Taking the bus may not be the number one mode of transport that comes to mind when planning your trip across the US. From plenty of opportunities and open roads to drive on, to the convenience of taking a plane, why should you consider taking the bus in the US? Here are our favorite reasons why!
Taking the bus is…
Eco-friendly
Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes, therefore, taking the bus is being environmentally conscious. In the midst of the car-less generation trend, where young travelers are taking environmental issues into their own hands, taking an intercity bus is not only smart, but logical. Did you know that buses use “60% less energy per passenger mile than Amtrak” and that “One bus can replace a minimum of 30 cars”?
Scenic
Snagging a window seat on a plane is different from getting one on a bus. Riding a bus in the US is perfect for visiting more than one city or town off the beaten path because they usually take routes that differ from those taken by the train. These journeys boast an array of mountainous panoramas, forests, lakes, and city lights, making it easy to unearth the many wonders that dot the US’ landscape. Think of it as having your trip start before reaching your destination!
Inexpensive
Intercity bus travel rivals other modes of transportation in terms of price when it comes to driving, taking the train, or flying. Taking the bus in the US is less expensive than both the train and plane. To give you an idea, a roundtrip plane ticket from Boston to New York City this holiday season will cost you an average of $250, $125 by train, while the same trip by bus will cost $60. That will leave you plenty of leftover cash to buy those holiday presents! But, whatever you do, make sure you know everything you need to know about bus booking in the USA. It’s important that you know what your options are
Comfortable
There’s no need to get to the bus stop three hours beforehand or go through daunting security. What’s more, most modern bus companies provide passengers with the same services they would get on planes and trains: Wi-Fi, leather seats, extra legroom, food and drinks served to you by an on-board attendant, TV screens with movies, and the option to ride first class, among many other perks.
Large in network
Buses cover a vast amount of ground. Did you know that buses take certain routes to cities that are difficult to get to by train? Not every type of landscape is ideal for railway tracks and not every small village has a train station, so choosing the bus can take you to local areas and unique countrysides. How’s that for off the beaten path?
What’s your favorite thing about taking the bus? Let us know in the comments section below!
Search and book your bus tickets to and from the United States directly on Busbud.com
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Absolute reason # 1 Is you wont have those TSA perverts feeling up your wives and daughters.
Thanks for your comment Lee! It's definitely nice not having to go through pat-downs or full body scanners when traveling by bus :)
So, you think it would be better for your wife and daughter to crash into the pentagon?
FIve Reasons you will love the bus! 1. - The diesel fumes, mixed with the smell of baby vomit from the crying toddler in the seat next to you. 2. - The ex-con, just released from prison, who keeps leering at you. 3. When you get up to use the smelly restroom in the back, everyone knows where you are going. 4. You can't walk around, as you can on a train. There is no dining car, as there is on a train. And 5. - Yes, a bus can take you "local areas and unique countrysides" -- like lovely Bakersfield, or Pecos, Texas - home to a Federal prison! And 6. - ALL of the above, together! Have a nice trip!
yep - - been there, done that - - sometimes it IS the "trip from hell"
This article reads like an advertisement for Greyhound. If a bus is my only way of getting somewhere, I'd rather just not go.
Hi Jackie, hope you're not missing out on anything then! ;) I personally think it's important for everyone to find a mode of transport they enjoy, otherwise traveling will be a pain!
Yes - - I shall TRY it as a PASSENGER - - for a change - - to SEE how it is from the "other side"
Thoreau asked, "Who gets there faster, he who takes a train or he who WALKS?"
(I paraphrased it, oh - and I'm giving you a moment to think of the answer)
He who walks! He's out the door and on his way!
To buy a ticket, he must spend time earning money. Several days...a week or two?
*
I don't know if it applies today...I'm like 20 hours from Australia by plane...but it's still a good little mental exercise, for those who like mental exercise.
Hey Peter,
Thanks for the great comment! It is true that the man who walks should get there faster, as walking is completely free :) Great mental exercise indeed!
"Think of it as having your trip start before reaching your destination." Um...isn't that the case for EVERY trip? How many trips start AFTER you reach your destination?
may TRY it next time - - after all - - - RETIRED - - why NOT?
Retired bus driver! - - now I can BE that BOTHERSOME OLD FART on the bus.
Hehe, what a great idea! Must feel nice not being the one driving for a change! :)
Obviously, this writer has never riden a Bus. I recently travelled from Spokane to Portland on a national carrier. i am surprised they can remain in business. The trip of over six hours had no meal stops. The bus looked like a prison transport ...incredibly dirty and vile smelling. The seats were almost as comfortable as seats on a plane. The wifi and the electrical outlets did not function.
As for price, train tickets are about the same price, and with advance purchase even air tickets are about 15 percent more.
Thanks for the feedback, Kelly, and I'm sorry to hear about your negative experience.
Busbud partners with many bus operators around the world, and our mission is to make it easy for you to find the best bus trip for your needs. There may be a wide range of quality out there, but we only partner with the best ones and are actively making it easier for you to compare different departures (which include date, time, duration, amenities) for any given route.
We're also building a feature that will allow riders to rate and review the different bus operators so that your feedback can be helpful for other travelers out there.
Finally, although we cannot change the experience that you've had on your recent trip, we'd encourage you to consider the bus again for future trips as the majority of carriers worldwide we've met and partnered with offer a better service than you have encountered.
Thank you for your incredibly patronizing response. So tell me, just how long have you been a paid minion of Greyhound
I think they are talking about taking a Tour Bus Company. I have traveled with Starr Tours and they were great!! the bus was very clean, we stopped for several rest periods and the tour guide was great. The hotels that we stayed at were also very nice. I will travel again with them!
Hi Tessa, so happy to hear you had a pleasant experience taking the tour bus! I also love taking tours whenever I'm traveling. But my favourite thing is to take buses from one city to another; it's by far the best way to see a country in my opinion :)
Most of these amenities don't exist on Greyhound... article must be referring to tour busses
Hi Harry, thanks for commenting. This article does indeed refer to intercity bus operators like Greyhound, and not tour buses. Greyhound serves almost 18 million passengers each year and provides bus transportation for 3800 destinations across North America. It has interline partnerships with a number of independent bus lines across the United States, and the amenities may vary depending on the line you're traveling on.
Here is info from the Greyhound official website:
"We've done some things to make the trip more enjoyable.
Wi-Fi: Our buses are equipped with Wi-Fi hot spots. This technology is new, and
there are spots on the trip where the service may be unavailable. We also do not
advise downloading large files, as the speed will be relatively slow. The Wi-Fi
service is free of charge...enjoy.
Extra Legroom: We've taken the standard coach configuration and removed seats. This
adds about three extra inches of legroom per seat.
Power Outlets: Located throughout the coach are standard 110-volt plug-ins. To make
the trip more enjoyable, plug in your laptops, iPods and portable DVD players, and
enjoy.
Standard Amenities: A restroom with a flushable toilet, air conditioning, panoramic
views and the normal coach accoutrements, making riding Greyhound Express easy on
your wallet and your eyes.
* Wi-Fi and power outlet disclaimer: Greyhound Express makes every effort to provide
these services free of charge to every passenger. However, if, for any reason, the
service is unavailable, we are unable to supply a refund."
I've used all types of transportation many times; and depending on your schedule and time available, one type of travel usually outweighs the others. Travelling at night, definitely use a train if possible, seats are bigger and if necessary, you can get up and stretch your legs in comfort. Use buses if you're travelling during the day and you enjoy scenery, and be sure about inquiring about travel/comfort stops beforehand. I only use an auto if my travels are to areas I enjoy driving through and I strictly avoid major interstates if possible.
Thanks for your comment William!
You make a good point; traveling by bus during the day makes more sense because that's when you can really look at your surroundings. Many overnight trains also offer some sort of a bed option too, which makes traveling much more comfortable!
When I was traveling around Central America, the distances between big cities were often long and I was taking night buses to save time; I preferred spending the night sleeping on the bus and the following day exploring my destination city! Not the most comfortable thing to do, but I managed to cover great distances and see a lot of things in a very short time :)