OUIBUS - Paris to Amsterdam 9 Euro?

Posted by frank (Jackson, CA, USA) on 05/02/16 07:08 AM

While checking out a hostel in Paris their website had a link to OUIBUS, bus service from Paris, all over France and to Amsterdam with points in between. Amsterdam to Paris is a 6hr45min trip on a coach with assigned seat, free wifi and electric plug. 9 Euro with as little as a week advance purchase. Seems pretty nice and it's run by SNCF. Amsterdam to Paris by train took about the same amount of time. Paris to London, Cologne, Barcelona, Milan, all 9 Euro with short advance booking. London to Amsterdam for 7 Pounds.

I'm wondering if anyone has had experience using this coach line.

Posted by Carol

Atlanta, GA, USA

05/02/16 01:19 PM

2790 posts

I am just curious how a bus goes to London from Paris or Amsterdam?

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

05/02/16 01:27 PM

21153 posts

Load the bus on a rail car and haul it through the tunnel.
I did read a review by a fashion model who used it, so imagine how clueless she was about what the actual logistics were. "I went to sleep on the bus in Paris and woke up in London." I guess that is a pretty good review, though.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

05/02/16 01:43 PM

8889 posts

To further answer carol's question, look at the photos here: http://p6.storage.canalblog.com/62/12/781414/61694707.jpg
and here: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Chargement_voiture_Eurotunnel.jpg

Over 50% of the trains going through the Channel Tunnel are car bus and lorry (truck) carrying drive-on/drive-off shuttles. Eurostar passenger trains and freight trains account for the rest. The shuttles run between the two ends of the tunnel only, Folkestone and Calais. Double-deck shuttles for cars and single-deck for buses and lorries. Car and bus passengers stay in their vehicles. It only takes about 30 minutes terminal to terminal, plus a few minutes to load and unload.

To get back to Frank's original question, I would not fancy over 6 hours on a bus. Paris to Amsterdam by train takes 3h30, London 2h20. I would choose a faster and a much more comfortable train any day.

Posted by Carol

Atlanta, GA, USA

05/02/16 05:02 PM

2790 posts

I guess this is a classic time vs. money decision.
Young backpacker with the entire summer... take the bus.
People like me with limited vacation... take the train

Posted by frank OP

Jackson, CA, USA

05/02/16 05:36 PM

26 posts

I found a video on YouTube from a student who used it to travel to London from Paris. It's in French, but it documents the experience pretty well including the train trip under the channel. Everything seems really nice...seats inside the coach, rest stops (spotted a Burger King...sigh). Paris to Milan is a night bus. To me, it's a little more "backdoor" than I'm used to, but for a leg of my trip or a night bus between cities I might be willing to give it a try.

Posted by frank OP

Jackson, CA, USA

05/02/16 05:39 PM

26 posts

I know what you mean, Carol. I retired last year and that's why I'm even looking at this. For the first time I don't have to hurry up and enjoy my European trip. The bulk of my travel would still be by train. European trains are a treat in themselves.