The ultimate in slow travel takes off this summer with Adventures Overland launching Bus to London. This is an epic bus adventure that takes travelers from Istanbul to London. Along the way, they will travel 12,000 km (7,456 mi), through 22 countries over a period of 56 days. Read on to find out more about this latest slow-travel adventure from Adventures Overland.
Adventures Overland introduces Bus to London
Bus to London comes from Indian road trip company, Adventures Overland and is set to beat the current record for the longest bus route. The previous winner was Peruvian company Ormeño which boasted a 6,200 km (3,853 mi) bus route. Meanwhile, it is the slow traveler’s dream come true.
Since the pandemic, travelers have been considering new ways to travel and get around this world, while reducing their carbon footprint. Many luxurious train journeys have been introduced to take the place of flying. In this case, the journey is to be made on a luxurious bus, with every comfort.
About Adventures Overland
Adventures Overland is based in Gurgaon in India and drew on the Hippie Trail of the ‘50s to ‘70s, a popular overland journey from Europe through Istanbul and beyond. Since 2012, the company’s owners, Sanjay Madan and Tushar Agarwal have been taking travelers on wonderful overland adventures.
About Bus to London
The Bus to London was originally planned for 2020 but was paused by the pandemic. Originally dubbed the Road to London, the annual cross-country driving tour starts with a different starting point each year. The new Bus to London is set to launch in August 2023
Their annual Road to London trip is a cross-country driving tour with a different starting point each year – a concept they’re now applying to an epic new bus route. Originally conceived in 2020 but stalled by the pandemic, Bus to London will launch in August 2023.
To get an idea of their annual trips, in 2019, Road to London started a road trip in India, looping back through Southeast Asia, into China, the Middle East and Europe. That 16,000 km (9,942 mi) journey took 50 days, crossing eight time zones along the way.
Where will the new Bus to London take you?
The journey begins in Istanbul, Turkey and carries travelers through the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Scandinavia and Western Europe. Various capitals will be visited including Sofia in Bulgaria, Belgrade in Serbia, and Zagreb in Croatia.
More major cities include Ljubljana in Slovenia, Budapest in Hungary, Bratislava in Slovakia, Prague in the Czech Republic and Warsaw in Poland, including a visit to Auschwitz.
From there, the Bus to London heads north to visit Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. It then crosses the Gulf of Finland, visiting Santa Claus Village and Nordkapp, the northernmost point of Europe accessible by road.
Travelers will then be transported south through Norway, taking the famous Atlantic Ocean Road. This will stop along the way in Tromso, Bergen and Oslo, including northern lights experiences along the way.
The next stop is in Stockholm in Sweden, and Copenhagen in Denmark, before heading on the final stretch of the journey. The last week of the Bus to London experience will head through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France before finding pulling to a stop in London in the UK.
What will the experience be like?
While many people will consider a 56-day bus ride an epic adventure, others may not be so keen. However, Adventures Overland promises luxurious comfort all the way. The seats on the bus are described as reclining, adjustable seats with plenty of legroom. Meanwhile, the layout will be two seats on one side, with one on the other, so as not to cram the space. This also offers a wider gangway and includes individual entertainment systems with AUX and USB ports.
Meanwhile, each seat has a foldable tray like on airplanes and has USB phone chargers. Moreover, there is a toilet on board for those long stretches without stopping. Another bonus is that travelers are each allowed to bring two full-size suitcases on board without paying extra.
About the legs of the journey on Bus to London
Most legs on the Bus to London journey come with a day off from traveling in between. For instance, every other day, distances traveled range from 95 to 675 km (59 to 420 mi). Meanwhile, over a period of 28 days, the journey racks up 12,265 km (7,621 mi).
Moreover, the journey leaves Istanbul on August 7 and ends up in London, UK on October 1, 2023,
How much does Bus to London cost?
The journey doesn’t come cheap and the price is INR 2 million (US$24,311) plus taxes per passenger. However, the fee covers all transport, visas and hotel stays based on two people sharing a twin room. Meanwhile, the journey also includes all breakfasts, 30 lunches and 30 dinners. Each stop along the road will have local, English-speaking guides, as well as sightseeing and walking tours.
However, flights to and from the start and end points of the journey are not included. Moreover, travelers will need to take out their own travel insurance, as they may be liable for unforeseen costs due to breakdowns, weather, or delays.
Meanwhile, the total number of passengers on the Bus to London is 30 people, so book your spot soon.
Find out more about Bus to London and how to book your seat on Adventures Overland’s website here.