Updated September 28, 2026 ยท NomadCue Editorial Team
FlixBus vs redBus
FlixBus
redBus
Higher score in this comparison
Where FlixBus and redBus differ
| Compare | FlixBusReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | redBusReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Bus | Bus, Rail, Ferry, Hotels, HostelsCovers more |
| Cancellation terms | Full refund 30+ days before departure (15 min cutoff) | Free cancellation 6-12 hrs before departure |
| Booking fees | Service fee per order, non-refundable | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Mobile app (Yes).
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Key differences
- redBus scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.6.
- Products: only redBus offers Rail, Ferry, Hotels.
- Support channels: only FlixBus offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only redBus offers Email.
- Founded is lower at redBus: 2006 vs 2011.
- FlixBus is available in 38 more countries.
Our verdict on each
FlixBus
FlixBus is a focused intercity bus booker for travellers who want a single mode of transport and clear refund terms rather than a full trip marketplace. It has traded since 2011, every order carries Service fee per order, non-refundable, and help for a booked trip comes by phone and help centre.
redBus
redBus suits travellers who want a single place to book Indian ground transport and beds, and it is the only listing here that pairs rail with ferries and hostels. Support runs on email and phone, and the trains-and-buses category holds 56 brands.
Score breakdown
| Area | FlixBus | redBus |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 8.6 | 9.0Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.9Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | FlixBus | redBus |
|---|---|---|
| Flights, trains and car rental | 347 of 521 | 282 of 521 |
| Train and bus tickets | 84 of 115 | 70 of 115 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FlixBus | redBus |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Flix Bus, Inc. | Redbus India Private Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | India |
| Founded | 2011 | 2006Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone |
Pros and cons
FlixBus
Pros
- The range is bus travel only, so nothing else lengthens the search when a plan changes.
- Cancelling with notice earns Full refund 30+ days before departure (15 min cutoff), so early changes cost the traveller nothing.
- A mobile app is available, and app based booking is normal in this category at 96.1%.
Cons
- Every order carries Service fee per order, non-refundable, and that charge is not returned even when the trip itself is refunded.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no chat channel, while 42% of the sites in this ranking do offer chat.
- The range is bus travel only, so anyone who also needs flights, rail or a stay has to book elsewhere.
redBus
Pros
- Lists bus, rail and ferry in a single app, a wider mix than FlixBus covers.
- Free cancellation in a set window before departure, so a change of plan does not cost the full fare.
- Support runs on email and phone, so a booking problem can be raised by phone or email.
Cons
- Headquartered in India, its routes, fares and departures concentrate on that single market.
- Flights and car hire sit outside bus, rail and ferry, so those bookings need a different site.
- Hostels are the thinnest corner of the site, with 14 brands in that category.
Who each suits
FlixBus
Who it suits
- Travellers who plan intercity bus journeys and cancel early when plans change.
- People who book on a phone and expect help by phone and help centre when a service is disrupted.
- Anyone comfortable with a single transport mode who is not assembling a mixed trip.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who want rail, flights and hotels in the same basket, who should look at MoMo, which lists flights, rail and bus.
- People who need a car or an airport transfer rather than scheduled bus seats, who should compare Hertz Bahamas WiFi, which covers car rental and transfers.
- Travellers who want a booking service with nothing added per order, where Latam Travellers states 0 hidden fees, no contracts.
redBus
Who it suits
- Travellers booking Indian buses and trains who also need a ferry seat or a bed in the same app.
- Anyone who wants phone and email support after paying, since support runs on email and phone.
- Fares-first bookers willing to work through the 56 brands in this category.
Who should look elsewhere
- Flyers and car hire shoppers, who will find flights, rail and bus at MoMo instead.
- Travellers who only want coach seats, who can go straight to the single transport type in bus.
- People who also need a rental car or a transfer, which car rental and transfers covers at Hertz Bahamas WiFi.
Current offers
redBus
Current offer
Discount code
First bus booking discount: Up to INR 500 off, code RED500
New to redBus; first bus booking; app listing updated 21 Sept 2026
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
First train booking discount: Up to INR 300 off, code REDRAILNEW
First train booking
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
HDFC credit card offer: INR 500 off, code HDFC500
HDFC credit card bookings
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Metro booking discount: 20% off every metro ride
Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai metro
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | FlixBus | redBus |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes | No |
| Brazil | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Chile | Yes | No |
8 of 39 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
FlixBus
What does FlixBus charge on top of a ticket?+
FlixBus adds Service fee per order, non-refundable to every order. That charge sits outside the fare and does not come back with the ticket, so an unused booking still carries the order cost. The fare itself is a separate amount that moves with the route and with how close the departure date is.
Can I get my money back if I cancel a bus booking?+
Cancelling with notice is handled well: Full refund 30+ days before departure (15 min cutoff). A booking cancelled inside that window moves to different terms, so timing matters more here than the reason for cancelling. Travellers whose plans are still open should check the cutoff times before confirming a booking.
redBus
What can I book on redBus?+
RedBus covers bus, rail and ferry, so buses, trains, ferries, hotels and hostels all sit in the same place. The company has traded since 2006, and the same app handles the journey and the bed at the other end.
Is there a mobile app?+
There is a mobile app, and it is the easiest way to search departures, hold a seat and keep the ticket. Once a booking is made, changes go through email and phone, so email and phone cover the questions that follow.
Other options to compare
FlixBus
redBus