Bus and Coach journeys – 12go

I discovered 12go.com when I visited Vietnam and booked all of my overnight train journeys and sleeper coaches via this app. So I can thoroughly recommend it. They send tickets direct via email, or their app. You can simply download it, stick in your wallet or on a folder to show the officials.

I also used the same organisation to book local bus trips in North Africa when I visited Morocco with Emma and my son.

During my last visit I checked the price that the bus ticket was at the station, and it was identical to the price I had paid.

My recommendation is to use the larger more well known bus companies via this website – I’m sure you will be able to work out which ones they are in the country you are visiting without too much trouble.

Top Tip 1: The standard, class and cleanliness of buses and trains can vary wildly. Do some research to see if you are likely to be sat alongside a bunch of over-excited tourists or chilled locals (on cheaper transport). You will have your own preference as to who you’d rather be sat alongside.

Top Tip 2: Create an account with 12go and always log in before you buy a ticket. If you don’t and mistype your email address you “may” lose your ticket. I say “may” because I didn’t take this advice once, and thought I’d lost the confirmation email and ticket (which is sent off to you once 12go purchase it for you). However, 12go’s customer service was excellent and after a few minutes of panic, they managed to verify who I was and somehow I managed to get the ticket so all was good in the end.