Spain By Bus

Though European trains and rail passes are popular, in some cases buses prove a better option. In Spain, the bus and train systems are on par; in Portugal, bus networks are more extensive, efficient, and often more comfortable. In the rest of Europe, bus travel is more of a gamble, and scattered offerings from private companies are often cheap but unreliable. Generally cheaper than rail passes, international bus passes allow unlimited travel on a hop-on, hop-off basis between major European cities. Prices below reflect high-season travel.

Eurolines, Estación Sur de Autobuses, Local 10, C. Méndez Álvaro 83, Madrid, Spain (☎+34 915 063 360; www.eurolines.com). The largest operator of Europe-wide coach services. Unlimited 15-day pass high season €329, under 26 €279, low season €199/169; 30-day pass high season €439/359, low season €299/229. Passes offer unlimited transit between hundreds of European cities and Morocco.
Busabout, 258 Vauxhall Bridge Rd., London SW1V 1BS, UK (☎+44 020 7950 1661; www.busabout.com). Offers 3 interconnecting bus circuits covering 60 cities and towns in Europe. Purchase a pass for the Western, Northern, or Southern loop starting at US$639, or for all of Europe starting at $549 (6 stops, additional stops $59). Also offers adventure tours throughout Europe, including Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Bus routes, far more comprehensive than the rail network, provide the only public transportation to many isolated areas, and almost always cost less than trains. They are generally quite comfortable, though leg room may be limited. For those traveling primarily within one region, buses are the best method of transport. We list below the major national companies, along with the phone number of their Madrid office; you will likely use many other companies. For more information, see the section for your transportation destination.

ALSA (☎913 27 05 40; www.alsa.es). Serves Madrid, Galicia, Asturias, and Castilla y León. Runs to many surrounding countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
Alosa (☎902 21 07 00; www.alosa.es). Operates primarily in northeastern Spain. Alosa serves a number of cities, including Barcelona, Huesca, Jaca, Pamplona, and Zaragoza.
Auto-Res (☎902 02 00 52; www.auto-res.net). Runs buses across much of central and western Spain.
Samar (☎917 23 05 06; www.samar.es). Serves Madrid, Zaragoza, and Sevilla, as well as international routes to Andorra, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, and Moscow.

In Portugal

Buses are cheap and frequent. They connect just about every town in Portugal. Rodoviária (☎212 94 71 00; www.rodotejo.pt), the national bus company, was recently privatized. Private regional companies also operate. Be wary of non-express buses in small regions like Estremadura and Alentejo, which stop every few minutes. Express coach service (expressos) between major cities is especially good; inexpensive city buses often run to nearby villages. Schedules (horarios) are usually printed and posted, but double-check with the ticket vendor to make sure they are accurate. Portugal’s main Euroline affiliates are Intercentro, Internorte, and Intersul.