Bus Booking in USA – 7 things You Need to Know Before Booking Your Ticket

This article was updated on September 27th, 2018.

Reading reviews about bus travel in the United States reveals one thing: Doing your research before clicking the “buy” button goes a long way. Lucky for you, we’ve done the brunt of the research! Here’s what you need to know before taking booking your bus ticket to the US:

1. Are bus tickets booked in USA exchangeable or refundable?

If you aren’t 100% sure if you will manage to catch a certain bus or if your plans are likely to change, check if tickets are refundable or exchangeable before making your purchase. The tickets of most US bus providers are date and time specific. Yet, there often is a possibility to change the time and date of your ticket. Also, some US bus operators also offer refunds, if your travel plans do change and you cannot travel anymore. Find out what the exact conditions for such changes are and how much in advance and where you need to file your request. With some bus companies, you can change your ticket as late 30 minutes before departure. With others, you need to do so two weeks in advance!

No worries, all this information is available on Busbud before you book your ticket! Just click on “Details” before selecting your departure:

Check out our article about the major bus companies in the USA to know more about refunds and exchanges for each carrier.

2. How long is the layover period between bus connections?

Much like in the flight industry, plan for layovers of at least one to two hours. We recommend bringing along a good book, listening to some music, or talking to other travelers during your buffer time! It is always better to have enough time between connections, as buses can sometimes run a bit late due to traffic or weather conditions.

3. Do I need to print my bus ticket?

Some bus providers in the USA only accept printed tickets. Others don’t have any issues if you just note down your confirmation number. We recommend carefully reading the Terms and Conditions of your purchase before heading to the station. Once again, this is available on Busbud before completing your purchase!

4. What’s the luggage and transportation policy in the USA?

So, you’re travelling with more than 50 kilograms or intend to take your bike in the bus in the USA ? If you’re planning on doing so, check with your bus provider or read our article on the different baggage allowances of US bus providers.

5. Can I buy a bus ticket for a friend?

Intending on purchasing a ticket for someone else? No problem! Simply enter the passenger’s name instead of your name when purchasing the ticket. You can choose to have the ticket sent to your email or theirs, depending on what you prefer.

6. Be at the bus station 1 hour in advance

By booking a bus ticket in the US, you are also reserving a seat. Yet, buses are frequently overbooked, and seats are first-come, first-serve. This means that whoever arrives later than the others will have to take what’s left – or even take the next available bus!

7. Bring along a valid photo ID

You always need to identify yourself with a valid Photo ID when showing your ticket, so don’t forget to bring it along! If you’re planning to cross a border, you’ll need a passport (read our article on regulations for crossing borders to Canada, Mexico, or into the USA).

If you have any questions, we’d be thrilled to help you! Contact us at support@busbud.com and we’ll do our best to find a solution for your travel plans.

Search and book your bus tickets to and from the United States directly on Busbud.com