Fernbus Simulator

Fernbus Simulator is a coach simulation from TML-Studios. In cooperation with FlixBus, players drive long-distance buses on motorways and country roads, stop at bus stations, and take passengers to their destinations along set routes.

A driver's daily work includes checking tickets, issuing new tickets for boarding guests, and navigating road traffic. The simulation combines long journeys with detailed driver seats and a timetable that traffic jams or roadworks can throw off.

Fernbus Simulator was released on Windows PC on August 25, 2016. The standalone versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S followed in February 2023.

The German PlayStation and Xbox stores list February 27, 2023. Developer TML-Studios announced the international console launch for February 28.

Fernbus Simulator was released natively for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version runs on Windows. An Xbox One or PS4 version is not part of these releases.

The Steam version supports the Steam Workshop and cloud saves, among other features. On consoles, coach journeys are available with a controller. The editions differ in the scope of included routes and additional content.

Every journey requires timetable, route and stops to match. The driver moves the bus through motorway junctions and cities, stops at the bus station and lets passengers board. Anyone without a ticket can buy one directly from the driver.

On the road, traffic jams, roadworks and accidents require adjusting your driving. The simulation rates completed journeys and allows free roaming alongside scheduled tours.

Fernbus Simulator can be expanded with country and vehicle expansions. Map packs add France, Belgium, Denmark, Poland and England, among others. The Poland pack adds 15 cities and 17 stops, including Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk.

Further expansions add coach models such as the Neoplan Skyliner and the MAN Lion’s Intercity. Maps and bus packs are additional content and not automatically part of every edition.

The PC version requires, according to Steam, at least Windows 10 or 11 64-bit, an Intel Core i5 or comparable processor at 2.6 GHz, 6 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 560 or comparable Radeon graphics card, and 45 GB of free storage. Integrated graphics solutions are not supported.

Recommended are a Core i7 or comparable processor at 3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, and a GeForce GTX 780 or Radeon RX 480. The developer recommends installing on an SSD.

The original PC game recreates long-distance bus routes between more than 40 German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart. The source covers about 20,000 kilometers of real route network, shortened for playable travel times.

Through expansions and the larger console versions, the road network extends beyond Germany. The Xbox description mentions more than 100 cities and over 50,000 kilometers of recreated routes.

The original vehicles include the MAN Lion’s Coach and the MAN Lion’s Coach C. Their driver seats feature numerous operable controls. Authentic passenger announcements accompany scheduled service.

Additional bus packs expand the selection with more vehicle types. This changes vehicle size, visibility and the driving feel, while check-in and route handling remain at the core of the game.

At stops, passengers with a valid ticket board directly. Others buy a ticket from the driver. Boarding passengers before departure is therefore just as much part of the game as the drive to the next bus station.

A control centre oversees operations, while the evaluation system assesses completed journeys. The job of a long-distance bus driver therefore isn't just about driving on long stretches of road.

Day and night drives, as well as changing seasons, shape the routes. Dynamic weather changes conditions on the road.

Roadworks, accidents and traffic jams can make timetables harder to keep. A long journey therefore requires attention to traffic and remaining time, as well as handling the bus.

Fernbus Simulator is designed for PC as a single-player simulation. Alongside timetabled journeys, there is a free roam mode. Steam achievements and cloud saves complement the PC version.

Through the Steam Workshop, players can use content from the community. This is a feature of the PC version and does not mean the same mods are available on PS5 or Xbox Series.

The PC version supports German voice acting as well as German menus and subtitles. Other menu languages include English, French, Italian, Spanish and Polish.

The buses can be driven from a richly detailed driver's cab. Additional exterior views and the option to leave the bus help with orientation at stops.