14 HOURS on Europe's FIRST CLASS Sleeper Bus
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Date: 2026-10-28
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Comments and reviews: 20
RealConstructor
I did a bus travel once, many decades ago, never again. I went from Amsterdam to Andorra (for a skiing vacation, which took almost 24 hours. I had paid extra for a no smoking seat (smoking was still allowed back then) on the first row, but was the entire time in the smoke of the cigarette smoking coach driver. I especially booked no smoking because I have COPD and get very easily gasping for air when in smoke. I needed my respirator too many times and the driver was not willing to listen to me and another passenger who had asthma. We had to open the escape hatch to get some fresh air, which was not appreciated by the other passengers. The bus driver didn’t care. Afterwards my complaint was handled badly. They wrote that there was another complaint about smoke but they had asked the bus driver if there was anyone smoking and no one was smoking in the no smoking section. Which was correct, because it was the driver, which was outside the no smoking section, but all his smoke came into the no smoking section. They didn’t accuse me of lying, but implied it. I didn’t get a refund, compensation or an apology by the coach company or the travel company. So that was my first and last bus travel vacation. Never again.
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I did a bus travel once, many decades ago, never again. I went from Amsterdam to Andorra (for a skiing vacation, which took almost 24 hours. I had paid extra for a no smoking seat (smoking was still allowed back then) on the first row, but was the entire time in the smoke of the cigarette smoking coach driver. I especially booked no smoking because I have COPD and get very easily gasping for air when in smoke. I needed my respirator too many times and the driver was not willing to listen to me and another passenger who had asthma. We had to open the escape hatch to get some fresh air, which was not appreciated by the other passengers. The bus driver didn’t care. Afterwards my complaint was handled badly. They wrote that there was another complaint about smoke but they had asked the bus driver if there was anyone smoking and no one was smoking in the no smoking section. Which was correct, because it was the driver, which was outside the no smoking section, but all his smoke came into the no smoking section. They didn’t accuse me of lying, but implied it. I didn’t get a refund, compensation or an apology by the coach company or the travel company. So that was my first and last bus travel vacation. Never again.
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drdewott9154
Yeah this would be much better as a train thats for sure. Its just a shame that the French railway network is an absolute pain for rail operators to deal with. From all that I've heard, the French network is quite hostile to anyone other than the state railways SNCF. Track allocation and maintenance/line closure announcements is only done 2 weeks in advance, all while also having some of the most expensive track access tolls on the continent. Just to give one example, the night train startup European Sleeper has been trying to get an Amsterdam to Barcelona night train started for several years now, yet the french authorities have always just been too big of a headache to deal with, especially going all the way across the country, which is why theyve prioritised other services like their new route to Milan over that. Until then I guess this bus is a start to test the demand.
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Yeah this would be much better as a train thats for sure. Its just a shame that the French railway network is an absolute pain for rail operators to deal with. From all that I've heard, the French network is quite hostile to anyone other than the state railways SNCF. Track allocation and maintenance/line closure announcements is only done 2 weeks in advance, all while also having some of the most expensive track access tolls on the continent. Just to give one example, the night train startup European Sleeper has been trying to get an Amsterdam to Barcelona night train started for several years now, yet the french authorities have always just been too big of a headache to deal with, especially going all the way across the country, which is why theyve prioritised other services like their new route to Milan over that. Until then I guess this bus is a start to test the demand.
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CarolMurphy-h3f
Oh Poor Suzzane she looked very unhappy. Oddly you Jeb looked nonetheless for wear. Probably because you happen to be male. As women we have more needs. Don't give me crap guys that like to crap on comments. I truly believe we have different needs as humans. Doesn't make us weaker doesn't make us stronger. There is an equalizer. Don't ask most guys to give birth and don't ask most women to fill-up a Mack truck and drive. OOPs probably opened myself up for a million hate comments. Anyway my point was my husband can stand a bus like that and Me well not so much. If people comment on this well, I hope it helps your algorithm lol
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Oh Poor Suzzane she looked very unhappy. Oddly you Jeb looked nonetheless for wear. Probably because you happen to be male. As women we have more needs. Don't give me crap guys that like to crap on comments. I truly believe we have different needs as humans. Doesn't make us weaker doesn't make us stronger. There is an equalizer. Don't ask most guys to give birth and don't ask most women to fill-up a Mack truck and drive. OOPs probably opened myself up for a million hate comments. Anyway my point was my husband can stand a bus like that and Me well not so much. If people comment on this well, I hope it helps your algorithm lol
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jeb_brooks
The most interesting part of this comparison is how much the answer changes when you look beyond the ticket price.
The bus combines transportation and a night's accommodation, while flying may offer a much shorter journey but adds baggage, airport transfers, and potentially a hotel stay.
Then there's a factor that's harder to put on a spreadsheet. how well you actually arrive. Saving money or travel time means less if you lose the next day to exhaustion.
The best option isn't always the cheapest or fastest in isolation. It's the one that works best for the entire journey and the person taking it.
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The most interesting part of this comparison is how much the answer changes when you look beyond the ticket price.
The bus combines transportation and a night's accommodation, while flying may offer a much shorter journey but adds baggage, airport transfers, and potentially a hotel stay.
Then there's a factor that's harder to put on a spreadsheet. how well you actually arrive. Saving money or travel time means less if you lose the next day to exhaustion.
The best option isn't always the cheapest or fastest in isolation. It's the one that works best for the entire journey and the person taking it.
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lauren_xo01
The people who get the bus are probably people who are scared of flying or I was thinking also people with medical issues, because if someone has a medical episode on a plane, it's not like a plane can just land wherever. often the plane will go to the closest landing spot which might be very far away or the plane continues to the destination and for some people that might be too risky, and with a bus at least they can pull over to the side of the road and meet an ambulance or take someone directly to hospital
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The people who get the bus are probably people who are scared of flying or I was thinking also people with medical issues, because if someone has a medical episode on a plane, it's not like a plane can just land wherever. often the plane will go to the closest landing spot which might be very far away or the plane continues to the destination and for some people that might be too risky, and with a bus at least they can pull over to the side of the road and meet an ambulance or take someone directly to hospital
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seanodonnell460
Yeah think I'd just fly or go first class on the train. Outside of plenty of leg room and a comfy seat I see little benefit. There are fancier buses out there with seat back entertainment etc but they are rare. Sure you avoid the airport hassle but you're probably losing about 10 hours on a trip like this and I'd say it's less safe than flying especially if you hit nasty weather. Anyway I'm sure it was an experience and you can say you've done it; -)
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Yeah think I'd just fly or go first class on the train. Outside of plenty of leg room and a comfy seat I see little benefit. There are fancier buses out there with seat back entertainment etc but they are rare. Sure you avoid the airport hassle but you're probably losing about 10 hours on a trip like this and I'd say it's less safe than flying especially if you hit nasty weather. Anyway I'm sure it was an experience and you can say you've done it; -)
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justaoreo6854
I confess I'm a little disappointed. There are a number of people who just don't like flying and as you mentioned there really isn't convenient train service. Personally I would much rather travel by day so I'm not missing the sights and a train would be my first option. That said. I love flying. ex flight attendant and retired airline employee. just with a lot of friends we have had to make accommodations for.
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I confess I'm a little disappointed. There are a number of people who just don't like flying and as you mentioned there really isn't convenient train service. Personally I would much rather travel by day so I'm not missing the sights and a train would be my first option. That said. I love flying. ex flight attendant and retired airline employee. just with a lot of friends we have had to make accommodations for.
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ScottWallace5
Thanks for the short, sweet and to the point on your experience! An interesting concept but that sleep score is OOF On the lower tier, I would make that sacrifice, but for $250, I think I'll pass haha. Also, that's the first time I've seen charging ports up top like that. Also, if you're a solo traveler, I think it would be kind of awkward to sleep beside a stranger in that two seater part of the bus
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Thanks for the short, sweet and to the point on your experience! An interesting concept but that sleep score is OOF On the lower tier, I would make that sacrifice, but for $250, I think I'll pass haha. Also, that's the first time I've seen charging ports up top like that. Also, if you're a solo traveler, I think it would be kind of awkward to sleep beside a stranger in that two seater part of the bus
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bigeye43
Will you ever give up the window seat for your wife You both expressed concerns about privacy, even eluding to security. If I was travelling with my wife I would have gladly taken the aisle seat as a protective husband.
There are also many people that have phobias of flying, which makes bus travel a great option.
Couple things to consider
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Will you ever give up the window seat for your wife You both expressed concerns about privacy, even eluding to security. If I was travelling with my wife I would have gladly taken the aisle seat as a protective husband.
There are also many people that have phobias of flying, which makes bus travel a great option.
Couple things to consider
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Mattthewanderer
This looks like a deal that would be vastly different for different people. Yeah, sleeping on that top level could be challenging because the bus sways a lot up that high, especially in the back, while the front top bobs you up and down more. This looks like a good alternative to a train that does not exist, but with far better seats.
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This looks like a deal that would be vastly different for different people. Yeah, sleeping on that top level could be challenging because the bus sways a lot up that high, especially in the back, while the front top bobs you up and down more. This looks like a good alternative to a train that does not exist, but with far better seats.
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CathyS_Bx
You took one for the team, it seems! I've taken regular night buses a few times and never got a wink of sleep. But it can be nice to watch dawn slowly illuminate the little towns, the scenery. I'd never take a night bus if I had to function well on the day of arrival. Here's hoping a gallon of morning coffee got you hyped for Barcelona!
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You took one for the team, it seems! I've taken regular night buses a few times and never got a wink of sleep. But it can be nice to watch dawn slowly illuminate the little towns, the scenery. I'd never take a night bus if I had to function well on the day of arrival. Here's hoping a gallon of morning coffee got you hyped for Barcelona!
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jeb_brooks
As long as you end up in Barcelona you are winning! Does the line terminate at Estacio de Franca I cannot tell where you are from the video. This is a good option to keep in mind for trips within that cannot be done by plane or bus. I prefer not to drive overseas, so this has sparked some ideas for me.
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As long as you end up in Barcelona you are winning! Does the line terminate at Estacio de Franca I cannot tell where you are from the video. This is a good option to keep in mind for trips within that cannot be done by plane or bus. I prefer not to drive overseas, so this has sparked some ideas for me.
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mtwilda
I remember there was a similar overnight sleeper bus between Los Angeles and San Francisco back in the 2010s. From what I read about it, their buses had actual sleeping berths with privacy curtains. But I imagine it probably had all the other drawbacks you experienced. That service didn't last very long.
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I remember there was a similar overnight sleeper bus between Los Angeles and San Francisco back in the 2010s. From what I read about it, their buses had actual sleeping berths with privacy curtains. But I imagine it probably had all the other drawbacks you experienced. That service didn't last very long.
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beetee4865
I'm wondering if maybe one of the reasons that you guys couldn't sleep well is because you don't travel by bus as much Because ironically, I can't really sleep on planes, but I somewhat can on buses, which I'm more used to. With a lie flat seat on a bus, I think I'd be alright. Just an observation.
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I'm wondering if maybe one of the reasons that you guys couldn't sleep well is because you don't travel by bus as much Because ironically, I can't really sleep on planes, but I somewhat can on buses, which I'm more used to. With a lie flat seat on a bus, I think I'd be alright. Just an observation.
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fuzzylon
Thank you for trying this out for us so that we don't have to.
For me, if I can't get a half-way decent night's sleep this is not going to work. To make the most of where I'm going and to do what i need to do I need to have slept well first and that's nearly always going to be in a hotel room
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Thank you for trying this out for us so that we don't have to.
For me, if I can't get a half-way decent night's sleep this is not going to work. To make the most of where I'm going and to do what i need to do I need to have slept well first and that's nearly always going to be in a hotel room
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matsv201
It seams like the sleeper buss they have in USA with just built in bunk beds and good mattrases would be a better option.
They probobly fit more people in the buss as well, considering the number of people in the bus is the main cost driver, that could actually make it more resonable.
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It seams like the sleeper buss they have in USA with just built in bunk beds and good mattrases would be a better option.
They probobly fit more people in the buss as well, considering the number of people in the bus is the main cost driver, that could actually make it more resonable.
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evanmiller6154
I took buses like this all over south america. Is it the best night sleep ever No of course not. But it's fine for what it is. They're being needlessly harsh i think. It looked great for what it is. Expecting sleep of the quality you get at home while travelling is insane
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I took buses like this all over south america. Is it the best night sleep ever No of course not. But it's fine for what it is. They're being needlessly harsh i think. It looked great for what it is. Expecting sleep of the quality you get at home while travelling is insane
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brawnbenson552
Okay, let’s sit in the very back of the bus, upstairs! And then wonder why you didn’t sleep well
I understand there was limited seating downstairs, but. was forward seating upstairs an option
Also, a bus is never, ever going to be as smooth as an airplane.
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Okay, let’s sit in the very back of the bus, upstairs! And then wonder why you didn’t sleep well
I understand there was limited seating downstairs, but. was forward seating upstairs an option
Also, a bus is never, ever going to be as smooth as an airplane.
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stevenbathurst7027
There should be some sort of box lunch that is giving to you. 14 hours without food is ruff. Unless there is a stop to buy food but I would like to see a place the bus can stop to have a pre paid dinner. that way you don’t have to worry about money.
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There should be some sort of box lunch that is giving to you. 14 hours without food is ruff. Unless there is a stop to buy food but I would like to see a place the bus can stop to have a pre paid dinner. that way you don’t have to worry about money.
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rosiescape
I've done a 14hour Flixbus from Sarajevo to Budapest via Zagreb as a solo female. I was very safe. No lie-flat seat but I was fine, it was reasonably comfortable. You get used to it, if that's what your budget calls for. My ticket was 70euros including bag.
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I've done a 14hour Flixbus from Sarajevo to Budapest via Zagreb as a solo female. I was very safe. No lie-flat seat but I was fine, it was reasonably comfortable. You get used to it, if that's what your budget calls for. My ticket was 70euros including bag.
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