Rail & bus: how to book ground transport
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What to check
- Whether the site is the operator itself or a reseller, and any booking fee.
- Ticket type (fixed-time or flexible) and refund rules.
- Exact station or stop location; some bus stops are on a street corner.
- Seat reservations: some rail passes still need a paid seat booking.
- Luggage limits on buses.
Booking sites
Partner links coming soon.
By region
United States
Intercity trains and buses run on many routes; long-distance trains are scenic but slow, so compare total travel time with flying.
Asia
High-speed rail in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan; buses, trains and ferries across Southeast Asia. Check operator rules on passport names.
Japan rail tip
Compare the price of a rail pass (TBD) with single tickets for your actual route before buying, since a pass only pays off with enough long trips.
Dubai & UAE
Dubai Metro has two lines, Red and Green, run by Dubai's RTA. Pay with a nol card. Trains have a Gold Class cabin for nol Gold card holders and cabins set aside for women and children. RTA's baggage policy allows 2 suitcases per passenger, and a large suitcase must not exceed 81 × 58 × 30 cm (checked 1 Nov 2026, per Dubai RTA's website). RTA also sells intercity bus tickets on its site. The UAE's national rail network now takes passenger bookings on its official site (checked 1 Nov 2026). Fares: TBD.
India
Indian Railways tickets are sold on the official national railway booking site. Popular trains can sell out, so book early and check your ticket status before you travel. Fares: TBD.
Australia
Long-distance trains are limited and often scenic rather than fast; state rail and coach operators cover regional routes.
Pacific Islands
Little or no passenger rail; local buses and inter-island ferries are the norm. Check schedules locally and expect weather changes.
Getting from the airport to the station? See our airport transfers guide.
Europe
Dense rail networks and budget intercity buses. Book high-speed trains early, and compare point-to-point tickets with rail passes.