The World’s Longest Bus Journey with iBestTravel

Indian expedition company iBestTravel is set to launch what is billed as the “world’s longest bus journey” – across the entire European continent – in August.

Crossing a full 22 countries and five different time zones, the trip will give passengers a ringside seat to some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. However, if you want to participate, you’ll need deep pockets and plenty of free time.

In the era of box-ticking, bucket-list experiences, this splashy new road-trip adventure stands out. Rather than simply taking passengers from A to B, the iBestTravel team has programmed a full 56 days to complete its journey.

If that sounds like a lot… it is. Taking in myriad countries and cultures, the bus will depart Istanbul on August 7 and gradually make its way to London. Crucially, there will be a guide on hand to explain the views and take care of all the cross-border paperwork.

Itinerary Highlights

The trip attempts to cram some of Europe’s best sights into 56 days without completely overwhelming passengers, giving them about two days in each city to explore. The journey will include stopovers in the Balkan cities of Sofia, Zagreb, and Ljubljana before reaching Central Europe, where passengers can explore the beautifully preserved medieval architecture of Prague and Warsaw.

Heading north, passengers will get to see the glory of the Norwegian fjords up close by ferry and travel to Nordkapp, the northernmost point in Europe accessible by road. There’ll be time to unwind with Belgian beers in Brussels and to explore the museums and cafes of Paris and Amsterdam before arriving in London in October.

How Much Does It Cost?

The adventure doesn’t come cheap. The cost includes a daily breakfast, along with 30 lunches and dinners, as well as all hotel stays (on a twin-sharing basis). All in it works out to $24,300 per person, putting it firmly in the realm of luxury travel.

Twenty-nine hotels have been booked for the 30-passenger group, ensuring that passengers have around two nights in each hotel on the 56-day trip. Nobody will be sleeping on the bus.

More Practical Details

Sanjay and his iBestTravel co-founder have already taken road trippers to over 70 countries worldwide since starting their expedition company back in 2012. Every single route on their multi-destination expeditions is vetted, including this one. However, despite all the planning, it won’t be an overly regimented trip, with free time for passengers being a key component in setting out the itinerary.

“One free rest day will be given to every traveler to explore that place,” he explained. “It is not a nonstop journey. Everyone will get the opportunity to experience the local food, culture, and activities of each destination.”

Paperwork and documentation for cross-border travel in Europe will be handled by iBestTravel, including visas and permits; an English-speaking guide will be traveling with passengers at all times.

What About the Bus?

The bus is described as a “luxury bus designed for comfortable long-distance travel.” Although “luxury” might be a stretch, the seats are wide and well-padded, with armrests and plenty of legroom. Additionally, there are AUX and USB ports, little fold-down tables, and cup holders on each seat. There’s plenty of storage room, too, with each passenger permitted to bring two “full-size suitcases” for the two-month trip.

While those on board will enjoy great views along the way, they admittedly won’t always be glorious, and much time may be spent staring out rain-splattered windows at drab European motorways. Nonetheless, if you’re content with being escorted across Europe, handing over all responsibilities to the crew, and simply settling back and enjoying the ride, this could be an epic slow-travel adventure – provided you have the budget for it.

Is This Actually the World’s Longest Bus Journey?

According to Guinness World Records, the current holder of the world’s longest bus route is a Peruvian company, whose route from Lima to Rio de Janeiro measures 6,200 km. The iBestTravel route is almost double that at 12,000 km.