January 9, 2026
All aboard the nostalgia bus
London–Calcutta Bus Service
50 days, 10,000 miles: dream odyssey or the world’s longest commute
TLDR: A 1957 London–Calcutta bus took 50 days over 10,000 miles with comfy bunks and a party vibe, ending in 1976 due to instability. Comments split between starry‑eyed nostalgia and hard‑nosed reality about time off, with jokes about modern Flixbus hacks and demands for vintage pics.
The internet just rediscovered a jaw‑dropping relic: a 1957 London–Calcutta bus that rumbled 10,000 miles through Europe and Asia with bunks, an observation lounge, a kitchen, and party radio—like a rolling hostel for the Hippie Trail. Tickets were £85 back then, rising to £145 by 1973, and the ride took 50 days each way before geopolitics shut it down in 1976. Cue comment fireworks. The practical crowd led with “few can afford 50 days off,” turning the dream trip into a paid‑leave reality check. The nostalgia brigade fired back—“everything was better in the past,” invoking tales of passport‑free Europe and simpler borders. Meanwhile, comedians piled on: “Just catch a Flixbus to Sofia for 150 Europounds and 48 hours, then wing it to Calcutta,” joked one, turning the epic adventure into a chaotic itinerary. Visual drama kicked off too—“A picture would have been a great addition,” demanded one commenter, before another dropped a gem: Indian Memory Project with vintage photos and a brochure. The vibe? A tug‑of‑war between wanderlust and calendars, with memes dubbing it “the world’s longest commute” versus “the ultimate gap year.” Nostalgia says bring it back; HR says absolutely not.
Key Points
- •The London–Calcutta bus service operated from around 1957 until its discontinuation in 1976.
- •It was regarded as the longest bus route at the time, covering ~10,000 miles one way and taking 50+ days per leg.
- •The route ran through multiple countries: Belgium, West Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, then through Indian cities to Calcutta.
- •Operated by Albert Travel, the maiden journey departed April 15, 1957, arriving in Calcutta June 5, 1957.
- •The service was all-inclusive with extensive onboard facilities; tickets cost £85 in 1957 and £145 by 1973 (2023 equivalents provided).