How to
Trains, Buses and Ferries: Booking Ground Travel
Ground travel is often the cheapest, most scenic way to get around. How to book trains, buses and ferries across Asia, Europe and beyond.
Published February 28, 2026 · AI-assisted editorial
Flying between every stop is rarely the best way to see a country. Trains, buses and ferries are cheaper, drop you in the centre of town instead of an airport on the outskirts, and turn the journey itself into part of the trip — think a coastal rail line, an overnight sleeper, or a ferry between islands.
Book through a regional specialist
No single site covers the world well, so the trick is using the platform strong in your region. 12Go is the go-to across Asia, covering trains, buses, ferries and shared vans in one search. Omio does the same across Europe, comparing rail, coach and bus operators side by side. You can see both on our trains and buses hub.
Why book ahead
- Seats sell out on popular routes and peak dates — advance booking secures yours.
- Fares are often cheaper booked early, especially on premium and sleeper services.
- No queuing at a foreign-language ticket counter on arrival.
Match the service to the leg
A high-speed train is worth it for long city-to-city hops; a bus reaches the towns rail does not; a ferry is sometimes the only — and most scenic — way across. Compare the options for your exact route rather than defaulting to one mode.
Fit it into the trip
Ground travel slots neatly between flights and hotels. Keep your phone online with an eSIM so you can pull up tickets and platform info, and arrange an airport transfer for the legs where flying still makes sense.
What we are watching
Cross-border rail and bus booking keeps getting easier as platforms add operators and languages. For mid-distance trips, the train or bus increasingly beats a budget flight once you count airport time, bag fees and the transfer at each end.