Deciding on Bus Transport in Australia
December 5th, 2009 by Tim Hastings, under Vacations. No Comments
There is no dearth of transportation options in Australia for a visitor who wants to travel from one place to another. In a country where traveling by road is cheaper than journeying by train, often car rental is an attractive option. However, when it is a matter of inter-city travel which involves a few hours, taking a flight could be a better idea. However, let us not forget the bus which has gained in popularity once again recently, but how do you know if this is the best way to travel – well continue reading.
Bus travel in Australia.
It is difficult to tell whether this is justified or not, but bus services in Australia have a rather tarnished image and many consider the services to be a last resort. The reality however is that there are plenty of service levels of buses available, ranging from luxury to economy depending on the carrier. Greyhound rules the industry operating bus transportation services across the country. You may also have heard of McAfferty’s and Intertransit who are smaller companies that offer a certain brand and service level. In addition there are several strong regional players in the bus industry, although they may share service with Greyhound on certain routes.
Competing head on with the airlines industry is the introduction of luxury bus services, yet another new introduction to the industry. If you are someone who is no further than about 6 hours from your destination, this option may appeal as this type of bus service offer excellent 1st class service so you will not feel as if you are traveling ‘budget class’.
So how can you make up your mind when you need to travel by bus? To get an answer to this question, try answering these questions: What is the budget that you have planned for your journey? If it is low, take the bus. It is the least expensive way to travel across Australia and if you are traveling in the East of the country, even more so as there are more companies who want your business.
Do you think once you reach your destination you will require a car?
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. Additionally a bus will usually take you right up to the central area which makes it so much easier to find your way about in the city.
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.
