Flix bus to Porto

[Blackcountry pilgrim]

Looking at options getting back to Porto from SDC
I am struggling with Alsa bus as when I try to book and pay for my ticket the website crashes and won't take my payment
I found Flix bus do the route with a transfer at Vigo (half the price) but have had mixed reviews regarding reliability and wonder if anyone has used this service to Porto and was it any good?
Thanks in advance

 

[Tincatinker]

When are you trying to reserve for?

Unless it’s a holiday weekend or similar You’ll likely be able to buy a ticket on the day or day before at the bus station.

 

[naplesdon]

I do nor want to diss Flix Bus but my one experience with them was a long haul route that started in Rome and went to Madrid. I had a ticket from Toulouse to Bilbao. The bus arrived in Toulouse 6 hours late, it had a stop in Pau and the drivers had no idea where the stop was and aborted it. I would say if your bus is originating on SdC, then go for it; otherwise wait until Alsa's site opens up or as Tink says buy the ticket at the station,

 

[Blackcountry pilgrim]

When are you trying to reserve for?

Unless it’s a holiday weekend or similar You’ll likely be able to buy a ticket on the day or day before at the bus station.

I do nor want to diss Flix Bus but my one experience with them was a long haul route that started in Rome and went to Madrid. I had a ticket from Toulouse to Bilbao. The bus arrived in Toulouse 6 hours late, it had a stop in Pau and the drivers had no idea where the stop was and aborted it. I would say if your bus is originating on SdC, then go for it; otherwise wait until Alsa's site opens up or as Tink says buy the ticket at the station,

I have heard that flix bus can be a little erratic and travelled with alsa last year from sdc as i much prefer a direct route but I was shocked at the price increase from €33 for 2 pax to over €100
this year unless I have totally got the booking wrong!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, I’m seeing prices between €70 & €94 for two on 16 August

Checkout - Alsa

www.alsa.es

 

[Blackcountry pilgrim]

Hmm, I’m seeing prices between €70 & €94 for two on 16 August

Checkout - Alsa

www.alsa.es

Looking at September at a specific departure time
but we have to bags x 2 which I'm sure we didn't have to pay for last year so that's almost 3 times more than 2022
Which is really odd

 

[trecile]

I've taken both Alsa and Flixbus from Santiago to Porto, but my Flixbus journey was direct without a change. I recently looked at Flixbus for this route, and it looks like you start on Monbus from san8 then transfer to Flixbus in Vigo.

 

[trecile]

Looking at September at a specific departure time
but we have to bags x 2 which I'm sure we didn't have to pay for last year so that's almost 3 times more than 2022
Which is really odd

Luggage up to 30 kg is included with each fare. If you want to bring additional luggage there is a fee.

Baggage on bus trips: up to 30 kg free - Alsa

What are the maximum dimensions? How many suitcases fit? Consult our luggage regulations and take your bicycle or surfboard with you on your trips.

www.alsa.com

 

[Blackcountry pilgrim]

thank you that's good to know

 

[Frankybaby66]

Looking at options getting back to Porto from SDC
I am struggling with Alsa bus as when I try to book and pay for my ticket the website crashes and won't take my payment
I found Flix bus do the route with a transfer at Vigo (half the price) but have had mixed reviews regarding reliability and wonder if anyone has used this service to Porto and was it any good?
Thanks in advance

I used it last May and was less than impressed. I paid a bit extra to book a specific seat which had been sold to 3 different passengers. Chaos ensued. Coach was late as well; fortunately my flight was the following day, so didn't affect me. Returning in a couple of weeks to do the Central Route plus Variente Espiritual. Won't be using Flix bus again (I think I'd rather walk back to Porto!)
Plan on flying back to the uk from Santiago this time
Buen Camino

 

[Blackcountry pilgrim]

I used it last May and was less than impressed. I paid a bit extra to book a specific seat which had been sold to 3 different passengers. Chaos ensued. Coach was late as well; fortunately my flight was the following day, so didn't affect me. Returning in a couple of weeks to do the Central Route plus Variente Espiritual. Won't be using Flix bus again (I think I'd rather walk back to Porto!)
Plan on flying back to the uk from Santiago this time
Buen Camino

Thanks for the heads up i think I will give them a miss too!

 

[TravellingMan22]

I use Flixbus a hell of a lot, three times in the last 10 days alone and for the most part my experience has been very positive. I guess I would give them 8-9/10. The odd delay, the odd remote stop but apart form that pretty solid. The product is good value and you can refund even the cheapest fare late on, albeit to a voucher for future travel. They do operate a lot of very long journies so that is a risk to punctuality. They have started operating trains too!

 

[Frankybaby66]

I use Flixbus a hell of a lot, three times in the last 10 days alone and for the most part my experience has been very positive. I guess I would give them 8-9/10. The odd delay, the odd remote stop but apart form that pretty solid. The product is good value and you can refund even the cheapest fare late on, albeit to a voucher for future travel. They do operate a lot of very long journies so that is a risk to punctuality. They have started operating trains too!

I must have just caught them on a bad day

 

[TravellingMan22]

I must have just caught them on a bad day

Well who knows! Yet to have a ‘proper shocker’. Whatever building a huge operation in Europe and inroads into USA albeit through partnerships I think!

 

[Vacajoe]

Flix is fine, but like any transportation choice, the further down the route you are, the more likely a delay will occur. It’s not as nice as ALSA, but also not as expensive (“you get what you pay for”). For such a popular route, take a look at BlaBlaCar - you usually can’t book very far in advance, but it’s a great alternative and very affordable.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Yes. Agreed . Had a 50 min delay other night. First delay for a while. I was at end of route as bus had come from eastern Poland and I was just doing Szczecin to Berlin.

They have a great App which keeps you up to date in real times with any delays as well as having a very easy booking/change/redund process!