Updated September 28, 2026 ยท NomadCue Editorial Team
Bookaway vs Busbud
Bookaway
Higher score in this comparison
Busbud
What sets them apart
| Compare | BookawayReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | BusbudReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Bus, Rail, FerryCovers more | Bus, Rail |
| Cancellation terms | 10% cancellation fee, up to 48h before departure | 100% refund up to 15 min before departure (add-on) |
Same on both: Mobile app (Yes).
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Key differences
- Bookaway scores higher overall: 8.8 vs 8.7.
- Products: only Bookaway offers Ferry.
- Support channels: only Bookaway offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Busbud: 2011 vs 2016.
Our verdict on each
Bookaway
Bookaway puts bus, rail and ferry tickets behind a single search, with a mobile app for booking on the move. It suits travellers comparing ground transport fares across modes, and its cancellation terms, 10% cancellation fee, up to 48h before departure, are the line to read before you pay for a cross-border trip.
Busbud
Busbud is a booking site for bus and rail tickets, so it suits travellers who want a single place to look for ground transport options. Founded in 2011 and run by Busbud Inc., it also has a mobile app for booking away from a laptop.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bookaway | Busbud |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 9.1Higher | 8.7 |
| Trust | 8.2 | 8.6Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Bookaway | Busbud |
|---|---|---|
| Flights, trains and car rental | 312 of 521 | 330 of 521 |
| Train and bus tickets | 76 of 115 | 81 of 115 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bookaway | Busbud |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Bookaway Ltd. (no. 515711760) | Busbud Inc. |
| Headquarters | Israel | Canada |
| Founded | 2016 | 2011Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Pros and cons
Bookaway
Pros
- Covers bus, rail and ferry fares in a single search, which suits trips that change mode mid-route
- Has a mobile app, so tickets and changes stay at hand while travelling
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, including a self-service help centre
Cons
- Cancelling is not free: the published terms set a cancellation fee of 10% cancellation fee, up to 48h before departure
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line listed
Busbud
Pros
- Covers bus and rail together, so a trip that mixes bus and rail does not need a second site.
- Has a mobile app, which matters when a booking change happens at a station.
- Refunds are handled clearly: 100% refund up to 15 min before departure (add-on).
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no live chat or phone line for problems that surface mid journey.
- Inventory stops at bus and rail, so flights, ferries, car hire and hotels need another site.
- The full refund sits behind an add on rather than the default: 100% refund up to 15 min before departure (add-on).
Who each suits
Bookaway
Who it suits
- Travellers combining bus, rail and ferry legs who want a single search instead of a separate site for each operator
- Anyone who prefers searching, booking and changing tickets through a mobile app
- People booking an onward leg who need rail and ferry options, not just the bus-only offer at FlixBus
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who only need bus tickets, since FlixBus covers bus on its own
- Anyone arranging a car or an airport transfer, since Hertz Bahamas WiFi is built around car rental and transfers
- People who want flights, stays and tours in the same basket, since MoMo adds flights, rail and bus to the list
Busbud
Who it suits
- Travellers whose route runs on bus and rail legs and who want the options gathered in one place.
- People who book on a phone, since there is a mobile app for tickets.
- Anyone who reads the refund terms before paying, because the refund position is 100% refund up to 15 min before departure (add-on).
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who want flights, hotels or tours in the same booking: MoMo lists flights, rail and bus.
- Travellers who prefer booking direct with a single bus operator: FlixBus lists bus.
- Anyone after a car hire or an airport transfer: Hertz Bahamas WiFi covers car rental and transfers.
Country by country
| Country | Bookaway | Busbud |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
| Mexico | No | Yes |
| South Africa | No | Yes |
| Spain | No | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Bookaway
What does Bookaway sell?+
Bookaway sells bus, rail and ferry tickets in one place, so bus, rail and ferry legs can be searched together instead of through separate operator sites. The company was founded in 2016 and trades as Bookaway Ltd. (no. 515711760), registered in Israel.
How much does cancelling a booking cost?+
Cancelling is not free: the published terms set a cancellation fee of 10% cancellation fee, up to 48h before departure. That is the cost of walking away from a booking, so factor it into any fare comparison rather than treating a quoted price as the final one.
Busbud
What can I book on Busbud?+
Busbud lists bus and rail tickets, so it covers intercity bus and rail travel rather than the rest of a trip. Flights, car hire and hotels sit outside its range, so another site still handles those parts of the journey.
Can I get a refund if my plans change?+
The refund position is 100% refund up to 15 min before departure (add-on). That wording puts the full refund behind an add on, so check whether the ticket you are booking includes it before you pay, because terms differ from ticket to ticket.
Other options to compare
Bookaway
Busbud