RIGA to LONDON (Birmingham) FLIXBUS - 56 Hours / 7 Borders / 5 Buses

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  • Опубліковано 29 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 139

  • @Nadelina_kb
    @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому +5

    I travelled from France to Spain with a flux bus. What a journey !

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      Where did you travel from and to? We're thinking about going to Sevilla after Portugal - we've heard so much about that beautiful city!

    • @Nadelina_kb
      @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому

      Frugal Travellers Sevilla is amazing, you will love it. I went from the south of France to Madrid, not as long as you. When I said « What a journey ! « it was about yours 😀

    • @mferdela8795
      @mferdela8795 4 роки тому +1

      Hi I'm planning to do the same next week. Are they controlling the border?

    • @tianatelegone1157
      @tianatelegone1157 3 роки тому

      Hi, I'm thinking of going to Valencia from Paris on the 11th of jan. Did you need a covid test for it?? The governments' websites only mention negative PCR tests for air and sea travel but not bus

    • @tianatelegone1157
      @tianatelegone1157 3 роки тому

      @@mferdela8795 did you?

  • @Hoppy86
    @Hoppy86 Рік тому +1

    really love the content cant wait to get on a flixbus

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  Рік тому

      We're so pleased you enjoyed this video! We hope you have a great time on Flixbus! ~ Mandy 😀😁

  • @martindavis6115
    @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +2

    You may be interested to know Flixbus resumed their UK operations in Mid April although international services remain suspended.
    Passengers are still unable to go in Victoria Coach Station before their coach departure time but they were more flexible than before about me popping in for the loo.
    The vehicles used on the Bristol to London services are nice and comfortable and you can pay to reserve any seat including the front row ones.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +2

      Hello Martin. Thank you for sharing this update - we appreciate it. Good news about UK routes resuming, and hopefully journeys via mainland Europe will be back on the table this year.
      I was happy to discover that the toilets in Victoria train station had been renovated and were now free! It's great that you were allowed to use the facilities at Victoria Coach station before your official entry time.
      We enjoy bus travel, and have always had a safe and comfortable journey with Flixbus.
      Thank you again for taking the time to comment and share this updated information.

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +2

      @@FrugalTravellers No problem really glad you appreciate this information

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +2

      @@martindavis6115 Definitely! Not only is it helpful to us, but hopefully for other viewers as well.

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +2

      @@FrugalTravellers Pleased to hear

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 3 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers YAY !! FREE TOILET !!! LOL. HURAYS to them !! Lol.👍👍😆💜🥁🎵🐉🎤🎶💞

  • @AbsolutGB96
    @AbsolutGB96 3 роки тому +1

    I loved this video guys, subscribed - and looking forward to the world allowing these sorts of journeys again!

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      That's so lovely, thank you! Hopefully we'll all be travelling like this again soon! - Mandy

  • @supraptowotowo6906
    @supraptowotowo6906 3 роки тому +2

    Hello From Indonesia, I am very lucky to find your UA-cam channel. I like the travel video of both of you, because you can describe the continent of Europe in a different light. yesterday I was immediately interested in watching your other video, you both are so happy on every trip. I will waiting for your next travel video ... greetings from Indonesia...cheers

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +2

      Hello and greetings from Portugal! Thank you for your kind comment - it's great to meet you! We do tend to show a slightly different side of things from other channels as we're travellers who after many years have become vloggers... so our footage tends to be far more raw and less arty. We don't have a drone either 😃😁 We're so pleased you enjoyed our videos and we look forward to hearing from you again!

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 3 роки тому

      Hello Indonesia ! I just discovered this wonderful channel myself as well! Hugs from L.A. ! I am Japanese. 💜💜💜💜🥁🐉🎵🎤🎶💕💞

  • @Sodaandplants
    @Sodaandplants 2 роки тому +1

    I'm doing London > Marseille > Nice > Paris > Barcelona > London next month, I'm excited but quite dubious after seeing this aha

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому

      That sounds great, Craig! Is that with an Interflix pass or all booked separately? 😃😁 ~ Mandy

  • @Nadelina_kb
    @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому +2

    You’re crossing some beautiful places.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +2

      There was some lovely scenery... it would be great to travel across Europe in a van - maybe we'll do that some day 😀😃

  • @leslee_fw
    @leslee_fw 4 роки тому +1

    You guys are hard core, I would have been broken long before Lee was

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      @Leslee Fletcher I must admit that around Hour 15 I was wondering if we'd made a bad decision 😂 but no - it was a great way to travel from Latvia back to the UK 😀😁😃

  • @MrRW1980
    @MrRW1980 4 роки тому +1

    the best camouflaged brits ever) like your film i also travel with flixbus krakow, budapest and so on.......;) hope you are well in lockdown 3....

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +2

      Thank you! I'm a Kiwi originally but Lee's from the UK 😀 We're so pleased we discovered Flixbus and the Interflix pass last year, as have saved so much on long distance bus journeys! We're both well, and hope you are also.

  • @che_guevara67
    @che_guevara67 2 роки тому

    you two are incrediblenothing fazes these two at all..it wud be a joy to share a bus with them :)...

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому +1

      That's so lovely, Irish forever, thank you! To be perfectly honest, if we did share a bus, I'd be reading or listening to audiobooks/podcasts the whole time... too much fun relaxing to be chatting 🤣😂 We could talk at rest stops though! ~ Mandy 😀😁

    • @che_guevara67
      @che_guevara67 2 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers lol....can you post some of your good natures..its incredible...ive binge watched sooo many of your journeys..:)

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому

      @@che_guevara67 It's always wonderful to hear such positive feedback... thank you! I think we need to post some of our disagreements, so people don't think we're always positive, even though we genuinely do find joy in simple things! 😀😁 ~ Mandy

  • @martindavis6115
    @martindavis6115 4 роки тому

    Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoy watching your videos.
    I travelled on the first ever Flixbus journey from Bristol to London back on Thursday 2nd July. This was the day after Victoria Coach Station had just reopened following the resumption of National Express services and I was taken by surprise when I was told you can no longer go in the departures building unless its an hour before you are traveling.
    I was told I had to use the loo in the railway station

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      @Martin Davis Thank you for your kind words, and we're pleased you enjoy our videos! Having last arrived at Victoria Coach station last November, we were shocked at the new rules... especially when Victoria railway station is fully open for business!
      We do enjoy travelling with Flixbus as thoroughly enjoy a bargain! If they ever hiked their prices, we'd find an alternative.

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 4 роки тому +1

      Interesting to hear that Victoria Railway Station was more open again when you passed through.
      I was last there a couple of days before pubs and restaurants were allowed to reopen here in the UK and virtually all the catering outlets in the station were closed save Pret A Manger and WHSmith.
      I also spent time waiting on those seats in Victoria Station (had some college study to do which helped pass the time) and also used those toilets. They've been free for a few years now.

  • @spark_6710
    @spark_6710 3 роки тому +2

    I love the idea of using Flexi buses on travelling as more affordable usually & more comfortable looking than National Express buses ! But,their schedules are confusing !! It's flexi ,so flexible , varies a lot ! Depends on the day ,I guess !! 😅😆 I wanna know more about Flexi buses & more pros / cons of using them ! If you can do the video ( comparison between other buses like mega bus National Express ,so on !? As well as comparisons vs trains ? That'll be awesome ! Thank you for this video ! You both look very happy & easy going !! 😀👍👍💜🥁🎵🐉🎤🎶💞

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому +1

      Hello Spark! For some reason I've only just seen your comment! We always use the Flixbus app and find it to be very user friendly. Thank you for your great suggestion - we're still in Portugal so won't be able to make those types of trips for a while! ~ Mandy 😀😁

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 2 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers Hello Mandy !! Thanks so much for this reply !! I'm gonna check your recent videos in Portugal. Lately ,haven't watched anybody videos which is longer than 5 ,10 minutes as I have been busy planning / doing all the necessity for our trip to Wales/ England for this summer & put my lifestyle back on regular schedules ( flipping night/ day hours back to normal, so far been great !! For the last 2 months or so ! ) & I am subbed to too many channels !! Lol.😅But,I am gonna watch your most recent one this afternoon ! I'd love to visit Lisbon someday !!! Thank you so much for your reply ,always appreciate it very much !!! You're such a sweet lady & being so good at that 💕 🙏🏼👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💕💞

  • @lunahora5512
    @lunahora5512 Рік тому

    Amazing adventure. I just wanted to ask, when you get a flexi-bus ticket like that, can you stop anywhere you like and get the next bus using the same ticket or you really need to go always following your ticket time? Can you still enjoy a bit the places you are passing through?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  Рік тому

      That's a great question, and I just wish that Flixbus would bring back the brilliant Interflix pass! That was actually 5 direct journeys, with any transfer being considered a second journey/ticket... so you could plan to stay somewhere for a day or two as would be using another trip to continue on. We're so pleased you enjoyed this video and we hope you like our many other travel vlogs! ~ Mandy 😁😀

  • @martindavis6115
    @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +1

    Something else I'd be interested to find out, other than the London to Birmingham bus did any of the services you traveled on have restrictions on where passengers should sit?
    For example during Covid times National Express request passengers sit in the window seats and the aisle seats and front row seats have been commonly blocked off. Was it like that on any of the European coaches you traveled on?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      @Martin Davis Another great question. No, there was no compulsory separation of seating during our 2 months in the Baltic states and then on this journey back to the UK. I think FlixBus reduced the number of seats for sale but the only seats blocked off were the front row behind the driver. We were surprised to see such strict distancing on the London to Birmingham coach.

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +1

      @@FrugalTravellers Thanks for explaining. Pretty sure all the coach operators here have sold a reduced number of seats to allow for social distancing. Certainly on NX you can sit together if you are part of the same household bubble.
      Remember the NX bays in Bristol Bus Station initially having notices up instructing passengers not to sit next to each other. These notices got left up throughout the period when services were suspended.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      @Martin Davis There was a mother and her 2 young sons on the London to Birmingham bus, and the driver said they all had to sit on their own with a vacant seat beside them!

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +1

      @@FrugalTravellers Thats quite shocking

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      @Martin Davis I know! Her sons were maybe 5 & 7, and she asked if they could sit together, but the driver said that wasn't possible. He was a really nice guy, very friendly and helpful, but had to follow the national rules.

  • @MrWebbster1997
    @MrWebbster1997 4 роки тому

    Hopefully one day our paths will cross would love to hear your stories and if you ever do a long coach journey again let me know and I’ll come with you

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      We're pleased you enjoyed the video! Bus travel can have its less than pleasant moments, but we prefer it to flying.

  • @AftertheCalmtravel
    @AftertheCalmtravel 4 роки тому +1

    Jeez guys! What a trip, awesome ride! Thank you for undertaking this long ass journey for our entertainment!! X

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +3

      Hahahha 😂 We're pleased you enjoyed the video! Bus travel is a great way to escape everyday life - all that free time to listen to podcasts, look out the window, read eBooks and watch downloaded Netflix programmes... so much fun 😀😃

    • @AftertheCalmtravel
      @AftertheCalmtravel 4 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers totally agree! Some people do get bus sick reading though. At least there's a constantly changing view outside the window 😍

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +2

      @After the Calm I used to suffer motion sickness when reading in a vehicle but learnt that if I keep the book or my device held up in line with my eyes and the horizon, that I'd be fine. I read 2 books on this journey... no time for Netflix 😂

    • @AftertheCalmtravel
      @AftertheCalmtravel 4 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers Skills! And yes! Books over Netflix 😜

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      @After the Calm Definitely! It's so lovely having access to physical library books at the moment... I love the easy accessibility of ebooks but actual paper books are so much more pleasing to read, even if they're so much heavier and you can't read them with the light off 😂

  • @martindavis6115
    @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +2

    Out of interest have you ever done a coach trip where you've sat in the very front seat or the very back one?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +1

      Yes, we've sat in the very front seats and the very back seats a few times. I prefer the front seats during the day for the view, but not so much for overnight journeys, due to the light from oncoming cars. We try to avoid sitting too far back as poor suspension can make for a bumpy ride on long distance journeys.
      With FlixBus, if you don't pay to reserve a seat, you can choose from one of the seats with a green sticker by the seat number, as they're available to anyone.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +2

      One of the most memorable coach trips we ever took was years ago on a Eurolines double decker from Barcelona to Florence. We sat at the top on the front seats and had a beautiful birds-eye view going along the coastal road of southern France and across the Alps into Italy. It was spectacular! On some Flixbus double deckers you can reserve these seats in advance for a few Euros. I'd say it is so worth it for the really scenic journeys.

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому

      Thanks for responding and sorry for the delay in replying.
      I slightly prefer the very back seat on a longer journey but like the front seats too because of the view they offer. If its a daytime journey I prefer the front seats but during an evening journey when its darker the back seats have their advantage.
      When I travelled to Paris and back with Flixbus last year I paid extra for a front seat both ways. However on the Outbound journey I ended up changing to an earlier coach to the one I was booked on (A Eurolines service operated on behalf of Flixbus) to Gallieni Coach Station and ended up sitting right at the back. On the return journey I traveled with Flixbus from Bercy Seine and sat in the front row

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому

      Sounds like a great journey. If I ever go on one like that I'll certainly look at reserving those seats.

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 3 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers That's awesome about the bird eye views !!! A double Deckers can give us that ! Funny ! I've never thought about that at all !! Lol.😅 I just thought that'd be fun to do it like to pleasing my kid like curiosity !! I've done it once in London back in '83 !! It was fun !!! 😍👍👍💜🥁🎵🐉🎤🎶💞

  • @TheKruns
    @TheKruns 4 роки тому

    That’s a long trip. You really had a wonderful vacation in the Baltics!👍

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      I do prefer staying on the one bus but it was good to be able to stretch our legs during the transfers. We loved our time in the Baltic States - especially Vilnius and Tallinn. I'd go back in a flash! 😃😁

  • @paul0gb
    @paul0gb 4 роки тому

    Welcome back to Blighty! 🙂

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      Thank you! We've been back 6 weeks... it's taken me that long to edit the 300+ video clips 😂 It was so lovely to have those last few weeks of warm sunny weather in September but Lee's now pining for some beach time so we're planning to head to Portugal... by bus, of course 😃😀

  • @edek8470
    @edek8470 4 роки тому

    Sie ma!..56 hours continually via jumbo jet and my reckoning is you could have circumnavigated the globe.. ;-)
    Don't think I've ever used the word circumnavigated before, let alone twice in same post. Interesting journey with some excitement you don't always need. Bet you were relieved to finally get proper rest, refreshments etc., upon arrival. Kick off the boots!

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      Haha... I believe you could fly round the world TWICE in 56 hours! Why do we do it? We must be masochists. All in the interests of curiosity. Was a great trip. Just wish it wasn't night when we went through Western Poland. I would have liked to have seen Poznan.

    • @edek8470
      @edek8470 4 роки тому

      I guess it much depends on how many rate of knots you're flying however once at cruise, hardly anything to see unless big fluffy clouds really float your boat haha. Saying that cumulo nimbus varieties can be stunning! Was over Central Europe some years ago, circumnavigating (my fave word now?) severe storms which were later reported to have produced golf-ball sized hail..also, just to reiterate, thanks again for sharing all the travels et al, had some funny moments for sure. Nazdrowie!

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      @@edek8470 That's pretty crazy being up in the clouds when they are that volatile. I'm feeling much safer with my feet on Terra Firma right now and we'll be carrying on overlanding in the near future! I'm getting better at sleeping on buses now. 😆😆

  • @spark_6710
    @spark_6710 3 роки тому +1

    I'd love to ride/ use Flexi buses in U.K. & Italy ! I am currently planning our trip to Wales and England ( with my elderly mom )& hopefully ,possibly Hungary as well !
    But ,I am worried of getting clots for a long ride !! Lol. And butt sores !! We're both prone to those !! Lol.What are your solutions ,if you've got any !? Also ,just watched another vloger saying there was no toilet on Flexi ,rarely !! I was told there was on each & have read that info on their site ,too ! Which one is the reality !!? 😅
    I admire you guys for being able to ride on buses for a long long time & that many hours !!! 😀😅👍👍💜🥁🎵🐉🎤🎶💞

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +1

      Hello Spark! First of all, thank you for your great comments and questions! 😀😊 Next, it's actually called FlixBus, not Flexibus 😉😁
      The buses we went on all had toilets, so we were fine... but in these covid times the toilets (and borders!) could be closed, so it's best to check ahead!
      It's possible to walk in the bus or during a smoke break - be careful to keep anything valuable with you if you get off. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you have a wonderful time 😁😀 - Mandy

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 3 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers Oh...LOLLOLLOL MY BAD !!! I KNEW that ,but I wrote it wrong !! I've found out about all different names of buses in Wales & England last year !! Mega bus,National Express ,Lloyd ( family owned ) ,so many including this Flixi ,Flix ? They have two different names I think !? I've checked on their ( all of those we're gonna use I think ) websites ,etc as well as luggage restrictions were the big issues for us !! I wish if they make up their minds & agree on one measurement, make it universal !!! Ugh ! Who's gonna buy luggage bags each time we switch the airlines !!!? LOLLOLLOL people are gonna have quite collections of luggage bags soon !! 😅 And that & buses ....! Again ,they're all different !! Then we might get troubles with bus companies reject ,or charge us fines for our bags !! So ,we decided to do one hand luggage & one carry - on & travel super light instead !!! Lol. Instead of paying the fees & make all of 'em happy !!! LOLLOLLOL 🤣😅😆 I was quite relieved after chatting live with Lloyd bus company's rep.telling me those ( one hand luggage & one carry-on each )wouldn't be an issue ! 😀
      Oh ! K. ! That's another thing ,I just read several hrs ago on someone's article reg.luggage on Flix got stolen !!! 😱 Also ...she said their toilets are smelly !!! Lol.So,telling us to avoid to sit near as much as possible !! Lol.As well as how rude & mean the bus drivers are ,etc .! 😅
      Well ...I am still on my quest to find an affordable & comfortable & nice bus company if that exists !! LOLLOLLOL 🤣😅😆
      Maybe Mega bus ?
      Thank you so much for your replies !! Please give me / share any great tips with me to travel easier / cheaper/ safer in U.K. !! I'll appreciate it very much !! I wanna be pro about it like you guys !!! Lol. Please stay safe ! 👍👍💜💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎵🎶🙋‍♀️💕💞

  • @marine27
    @marine27 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for this video! It helped me to decide, I'm about to book my first 20h trip to back to France after 2 years away from home. :) My only fear is how is the feeling wearing a mask so long?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      Hello! We're pleased we could. We're accustomed to wearing masks on long distance bus journeys... and we'd always make sure we'd get off during rest stops and find somewhere to take our masks off. Remember to always take your day bag and valuables with you when you do that, and don't go too far away from the bus. We haven't had had any problems but have read a lot of reviews where people had issues! Safe travels 😃😁 Mandy

  • @_rio
    @_rio 4 роки тому +1

    What a trip - did you guys have to take any covid tests before boarding and during transfer? Is it more convenient compared to taking flights?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      We left on the 31 October, before the French border shut with the UK, and didn't need to take a test. We much prefer travelling overland to flying, and consider the journey an integral part of the travel experience. It's normally more expensive to travel long distances overland, which is why we were pleased to discover the Flixbus Interflix pass... Lee first stumbled across it on a blog last year and it's been a major past of our travels ever since.

  • @ArielCruzPizarro
    @ArielCruzPizarro 4 роки тому

    What a great adventure to take such a long trip and on so many buses, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot (even with the wi-fi problems hahaha). Good thing you got to London safely. Many greetings from Chile!

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      Thank you! We had a great time, even if it was difficult occasionally 😁 We love overland travel, and I look forward to finally visiting Chile in maybe 2-3 years time. Lee's been before and loved your beautiful country!

    • @ArielCruzPizarro
      @ArielCruzPizarro 4 роки тому +1

      @@FrugalTravellers Yes, overland travel certainly has its charm. How nice that Lee has been here, I hope you enjoy a lot if you ever come (here I can answer some questions and give some tips). Many greetings!

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      @Ariel Cruz Pizarro Thank you - it's always great to get advice from a local!

  • @izziiebabee
    @izziiebabee Рік тому

    Also another question i'm from the uk, i have a uk passport, do i need any documents for travelling through europe?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  Рік тому

      From what I can gather, the Schengen zone will require third country nationals, ie from the UK, USA, Oz, NZ etc, to apply for an ETIAN from 2024. I would advise you to research that online to be aware of future requirements post-Brexut. ~ Mandy

  • @rebeccar4312
    @rebeccar4312 4 роки тому

    glad you made it to uk safe and sound...does this mean you won't be travelling for awhile? did you have a "home" to return to-i know that many long term travellers do not. also, curious why you chose to make the long bus journey straight through instead of breaking it up and making stops along the way-were you burnt out from all your adventures and just wanting to get home?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому

      @Rebecca R - another great question! It was a much delayed return to the UK - we'd had flights booked to return in April! When borders started closing in March when we were in Poland, we made the call to stay in Krakow, as didn't want to risk family with co-morbidities in the UK.
      We decided in September it was finally time to come back but the cold weather has got Lee dreaming of warmer climes and the beach, so we're planning to get a bus from London to Porto in the next few weeks, for our first ever trip to Portugal.
      Back in March we assessed our options and I wasn't keen on returning to New Zealand or Australia, as a) didn't want to take anything back and b) didn't want to be stuck on an island... the same with the UK. We no longer have a home - we left Australia in August 2017 and have been travelling ever since, occasionally spending time with family in Oz, NZ and the UK.
      It was so cool to be featured in one of Gabriel Traveler's video at the start of the lockdown, as travellers who chose to stay in a foreign country rather than go back to our countries.
      In regards to the trip from Riga to London - we love those challenges! We can go back and visit those European countries another time... this was all about the experience of spending 56 hours on 5 buses 😀😃😁

  • @Nadelina_kb
    @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому

    The reality of travel with all this Covid situation. Bus station closed 😕. Hopefully you could get onto Victoria Station with free toilets 😀! I like the Uk Flix Bus with social distancing policy. You made it ! Great 👌

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      Thank you - that's so lovely! Victoria Train station was definitely the place to go... it's a beautiful building as well, whereas Victoria Coach station is horribly cramped with low ceilings! Social distancing was brilliant on the UK Flixbus! 😀😃🏆

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      We'll be travelling through France and Spain on Flixbus to Portugal in a few weeks. Wish us luck! 🤞

    • @Nadelina_kb
      @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому

      Frugal Travellers Great ! Waiting for your vlogs.

  • @tinglestingles
    @tinglestingles 3 роки тому

    Looks incredibly uncomfortable - I'll be flying as usual. You take the bus so we don't have to?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      Hahhha... you can keep your planes and immigration queues. I prefer the comfort of a bus. ~ Mandy

  • @TMAllBest
    @TMAllBest Рік тому +1

    11 000th view

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  Рік тому +1

      That's so awesome! Thank you so much for watching 🙏 We hope you found it useful. ~ Lee

  • @TheDestinationUnknownWorldwide
    @TheDestinationUnknownWorldwide 4 роки тому

    Well Done👍

  • @rebeccar4312
    @rebeccar4312 4 роки тому

    i get why you don't want to fly, and i relate, but why do you choose the bus over the train (that is when there are trains available to where you are heading)?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      @Rebecca R - A very good question. We love train travel, and in 2018 spent 1 month travelling across Russia from St Petersburg to Vladivostok on the Trans-Siberian, then across China by train for 2 months, and took trains in 4 of the 5 'stans, only missing Tajikistan.
      Train travel there is wonderful - platskartny (third class sleeper carriages) are excellent value and a great way to meet the locals, and practice your Russian!
      We'd made a few videos of those journeys but it was still early on and we'd only just started the blog.. then realised later that videos were more fun to make and had way more interaction!
      To get from Riga to London by train would have required a few changes and would have cost a lot more. As we're Frugal Travellers, we do love a bargain!
      It was so convenient being able to book bus tickets on vouchers and travel overland that way.
      Our next travels will be in Portugal and maybe Spain - hopefully there'll be some trains involved!

  • @martindavis6115
    @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +1

    Out of interest did all the countries you traveled through require compulsory wearing of masks or did you go on any journeys where it varies between different countries?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +1

      @Martin Davis All of the buses on this journey required compulsory wearing of masks, from Riga to Warsaw, Warsaw to Lille, Lille to London, London to Birmingham and Birmingham to Coventry.

    • @martindavis6115
      @martindavis6115 3 роки тому +1

      @@FrugalTravellers Thanks for explaining. Am pretty sure I remember reading that Flixbus made the wearing of masks a requirement on all their services and seem to recall National Express also did before the government announced they would become compulsory on public transport.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      @Martin Davis Yes, FlixBus introduced compulsory mask wearing in at least July 2020, when we finally left Krakow & went to Zakopane. It can be tricky wearing them for hours but you can soon get used to it.

  • @gbrdhvndi
    @gbrdhvndi 3 роки тому

    5:37 I'm no civil engineer either, but it should not matter which side of the bridge the arch is on as long as it structurally supports the bridge ;-)

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      Hahhha... that makes sense when considered logically, but it was so bizarre to see the arch under the bridge :)) - Mandy

    • @gbrdhvndi
      @gbrdhvndi 3 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers my guess is as good as anyone's, but I think the reasoning here is this: you want to keep the arch out of sight (i.e. below the bridge) for better looks unless there's no other way (a busy river underneath).

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      @@gbrdhvndi I think bridges actually look better with an arch... that civil engineer obviously thought otherwise 😁😀

  • @izziiebabee
    @izziiebabee Рік тому

    did you ever feel unsafe on the journey?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  Рік тому

      As with any jouney, whether it be by bus, train or other mode of transport, it's important to always keep your belongings safe and to be aware of what's happening around you. Having said that, yes, we felt safe on this journey. ~ Mandy

  • @aboutcountrygyancroatia9470
    @aboutcountrygyancroatia9470 3 роки тому

    Hlo sir can you tell me can I go Poland work visa to purtgal without Poland trc?

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому

      Hello. Unfortunately we are unable to answer your question, but wish you luck with your online search! ~ Mandy

    • @aboutcountrygyancroatia9470
      @aboutcountrygyancroatia9470 3 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers ok sir no problem

  • @Nadelina_kb
    @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому

    I thought the toilet paper crisis was over 😂.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      @Travel with Nadelina Hahahha... so did we, but it was certainly in full force on this bus 😂 I must remember in our next video to remind people to always carry spare toilet paper 🤣

  • @thomasmcanea8531
    @thomasmcanea8531 2 роки тому +1

    I admire the philosophy behind your travels and your low consumption ethos is an attractive one but I must say this just looks like hard work. Aged 20 on my inter-rail travels I was expecting to live simply and at times it felt rough but I was young. Now as a middle-aged man when I travel I'd rather do it in a degree of comfort. I love your curiosity and enthusiasm but chemical toilets on a 56 hour bus journey are not amusing - even at 99 euros for 5 trips! Thanks for the videos, nonetheless.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому +1

      Hello Thomas, and thank you for your great comment! It's always wonderful to hear other people's perspectives, especially couched in such an accepting fashion!
      We know that everyone has different levels of comfort and travel styles, and Lee and I chose many years ago to sacrifice creature comforts for the freedom to stop working in our 40s. To be perfectly honest though, we actually really love long distance journeys, whether it be by bus, train or boat, as it allows us time to simply slow down and relax. That's why our 1-month on the Trans-Siberian was such an amazing experience... days of rolling acoss the snow covered steppes!
      It's so lovely that you still enjoy watching our travel videos even if you never plan to follow in our footsteps. Wishing you all the very best! 😃😁 ~ Mandy

    • @thomasmcanea8531
      @thomasmcanea8531 2 роки тому +1

      @@FrugalTravellers Thanks Mandy. You make a good point about different tastes and preferences. I enjoy your videos and have subscribed!

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому

      @@thomasmcanea8531 That's so lovely! Thank you for subscribing, and for taking the time to write! ~ Mandy 😀😁

  • @Nadelina_kb
    @Nadelina_kb 4 роки тому

    I found that the WiFi was not on point, maybe it has to go with the amenities.

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  4 роки тому +1

      Yes, or maybe the age of the bus. We were so fortunate with all the previous journeys using our Interflix pass, as the WiFi worked on them all.

  • @kiwitrains
    @kiwitrains 3 роки тому

    I have never known a coach station being better than a railway station, get the train next time and feel the difference

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +1

      We love train travel and always prefer that option if possible but usually chose the cheapest option, hence Frugal Travellers.
      Rail travel is more complicated in the Baltic States as the Soviet Union saw to it that the capital cities were not connected directly. So to travel the short distance from Riga to Vilnius you have to change lines at a border station.
      A new Direct line is being planned between Warsaw and Tallinn in the future which will make things so much easier.

  • @spark_6710
    @spark_6710 3 роки тому +1

    The bus station situation is tough to say ! If they allow anyone to stay / use the facility for over an hour & someone gets covid ,they'll be very harshly criticized & lose customers as well !! So ,I can't say but the decision on that seems to be sensible at this moment !
    I just wonder of covid remain strong in summer is really legit ,though ! As cold & flues usually don't go around in summer !! And many places should have built up herd immunity by now ,even though it is a different strain ,it should work a bit ,not all the way ,though ! I find vaccination helpless as I recall of my childhood in Japan ,everybody ( but me as I was allergic to raw eggs ) got flue vaccines ,yet everyone got it anyway !! On & on & on ,endless in the loop !!! Lol.😅😆

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +1

      It's all so complicated and contradictory... ie why was Victoria coach station restricting entry but Victoria train station open to all? 🤔😳 Thank you for commenting - it was very interesting to hear your story from Japan! - Mandy

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 3 роки тому +1

      @@FrugalTravellers HI there !! Oh ! That's a good point ! It's maybe more open air gets in the train station & people usually don't sit around & wait for a long time ,except for at restaurants there !?? Wait ! Are there restaurants at Victoria train station ? I was thinking of Paddington ! Lol. 😅
      I actually live in the States ! I have been living here for 33 years now !!! Lol. I live in L.A. ! Thank you so much for your reply !! Please stay safe ! 🤗👍💜💜💜💜🥁🎵🐉🎤🎶💞

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  3 роки тому +1

      That's a great point about train stations often being more open and yes, there are restaurants at Victoria Station 😁😀 We hope everything is going well for you in LA. Thank you very much for your lovely comments - we appreciate you taking the time to write! 🙏😀😊 - Mandy

    • @spark_6710
      @spark_6710 3 роки тому

      @@FrugalTravellers Oh...! Good 👍 ! Thanks so much !! I wasn't sure if there were restaurants at Victoria Station ! YAY ! 👍 I thank you so much for your kind & warm replies ,too !! Not at all ! My pleasure ! I am gonna check other videos of yours ,too ! Thank you so much !!! 💓💜💜💜💜🥁🐉🎤🎵🎶💕💞

  • @fishermansid8861
    @fishermansid8861 2 роки тому

    Are you scared of flying? Why would anyone do a journey like that on a coach, it’s like flying from uk to Australia & back .

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому +1

      A great question, Fisherman Sid, and yes... the more I have flown over the years, the more nervous I have become! That's why I was so pleased we discovered the Flixbus Interflix pass, and were able to travel from Bucharest to London on just one of the five tickets.
      We used the other four tickets to travel from London to Budapest; Budapest to Bratislava; Bratislava to Krakow, then Krakow to Kyiv... and made videos of those journeys as well! ~ Mandy 😀😁

  • @فهدصيادي
    @فهدصيادي 2 роки тому

    Flixbus is stealing from people and you would think that I am someone who is mad at flixbus which is true haha but I have proofs and I am not the only one do your research you will a lot of people going through the same situation what surprise me is that no is doing anything they will pretend that are trying to help you but

    • @FrugalTravellers
      @FrugalTravellers  2 роки тому

      As you can see from our many Flixbus videos, we have never had an issue with them.