Inaccuracies and limitations of Rome2Rio for bus options

David Tallan · Jul 25, 2023

Just to post a quick note that while Rome2Rio (often recommended on these forums) is a great site, it isn't always complete or accurate in its listing.

I went today to look up bus options from Muxía back to Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday. It (a) told me that there are only two buses to choose from, 6:15 am and late afternoon (I think it was around 4:00 pm and (b) told me that tickets could not be purchased in advance, only from the bus driver. As I discovered when I followed the link to the Monbus web site, neither of these was fully accurate.

I went to the website because neither of the times listed really were ideal for me. Getting up to catch a 6:15 bus would have me up a little earlier than I wanted and a late afternoon bus would give me not enough time in Santiago. On the Monbus website I was able to find an 11:45 bus (arrives in Santiago at 13:00) and to buy a ticket for it in advance.

So if you can't find what you want on Rome2Rio, dig a little deeper.

[Thread title courtesy of Forum software]

TravellingMan22 · Jul 25, 2023

David Tallan said:
Just to post a quick note that while Rome2Rio (often recommended on these forums) is a great site, it isn't always complete or accurate in its listing.

I went today to look up bus options from Muxía back to Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday. It (a) told me that there are only two buses to choose from, 6:15 am and late afternoon (I think it was around 4:00 pm and (b) told me that tickets could not be purchased in advance, only from the bus driver. As I discovered when I followed the link to the Monbus web site, neither of these was fully accurate.

I went to the website because neither of the times listed really were ideal for me. Getting up to catch a 6:15 bus would have me up a little earlier than I wanted and a late afternoon bus would give me not enough time in Santiago. On the Monbus website I was able to find an 11:45 bus (arrives in Santiago at 13:00) and to buy a ticket for it in advance.

So if you can't find what you want on Rome2Rio, dig a little deeper.

[Thread title courtesy of Forum software]

Yes, Rome to Rio is great to find out the transportation options (it saved catching me three flights once when there was a boat option!) but don’t rely on it for schedules or even an exhaustive list of say bus/coach companies who may serve a route.

Bradypus · Jul 25, 2023

Agreed. I usually use Rome2Rio to find the name of the local bus companies then go direct to the company website to confirm details.

J Willhaus · Jul 25, 2023

We use a combination of Google Maps, Rome2Rio, Trainline, as well as the company websites. It can take a bit of sleuthing. In the old days you just went to.the station and got a ticket or bought one from the driver after checking at the bar for times and locations of the bus stops. That can still work, but we did see people who didn't have advance tickets denied access to the bus at Muxia this summer at certain times because it was full!.

OzAnnie · Jul 25, 2023

David Tallan said:
So if you can't find what you want on Rome2Rio, dig a little deeper.

Yes - Rome2rio is a great starting place to find options.
Another option to point out -
I also have downloaded the app ( Omio ) for when I’m in Europe . I’ve used it for trains and buses in spain. Purchased the tickets online via the app.

TravellingMan22 · Jul 25, 2023

OzAnnie said:
Yes - Rome2rio is a great starting place to find options.
Another option to point out -
I also have downloaded the app ( Omio ) for when I’m in Europe . I’ve used it for trains and buses in spain. Purchased the tickets online via the app.

When you think about it you only need maybe 15 or so apps to 'plan a camino', from a logistics standpoint , with maybe a slight variance depending on where you reside, such as....

Travel options - Rome2rio, Google Maps
Flights - Google, Kayak, Skyscanner to search then direct book with airline(s)
Surface transport - consolidator - thetrainline, Omio
Surface transport - specific companies - Renfe, Alsa, Flixbus,
Hotac - booking.com (acknowledging many like to go direct)
Finance - even as a European I know Charles Schwab is the way to go (for USA residents) / easy for European residents with many options

Not exhaustive but just a thought!

naplesdon · Jul 25, 2023

Please look at Busbud as well. It is a good site.

Anthony Rocco · Jul 25, 2023

David Tallan said:
Just to post a quick note that while Rome2Rio (often recommended on these forums) is a great site, it isn't always complete or accurate in its listing.

I went today to look up bus options from Muxía back to Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday. It (a) told me that there are only two buses to choose from, 6:15 am and late afternoon (I think it was around 4:00 pm and (b) told me that tickets could not be purchased in advance, only from the bus driver. As I discovered when I followed the link to the Monbus web site, neither of these was fully accurate.

I went to the website because neither of the times listed really were ideal for me. Getting up to catch a 6:15 bus would have me up a little earlier than I wanted and a late afternoon bus would give me not enough time in Santiago. On the Monbus website I was able to find an 11:45 bus (arrives in Santiago at 13:00) and to buy a ticket for it in advance.

So if you can't find what you want on Rome2Rio, dig a little deeper.

[Thread title courtesy of Forum software]

Yes! You are so right. We were so baffled by listings in Rome2Rio for our time in May in Navarra and The Basque Country. When we arrived in Logrono, the bus station lady helped us find buses that fit our schedule for the entire three week trip.

That said, Rome2Rio remains our first go-to source for transportation.

jennysa · Friday at 2:53 PM

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IsabellaS · Saturday at 6:15 PM

I'm about to start the Camino Portuguese, and was wondering what rideshare options are available in Europe?

The Cumbrian · Friday at 11:47 PM

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Rodrigma716 · Saturday at 12:11 AM

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Peter Fransiscus · Tuesday at 7:48 PM

The why is in the article below. https://www.elcorreogallego.es/santiago/2024/05/07/concello-santiago-estudia-reforzar-conexiones-102021423.html

Michaelo · Sunday at 10:28 PM

Where in Santiago can I catch the bus to the airport?

Inaccuracies and limitations of Rome2Rio for bus options

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