Seeing Australia by Bus

Australia is full of ways to travel easily around. Most people automatically choose a car as even when the cost of fuel is taken into account it is still relatively inexpensive. For longer journeys, normally the airlines win with fast and efficient services. Yet there are occasions when you need to take a bus to reach your destination, but how can anyone decide which mode of transport to take and when? To know this, keep on reading.

Bus travel in Australia.

The reputation of bus services in Australia is looked down upon by many. The truth of the matter however is that there are plenty of bus services to choose from from the luxury to budget categories, depending on the carrier. The bus industry in Australia is dominated by Greyhound. Companies like McCafferty’s and Intertransit are smaller bus operators. Moreover there are many well-founded bus service companies who work at the regional level but have to take the help of Greyhound on some routes.

At the other end of the market are the companies that are trying to compete directly with the airlines – providing a much more luxurious way to travel. These carriers offer first class amenities and luxury coaches who tend to be most successful for destinations that are fewer than 6 hours apart.

If you are unsure if this is the way you want to travel, some regular questions have been answered below. What kind of budget do you have? If it is tight, bus journey could be your best choice.

When you get to where you are going, will you really need to hire a car? Remember in cities like Sydney and Melbourne a car is not only useless but can prove to be a big hassle for driving around and finding a parking space.

How far are you going? If you are traveling less than a five or six hours it is probably faster to take the bus than to fly when you factor in waiting time at the airport. Moreover, the bus will likely drop you off in the downtown area so you do not have to find your way into the city once you arrive.

What is your destination? Remember most of the people in Australia find traveling by bus more convenient even if it is to the remote areas of the country as this is the only viable means of public transport. Are you in a hurry? If you have adequate time on your hands, traveling by bus could enable you to enjoy the landscape at leisure. If you are under time pressure, the bus is probably not the best choice as it is subject to traffic delays and usually takes a little longer than other modes of transportation. Overall, the bus is a great option for visitors to Australia who are looking for transportation between major Australia cities and more remote destinations alike. As the gas prices soar and train services get curtailed, this could be one of the most viable options for traveling.

If you’re touring around South Australia by bus and need some Eyre Peninsular accommodation then check out Whyalla. It’s a great town and has a lot of attractions for travelers.