A new report from Italian transport research institute, TRASPOL reveals that long-distance coach fares in Europe have risen steadily over the past five years, yet buses remain the most affordable travel mode by a wide margin.
Drawing on millions of price points gathered by booking platform CheckMyBus, the study shows an average fare increase of 15% per kilometre across Europe between 2019 and 2024. However, the scale of this increase varies significantly by market.
The United Kingdom stands out with a notably lower rate of price growth, which the report attributes to significant competition among its dominant coach operators. Despite the rising costs of fuel and labour, particularly driver wages, strong market rivalry has helped minimise fare hikes in the UK compared to continental peers.
Airport routes have seen the sharpest price increases, while intercity segments have grown more moderately. However, 2024 actually saw a slight decline in average prices compared to 2023 (–3%), largely driven by lower prices in the first half of the year.
Overall, the findings underscore the continued affordability of coach travel across Europe despite cost pressures.
