DID YOU KNOW…
The Epic Bus Journey: London to Calcutta by Road!
Did you know that from the 1950s to the 1970s, you could embark on an extraordinary bus journey from London all the way to Calcutta, India? This epic overland route spanned over 10,000 miles and famously took nearly two months to complete.
This pioneering service, often part of the legendary 'Hippie Trail', offered adventurers a unique way to traverse continents. Passengers on the 'Indiaman' and other similar buses traveled through diverse countries including France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, experiencing a vast tapestry of cultures and landscapes. The inaugural Albert Tourist trip in 1957 cost £85, a considerable sum at the time, but provided an unparalleled, budget-friendly adventure that laid the groundwork for modern backpacking culture before political unrest in the region eventually halted the service.
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