At such rare times as you have to forsake the trains for buses , you'll find no decline in the standard of efficiency. Most buses are run in association with DB and are known as Bahnbusse. They're organized into regional associations, which offer runabout passes for a variety of periods; these can be quite remarkable value, particularly if you're making an extended stay in a scenic area such as the Alps or the Black Forest. There are also some privately operated routes outside this system.

 

You're most likely to need buses in remote rural areas - or along designated scenic routes. On these routes, buses are luxury class, often packed with tourists, and pause long enough by the major points of scenic or historic interest for passengers to hop out and take a couple of photographs. Although expensive to use without a railcard (EuroDomino holders travel free and InterRail cards get a 50 percent reduction), these buses are usually the only way to visit certain locales if you don't have your own transport or the patience to zigzag around on the slow local buses.

A point to watch out for in the remoter country areas is punctuality. Unlike trains, buses are allowed to run ahead of their timetable - and often do if they have few passengers to pick up. It's therefore prudent to be at the stop at least ten minutes before the bus is due to arrive.

Finally, although there are some long-distance bus routes undercutting the railways, these are on a very small scale in comparison with Britain, the US or Australia. Many link major holiday resorts and the big population centres, and are clearly targeted at the latter's less affluent residents