see Cyrillic signs. A cheeky café stop halfway means you can score a frappe or a roadside burek—definitely recommended.

Pro tip
Tickets on 12Go or local operators like KTEL. Pack a light scarf—you know how breeze through mountain passes can get a bit… spirited.

5. Barcelona to Valencia (Bus)

Why it’s awesome
– From EUR 10–15 one way
– 4 hours, coastal glimpses and orange groves

What to expect
The Mediterranean coast teases you with sea views, palm trees and roadside plazas selling freshly squeezed orange juice. Buses are modern, comfy and often faster than the train—plus those Eurail passes don’t cover this route, so it’s a bargain.

Pro tip
Check Spanish national carrier ALSA on Omio for student deals or last-minute specials. And if you can’t choose between paella spots in Valencia, just eat at all of them. It’s a hard life.

6. Berlin to Prague (Train)

Why it’s awesome
– Around EUR 30–40 one way
– 4½ hours through lush German forests to Czech beer country

What to expect
High-speed ICE trains to Dresden, then a change to a Czech rail service. The journey pairs German punctuality with Czech charm. You’ll disembark in Prague’s main station ready for a pint or two, depending on how long your wallet stretches.

Pro tip
Book on Omio for easy seat reservations. Consider a rail pass if you’ll be hopping on more cross-border trains; otherwise, single tickets are perfectly bonza.

7. Paris to Brussels (Train)

Why it’s awesome
– From EUR 29 one way with advance booking
– 1½ hours of high-speed bliss

What to expect
Thalys trains are fast, sleek and come with café bars serving Belgian chocolates (dangerous). You’ll zip from Gare du Nord to Brussels-Midi in time to marvel at the Grand Place or chase waffles in the city’s side streets.

Pro tip
Book exactly 3 months in advance on Thalys via Omio for the best prices. If you’re flexible, look for midday services—they’re often cheaper.

Extra Tips for Budget-Travel Success

1. Pack light. Your back will thank you, and budget buses/trains sometimes charge for big luggage.
2. Download e-SIMs before you go—trust me, dodging Wi-Fi-less panic is worth it. I use Airalo for cheap European data.
3. Sleep in hostels or budget hotels. I still love booking on Hostelworld because you never know who you’ll meet in the kitchen.
4. Travel insurance, always. For me, it’s SafetyWing. Murphy’s Law loves Europe.

Wrapping It Up

There you have it—seven routes that’ll get you across Europe and the Balkans without making your bank account weep. From high-speed thrills between Paris and Brussels to scenic shuffles through the Balkans, these journeys prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a cracking travel experience. So book your tickets (see you on the other side of the Danube!), pack your bags and get ready for some unforgettable stories—minus the post-trip credit card regret.

Safe travels,
Mikki x
P.S. Don’t forget, clicking those affiliate links helps keep this little blog alive—thanks for supporting my caffeine habit!