From German Start-up to European Leader

Everything started in 2013 after the end of the rail monopoly in Germany. An opening appeared for long-distance bus travel, and André Schwämmlein, Jochen Engert, and Daniel Krauss immediately jumped on it, three young German entrepreneurs determined to revolutionize how millions of Germans and, eventually, millions of Europeans travel.

That vision became reality with the founding in Munich, in 2013, of FlixBus, a mobility start-up that quickly established itself as the leader in European long-distance coach travel. After rapidly rising to number one in Germany, the company expanded across the continent, particularly in France, where it launched its first domestic route between Paris and Clermont-Ferrand in August 2015, right on the heels of the Macron law that deregulated the French long-distance bus market.

Going Global

FlixBus did not stop there. Beyond Europe, the company expanded internationally into Turkey, the United States, Brazil, and Canada, totaling over 3,000 destinations across more than 40 countries, with over 400,000 daily connections.

A Popular Start-up

The brand owes much of its success to its rock-bottom prices and technological innovations, such as an intuitive booking and ticketing system, the smartphone app, free onboard Wi-Fi, and real-time GPS bus tracking. Not to mention high levels of comfort and safety (restrooms, power outlets) found aboard its eco-friendly buses, reflected in their trademark green color!

Not Your Average Bus Company

Speaking of buses, FlixBus does not own the coaches it operates and employs no drivers. Instead, for the actual transportation, it partners with local bus operators, selling their available seats in exchange for a share of the profits while enforcing strict brand standards. FlixBus handles the logistical side, mapping out routes, planning the network, managing marketing, selling tickets, and running customer service with a single goal: offering an eco-friendly, comfortable, and accessible travel option for everyone.

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Reviews of FlixBus

Summary of 6 reviews
3.7/5
Average rating
+16 recs +23 -7 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recs

Average ratings by criterion

Customer service
3.8/5
Reliability
3.7/5
Value for money
3.8/5

Pleasantly surprised by the experience

Very attractive prices. I was pleasantly surprised to do a Rennes to Lorient or a Nice to Marseille trip for just a few euros, especially on the southern route where you are just about as fast as the train. The buses are generally more comfortable than I imagined (let's be clear, it is still a bus). A good experience and a really interesting alternative to the train!

24
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Convenient and cheap

I have booked several trips with FlixBus that have always gone well. Obviously, you should not expect optimal comfort, as it is still a bus ride. For short trips, I find it is ideal. Beyond two or three hours, it can get complicated. But it is the most advantageous in terms of price.

15
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Very complicated bus access despite having a reservation

I have only taken a FlixBus once, and I will not be repeating the experience! I had booked a trip from Paris to Tours because it was much cheaper than the train. I regretted it very quickly! The bus arrived 20 minutes late, and when I went to board, the attendant refused me access because the bus was supposedly full! They asked me to take the next one, despite my duly booked ticket! I had to fight for 15 minutes, after contacting customer service, to manage to get on! Inside the bus, the seats were okay, but there were no seatbelts or bathrooms. In the end, I arrived more than an hour late. It is better to just pay for the train to avoid all that hassle.

12
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On time, clean, but average comfort

I used FlixBus once for a long distance trip. Booking was no problem and the bus was on time, which is nice. On the other hand, the comfort on board leaves a lot to be desired. The seats were really stiff, almost like boards. It was lucky that breaks were scheduled, as they were very welcome. That said, I wondered if the drivers ever forget passengers during stops at highway rest areas, as no check was done before leaving again.

12
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Good experiences

Contrary to so many negative reviews about FlixBus, I have personally never had a bad experience with them. The buses have always arrived on time. They are relatively comfortable (for buses!), with a plug to charge your phone and a restroom. They offer really convenient overnight trips, like Paris to Perpignan.
The only hitch is that drivers can forget passengers during bathroom breaks in the middle of the night. Prices are also starting to go up, a probable consequence of the increase in train fares.

11
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Good for short trips

I have used this company several times for 3 hour trips.
The bus was clean and well maintained. The seats were comfortable, offering enough space to get settled in for the ride. Having power outlets at every seat was also a nice perk.
The prices are attractive and the travel time is reasonable for short trips.

15
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