Independent FlixBus review: Budget bus travel | Rome2rio Travel Guides

Sometimes you travel for the experience; other times it’s to try something new. And when you just want to get from A to B with minimum expense, that’s where FlixBus comes in. With deals starting as low as €5, this is a tough option to beat for the budget-conscious traveller. And, generally speaking, a bus is a bus. They take the most efficient route between cities and maybe let you browse the internet on the way. You may not get luxury service, but you’ll probably get there eventually. And ‘there’ is a lot of places, given FlixBus’ extensive route network. Here’s our honest independent FlixBus review, including choosing routes, booking tickets – and revealing what Flixbus is like inside.

Quick Links:
Why should I take FlixBus?
Where does FlixBus go?
How much does FlixBus cost?
How do I buy and pay for a ticket?
What type of ticket should I buy?
How do I get on the bus?

What’s FlixBus like inside?
Is WiFi available
How much baggage can I bring?
Can I cancel my FlixBus ticket?
What if I need help when travelling?
What else might go wrong?

FLIXBUS AT A GLANCE
Covers: Western Europe, expanding into Eastern Europe. Recently launched within the US.
Pros: Cheap, free WiFi, extra legroom, extensive fleet, goes to smaller destinations
Cons: Seat reservations are not available for all routes, variable customer service

Why should I take FlixBus?

Honest answer: because it’s cheap. It’s not especially charming, but their fleet is extensive enough to cover a very large territory. Smaller destinations that may not easily be served by train are much easier to reach by bus. And their amenities, when they’re actually there (more on this later), are fairly good.

FLIXBUS TRAVEL TIP: If you’re concerned about the environment, you can pay a small additional fee to offset the carbon footprint of your trip.

Where does FlixBus go?

FlixBus has hundreds of destinations, mainly through Western Europe. Given that FlixBus is a German company, their highest concentration of routes is around Germany and its neighbours, but they’re continuing to expand. As of June 2019, they serve more than 2000 destinations across 29 countries as shown on their growing Europe and USA FlixBus Route Map.

How much does FlixBus cost?

Probably not that much. Tickets start around €5 for a one-way ticket, but go up closer to departure dates, all the way to €99 for a three-month, five-city pass. Some tickets may occasionally exceed that on longer or more popular routes, especially if you’re purchasing very close to your departure time). The further in advance you book, the better your price will be; and they send frequent sales emails once you’re on their mailing list.

How do I buy and pay for a ticket?

The easiest way is through the FlixBus website or dedicated FlixBus app. If you’d rather book in person, check their list of offices and travel agencies. You might be able to buy a ticket from the driver, but you risk the bus being sold out, paying significantly higher prices and having to pay cash. Just book in advance. There is an additional fee on their website for using a credit card or PayPal.

What type of ticket should I buy?

FlixBus tickets are the general admission concerts of the bus world. The good news is that you can now reserve a seat on most (but not all routes) for a small fee (choose from ‘panorama’, ‘window’ or classic’), but you’ll need to do this at the time of booking. Note: if there are any changes to your route or bus, your reservation will no longer be valid. If you haven’t reserved a seat and there’s nothing assigned on your ticket, you can choose from any non-reserved seat with a green sticker – although getting a good spot will depend on where your stop is along the longer route.

You can opt for an overnight bus service on select longer routes; the seats may recline a little more, but it’s not guaranteed. And if you’re interested in longer-term flexible travel, the InterFlix pass is good for five one-way bus or train trips within 3 months. It does have stipulations, so make sure you check all the restrictions to be sure it’s the best choice for your schedule.

FLIXBUS TRAVEL TIP :FlixBus also sells cheap train tickets on the Berlin to Stuttgart route.

How do I get on the bus?

This is likely the biggest hurdle you will face in your use of FlixBus. The bus stops aren’t always at designated stations, or even necessarily marked. Hopefully there will be some kind of FlixBus sign. If not, look around for the crowd of other confused-looking people with suitcases. Make sure you check the location of your stop on the FlixBus website beforehand (and keep checking the email address you provided – and the app if you have it installed – as any changes to your bus stop should be announced there). If you have mobile data or Google Maps offline, you can try to match the small map on your ticket to the corresponding GPS point on Google Maps. The app also has maps to the stops.

Many of the buses are bright green with ‘FlixBus’ written in large letters on the side, but not all. If a bus comes to your approximate location, don’t assume that it’s not yours just because it’s not marked. Even if you don’t speak the language, show your ticket to the driver just in case.

You can present a printout of your FlixBus ticket, the digital version you received via e-mail, or the digital version in the app. You should also make sure you have your passport with you, even if you are going between Schengen countries. Customers have reported being denied boarding without passports.

FLIXBUS TRAVEL TIP: Be sure of where you are going and leave plenty of time to get there – both to the bus stop and your final destination. The bus may not arrive on time or it might arrive early, but you don’t want to be wandering the streets trying to figure out which corner is yours, 5 minutes prior to departure – or worse, miss a flight because your bus showed up late.

What’s FlixBus like inside?

You may get a double-decker or single-level bus depending on your route. Some buses sell drinks and snacks inside, but sales are at the discretion of the driver so don’t count on it. We recommend bringing some refreshments of your own as the bus won’t necessarily make any stops. The website says that all buses have toilets, but this may not always be the case. FlixBus seats are usually upholstered and coach-style, sometimes with the possibility of a slight recline, but again, may vary by bus.

Is WiFi available?

FlixBus claims that all its buses offer WiFi, but the reliability and speed of the service may vary greatly between buses. Don’t assume it will work, or even necessarily exist at all. Some buses may have USB charging ports.

In short, there is the possibility of food, WiFi and toilets, but they are by no means guaranteed.

FLIXBUS TRAVEL TIP: The FlixBus fleet is not standardised. One bus may have different amenities, levels or even labelling than the last bus you took. Not all buses are marked – if you’re at the stop and a bus arrives, it doesn’t hurt to check with the driver before dismissing it.

How much baggage can I bring?

There is no formal bag check system, so baggage storage is at the driver’s discretion. This can lead to lost baggage or issues with large or unusually shaped items. As you would on any other sort of transit, clearly label all your bags and make sure your important documents and medications are on your person, not under the bus. FlixBus provides printable baggage tags when they email you your tickets if you have access to a printer.

FlixBus allows one item of hand luggage (max. 42 x 30 x 18cm, 7kg) and one larger bag (max. 80 x 50 x 30cm, 20kg). If you have larger items or more than two bags, you may be able to bring them for an additional fee if you discuss it with customer service first. Check their website for the most up-to-date FlixBus baggage policy.

FLIXBUS TRAVEL TIP: If you’re travelling with a child between 0 and 3, you’ll need to bring a car seat for them to sit in (secure it using the seatbelt on the bus).

Can I cancel my FlixBus ticket?

New friend convince you to stay a little longer? You can cancel your ticket on FlixBus’ website up to 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time for a €1 cancellation fee per passenger per trip. You don’t get a refund, but you’ll receive a FlixBus voucher for the cost of your original ticket (minus the fee) that can be used towards your next booking. Keep in mind these vouchers do expire.

What if I need help when travelling with FlixBus?

You might be out of luck. Because some of the stops are in such unusual locations, there usually isn’t an office. Do not expect to speak to a human other than the bus driver, who also may not be able to help you or even speak your language. You likely will not encounter a kiosk or customer service counter, so make sure you show up with your ticket and don’t expect to be able to print it at the station (assuming your bus stop is at a station).

Keep in mind, FlixBus customer service is available online and there is also a Flixbus hotline and online form if you need further assistance. It’s worth noting that some users have reported being kicked out of the customer service offices (if the bus station has them) at midnight or that the English-speaking hotline is only available during certain hours.

What else might go wrong?

You’re still driving on the road with everyone else. If there is traffic, you’re going to be part of it. This means that the bus might show up later than scheduled to your pick-up point or arrive late to your destination. Make sure you leave plenty of time for any transfers.

There is also always the possibility of mechanical issues, which can cause additional delays. If things get too delayed, your bus may be cancelled and you may not find out in a timely enough fashion to make alternate plans. FlixBus claims to send service notifications of schedule via text message, but these don’t always arrive on time – and that’s assuming you have a working data plan to receive the notification in the first place.

Users complain about lack of customer service as well, so if your trip doesn’t go as smoothly as planned, you may have trouble reaching a FlixBus employee or getting any kind of refund or compensation (we’ve heard the best approach is to contact them via email). Many reviewers have complained about their complaints being dismissed when they are answered at all. If something goes wrong, your options may be limited.