Imagine a bus trip that lasts several weeks and crosses the borders of several countries. For some, it is a nightmare, associated with uncomfortable seats and constant stuffiness. But for others, it is an interesting experience associated with new acquaintances and visiting interesting places. In 1957, Albert Travel offered people a tour from England to the Indian city of Calcutta, lasting 50 days. To everyone's surprise, there were many people who wanted to see the world in such an unusual way. 20 people went on the first trip, and then dozens of other transport companies began offering this service. Let's take an incredible journey into the past together and find out what the longest bus route in the world was like.
Albert Travel Bus from London to Kolkata. Image: indiaswami.ru
Contents
- 1 The Longest Bus Tour
- 2 Travel to India and Back
- 3 Popular Bus Tours
- 4 Where to Go If You've Seen It All
The Longest Bus Tour
The bus from Great Britain to India set off on April 15, 1957. Its route ran through Europe, and then crossed the borders of Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran and many other countries. The final destination was the Indian city of Calcutta, so passengers visited major Indian cities such as New Delhi and Agra along the way. As expected, the longest bus journey lasted 50 days and ended on June 5, 1957.
First passengers of the London-Kolkata bus. Image: indiaswami.ru
Cost of a bus ticketfrom London was about 2,000 pounds, which was about 185,000 rubles today. Older people did not dare to make such a journey, so almost all 20 seats on the bus were occupied by young people. Because of this, the trip from London to Calcutta became known as the “hippie route”.
The bus from the UK to India could be recognized from afar. Image: indiaswami.ru
It goes without saying that during the journey, passengers and the driver did not sit in just one place. Bus ticket pricewas high because it included food and accommodation. Although Albert Travel buses were equipped with a kitchen, reading areas, and even sleeping places, travelers made frequent stops. Tourists visited attractions in different countries, stayed overnight in hotels, and sometimes pitched tents near the road.
Interior of the Albert Travel bus. Source: indiaswami.ru
Journey to India and Back
Having reached Calcutta, the tourists took a break for a few days, and then the bus headed back to London. Many passengers stayed in India, while others decided to return to their homeland.
The bus journey allowed to get acquainted with the culture of different countries. Image: indiaswami.ru
The return journey was more difficult. Having reached the border between Pakistan and Iran, the driver learned that it was closed due to a flu epidemic. Because of this, they had to go around, so the passengers got home 16 days late. In those days, mobile phones did not exist, and their relatives were probably very worried. There are reports of rumors that the bus was attacked by bandits. Fortunately, the flight from Calcutta to London ended successfully.
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Popular bus tours
The news of the longest bus journey spread throughout England. Other transport companies decided to repeat the success of Albert Travel and offered passengers the same service. Some buses went to Kathmandu, while others stopped in Sri Lanka. One company even organized a route from London to Sydney, Australia – a section of the sea was covered by a double-decker bus on board a ship.
Many people learned about the longest bus route from newspapers. Image: indiaswami.ru
In the 1970s, the demand for bus travel dropped significantly. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, aviation developed in the world, and people began to fly from one point of the world to another in a few hours. Secondly, difficult political situations in the countries through which the route ran made such travel very risky. Thirdly, people simply ceased to be interested in this kind of pastime; the world had changed a lot in just a few years.
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Where to go if you've already seen everything
However, in 2021, the Indian tour operator Adventures Overland wanted to revive bus tours from India to London. It was reported that passengers would spend about two months on the road and would have time to visit 18 countries. During this time, the bus was supposed to travel 20 thousand kilometers.
For long trips, buses should be as comfortable as possible. Image: travelask.ru
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According to the company's official website, the trip from India to the UK will take place in 2025. It will last 65 days, during which time tourists will cover 16,000 kilometers. However, instead of a bus, the company will use several cars. The trip will also include a hot air balloon ride, a ferry crossing, and excursions to major cities.