Budget Travel on MEGABUS
May 27, 2011, 10:36 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7
If you are booking last minute, chances are that your ticket will cost nearly $30 each way. I think the highest price I've seen is $29, but I'm not sure if that's the cap. The earlier your book, the cheaper your ticket. Booking anywhere from a week to a month in advance, you'll probably pay $10-$20 each way. But the $1 and $5 seats fill up FAST, so don't count on getting on unless you are hawking the site daily for a trip 3 to 4 months in advance.
May 28, 2011, 8:45 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 62
nailed it....
I think you nailed Megabus exactly below. I have ridden a bunch of the routes out of DC. The southerly routes have far greater low fare inventory and are very pleasant (ie: DC-Knoxville, DC-Richmond), but the East Coast big city routes can be hit or miss. The key difference (for me) is whether you are guaranteed a row to yourself. The Philly/Boston/NYC-DC routes have been full buses lately, though you can often find last-minute $5-$9 fares.
But like TheInfamousJ points out -- before people start complaining about Megabus they should remember that you get what you pay for.
I only book Megabus sub-$10 tickets, but doing so, I've routinely been using Megabus to position myself for milesruns out of East Coast airports (or to get myself home from an openjaw dropoff on the coast). If the price gets too high on the bus, I'll use Amtrak miles to move around instead.
I have a few $1 vacations coming up (ie: DC-Toronto, DC-Raleigh), but inventory was low for weekends, and I had to book months in advance. But hey, at that rate, book now and if you change your mind, you've lost no more than $2.50 ($1/each way + $0.50 booking fee).
But like TheInfamousJ points out -- before people start complaining about Megabus they should remember that you get what you pay for.
I only book Megabus sub-$10 tickets, but doing so, I've routinely been using Megabus to position myself for milesruns out of East Coast airports (or to get myself home from an openjaw dropoff on the coast). If the price gets too high on the bus, I'll use Amtrak miles to move around instead.
I have a few $1 vacations coming up (ie: DC-Toronto, DC-Raleigh), but inventory was low for weekends, and I had to book months in advance. But hey, at that rate, book now and if you change your mind, you've lost no more than $2.50 ($1/each way + $0.50 booking fee).
I am fast becoming a fan. I used Megabus this past week to travel to Philadelphia from Durham, NC, and back again. I managed to book early enough to acquire $1 tickets for each leg of my journey.
I have another trip planned in May via Megabus where I'm paying $33 for the entire trip. It is a round trip and includes eight different legs.
Pros of Megabus:
*/ I have always found that no matter when the buses leave, they arrive exactly at the scheduled time.
*/ Luggage has never been a problem.
*/ The buses remain remarkably quiet, so sleeping on them is not an issue.
Cons of Megabus:
*/ WiFi is remarkably unreliable. As they use satellite internet, one driver said his rule of thumb was, "If it is cloudy, there is no internet." I'd advise those who need internet to look into alternative transportation. For those who just want internet, rather than need, make sure you bring something to amuse yourself that is offline.
*/ AC outlets are hit-or-miss. While 3/4 of the buses I was riding on had AC outlets, 1/4 did not. Make sure that you aren't relying on their presence.
*/ If you are on a double-decker bus and you sit on the lower level, chances are the lav door won't latch properly and you will be assaulted with the blue water chemical smell, periodically. To that end, make sure you sit at the top of a double-decker bus.
*/ Drivers are hit-or-miss about announcing the destination. If there is a chance that you could be boarding a bus for a different destination (and there is always a chance), make sure to ask outright, "Is this the [time] bus to [destination]?" I didn't do that once and it led to me boarding the wrong bus and traveling a half-hour in the wrong direction. To that end ...
*/ If you have to go standby on a later bus to your destination, you have to pay a $5 change fee in DEBIT or CREDIT card only. Make sure you have a card of some sort.
*/ Not much leg room, at least compared with Amtrak.
*/ Less "underseat" storage space than a regional airplane.
*/ Seats recline, but not nearly enough.
------
TL;DR - You get what you pay for.
I have another trip planned in May via Megabus where I'm paying $33 for the entire trip. It is a round trip and includes eight different legs.
Pros of Megabus:
*/ I have always found that no matter when the buses leave, they arrive exactly at the scheduled time.
*/ Luggage has never been a problem.
*/ The buses remain remarkably quiet, so sleeping on them is not an issue.
Cons of Megabus:
*/ WiFi is remarkably unreliable. As they use satellite internet, one driver said his rule of thumb was, "If it is cloudy, there is no internet." I'd advise those who need internet to look into alternative transportation. For those who just want internet, rather than need, make sure you bring something to amuse yourself that is offline.
*/ AC outlets are hit-or-miss. While 3/4 of the buses I was riding on had AC outlets, 1/4 did not. Make sure that you aren't relying on their presence.
*/ If you are on a double-decker bus and you sit on the lower level, chances are the lav door won't latch properly and you will be assaulted with the blue water chemical smell, periodically. To that end, make sure you sit at the top of a double-decker bus.
*/ Drivers are hit-or-miss about announcing the destination. If there is a chance that you could be boarding a bus for a different destination (and there is always a chance), make sure to ask outright, "Is this the [time] bus to [destination]?" I didn't do that once and it led to me boarding the wrong bus and traveling a half-hour in the wrong direction. To that end ...
*/ If you have to go standby on a later bus to your destination, you have to pay a $5 change fee in DEBIT or CREDIT card only. Make sure you have a card of some sort.
*/ Not much leg room, at least compared with Amtrak.
*/ Less "underseat" storage space than a regional airplane.
*/ Seats recline, but not nearly enough.
------
TL;DR - You get what you pay for.
May 28, 2011, 8:54 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 62
megabus as amtrak alternative
Right, Megabus is clearly an Amtrak alternative.
On the East Coast it travels (basically) along the Northeast Regional route for many cities (ie: DC near Union Station, Philly @ 30th St Station, NYC @ Penn Station, Boston @ South Station etc).
In almost every instance, Megabus' scheduled arrival times are only like 30-60 minutes more than Amtrak. BUT the price is wildly cheaper. I got a BOS-DC for $5 recently (almost as a last-minute fare, too) -- the Amtrak ticket for that same route (arriving only one hour earlier) was almost $125.
You decide if the price/extra hour is worth a 1000% extra cost. For some people it is.
Plus, Amtrak does not provide Wifi in coach class, so on those times when Megabus wifi DOES work, it is always a free amenity over Amtrak (but I tether a Wifi connection on both Amtrak and Megabus anyway).
On the East Coast it travels (basically) along the Northeast Regional route for many cities (ie: DC near Union Station, Philly @ 30th St Station, NYC @ Penn Station, Boston @ South Station etc).
In almost every instance, Megabus' scheduled arrival times are only like 30-60 minutes more than Amtrak. BUT the price is wildly cheaper. I got a BOS-DC for $5 recently (almost as a last-minute fare, too) -- the Amtrak ticket for that same route (arriving only one hour earlier) was almost $125.
You decide if the price/extra hour is worth a 1000% extra cost. For some people it is.
Plus, Amtrak does not provide Wifi in coach class, so on those times when Megabus wifi DOES work, it is always a free amenity over Amtrak (but I tether a Wifi connection on both Amtrak and Megabus anyway).
I am pretty sold on Megabus. I love the nimble business model and the price differential versus Amtrak in the NEC is impossible to argue with. I've paid $15 for my NYC-DC trips and even though I didn't get the $1 deal my fare was still only 10% of the Amtrak regional service... $150 or more for midday departures, and the bus takes only about 45-60 minutes longer. No-brainer.
Yes, both times I've ridden NYC-DC it worked fine, and I posted to Facebook all the way down the NJT.
I would say 45 minutes at least. It is pretty chaotic on the long block at 31st and 9th (right over the tracks out of Penn Station that lead to New Jersey). There's a couple of battered signs, but only one or two Megabus starters / dispatchers running things, too few to keep order or answer questions. The folks in line are pretty good-humored IME though, and will steer you to the right queue. On my trips there were lots of women traveling alone with no worries, and while the crowd skewed younger it was a very broad demo.
The article ClimberChick linked to upthread is full of excellent observations. People get all worked up about high-speed rail but Megabus-style alternatives, with low infrastructure and high energy efficiency, make 1000 times more sense on trips of 100-400 miles. Building new rail infrastructure will never pay off, flying is expensive and miserable and can take longer downtown-to-downtown, driving takes all day and a $50 tank of gas and tires you out, but buses rock in this niche.
I would book Megabus again without hesitation... the only qualm I'd have is waiting around without shelter on 9th Avenue when it's very cold or pouring rain.
Yes, both times I've ridden NYC-DC it worked fine, and I posted to Facebook all the way down the NJT.
I would say 45 minutes at least. It is pretty chaotic on the long block at 31st and 9th (right over the tracks out of Penn Station that lead to New Jersey). There's a couple of battered signs, but only one or two Megabus starters / dispatchers running things, too few to keep order or answer questions. The folks in line are pretty good-humored IME though, and will steer you to the right queue. On my trips there were lots of women traveling alone with no worries, and while the crowd skewed younger it was a very broad demo.
The article ClimberChick linked to upthread is full of excellent observations. People get all worked up about high-speed rail but Megabus-style alternatives, with low infrastructure and high energy efficiency, make 1000 times more sense on trips of 100-400 miles. Building new rail infrastructure will never pay off, flying is expensive and miserable and can take longer downtown-to-downtown, driving takes all day and a $50 tank of gas and tires you out, but buses rock in this niche.
I would book Megabus again without hesitation... the only qualm I'd have is waiting around without shelter on 9th Avenue when it's very cold or pouring rain.
May 28, 2011, 9:05 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MSP, NYC, or WAS
Programs: AA CO DL
Posts: 717
For me, usually between 12 and 20 bucks, d.c to nyc. decent service, outlets usually not working but the wifi works, just dont depend on it.
To get the 1 to 3 dollar deals, 3 to 4 weeks ahead and very early or over night times. I use for positioning for cheap flights out of nyc.
Happy travels.
To get the 1 to 3 dollar deals, 3 to 4 weeks ahead and very early or over night times. I use for positioning for cheap flights out of nyc.
Happy travels.
Jun 9, 2011, 11:51 am
#52
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 21
as a college student I looove megabus. Its crowded and obnoxious half the time, but I can get frmo city to city in less than the subway far it takes me to get to the megabus station.Literally cannot beat the price.
Of course you are sacrifcing comfort, but I prefer 100$ in my pocket to extra legroom.
Of course you are sacrifcing comfort, but I prefer 100$ in my pocket to extra legroom.
Jun 23, 2011, 11:22 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles, AAdvantage, HHonors, Hertz Gold
Posts: 15
I recently did a leg from D.C. to NYC on the Boltbus (I know, it's different and sorry if I'm hijacking the thread!) and was really impressed. I paid $30 roundtrip, half the bus was empty so everyone had two seats to themselves and it had electric outlets and wifi. It was quite comfortable!
Boltbus is a division of Greyhound, which makes it slightly more expensive (maybe $2 more for my ticket?) than competitors, but it is able to secure more convenient pick-up/drop-off locations. The Boltbus here in D.C. operates out of Union Station, so it was quite easy to get right on from the metro.
I haven't used Megabus yet, but the only difference-maker for me was the boarding location.
So far as comfort goes, Amtrak is still far superior - but the costs difference is quite substantial. Large cities are trying to get in on the deal now by trying to charge operators for a "curbside" license, which would be an annual license operators would be charged a hefty fee for to use public curbs/roads for boarding. Kinda silly to me but they see a lot of financial potential there. Ultimately it would drive up operating costs and make these bus services less competitive - we'll see how it goes I guess.
Boltbus is a division of Greyhound, which makes it slightly more expensive (maybe $2 more for my ticket?) than competitors, but it is able to secure more convenient pick-up/drop-off locations. The Boltbus here in D.C. operates out of Union Station, so it was quite easy to get right on from the metro.
I haven't used Megabus yet, but the only difference-maker for me was the boarding location.
So far as comfort goes, Amtrak is still far superior - but the costs difference is quite substantial. Large cities are trying to get in on the deal now by trying to charge operators for a "curbside" license, which would be an annual license operators would be charged a hefty fee for to use public curbs/roads for boarding. Kinda silly to me but they see a lot of financial potential there. Ultimately it would drive up operating costs and make these bus services less competitive - we'll see how it goes I guess.
Aug 1, 2011, 10:51 am
#54
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 21
I recently did a leg from D.C. to NYC on the Boltbus (I know, it's different and sorry if I'm hijacking the thread!) and was really impressed. I paid $30 roundtrip, half the bus was empty so everyone had two seats to themselves and it had electric outlets and wifi. It was quite comfortable!
Boltbus is a division of Greyhound, which makes it slightly more expensive (maybe $2 more for my ticket?) than competitors, but it is able to secure more convenient pick-up/drop-off locations. The Boltbus here in D.C. operates out of Union Station, so it was quite easy to get right on from the metro.
I haven't used Megabus yet, but the only difference-maker for me was the boarding location.
So far as comfort goes, Amtrak is still far superior - but the costs difference is quite substantial. Large cities are trying to get in on the deal now by trying to charge operators for a "curbside" license, which would be an annual license operators would be charged a hefty fee for to use public curbs/roads for boarding. Kinda silly to me but they see a lot of financial potential there. Ultimately it would drive up operating costs and make these bus services less competitive - we'll see how it goes I guess.
Boltbus is a division of Greyhound, which makes it slightly more expensive (maybe $2 more for my ticket?) than competitors, but it is able to secure more convenient pick-up/drop-off locations. The Boltbus here in D.C. operates out of Union Station, so it was quite easy to get right on from the metro.
I haven't used Megabus yet, but the only difference-maker for me was the boarding location.
So far as comfort goes, Amtrak is still far superior - but the costs difference is quite substantial. Large cities are trying to get in on the deal now by trying to charge operators for a "curbside" license, which would be an annual license operators would be charged a hefty fee for to use public curbs/roads for boarding. Kinda silly to me but they see a lot of financial potential there. Ultimately it would drive up operating costs and make these bus services less competitive - we'll see how it goes I guess.
Does Bolt offer the $1 fares?
Aug 1, 2011, 11:10 am
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Bolt will offer a few seats at $1 when trips are loaded into their reservation system (usually 4-6 weeks out.) Also, the $1 fares tend to be for off peak times.
So to get the $1 fare you need to check their website everyday starting out at 6 weeks and be flexible on your times. Needless to say, most people plan that kind of travel in under four weeks out and may need/want to travel only at certain times.
So to get the $1 fare you need to check their website everyday starting out at 6 weeks and be flexible on your times. Needless to say, most people plan that kind of travel in under four weeks out and may need/want to travel only at certain times.
Aug 2, 2011, 11:28 am
#56
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 21
Seems like a lot of work (checking the site everyday). Checked the deal posted earlier on this thread looks like it's 5% cash back now and Megabus has some promo codes to use for $2 round trips.
5% on $2 isn't much of anything, but I guess for ppl who use the service a lot it can add up. Wish I could find a deal on plane tickets now.
5% on $2 isn't much of anything, but I guess for ppl who use the service a lot it can add up. Wish I could find a deal on plane tickets now.
Aug 2, 2011, 7:34 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
When Megabus entered the NYC-Atlantic City market (3 years ago) they used Academy Bus scheduled service (from the NYC Path Bus Terminal) as their carrier (instead of the dedicated double deck they use on other routes). I was able to get $1 (+0.50 SC) RT for almost every weekend (the service was so new, no one knew about it) of the summer of 2008; in addition when I arrived at the Casino I got $25 in cash--so the net cost to me was -$23.50. $10 RT's on this route are available if you book far enough in advance.
One can get NYC-DC on selected routes for $1--again booking (far) in advance.
One can get NYC-DC on selected routes for $1--again booking (far) in advance.
Aug 4, 2011, 12:27 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 21
ya i just put in some dates on their site to see prices. 2 weeks from now there were some $15 1 way trips, 1 month out was $26 1 way... I didn't try anymore after that to see how far out you'd have to go to get $1. Still $30 RT is better than flying lol.
Aug 9, 2011, 7:40 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NRV, VA
Programs: DL, WN, US, FL
Posts: 65
In my own experience, I have found that on the routes I look at, there have been fewer cheap fares since fuel prices spiked. Take it for what it is worth, but Megabus has to make money somehow to pay the bills and fewer cheap and promotional fares would do that.
Also, warning and FYI to any of you using the Washington DC station, the signs for telling you what line is which are at the front, so check that first before jumping into the back of the line.
Also, warning and FYI to any of you using the Washington DC station, the signs for telling you what line is which are at the front, so check that first before jumping into the back of the line.
Aug 9, 2011, 8:36 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 2,066
I take the Megabus a few times a year (not that far - just CHI - IND usually) and have always enjoyed sitting on the top level. Nice not to be the driver and check out the windmill farm along I-65 about half-way through the short trip!
I did check it out as an option a few weeks ago Toronto - BUF but the ticket sales person recommended I go with Greyhound since Megabus will fill up quicker then Greyhound. I got lucky and got a seat on the Greyhound since it was a very crowded day when I traveled.
I did check it out as an option a few weeks ago Toronto - BUF but the ticket sales person recommended I go with Greyhound since Megabus will fill up quicker then Greyhound. I got lucky and got a seat on the Greyhound since it was a very crowded day when I traveled.