London to New York - and not a flight in sight

If embarking on a bus journey some 12,000 miles from London to Sydney seems to be taking trans-global adventure travel to a new level, then imagine travelling 15,000 miles from London to New York.

That is precisely what Oz-Bus will be doing in 2010, departing in late March and heading east, connecting with the Trans-Siberian Railway, before continuing its journey by road and sea, arriving in New York City nearly 14 weeks later.

In the new standard set by Oz-Bus since the re-launch this summer of its original 92-day London to Sydney service, a maximum of 35 passengers will make the pioneering journey, paying one inclusive price for travel, simple but comfortable roofed accommodation and breakfast, a tour leader and the employment of local guides en route.

The epic journey will pass through 3 continents, 16 countries and 11 American States, allowing plenty of time to soak up an astonishing diversity of people, cultures and places along the way, experience once-in-a-lifetime tours, and witness close up some of the world’s most iconic sights. Adventure and safety sit alongside responsible travel as paramount to the Oz-Bus’s appeal.

Bruges, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Riga, St Petersburg, Moscow, Ulan Bator - Mongolia, Beijing - the Great wall of China, Xi-an – the Terracotta Warriors, Busan – South Korea, Vladivostok, Sapporo, Hokaido, Alaska, Vancouver, Yellowstone Park, Niagara and the Great Lakes are just some of the ports of call on the Oz-Bus London to New York route, before the bus rolls up in New York City.

Since Oz-Bus re-launched in May this year, this enterprising form of trans-world travel has been attracting over 40% of its passengers from the 45 plus age group – the oldest to date being 77 and the youngest being 17. Alastair Chrystal, Oz-Bus’s new owner, believes it is the mature ‘gapper’ that will be mostly tempted by the new London to New York route although he stresses that the trip is open to anyone with the desire to see the world from a more adventurous perspective other than from an altitude of 35000 feet.

The London-New York journey on Oz-Bus will cost no more than £6999 but early booking discounts are available before 30th September by which time the final itinerary and price will be published. Bookings are being taken strictly on a first come first serve basis for this first ever epic trip. At this stage no further departure dates have been announced although it is planned that London-New York will become a regular fixture in the Oz-Bus worldwide schedule.

For more information, visit oz-bus.com.

Quick facts about Oz-Bus:

The 92 day London to Sydney journey costs £4399 per person. From February 2010 it will be a regular ‘hop on hop off’ service running eight times per annum.

The New Year’s Eve Special takes one week longer, and arrives on Sydney on 31 December, costing £4799.

The first ever Sydney to London departure will run in 2010 with two departures planned in April and May.

The Oz-Bus price is inclusive of all travel, accommodation, breakfast, tour leader, local guides and national park entry fees. Any addition flights taken by Oz-Bus due to unforeseen circumstances will not be charged for.