Long-Distance Bus vs. Train | Price, Travel Time & Comfort Comparison

Long-distance bus or train? Millions of travellers in Germany ask themselves this question daily. Since the liberalisation of the long-distance bus market in 2013, FlixBus has established itself as an affordable alternative to train travel. But when is the bus worth it, and when is the railway the better choice? We compare both transport modes by price, travel time, comfort and environmental impact.

Price Comparison: Bus vs. Train

FlixBus attracts customers with entry prices from 4.99 EUR, but the cheapest tickets sell out quickly. The realistic average price is 20-35 EUR for long-distance journeys. Deutsche Bahn offers Super Saver fares from 17.90 EUR and Saver fares from 21.50 EUR — especially when booking early.

Our price comparison on the route pages shows you daily which provider is cheaper on your route. On many routes, the price difference is under 10 EUR, while the time savings with the ICE can be several hours.

Travel Time Comparison

Route	ICE	FlixBus	Difference
Berlin → Munich	3h 55m	8-10h	4-6h faster
Hamburg → Frankfurt	3h 30m	6-7h	3h faster
Cologne → Berlin	4h 00m	7-9h	3-5h faster
Stuttgart → Hamburg	5h 15m	9-11h	4-6h faster

Comfort and Amenities

On the ICE you travel with more legroom, an on-board restaurant, quiet zones and the ability to move around during the journey. First class additionally offers wider seats, fewer passengers and at-seat service.

On FlixBus you have an assigned seat with power outlet and WiFi. The seats are narrower than on the train and freedom of movement is limited. However, you get a guaranteed seat — on the train without a reservation it can get crowded.

Environmental Impact

Both transport modes are significantly more environmentally friendly than cars or planes. ICE long-distance services run on 100% green electricity, making their actual carbon footprint even better. Per passenger-kilometre:

ICE: ~32g CO2 (with green electricity nearly climate-neutral)
Long-distance bus: ~29g CO2
Car: ~147g CO2
Plane: ~230g CO2

When is the Bus Worth It?

When booking very early (tickets from 4.99 EUR)
On routes without ICE connections (e.g. small town to small town)
When time doesn't matter (e.g. overnight journeys)
When travelling with lots of luggage (more storage space)

When is the Train Worth It?

When booking early with Saver fares (from 17.90 EUR)
On long-distance routes (time savings of 3-6 hours)
For business travellers (working during the journey)
With BahnCard 25/50 (additional discounts)
For group travel (Group Saver fare from 9.90 EUR p.p.)

Our Tip

Use our price comparison on the route pages to find the cheapest option daily. We show you DB Saver fares and FlixBus prices for the next 7 days side by side — so you always find the best deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the long-distance bus always cheaper than the train?

Not always. FlixBus tickets often start at 4.99 EUR, but DB Saver fares can be available from 17.90 EUR or less — especially when booking early. On popular routes like Berlin-Munich, the price difference can be small while the time savings by ICE are substantial.

How much faster is the train compared to the bus?

On the Berlin-Munich route, the ICE takes about 4 hours, while the bus takes 8-10 hours. On shorter routes like Cologne-Frankfurt, the difference is smaller: ICE 1 hour vs. FlixBus 2.5 hours.

Does the long-distance bus also have WiFi?

Yes, FlixBus offers free WiFi and power outlets on board. Quality can vary depending on route and occupancy. In the ICE, WiFi is more reliable in 1st class; in 2nd class it can fluctuate at full capacity.

Which is more environmentally friendly — bus or train?

The train is more environmentally friendly: an ICE produces about 32g CO2 per passenger-kilometer, a long-distance bus about 29g. However, DB long-distance services run on 100% green electricity, making the actual carbon footprint of the train better.