LivingTravel6 great options for cheap bus travel in the...

6 great options for cheap bus travel in the US

If you are looking for an inexpensive method of transportation to cross the United States, you can’t go wrong with a bus. Sure, they can be slow and may not have the best reputation, but when it comes to saving money, they have you covered.

Greyhound buses have been a staple of US travel for decades, but these days, you have plenty of other alternatives for your trip. Additionally, many of the buses in the United States have undergone an impressive upgrade in recent years. Now, it’s not uncommon for you to be offered free snacks and a bottle of water while you connect to the bus’s Wi-Fi and use the power outlet next to your seat.

In this article, I look at each option you have for bus travel in the country, weighing the pros and cons of each company so you can determine which one will be the best for your trip.

BoltBus

I have used BoltBus several times in the United States and have always been very happy with my experience. They’re incredibly affordable if you can time your purchase right (you can get a $ 1 fare if you book your ride months in advance), but it’s still a lot more comfortable than Greyhound buses. On a Boltbus, the seats are comfortable, you have plenty of legroom, you have access to power outlets to charge your devices, and you will even be able to connect to their free Wi-Fi connection.

Read more: 7 Ways to Get Cheaper BoltBus Tickets

Chinatown buses

Chinatown buses have been around for over 20 years, serving the East Coast and Southern California to San Francisco (and they run to Las Vegas as well). With curbside stops and not many amenities, they are a super cheap option for when your budget is tight. If you need to save money and will be traveling one of their routes, they will most likely be cheaper. Note that Chinatown Buses has had some issues with security in the past, but it has improved its game recently and it shouldn’t be a problem for travel.

Greyhound buses

Greyhound buses still rule the way in the US, with far more routes and potential flexibility for you than any of the cheap buses. And you can make your trip even cheaper by applying a student discount. Greyhound buses are basic and don’t have many of the fancy features of BoltBus and MegaBus, but they’re safe and will get you where you need to go. For any type of dark routes or to cross the center of the country, look for prices on Greyhound.

Lux Bus America

If you love land travel, you’ll be traveling through Southern California and don’t mind splurging for higher levels of comfort, Lux Bus America is designed for you. Of particular note is the Los Angeles to Las Vegas route, where you’ll find incredibly comfortable seating, free drinks and snacks, pillows and blankets, and backrest entertainment. It is the most expensive option of everything mentioned here, but it is still cheaper than booking a flight.

Megabus

Megabus is quite similar to BoltBus. If you arrive early enough, there are $ 1 tickets available, but like BoltBus, if you leave it until the last minute, you could be paying $ 30 for the same trip. While there isn’t too much of a difference in terms of comfort and price with BoltBus, I have found BoltBus buses to be a bit cleaner and more comfortable.

RedCoach 

You may have noticed that small bus companies in the United States tend to focus on the West Coast or East Coast regions of the country. If you’re going to make it to the south east coast, RedCoach has you covered. With a route that covers Florida’s top cities and attractions, it’s worth checking their prices before booking with someone else. RedCoach has affordable prices and they are a bit more luxurious than BoltBus, MegaBus, and Greyhound.

This article was edited and updated by Lauren Juliff.

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