The longest bus route (5 photos)

The first bus from London to Calcutta started in 1957. It was a journey of 50 days and 32,670 kilometers through 11 countries: from England, across the English Channel by ferry to Belgium, then Germany, Austria, still united Yugoslavia and socialist Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan to India.





Drivers had to maneuver desperately to avoid encounter excessively curious locals, wagons, cyclists, cows, low bridge openings and dangerously overhanging tree branches. In India, a bus from New Delhi was traveling to Agra, Allahabad, Varanasi and finally arrived in Calcutta.



1957 trip advertisement

A ticket from London to India cost £85, - a considerable amount for those times, but much cheaper than air travel or sea travel. The ticket included food, travel and accommodation. The first bus started from London on April 15, 1957 and reached endpoint in Kolkata on June 5th.

Soon such trips became quite popular, especially among the hippies. Passengers were served by more than 30 operators: Swagman Tours, Tentrek Expeditions (better known to hippies as Tantrik), King Kong, Crazy Bus. The Asian Greyhound company in the 60s began to carry through India to Kathmandu, Nepal.

But someone decided not to stop there and went further.





The route passed through the Khyber Pass, part of the ancient Silk Road

Andy Stewart, British traveler, while in Australia, Bought for $400 from the New South Wales Department of Transport decommissioned double decker manufactured by Albion. Calling the bus "Albertom", Andy converted it into a mobile home with additional fuel tanks, water tanks, galley and berths on fourteen people.

October 8, 1968 Stewart with thirteen passengers left Sydney and arrived in London on February 17, 1969, having spent way unforgettable 132 days. Passengers traveled to Singapore by sea way and further to India by plane, after which they boarded a bus, sent from Australia on a cargo ship to Kolkata. By name vehicle flights were called "Albert Tours".



The price eventually rose from 85 to 145 pounds - inflation. Yes, you have to pay extra for comfort.

Traveling on the Albert bus, it was quite possible enjoy the luxury of the road. On the lower deck of the bus were located reading and dining rooms, and on the upper deck - a bow observation room playground, was on board and a fully equipped kitchen. For parties used radio and handpicked music recordings. Fan heaters inside the bus helped keep travelers warm mountains. The stylish design was also thought out: the interiors were dominated by bright curtains and carpets.

On their way from England to Sydney, Albert passengers had the opportunity to see the Golden Horn in Istanbul, the Red Fort of Delhi and Taj Mahal in Agra, the shrines of Varanasi, the coast of the Caspian Sea, The Blue Danube, the Rhine Valley and quite then secular and safe Kabul. In addition, there were special days for shopping in New Delhi, Kabul, Istanbul, Tehran, Vienna, Salzburg. No wonder that the journey was so slow.

In total, until 1976, "Albert" made fifteen trips. between Calcutta and London and four tours from England to Australia. For all During this time, the bus crossed almost 150 borders without hindrance.