Busabout is a freestyle travel network, designed for backpackers and independent travelers. The Busabout network is made up of several different travel options, each of which can be purchased independently or in conjunction with others. From the range of products available, you can "pick and mix" to create your own unique holiday.

The Busabout 2006 Season runs from May to October. Your pass will be valid all season, so there isn't a limit on how long you can stay in each destination. Even you can break your travel and come back after a time, during the same season, to go on with it.
The flexibility is very high. You can start and finish anywhere on the network you choose. You can travel at your own pace and stay at each spot as long as you like. Their coaches travel through each destination everyday.

If you want to get off the coach at one of the rest stops between cities you can, but when you want to start travelling again you would have to make your own way to the nearest Busabout pick-up point.

They offer two styles of travel: the Flexitrip and The Loops.

Flexitrip Pass
A very flexible travel option, that gives you access to the entire Busabout coach network. You can choose anywhere in the Busabout network where you'd like to go and then buy the number of corresponding flexistops (a flexistop is any time you jump off the coach overnight). This is ideal if you really want a true trans-continental adventure or you have a clear idea of what cities you want to experience. You start and finish anywhere.
You can buy a minimum of 6 "stops" for journeys on the Busabout coach network and then add on as many additional "stops" either in advance, or as you go. You can stay in each city as long as you like. If you'd like to make an extra "stop", simply buy an extra "flexistop" from your on board Guide.
Your Flexistops are valid for the entire operating season.
The Flexitrip includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom. If you want to see all the routes, you can have a look at the Busabout maps.

The Loops
If on the other hand you want to focus on a particular region then you might prefer the Loops. Busabout has divided the network into 3 pieces or loops: Northern, Southern and Western Loop. Even you can combine any 2 or 3 Loops.

You can start and finish anywhere in the loop. You can stop at every destination once, and stay as long as you like at each stop. You can stop at as many (or as few) cities on the network as you like, but at the designated "overnight stops" (important cities), you will have to stay at least one night. If you spend 2 to 3 nights at each stop, you should complete a loop in about 30 days, but you could stay longer, or could also get around faster if you're pressed for time by skipping through some cities. Even you can travel the loop again on a standby basis.

The pass is valid for the entire operating season (May to October).

One advantage of Busabout is its board guides. They are independent travelers who will help you plan your trip and book your onward travel, all on their handheld computers. Not only that, but they will also give you the information you request or they will advice about the latest money saving deals or the best bars, clubs and restaurants.
Other advantage is the possibility of using the Busabout website to plan your trip and make, change and cancel seat reservation and to book accommodation, available 24 hours a day and free of charge, so you can make confirmed seat reservation and pre-book you budget accommodation.

Finally, you can combine Busabout's passes other options that they offer, as the short breaks or the island hopping, that basically are short tours through determined places in Europe (Italy, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Moroco).

Once you make the ticket reservation online, Busbout provides you with an e-ticket with a number. On your first day of travel, just give the e-ticket to the guide on the coach and they will issue you with your Busabout electronic travel card. With the e-ticket number you can have access to ticket and accommodation reservations through the website.

The pass prices are displayed on next table:

Eurolines consists on 32 independent coach companies operating together and covering many European countries through 35 destinations. They travel to Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. If you want to see all the itineraries you can have a look at the Eurolines itineraries map.

High Season: 24 June 2005 - 18 September 2005 and 16 - 31 December 2005.
Youth fares are for passengers of 25 years or less, children under 2 years travel for free.
The Eurolines members offer no hidden extras, and sea crossings, travel taxes and road tolls are all included in the price.
It is possible to buy an individual coach ticket on line.

Customers are advised to reserve each journey at the designated Eurolines office or coach station at least 48 hours in advance. In high season it is advisable to make reservations well in advance. You are only guaranteed a seat if a reservation is made. When changing reservations, a fee may be charged in local currency. If a reservation is not made in advance, you may be put on a stand-by list. The first journey may be booked at the point of departure when purchasing the Eurolines Pass ticket. Purchase outside the country from where the ticket starts will be subject to a reservation fee equivalent to £3 or €5 in local currency. A subsequent reservation can only be made in the city of arrival, for which no fee will be charged.

To get some more information, prices or timetables download the Eurolines brochure (PDF) or visit the Eurolines website at http://www.eurolines.com

As you can see Eurolines has the cheapest prizes and reaches more countries but on the other side when you take a bus you have to change to another country. Besides Busabout seems to offer more and better services, and a wider offer of passes that may fit better your preferences. So the final decision is yours. If you have any doubt you may read our forums or make a question.