Did you know that there was a bus that took passengers from London to Kolkata?

Covering a distance of approximately 17,000 kilometers one way, it was considered to be the longest bus route in the world!

London-Calcutta bus service. Credits: X/VloggerCalcutta

If you consider the journey from Delhi to Manali to be back-breaking, then this story is probably not for you. A few decades ago, a bus ran from London to our city in Britain Kolkata In India, covering 33,000 km on a 50-day epic road trip! The London-Calcutta bus service, or more famously called the “Hippie Route”, operated from the 1950s to the 1970s, and was arguably one of the most ambitious bus routes ever built.

The bus took 50 days to travel from London to Calcutta. Credits: X/VloggerCalcutta

History of London-Calcutta Bus Service

The service was the brainchild of Albert Travel, a British company that sought to connect two continents and very different worlds. The idea was to create an underground passage that would offer adventurous travelers a unique way to experience the world. The journey lasted 50 days, starting from London and passing through several countries before reaching Calcutta (now Kolkata) in India. In fact, it made its maiden voyage on 15 April 1957 and reached Kolkata on 5 June.

The bus traveled intermittently to various places like Varanasi and Agra — The bus stopped at various places like Varanasi and Agra. Credits: X/VloggerCalcutta

If you’re thinking this was a regular Volvo, think again. The bus had a lot of amenities – reading facilities, separate sleeping bunks for passengers, fan-powered heaters and a fully equipped kitchen. The upper deck has a forward observation lounge, which provides beautiful views along the way. And there was a radio and music system, ideal for hosting small parties.

The itinerary also lets travelers explore India’s iconic sites such as Varanasi and the Taj Mahal located on the banks of the Yamuna River. You can even land and shop in cities like Tehran, Salzberg, Kabul, Istanbul and Vienna!

This service was started in 1957 Credit XVloggerCalcutta — This service was started in 1957. Credit: X/VloggerCalcutta

Later, the bus was purchased by British traveler Andy Stewart, who converted it into a double-decker mobile home named Albert. On October 8, 1968, Albert set out on a 132-day journey from Sydney to London via India. Operated by Albert Tours, the service ran on routes between London-Calcutta-London and London-Calcutta-Sydney, offering modern facilities for £145 per passenger.

The service covered a distance of approximately 17000 kilometers one-way Credit: XVloggerKalcutta — This service covered a distance of approximately 17,000 kilometers one way. Credits: X/VloggerCalcutta

The journey reached India via Iran, then continued via Burma, Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore. From Singapore, the bus was sent to Perth and traveled by road to Sydney. However, bus service ceased in the 1970s primarily due to geopolitical tensions and the rise of commercial air travel. The conflict in Afghanistan and the Iranian Revolution made the route increasingly unsafe, while the convenience of flights made this epic journey a time-consuming option.

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