Choose The Bus for a recreated Berlin, its named real-world routes, and PC-only multiplayer or modding. Choose Bus Simulator 27 for fictional Felicia Bay, a publisher-advertised fleet of more than 45 licensed buses including coaches, and four-player co-op across platforms. Both are available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, but their settings and platform features differ.
At a glance: which game fits your priorities?
| Your priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A recognizable real city and routes | The Bus | Its Berlin map is described as a 1:1 recreation and includes named routes such as TXL, 100, 200, and 300. |
| A fictional, Iberian-inspired setting and varied bus types | Bus Simulator 27 | Felicia Bay is inspired by Spain and Portugal; the publisher advertises more than 45 licensed buses, including coaches. |
| Multiplayer on PlayStation or Xbox | Bus Simulator 27 | Its publisher advertises four-player cross-platform co-op. The Bus FAQ says multiplayer is not available on consoles. |
| Multiplayer and community content on PC | Either | The Bus supports PC multiplayer and modding; Bus Simulator 27 advertises co-op and PC mod.io support. |
| Company and economy management | Either | Bus Simulator 27 lists Career and company management; The Bus has an Economy mode with vehicles, staff, maintenance, contracts, and ticket sales. |
This is a feature-based recommendation, not a tested ranking of driving feel, realism, performance, or reliability.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Bus Simulator City Ride - Switch | $42.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Bus Simulator 27 (incl. Deluxe Upgrade) - PS5 | $42.04 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Tourist Bus Simulator (PS5) | $29.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Bus Simulator 21 - [Xbox Series X, Xbox One]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513awMNcrUS._SL160_.jpg)
|
Bus Simulator 21 - [Xbox Series X, Xbox One] | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Bus Simulator 27 (inkl. Deluxe Upgrade) - PS5 | $43.14 | Buy on Amazon |
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How their settings and routes differ
The Bus: a Berlin recreation
Aerosoft describes The Bus as recreating Berlin at 1:1 scale, with more than 200 stops and routes including TXL, 100, N100, 123, 142, 147, 200, 245, and 300. Its focus is recognizable urban bus service rather than a fictional region. Aerosoft’s product page lists the map and route features.
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Bus Simulator 27: fictional Felicia Bay
Bus Simulator 27 takes place in Felicia Bay, a fictional southern-European region inspired by Spain and Portugal. The publisher describes two cities and 20 districts. That gives it a different appeal from a faithful real-city map: the setting is designed around an invented locale rather than Berlin landmarks and routes. The official game page describes the setting and advertised features.
#1 Best Overall
- 10 original licensed buses from 10 renowned manufacturers
- Open, realistic cities inspired in Northern Europe
- Route management
- Bus fleet management
Vehicles, modes, and management
Fleet size and vehicle variety
The publisher advertises more than 45 officially licensed buses from 13 manufacturers for Bus Simulator 27, including coach buses. These are publisher feature figures, not an independent count. The Bus release FAQ lists 20 included vehicle variants across licensed bus lines. The numbers are not a like-for-like measure of vehicle variety, since one refers to buses and manufacturers advertised for Bus Simulator 27, while the other counts variants included in The Bus at release. Aerosoft’s product page and TML-Studios’ release FAQ describe The Bus content.
Modes and company play
Bus Simulator 27 advertises Story, Career, and Sandbox modes, along with company management. The Bus offers Freeplay and Economy modes. Its Economy mode includes managing vehicles and staff, maintenance, contracts, and ticket sales. Both therefore offer more than route driving, but their published mode descriptions are not identical.
Rank #2
- Includes Deluxe Upgrade: – 2 additional buses and 4 skins
- BIGGEST BUS FLEET YET: 45+ buses from 13 renowned manufacturers, NEW BUS TYPE: Drive licensed coach buses, ONLY YOU: Enjoy the game at your pace, WITH FRIENDS: cooperatively with up to 4 players, ONLINE COOP: No one is left behind
- 3 GAME MODES: Story, Career, & Sandbox, YOUR ROLES: Play as a driver, inspector, or passenger, IN-BUS EVENTS: Look after your passengers
- HEAVY TRAFFIC: Deal with accidents and more on your routes, RIDE THE SUNSHINE: Explore Felicia Bay, a southern European paradise, HUGE MAP: With 2 cities, 20 districts and beautiful landscapes
- MANAGER: Run your company and enjoy extensive management options, MODDING: Expandable with mod.io mods on PC, PERIPHERALS: Supports popular steering wheels and gamepads
Multiplayer and modding depend on platform
Bus Simulator 27 advertises four-player cooperative play with crossplay and PC mod.io support. The official page also lists support for popular steering wheels and gamepads, without specifying a particular device model in the feature description. Check the platform and edition details for the devices or services you plan to use. The official Bus Simulator 27 page lists its co-op and mod support.
The Bus supports multiplayer and modding on PC, but not on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, according to its release FAQ. The FAQ says the basic game content is the same across platforms, subject to those platform-specific features. If multiplayer or community content is essential, verify the platform before buying. TML-Studios’ FAQ explains the platform distinction.
Rank #3
- Map of Fuerteventura in intricate detail
- 20 faithfully recreated cities and beaches
- Nail-biting narrow roads, winding roads, points of interest and three harbours
- Large selection of vehicles
- MAN Lion's Coach and Lion's Coach C the true buses used on the Canary Islands.Large selection of bus liveries appropriate for each task.Sightseeing offers for hotels to include customised tours.Maintaining vehicles - refuelling, repairs and service in one's own or an external workshop.Freely movable bus driver as well as passengers who board and leave.Various levels that can be unlocked by completing tasks and gaining experience
Release dates and platforms
| Game | Release date | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Simulator 27 | September 8, 2026 | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
| The Bus | March 26, 2026 | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
The dates and platform lists come from the games’ official release information: Bus Simulator 27’s official page and The Bus release FAQ. TML-Studios says PC Early Access owners receive the release version of The Bus without an additional purchase; console versions must be purchased separately.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this comparison cannot establish
The published feature descriptions do not provide a direct independent comparison of handling, traffic AI, frame rates, optimization, bugs, stability, or overall simulation quality. A larger advertised fleet or a recreated city map does not by itself show which game drives or runs better. Choose on documented setting, modes, and platform features unless you have reliable current evidence about those other factors.
Rank #4
- 30 Busse international namhafter Hersteller wie Alexander Dennis, BYD, Grande West und Blue Bird wurden für den Bus Simulator 21 ebenso lizenziert wie bereits im Vorgänger enthaltene Marken wie Mercedes-Benz, Setra und IVECO BUS.
- Steuere neben klassischen Solo- und Gelenkbussen im neuen Teil der Serie nun auch einen Doppeldecker sowie die Zukunft des Personen-Nahverkehrs: E-Busse!
- Zwei riesige lebendige Spielumgebungen in Nordamerika und Europa mit noch freierem Open-World-Ansatz, der zum Erkunden der beiden Karten einlädt.
- Fahre alleine oder mit Deinen Freunden im kooperativen Mehrspieler-Modus.
- Optionale weiterentwickelte Management-Funktionen sorgen auf Wunsch für noch mehr Spieltiefe: detailliertes Aufsetzen von Fahrplänen, Besuche von Bushändlern auf der Karte, effiziente Routenplanung unter dem Gesichtspunkt von Passagieraufkommen zu unterschiedlichen Tageszeiten.
TML-Studios’ April 29, 2026 roadmap described planned economy updates, additional buses, a gearbox overhaul, and Berlin-Charlottenburg routes 109 and 309. The studio cautions that planned content, sequencing, and timing can change, so those items should not be treated as released features without confirmation. The Bus FAQ and roadmap information are the relevant official sources.
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Best Value
- Includes Deluxe Upgrade: - 2 additional buses and 4 skins
- Largest bus fleet of the series: more than 45 buses from 13 well-known manufacturers, NEW BUSTYP: Drive licensed coaches, YOUR TRIP: Set the pace of your journey in single player mode
- WITH FRIENDS: Play cooperatively with up to 4 players in online mode, FULL CROSSPLAY: No one stays behind and everyone plays together, 3 game modes: story, career and sandbox, YOUR ROLES: Play as a driver, passenger or controller
- IN-BUS EVENTS: Take care of your passengers, traffic situation: traffic accidents and more await you, Ride the Sunshine: Discover Felicia Bay, a southern European jewel
- LARGE MAP: 2 cities, 20 districts and scenic landscapes, MANAGER: manage your business in the management section, INPUT DEVICES: Supports a variety of steering wheels and controllers
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
