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20+ Things to Know Before You Travel By Bus in the USA

February 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 10 Comments

I have many talents, but driving is not one of them. I’ve never been given a driver’s license, so I’ve been forced to travel by bus in the USA. Although it’s maybe not “cool” to travel by buses around the United States, taking Greyhound buses and Megabus is often a good cheap way to travel around the USA.

Keep reading for my recommendations for the bus companies in the United States, reviews of different bus companies in the US, what to know about bus travel in the United States, and what to bring on long bus trips in the United States.

• 1 Should you travel by bus in the US?
• 2.1 Greyhound
• 2.2 Megabus
• 2.3 BoltBus
• 2.4.1 Other Bus companies in the United States
• 3.0.1 The bus stations…
• 3.0.2 Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!
• 3.0.3 You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere
• 3.0.4 Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night
• 3.0.5 Book in advance to get the best times and prices
• 3.0.6 Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs
• 3.0.7 You need identification and often your bus ticket printed
• 3.0.8 Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time
• 3.0.9.1 Don’t drink too many liquids
• 3.0.10.1 Set an alarm
• 3.0.10.2 One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.
• 3.0.11 Be early for the bus!
• 4.0.1 Be sure to bring antibacterial gel
• 4.0.2 Travel Pillow.
• 4.0.3 Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.
• 4.0.4 Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.
• 4.0.5 Snacks.
• 4.0.6 Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.
• 4.0.7 A good book and a reading light.
• 4.0.8 External Phone Battery Charger

Should you travel by bus in the US?

Yes, and no. If your trip around the United States is focused on city hopping, especially within one region (e.g. East Coast), traveling by bus in the United States is a good choice.. It’s often cheaper and easier not to have a car in big cities in the United States as parking can add up.  However, it depends a lot on the city as some cities have great public transportation system while others have terrible public transportation systems.

If you’re planning on focusing on the beautiful National Parks, you’re going to have difficulty getting around more rural areas of the US without a lot of money spent on taxis.  Some National Parks have better infrastructure in terms of getting there without a car (e.g. Yosemite), but many parks are quite rural and require extra time/money to get there without a car.  It might make sense to take a bus for some legs of your journey and do tours once you’re within a city.  This will be cheaper than all-inclusive options.

Bus travel in the United States is far more sustainable than traveling by car around the United States.  People love to write about road trips, but bus travel is way more eco-friendly!  Similarly, not everyone can afford a car or it doesn’t make sense to drive into another big city.

As a result, I think that travel by bus around the US can be a great option for those on a budget, anyone who’s into sustainable travel, and for those who don’t want to have to bother with driving in big American cities.

Bus travel in the United States is often not as advertised online in terms of wifi and on-board entertainment. Although many bus companies are interested in creating more premium experiences and improving the average bus experience, my experiences traveling by bus in the United States has been gritty and unglamorous. This has been the case for my husband too. ( What did you think you were getting when you paid $25 for a 8 hour bus across the country?)

Photo from Chicago, which was a 14+ hour bus ride

National bus companies in the United States

You’ll encounter a lot of bus companies in the United States although many are regional bus lines that I haven’t personally encountered. Most of the time, unless it’s a major American holiday, bus travel doesn’t require significant planning beyond a day or two in advance.  American buses tend to be cheaper if you book way in advance with a major company (e.g. Greyhound or Megabus) while regional bus rates tend to rise less closer to the dates.

Greyhound is the most ubiquitous bus company in the United States.  Among the bus companies, the opinions about Greyhound buses online  tends to be more favorable although most people I know who regularly take Greyhounds aren’t their biggest cheerleaders.  The coverage of Greyhound buses is good across the country and you can get across the United States on a Greyhound on the drop of a hat.

However, you will probably have numerous stop-offs in various cities, which can add some time.  However, it’s possible to get to Yosemite with a Greyhound, which is why if you’re traveling in the United States without a car.  It’s often best to buy Greyhound tickets at least two weeks in advance and they have special deals if you buy online.

It’s basically very hard to get a $1 fare on Megabus at this point, but you can get some good deals on Megabus if you book ahead.  I started taking Megabus when it got started.  At this point, Megabus tends to be standard and their concept is getting you there.  The demographic for Megabus is considerably younger than Greyhound and you’ll find a lot of students taking Megabus.

Megabus tend to be stricter about bag sizes although they more uniformly have working outlets on their buses.  Coverage for Megabus is best on the East Coast, Midwest, and between college towns in the United States. They also have some coverage on the West Coast.

My husband has sworn off Megabus after the wheels almost caught on fire and the driver told the passengers it wasn’t safe to continue.  He was forced to wait in the middle of nowhere waiting for a new bus to come pick them up.  A couple of other friends have similar stories although I generally take Megabus given the choice as I find people are a bit more considerate.

BoltBus is a “premium” bus company that runs on the East and West coast.  Their buses tend to be much newer and nicer than others that I’ve taken, however the routes are more limited to major cities on the coasts.  Their plugs tend to work much more reliably and recently, they started including movies in the price of the bus.

I’ve generally liked BoltBus and I wish that they would expand to more cities.  It’s my go-to choice for traveling from New York City to Washington DC.

Trailways Transportation System

Trailways is a network of 70+ regional bus companies in the United States that compromises the oldest bus network in the United States.  Their network crosses the United States and I’ve taken Trailways quite a few times.  I find their buses not as uniform as you’re likely to be switching companies as you switch state lines.  Most of my experience taking Trailways meant that I had long layovers in rural Pennsylvania at one particular transfer point.

For smaller cities with less coverage on the big names, I find that Trailways is more reliable in helping you find a route although it might add time to your journey.  It depends on the bus journey, however I find that Trailway buses tend to stop off a lot more although it makes the journey through the United States far more scenic as you’re often taking non-highway routes.

Other Bus companies in the United States

Photo by Denis Rozhnovsky/Bigstockphoto

There’s a ton more bus companies in the United States, including Vonlane (Texas), Fullington Trailways (New York/Pennsylvania), Utah Trailways (Utah), Burlington Trailways (Vermont), Jefferson Lines, Bieber Tours (Pennsylvania/New York), Barons Bus Lines (East Coast),  Adirondack Trailways (Canada/New York), RedCoach (Florida; premium bus), Capital Trailways (South/Alabama), Hoosier Transportation (Midwest/Iowa/Michigan/Kentucky), Indian Trails (Michigan), Peter Pan (East Coast), Orange Belt (California), etc. There’s a ton more.  If you’re not seeing a route to where you’re going, I recommend stopping by the bus station to see if there’s a bus heading that way on a regional line.

On the east coast and the west coast, you’ll also find Chinese bus companies that run between the Chinatowns or downtowns of major cities on the East Coast/West Coast.  The Chinese bus companies are often the cheapest option if you’re traveling to/from New York City or LA to a nearby major city.

Due to price, I often took the Chinese bus companies.  These bus rides went by without incident for me, but my cousin was stranded in the middle of nowhere after a bus broke down and the bus company wasn’t helpful at all.

Things to know about bus travel in the United States

The bus stations….

With the creation of the interstate highway system, buses in the United States stopped being as popular as they were before.  The bus infrastructure has suffered as a result.  Most bus stations tend to be on the dingier side and do not require a ticket to enter the bus station, so it’s best to be aware of your belongings.  Most bus stations in the United States tend to be located in the city center, which aren’t always in the best neighborhoods.

In the case of many of the “newer” bus lines (e.g. Megabus), their business model is about cutting out the bus station to pass on savings to consumers.  This means that their bus station may be a Walmart parking lot or simply a curb on a sidewalk.  As a result, you might be forced to wait outside for the bus and/or there may be no bus station for you to wait inside at.  Bring an umbrella if you think this might be the case.

Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!

Often, bus terminals for Greyhound and other regional bus stations are well-established terminals in the city center.  However, for some of the newer bus companies, they have their buses designated in a large area.  You’re going to need an extra twenty minutes at minimum if you’re taking Megabus to find your bus if it’s departing from most major cities.

In New York, I’ve found that I need the extra time to walk past all the buses waiting to find the correct departure point. Similarly, when I took BoltBus out of DC, I had to spend a while searching for the one departing for NYC as there were more than five buses departing around the same time.

You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere

Modern-day America has been built for cars.  For most major cities, you’ll be dropped of at the bus terminal, which can be far from the non-downtown parts of a city. I used to often take one route and the bus terminal was over three miles from the main downtown area, which can be tricky if you don’t have a car.

In one case, I was forced to take a taxi as it wasn’t possible to get from the bus terminal to my final destination (the airport) without it.  It’s good to check where the bus stop will be as you don’t want to need to take a taxi to get there.  Google Maps in my go-to source.

Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night

Trust me on this one. A lot of cities have poor transportation after a certain hour (often eleven at night), and often bus terminals are in the heart of the city center.  Unlike European cities, many American city centers aren’t uniformly safe and I recommend using some caution if you’ll be walking around with all your valuables late at night.  Crime in America is an issue.

Book in advance to get the best times and prices

Many bus companies, especially Boltbus and Megabus, advertise low rates if you book as far in advance as possible.  I often take Megabus and wait to see when the tickets go on sale, so I can get one of the first tickets, which is typically less than $5.  If you wait too long, especially for holiday weekends, the prices will go up considerably.  That said, you’ll find a bus to your destination within a day or two if you simply head to the bus station on short notice.

Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs

A good playlist is always a good idea. Photo by VadimGuzhva/bigstockphoto

Although many bus companies advertise that buses have wifi, the wifi on the bus is ridiculously slow, throttled for video, and unreliable.  I’ve been on countless buses where the wifi never worked because it didn’t have wifi, the wifi was broken, or there were too many people on it at once.

It’s become trendy to have outlets, but often, the outlets are somewhere really inconvenient or they don’t work.  A lot of people think initially that they’ll work on the bus, but I find that it’s not a conducive environment for working as the seat-tray makes it hard to fit a laptop in many cases.

This becomes especially true when others decide to lean their chair back.  I’ve been on buses where the outlets were above you in the “ceiling”, so unless you spend the whole bus ride holding your plug in the outlet, you will not be charging your electronics.  Some of the newer buses have improved upon this design and have easy-to-access plugs/usb ports.

You need identification and often your bus ticket printed

Typically, any photo identification will do, however the name needs to match the ticket. That means that you typically can’t use your friend’s ticket. If you’re a foreigner, I recommend having your passport on you.

Not all bus companies allow e-tickets, so I always print my ticket ahead as finding a good place to print my ticket isn’t always easy near the bus station.  Some bus companies are better about accepting e-tickets, so check the terms to see if it’s enough to have a ticket on your phone.

The real reason that I always print my ticket?  I need to have my phone charged enough for when I arrive.  As a result, I recommend having it printed, so you don’t need to worry about having your phone charged up for the next transfer or for when I arrive at the destination, particularly if it’s a long bus ride.  I often find myself playing on my phone, which can kill the battery.

Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time

Unless you pay extra for a refundable ticket, you’re often getting one for a specific time. Don’t miss your bus! Some bus companies allow you to change the ticket for the difference in ticket price in addition to a fee, but I’ve actually bought a ticket in most of those cases as it was cheaper than the change fee.

Oh, the people you’ll meet!

Dr. Seuss must have taken buses around the United States. While most of my bus trips have gone by without incidence, both my husband and I have some  memorable  bus travel stories as do most of my friends. Most people sleep, stare out the window, talk to friends on the phone, or chat with friends on the bus. Let’s be clear that most people you’ll encounter on the buses will be non-offensive, but as I have regularly taken regional buses through rural areas, you’re bound to meet some characters.

This following story is from my husband who took a twenty-four hour Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania to Kentucky via Ohio…

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, many students choose to take Greyhound home because it is so cheap.  You’re  not supposed to bring alcohol on the bus, however some people do.  This student had smuggled a bottle of peach flavored vodka on the bus.  He was hell-bent on talking to every girl on the bus and switched seats countless times.  He was drinking the vodka and kept offering it to the girls.  After they all rejected it and him, he sitting up next to me. There was a girl nearby from Hawaii who was heading to a friend’s house in Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The girl and the guy hit it off and get very drunk on the bus.  They start having a big make-out session, so the whole bus was just eavesdropping while some were openly watching them.   The issue was that it was night-time and they were being loud while everyone else on the bus was trying to sleep. The first leg took us to Columbus, which is a big switching point for buses.  I was heading south from there as was the guy.  The girl was heading further west from there. We get to Columbus and they decide that they’re in love .  The girl invites him to come to Iowa with her to her friend’s house and the guy actually switches his ticket to go to Iowa.  Sure enough, they left for Iowa together to her friend’s parents house. Imagine her friend’s reaction when she shows up hungover with this random guy she met on a Greyhound.

Don’t drink too many liquids

This is a newbie bus mistake.  It’s good to stay hydrated and I typically bring at least one bottle of water for longer journeys, however I generally avoid bus bathrooms.  More importantly: Some buses, especially regional ones for shorter legs, don’t have a bathroom on the bus.  Be sure to use the bathroom at the bus terminal before you leave!

It’s not a guarantee that your bus will stop off at a bus station or rest stop long enough for you to go inside.

For longer trips, keep in mind that the bus will probably stop off at a rest stop as they’re not allowed to drive over a certain number of hours without stopping.  It’s not a guarantee for shorter journeys that the bus will stop off at a rest station long enough for you get something to eat, so bring your own food/drinks ahead.

If it looks like you’ll have fifteen minutes waiting at a station for passengers, be sure to tell the bus driver that you’ll be back to ensure that the bus doesn’t leave without you.  There’s often a line for the restroom at rest stops.

Set an alarm

On long bus rides, you might fall asleep. That’s fine, however if your destination isn’t the final destination, you’ll want to set an alarm on your phone before the time that your bus is supposed to arrive.  There might be traffic, but in general, it’s a safe move.

One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.

Remember that you’re NOT on a plane. Some bus companies are more lax about luggage, however if it’s a crowded bus or you’re traveling over major holiday, you might need to pay for an extra bag.  I also recommend avoiding having your stuff in bags if possible as I’ve seen people get rejected from boarding onto buses when carrying their belongings in plastic bags.

I tend to keep my valuables in my backpack rather than below the bus, especially if the bus has a lot of stop off points  I recommend labeling your bag clearly as it’s hard to find a black suitcase among 50 other black suitcases .  Weird size luggage might cause issues, so ask beforehand.

Typically at stops, people take their items from the hull, so unless you want your bag taken by mistake, it’s best to keep your valuables in your backpack with you on the bus.  I’ve never had a bag stolen or taken by mistake, but if it’s a long ride with a lot of stops, I recommend labeling your bag clearly and packing your backpack carefully.

Be early for the bus!

Although it hasn’t often happened, buses leave on time.  More often than not, they’ll wait a couple more minutes for passengers who are running a few minutes late, but I’ve seen so many people running after the bus without success.  You need time to get your luggage under the hold.  Certain bus companies, including Megabus, overbook their seats, so if you’re not there early and it’s a full bus, you might get rejected on the bus and need to wait for the next one.

What to bring on long bus trips in the United States

If you’re wondering what to pack for an overnight bus trip, I’m well-experienced in these long miserable journeys that I’ve done to save money.

Be sure to bring antibacterial gel

Some bus bathrooms are best avoided.  Similarly, the soap dispenser may not work. Be sure to have your own antibacterial gel to clean your hands with, especially if you plan on eating.

Travel Pillow.

This is the MOST important item that you’ll want to pack for an overnight bus trip as I struggle to sleep without a good travel pillow. I have this exact travel pillow and I love how small it folds up!

Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.

I recommend looking for a carry-on friendly sized backpack that can fit your backpack as well as most of your valuables, so that they’re close to you.

Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.

This is definitely not a necessity, but if you’re going to have a lot of long bus trips, I recommend bringing an iPad , so you can watch movies on the bus.  Download your shows before you leave wifi!

I recommend not buying your snacks at the bus station if possible as the prices tend to be a lot higher and the selection isn’t as good as going to the supermarket! Avoid peanuts as some people are really allergic.   I really like to carry granola bars with me as they’re hard to smoosh and non-messy.

Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.

You never know when the bus will be too warm or too cold, so I always try to bring a sweatshirt to put on over my clothes in case I get cold! I recommend dressing comfy and you’ll be sitting for many hours.

A good book and a reading light.

For night buses, the driver typically shuts off the lights after a certain time. Although there’s a reading light from above, I’m often very conscious of it annoying the people around me.  Instead, I usually bring my own reading light as well as a good book.  For a good read, I recommend Night Film (which will take you many hours to finish), the Power , or On the Road for some American travel inspiration.

External Phone Battery Charger

You never know when there won’t be a working charger on the bus and you might need to make a phone call. Don’t let your phone die and carry an external phone battery charger .

Have you traveled by bus in the United States? Anything you’d add?

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About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

February 24, 2018 at 12:47 am

Wow, I live in the US and I have never even considered bus travel (excluding taking the Megabus very occasionally from San Francisco to LA). That’s such a cool way to travel the country, and I will definitely have to consider it in the future! Thanks for sharing all these helpful tips.

February 24, 2018 at 3:12 am

The US is so spread out that it’s difficult to see a lot of it without access to a car. Bus is often the only option for many travelers. I’ve never traveled long distance by bus in the US, but I’ve heard they’re pretty unpleasant.

February 24, 2018 at 4:09 am

I haven’t been to the US of A but everyone has always told me that if you want to move around, you need a car. That is the only way to travel unless you consider flights which can get expensive. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the bus routes are usable.

February 24, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Super comprehensive and useful guide! I felt I’ve learned a lot about the buses in U.S just from this post. The reading light is a great suggestion – I’m gonna consider that the next time I fret over bringing a book on trips! Same like you, I feel conscious that the overhead light will be disturbing to my neighbour 😉

February 24, 2018 at 2:03 pm

I went to college in DC so def took the fung wa chinatown bus many times! I did have a greyhound driver once say (at a rest stop) “I dont count heads, I just count time” meaning he was rolling out at the designated time with or without you! I think now at age 40, I’ve graduated from Bus travel.

February 24, 2018 at 2:32 pm

I’ve only ever taken the bus between NY and Baltimore (China Bus). I’m laughing at the Dr. Suess comment and the need for hand santizer!!! LOL

September 17, 2018 at 5:18 pm

thanks so much, gonna do it now in advance! from the Uk to AmericaU here I come !!!

May 12, 2019 at 5:00 am

Don’t use Greyhound bus.. Many of the buses are unsafe, employees for the most part are rude worst of all is the huge amount of lost luggage. Its piled in s warehouse in Dallas I think, and you will never see it again. Mine was lost last summer and none will help me get it back. Travel Greyhound at your own risk.

May 20, 2019 at 2:37 pm

The buses are affordable but the catch is, IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP, ITS ‘ZERO’ REFUND! However, they can reschedule you at no cost. So, think well and be sure before you book!!

July 11, 2023 at 7:01 pm

Tip for sleeping on busses

If you are fortunate enough to have 2 seats to yourself push back your seat to the limit. Then leave the other seat in upright position. You can then test your Head on the other seatback. About as comfortable as it gets on a bus

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This article was updated on July, 2023.

In the United States, bus travel is often seen as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to flying or driving. Bus companies offer a variety of services, from long-distance trips between cities to short-distance shuttle services between airports and hotels.

When it comes to bus travel in the USA, the biggest icon is  Greyhound , America’s flagship service. Yet, particularly in rural areas and the heart of the USA , travelers will come across other bus providers.

The companies can be differentiated according to the areas they serve, their target clientele, and their pricing.

In the Northeast, Ourbus , Flixbus , Adirondack Trailways, New York Trailways and Megabus dominate the landscape. Jefferson Lines ‘ and Southeastern Stages’ buses can majorly be found in the heart of the US, as they serve routes between regional cities and rural areas. In Florida and Texas, a premium bus provider, RedCoach , offers rides in three different classes. And there are many more add to that list.

Some of those companies operate the same route. Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, a restroom, air conditioning and reclinable seats are now standard features on most buses.

But if they seem to have the same amenities and serve the same route, what makes one bus line better than another? In general, there are a few things to consider when choosing which bus line is best for you.

Here is a comparison of the coverage, booking options, and amenities for the major bus companies in the USA:

Known for:  Its iconic logo and vast coverage, Greyhound is the biggest bus company in the United States. They cover all states except Alaska and Hawaii.

Coverage: Nearly 2300 destinations in the US, Canada, and Mexico (combined with Flixbus)

Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms, air conditioning, reclining seats.

Are tickets refundable?: Tickets can be fully or partially refunded in the form of a voucher. Refund percentage varies based on cancellation time: less than 1 day (25%), 1 to 6 days (50%), 7 to 29 days (75%), 30 days or more (100%). Maximum deduction is $35 USD from the ticket price. Booking & service fees are not refundable.

Boarding requirements: show your ticket on your phone or print it for the driver to scan it. You also need a valid photo ID.

The company was acquired in late 2021 by Flix SE, a global mobility provider that started services in the USA in 2018. The Greyhound brand will be a part of this global company.

Known for: being a prominent intercity bus service provider that offers affordable, comfortable, and eco-friendly transportation across Europe and the United States, with an extensive network of routes and modern amenities for passengers. In 2021, Flixbus acquired Greyhound Lines, incorporating the BoltBus brand into the Flixbus fleet and keeping Greyhound buses running normally across North America.

Coverage : The company has over 400.000 routes around the world. Combined with Greyhound, the company serves over 2.300 cities in North America.

Amenities : in general, Flixbus offers air conditioning, bathrooms, reading lights and comfy seats. On most buses, you can also find Wi-Fi, power sockets and snacks and beverages sold by the drivers.

Are tickets refundable? You can cancel your ticket and get a full or partial voucher refund depending on how far in advance you cancel. Under 1 day (25%), 1-6 days (50%), 7-29 days (75%), and 30+ days (100%). Deductions max out at $35 USD. Booking & service fees are not refundable.

Boarding requirements: show the driver your printed ticket or your online ticket on your phone. You must also show a valid photo ID.

Known for: its low-cost trips offered in the US, Canada, and Europe. Travelers can often find tickets for as little as $1 when booking in advance.

Coverage : hundreds of destinations in the US, with a particular focus on the Northeast (Washington to NYC, Philadelphia to NYC) and Florida (Miami to Orlando).

Amenities : Megabus buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi (on most routes), comfortable reclining seats, bathrooms, air conditioning, power outlets and panoramic windows.

Are tickets refundable? No, but Megabus does provide an option for modifying reservations. You can make changes online, but only if it’s done more than 3 hours before your scheduled departure. Keep in mind that there are trade-in fees, ranging from USD $3.00 to USD $7.50, depending on the proximity to the departure time. Additionally, there’s a USD $2.99 fee for new reservations (or USD $7 if made by phone) for altered bookings, contributing to the overall cost.

Boarding requirements: you can board after showing the driver your reservation number, which you’ll get after the booking is confirmed.

Adirondack Trailways

Known for:  Their popular  Montreal – NYC  route and for their customer service.   Clients can easily reach the company by email, phone, Facebook, or Twitter and will receive a quick response.

Coverage:  49 cities, with routes between rural areas and major cities in the heart of New York state, as well as Montreal and Toronto, in Canada. The company is part of Trailways of New York.

Amenities:  Reclinable seats, reading lights, Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms on most buses, air conditioning, wheelchair lift, and extra leg room.

Are tickets refundable? No, but the date & time can be changed. A $20 fee may apply.

Boarding requirements:  Printed ticket & a valid photo ID.

If you travel with Trailways, know that this is an association of about 60 regional bus companies. They are mostly recognizable through a similar logo – the Trailways logo. If booked online, the refund and exchange policy remains the same. If you book at a bus terminal, it may be different for each bus company. When changing from one provider to another, fees may incur for baggage within the usual limits of the first provider.

• Jefferson Lines

Known for:  Being a major bus provider in the heart of the US, serving 14 states from North Dakota down to Texas.

Coverage:  Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Amenities:  Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms, air conditioning, reclinable seats.

Are tickets refundable?:  No, but the date & time can be changed. A $20 fee may apply.

Known for:  Its premium bus rides in three different classes.

Coverage:  Major destinations in Florida (Miami, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, etc.) and Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston and more).

Amenities: All Classes:  High-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms, air conditioning, lap trays.  First & Business Class:  Reclinable leather seats (140 degrees), footrests, LCD screens.  First Class only:  Snack boxes.

Are tickets refundable?:  Yes, in the form of a voucher. Standard tickets can be refunded with a 30% service fee, while flexible tickets can be refunded without fees, with both fares refundable up to three hours before departure.

Boarding requirements:  To board the bus, you must provide photo identification matching all information provided during booking. Presenting a physical or electronic ticket is optional.

Known for : their comfortable buses connecting main cities in the Midwest.

Coverage : Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Amenities:  Wi-Fi, reclining seats, power outlets, GPS tracking, footrest, restrooms and flatscreen monitors

Are tickets refundable?  Generally, no, but the company might be flexible in case of emergencies. You can reissue your tickets before travel time by paying a fee.

Boarding requirements:  printed ticket and photo ID.

Known for : providing comfortable rides between NYC and DC.

Coverage:  New York City and Washington, DC, with stops in Northern VA (Franconia-Springfield, Vienna-Fairfax and Manassas).

Amenities : Wi-Fi, power outlets on most buses, restrooms, air conditioning.

Are tickets refundable?  The company does not offer refunds, but you can change your reservations up to 12 hours before the trip at no cost.

Boarding   requirements : E-ticket and valid photo I.D

Known for:  its flexible rescheduling policy and good customer service.

Coverage : New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida.

Amenities : modern buses, estimated time of arrival tracking in real-time, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining seats, sanitized restrooms and free bottled water.

Are tickets refundable:  Yes .  Customers can get all their money back up to 24 hours before the departure and full credit up to 30 minutes before the trip.

Boarding requirements:  online tickets and photo ID.

Known for:   providing first-class inter-city bus service between Boston, New York City (Midtown Manhattan) and Washington, DC

Coverage : Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, New York & New Jersey, Manhattan

Amenities : clean bathrooms, reclining seats with footrests, reading lights, temperature control system, overhead luggage storage compartments and free Wi-Fi.

Boarding requirements:  e-tickets and photo ID.

• Southeastern Stages

Known for:  their friendly and courteous staff.

Coverage:  Major destinations in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina

Amenities:  Wi-Fi, power outlets, restrooms, air conditioning

Are tickets refundable?  Tickets are fully refundable if you cancel up to 14 days before your trip. If you wish to change the date of your trip, you’ll be charged a small fee.

Boarding requirements:  To board the bus, you  must have a printed ticket.  You also have to provide photo identification matching all information provided during booking.

What can you expect from most USA bus companies:

Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, a restroom, air conditioning, and reclinable seats are the standard on most buses in the USA. Also, they all offer the possibility to book online.

Rescheduling:

The date and time of tickets can usually be changed against a fee, though some companies are flexible and reschedule tickets for free prior to 24 hours before departure.

Boarding requirements:

Printed tickets are becoming a thing of the past, but some companies still require them for boarding the bus, so don’t forget to check that when planning your trip.

Also, remember that you’ll always need a photo ID to board the bus.

To compare baggage allowances in the US, check out our  article on luggage policies in the USA .

Luxury bus companies:

Numerous luxury bus companies are revolutionizing the bus scene in the USA with their extra comfortable and hassle-free services, redefining standards of convenience. Find out who they are in this article. 

Additional US bus companies

A trip through  America  may lead you to board one of the following companies.

• ACN Autobuses
• Burlington Trailways
• Express Arrow
• Indian Trails
• Jet Set Express
• Lamers Bus Lines
• Turimex International
• Wanda Coach
• Yankee Line

Looking for the best way to travel affordably in the United States? Search and book your bus tickets to and from the United States directly on Busbud.com

Book your bus tickets

My mother, father, brother, and two sisters traveled by bus over most of the USA from the time I was seven to 12 years of age. We were a vagabond family, traveling from town to town. Not for fun, but out of necessity. Greyhound was the company we were almost always on, with Trailways in some situations. From 1950 to late 1955, this was our life. There were no amenities such as wifi, power outlets, However, the seats did recline, there was air conditioning, there was heat in the cold. No TV screens, no lap trays. Small restrooms in the back of the bus. Friendly drivers who also invoked authority. Regular rest stops for resting, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As a kid, I loved it!

You forgot about Vonlane!

Very informative for visitors. Such updates are really a blessing when you are unsure about the travelling services.

Thanks again, Sandeep http://bit.ly/2nqVAqe

WOW ! Amazing Bus Pictures . Great article, thanks!

You may want to check out Rally – they do charter to events and they have been great. Also you don’t have to charter a whole bus you can crowdshare if you want. The website is https://rally.co for those interested

I want to travel from NYC to Pittsburgh by bus, so could you pleased give me the information about which bus company I can book a ticket?

Thank you very much for your helpful information.

Brgds, Thuy

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Thanks Admin to shared a nice description with us. Most luxurious buses is really suitable for our long tours like friend and family tours. Stay with you. Keep going and shared with us some new content about luxurious bus.

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The Grayhound sucks because my son is stuck LA CA. The are telling him he has to wait until 2:30 am on Sunday 12-26-21. I am not a happy mother.

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I have good impressions of the baron bus. In general, the interior and amenities are quite good and I like this car the most

Excellent resource for site visitors. When you don’t know what to expect from your travel services, having access to such updates is a godsend.

Greyhound and Jefferson Lines are my favourites

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Accessible access? (Wheelchairs)

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Thanks Admin to shared a nice description with us

I found so many interesting articles in your post, especially in its discussion part. It was very well explained and easy to understand for anyone. Thanks a lot to you for sharing this type of content with us.

Which bus do you like the most?

Amazing information for frequent travelers. These updates make happy for long distance travelers in luxurious buses.

Thanks for sharing wonderful information. I really enjoy reading your blog.

When comparing these bus providers, consider factors such as ticket prices, route availability, departure frequency, amenities, and customer reviews. Each provider might have different levels of comfort, service quality, and coverage. It’s also recommended to check for any updates related to COVID-19 protocols, as they might impact services and amenities.

Some popular bus tour companies in the United States include Gray Line, Big Bus Tours, and City Sightseeing. These tours provide an organized and hassle-free way to discover the beauty and diversity of the United States.

How is the service of Greyhound bus company in 2023?

Thanks for your article, I love the bus. I usually go to school by bus. It’s save for the environments.

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Affordable bus travel from Greyhound

More travel options, enjoy free onboard entertainment, reserve a seat, need to make a change, discover all the places you can go.

Choose from almost 2,300 destinations with Greyhound, FlixBus and our connecting partners!

Greyhound connects thousands of communities across North America by providing convenient, comfortable and affordable bus travel .

With almost 2,300 destinations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Greyhound helps you travel when you want, from where you want. Leave from big cities like New York , Chicago , Atlanta or from smaller cities like Omaha , El Paso , Albany . Big or small, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re booking online or using our Greyhound app we’ve made planning your bus trip easy. You can find ticket prices, up to date bus schedules and bus station information all in one place. Then when you’re ready to travel you can buy your bus ticket online and keep your ticket on your smartphone, so no need to print it out!

With Greyhound you can always travel stress-free . Track My Bus gives you real-time bus stop information and up to date bus timetables. Just add your line number or confirmation number and you can stay up to date on your journey.

Onboard, sit back in our all leather, reclining seats while you’re enjoying our free onboard entertainment (Movies, Games, TV!) or surfing our free Wi-Fi . Stay charged with in seat power ports.

Explore Popular Destinations and Connections

• New York, NY
• Los Angeles, CA
• Atlanta, GA
• Washington, D.C.
• Houston, TX
• Chicago, IL
• Las Vegas, NV
• Philadelphia, PA
• Orlando, FL
• Phoenix-Tempe, AZ
• San Antonio, TX
• Seattle, WA
• Baltimore, MD
• Detroit, MI
• San Diego, CA
• Indianapolis, IN
• Boston, MA - New York, NY
• Los Angeles, CA - Las Vegas, NV
• New York, NY - Boston, MA
• New York, NY - Washington, D.C.
• Washington, D.C. - New York, NY
• New York, NY - Philadelphia, PA
• Philadelphia, PA - New York, NY
• Las Vegas, NV - Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY - Atlantic City, NJ
• Dallas, TX - Houston, TX
• Montreal, QC - New York, NY
• Houston, TX - Dallas, TX
• Toronto, ON - New York, NY
• Atlantic City, NJ - New York, NY
• New York, NY - Montreal, QC
• New York, NY - Toronto, ON
• Baltimore, MD - New York, NY
• New York, NY - Baltimore, MD
• Toronto, ON - Niagara Falls, NY
• New York, NY - Albany, NY

6 Great Options for Cheap Bus Travel in the U.S.

Buses Are an Excellent Option for Student Travelers

If you're looking for a cheap method of transportation to make your way across the United States, you can't go wrong with a bus. Sure, they might be slow and they may not have the best reputation, but when it comes to saving money, they've got you covered. 

Greyhound buses have been a staple of U.S. travel for decades, but these days, you have plenty of other alternatives for your journey. Plus, many of the buses in the United States have gone through an impressive upgrade in recent years. Now, it's not uncommon to be offered free snacks and a bottle of water while you connect to the bus' Wi-Fi and use the power socket next to your seat.

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

I've used  BoltBus  several times in the United States and been very happy with my experience every time. They're incredibly affordable if you manage to time your purchase well (you can grab a $1 fare if you book your journey months in advance), but still far more comfortable than Greyhound buses. On a Boltbus, the seats are comfortable, you have a lot of legroom, you have access to power sockets to charge your devices, and you'll even be able to connect to their free Wi-Fi. 

Read more: 7 Ways to Get Cheaper BoltBus Tickets

Chinatown Buses

Chinatown buses have been around for over 20 years now, and they serve the East Coast and Southern California to San Francisco (and do a leg to Las Vegas, too). With curbside stops and not a lot of amenities, they're a super-inexpensive option for when your budget is tight. If you need to save money and you'll be traveling one of their routes, they'll most likely be cheapest. Be aware that Chinatown Buses have had some issues with safety in the past, but have upped their game recently, and shouldn't be a problem to travel with.

Greyhound Buses

Greyhound buses still rule the road in the U.S., with far more routes and potential flexibility for you than any of the cheap buses. And you can make your journey cheaper still if you apply 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 they'll get you where you need to go. For any kind of obscure routes or for crossing the center of the country, look at Greyhound for prices. 

Lux Bus America

If you love overland travel, will be traveling in 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 seats, free drinks and snacks, pillows and blankets, and seatback entertainment. It's the priciest option out of everything mentioned here, but still cheaper than booking a flight. 

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

You may have noticed that the small bus companies in the United States tend to focus on the west coast or northern east coast regions of the country. If you'll be hitting up the southern east coast, RedCoach has you covered. With a route that covers the major cities and attractions in Florida, it's worth checking their prices before you book with anyone else. RedCoach has affordable prices and are slightly more luxurious than BoltBus, MegaBus, and Greyhound. 

This article was edited and updated by Lauren Juliff . 

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US Overnight Bus Network

Don't want to spend the afternoon traveling? Planning on meeting your friends for breakfast? FlixBus has you covered with overnight bus connections!

Comfortable seats and extra legroom allow you to relax and sleep all the way to your destination so you’re fresh and ready to explore your new city when you wake up. You could fall asleep in Los Angeles and awake to the sights of Las Vegas.

Not sure if catching a night bus is the right choice for you? Traveling at night is surprisingly convenient. Booking your overnight bus ticket online or in our FlixBus App takes only a few clicks. Just book your ticket online, pack your bag and you are ready to go on your adventure!

Our overnight bus route network is constantly expanding so be sure to check this page frequently. Like our Facebook page so you are always the first to find out about all our new connections.

Popular Overnight Bus Routes

Las Vegas - Los Angeles

San Francisco - San Diego

From $14.99

Los Angeles - San Francisco

San Francisco - Las Vegas

Phoenix - Los Angeles

Los Angeles - Palm Springs

Tucson - Los Angeles

Las Vegas - Flagstaff

Tucson - Las Vegas

Baltimore - New York

New York - Richmond

Houston - Dallas

Dallas - Austin

San Antonio - Houston

Onboard services are subject to availability.

How to Travel by Bus in the USA

Why travel by bus in the usa.

Buses operate 24 hours a day, so many travelers opt to take sleeper buses to avoid wasting waking hours traveling. While it is certainly possible to sleep on these buses, you would probably find yourself needing a night in a real bed after a few days of sleeping on buses!

The buses make intermediate stops to pick up and let off passengers, and pull over at rest stops every few hours, including breaks at typical meal times.

Not only is bus travel in the USA an affordable way to get around the country, bus travel is the more eco-friendly option for traveling. Win-win!

Travel by Greyhound Bus in the USA

Greyhound Bus is the largest network in North America and is one of the best ways to travel by bus. The Greyhound US bus network includes 3700 locations throughout the United States, and can take you to a further 1300 in Canada. With such a large selection of destinations and an attractive range of ticketing options, Greyhound is an excellent choice for the backpacker looking to cover a large distance on a budget.

Greyhound Bus Comfort

Greyhound buses are well-equipped with all the usual modern conveniences that you come to expect when traveling in the States. Buses have climate control, so you don’t have to worry about keeping cool while you are traveling around. Furthermore, buses are equipped with restrooms, reclining seats, and tinted windows. You will find that on popular routes, buses are even equipped with tv/video equipment.

Flexible Fares

Greyhound offers an impressive range of different fare and discount options, including discounts for children, students, the elderly, and military personnel. Military personnel and students with a valid ID card can save up to 10% off of fares.

You can buy online ahead of time, which will guarantee you the lowest possible fare. The online Fare types range from Economy, Economy Extra, and Flexible. The economy fare is the cheapest fare, but will cost money if you need to change your bus.

The Flexible fare costs a bit more but allows you to change your trip without any extra fees. You can always purchase your tickets directly in the terminal. 

The general tips for scoring the cheapest fares are to travel on Tuesdays and Wednesday, and to book online at least 7 days before your journey. The Greyhound website boasts that this can save you up to 30% of the ticket costs.

Greyhound Food Services

Greyhound operates its own cafeterias and gift shops at many stop-off points, and food is typical American fast food. Expect to choose from items like Pizza, Burgers, Chicken, and sandwiches. As can be expected at these locations where Greyhound has a “captive audience,” prices are slightly above average rates, but using these facilities is the easiest way to get a quick bite to eat while traveling.

Per Greyhound’s food policy , you will want to stock up for your trip. You can bring food and drink on the Greyhound bus with you. Remember, certain drinks and foods lend themselves better for travel. If you are traveling for an extended time, you may not want food that needs to be refrigerated. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Greyhound buses.

Drawbacks to Greyhound Bus

Many Americans complain that Greyhound is slow compared to traveling by train or plane , but for a backpacker who can find something to see at every major stop on the route, this isn’t really a concern.

Greyhound Alternatives in the US

Greyhound has been around for the longest, but there are some newer bus companies that offer more options for anyone who wants to travel by bus in the USA. Since there are so many different companies offering bus travel in the USA, you should use the search site BusBud , which will show you options for Greyhound , Flixbus , Megabus , along with the regional bus companies.

Flixbus is one of the best Greyhound alternatives in the USA. They have an extensive network along popular travel routes along the West Coast and Southwest part of the USA. Flixbus USA covers popular bus routes all across the country and keep expanding every year.

They have an extensive network of bus routes in California, Arizona, and Nevada where they are the best option for traveling by bus. Flixbus has recently expanded to connect popular East Coast hubs like New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston.

Their buses are comfortable and their fares are affordable, with onboard restroom facilities and Wi-Fi. Some routes even offer in-seat entertainment. Despite all these perks, Flixbus is an incredibly affordable way to travel in the USA.

Megabus started out as a bus company on the East Coast is the local favorite for navigating between major cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, DC. They cover routes reaching more than 100 cities in the USA. Like Flixbus, their seats are large and comfortable with reclining seats and Wi-Fi onboard most buses.

Another alternative to bus travel is to travel by RV in the US . Especially if you’re traveling with a few other people, this could be an even more economical choice since you’ll be combining the costs for accommodation and transport.

You also have more flexibility with your itinerary, not to mention the ability to sleep in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring national parks. We cover everything you need to know about RV travel, as well as some incredible RV road trip routes in our article How to Travel the USA with an RV .

If you’re interested in renting an RV for an upcoming trip, check out RV Share . It’s an online database of privately owned RV’s that are available for rent, sort of like Airbnb for motorhomes and campervans.

Organized Group Travel

If you’re in the USA for a backpacking trip, there are situations when it might make sense to go with a guide or a small group. For these times, one popular option among backpackers is Contiki tours. These trips are geared toward travelers 18-35, and offers more than just transportation, it’s an organized social group travel, which is perfect for young solo travelers. There are Contiki tours that cover the entire United States or specific regions.

Another option for group travel is  G Adventures . They hand-select local guides to ensure authenticity and quality, and their affordable tours include accommodation for a range of budgets. Going with G Adventures is especially a good option for those traveling the USA alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travelers. Their most popular road trips in the USA are their 7-day New York to Nashville road trip and their 7-day San Diego, Grand Canyon, & Las Vegas tour.

Health and Safety while Traveling by Bus in the USA

As with traveling on any public transport, make sure you keep an eye on your luggage. Thefts do happen from time to time, but taking simple precautions like making sure your luggage is stowed away properly makes this much less likely to happen to you.

You should also lock your luggage with a TSA-approved padlock . If you’re concerned, we liked our experience with World Nomads travel insurance . They include accident protection as well as coverage against theft and travel interruptions.

Traveling on buses for long periods carries the same risks of Deep Vein Thrombosis as air travel. At rest stops, take the opportunity to get out and stretch your legs. If you’ll be traveling for a long bus journey in the USA, it’s wise to wear compression socks to prevent swelling. If you’re traveling on an overnight bus, you might also want to bring a travel pillow to avoid waking up with a bad sprain in your neck.

Useful Links for Bus Travel in the USA

• BusBud – US nationwide search engine for buses. Search Greyhound , Flixbus , Megabus , and regional companies
• Flixbus – Large luxury buses serving certain major routes in the USA
• Megabus – Another option for buses covering popular routes on the East Coast
• Contiki – Organized group travel for 18-35 year olds
• USA Greyhound Website – main USA webpage for Greyhound buses
• RV Share – Largest RV Rental Marketplace in the US.
• USA Train Travel
• Backpacking in the USA

Liked this article? Share it with others who might be after the same information!

Clark, thank you for posting information on your website about bus travel in the United States. However a lot of the info that I read was in accurate . It looks as if the one who posted it simply took someone else’s information an posted it to your site. I work in the bus industry and it needs to be shown how this industry is hurting by the pandemic. Furthermore I’m always hearing reports on tv about the airline industry, but nothing about the bus industry. Holiday travel, weather related issues all affect this industry yet nothing is ever said on the air. We need exposure, we need to let the world know that were here and ready to get on the road. We should be telling the stories of how the federal government has left us. How FEDs always help the airlines, ut never the buslines.

Hello is there a montly pass discovery available?

Hi Tanja – Unfortunately Greyhound does not offer monthly passes. There are commuter fares available on certain routes , as well as discounts for military or students. Our advice for scoring the best deal is to book online at least 7 days ahead of time, and to travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Hope this helps!

Hello how can I travel from New York city (air port Kennedy) to Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV / KPGV) BY Greyhound Bus ? How much does it cost me, and how long the trip take? .Best Regards

Couldn’t agree more with Wallace Inman. Buses are so undervalued and undersupported as a way of travel. Before the pandemic I revisited the trip I had taken around USA on Greyhound buses in 1969. It was still a great ride – and a wonderful way of getting to the real America.

We’re excited to provide professional transportation from Nassau Airport to the amazing Baha Mar. As the leading provider of transportation and special event services, we value trust and hospitality.

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Long-distance bus travel in the United States

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 Greyhound Lines
• 2.2 Coach USA
• 2.3 Trailways
• 2.4 Other major companies
• 2.5 Chinatown buses
• 2.6 Mexican buses
• 4 Station amenities
• 6 Stay safe

Long-distance bus travel can be an interesting, inexpensive, and convenient way to see the United States , especially for travelers who do not drive their own car . Buses reach more places across the nation with greater frequencies than trains in the United States.

Understand [ edit ]

Buses cover more of the country than trains and have more frequent departures; and unlike air travel , there is no hassle of security. Although it is not the fastest way, competition between the various operators makes bus travel generally inexpensive. It is even possible to obtain a trip between two cities for as little as $1.

Most intercity bus services use the interstate highway system for the majority of their routes, thereby taking the fastest route they possibly can.

Most long-distance buses are comfortable. Seats are spacious and sometimes have a small flip-down table, like on an airplane. On-board toilets for passengers are also more common than not. Some bus companies show movies on board. Power outlets and Wi-Fi for passengers' use is increasingly the norm. You can also bring food and drink onboard.

Shorter runs, sometimes up to several hours long, may have no intermediate stops. But on longer routes there will be scheduled stops, either in cities where passengers are picked up and offloaded and you can get off the bus for a few moments or at a truck stop where you can get off to eat and drink in a cafe or restaurant. Longer scheduled stops are usually printed on your ticket.

Even for those who fly and drive regularly there are still advantages to include bus travel with your plans. For travel within 200 mi (320 km) or to destinations with limited or no commercial air service, bus travel or driving would usually be most economical way to get there. Anything over 200 mi between metropolitan areas or across the country and you will find the cost of air travel to rival or even undercut bus fares. The exceptions for using buses over longer distances is if you plan to travel point to point across the country with the need to hop on and off frequently. To get between places not well served by commercial airlines would be to combine bus with air travel. Take the bus to the nearest city with a major airport, fly to the next city and then take another bus to the final destination. For example, if one is traveling from Arcata, California, to Key West, Florida, the round trip airfare may be $850 whereas the airfare from San Francisco to Ft Lauderdale or Miami in South Florida may be just $240 round trip. Therefore, one would take the first bus from Arcata to San Francisco; fly from San Francisco to South Florida and transfer to another bus going to Key West. This saves money on the difference in airfare, the cost of airport parking in San Francisco and the extra airport surcharges for renting a car from Ft Lauderdale. In context of this example, if you are planning to stay in Key West you can get around locally without a car ! But this may not be true in other places especially if you are going to a remote locale like somewhere in the Florida keys, off of the main highway, or to the Everglades from Miami. Using buses in combination with air travel is more necessary for traveling east and west across Canada as the Canadian domestic air market is dominated by the Air Canada and Westjet duopoly. Add to that the higher taxes on air travel and less subsidies and domestic air travel comes out more expensive in Canada than in the United States . For example, for a traveler to get from Vancouver to Toronto he/she can takes a bus from Vancouver to Seattle; fly across the US from Seattle to Buffalo and then transfer to another bus going to Toronto. Same thing with travel between the U.S. & Canada and from outside the North American continent to Canada. Travel by bus from Toronto to Buffalo and fly from Buffalo to Florida or continue further south by bus into New York City to catch an international flight out of North America. The downside is that it takes more time and is less convenient, but it can save several hundreds of dollars in the difference in airfare especially if two or more are traveling together and budget is tight. Most people will still drive to the airport, rent a car from the airport or use Canadian airports because it is quicker and more convenient to get to there. In some major airports intercity bus/shuttle companies (including Greyhound) do offer airport pick-up/drop-off at the 'ground transportation' (or departure) zones of the terminals such as in Buffalo, Miami, Seattle, Orlando, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, etc

Companies [ edit ]

Greyhound lines [ edit ].

Greyhound Lines ( Flixbus ), ☏ +1 214 849-8100 , toll-free: +1 800-231-2222 . Greyhound is the largest bus company serving over 2,000 locations in 40 states in the U.S. and over the border into Canada and Mexico. They also operate subsidiary brands to compete in different markets such as: ( updated Oct 2015 )

• Flixbus , ☏ +1 855 626-8585 . They dominate the German market and have grown rapidly in the U.S. and Europe through subcontracting all operations to other bus companies. Flixbus only owns one bus which has the downside for customers that the buses are not of a consistent style or quality. They started U.S. operations in California and Arizona and have since expanded to different regions of the country with plans to expand further including the purchase of Greyhound from First Group in October 2021. Both Greyhound and Flixbus still operate under separate brands, although since 2023, Flixbus's web site sells tickets for both Flixbus and Greyhound routes. ( updated Feb 2024 )
• Autobus Americanos co-brand with the Mexican bus company, Grupo Estrella Blanca to operate cross-border bus services between the U.S. and Mexico from Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah to the US/Mexican border. In some cities they call at the Greyhound stations while in other places they have their own separate depots or stops. Greyhound also go further south from Laredo, Texas, to Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey in Mexico as Greyhound Mexico .
• Cruceros USA operates cross border services between Los Angeles and Tijuana via Santa Ana, San Diego & San Ysidro.
• Lucky Streak goes to the casinos of Atlantic City from Baltimore, New York City (including Brooklyn), Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
• Quick Link Quicklink is a subsidiary brand of Greyhound Lines to provide frequent local & regional commuter services between New York and Mt Laurel and from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.
• Valley Transit Co Valley Transit is a full-service bus company serving South Central and Southeastern Texas and to Reynosa, Tamaulipas in Northern Mexico from McAllen TX.

Coach USA [ edit ]

Coach USA . A subsidiary of the Scottish Stagecoach Group operating commuter routes, university express, airport shuttles, casino shuttles and intercity services under different brands such as: ( updated Oct 2015 )

• Megabus operates mainly in the midwest and the eastern half of the country to rival Greyhound and the Chinatown buses. They operate between the hub cities of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando, Milwaukee, New York and Washington DC with other surrounding cities in the region.
• Community Coach scheduled commuter service from Morris and Essex Counties in New Jersey to New York City.
• Dillons offers bus charter and commuter services between Baltimore, Washington DC, Annapolis, and Bethesda in Maryland.
• Kerrville university express service between Texas A&M in College Station, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Houston, Katy & Texas State University in San Marcos in Texas
• Olympia Trails operates commuter services across the Hudson between Manhattan and northern New Jersey. They also operate local services in/around Hudson County, New Jersey (Jersey City) under the Red & Tan Brand (may of been discontinued); in/around Essex County, New Jersey as the Orange Newark Elizabeth Bus (ONE Bus); between mid-town Manhattan and Plainfield, New Jersey as the Westfield Commuter; and the Newark Airport Express between Manhattan and the Newark Airport. They also operate select Megabus routes out of New York to Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Albany, Ridgewood New Jersey and Toronto.
• Rockland Coaches operates commuter bus service between New York City and points in Bergen County, NJ and Rockland County, NY. They also provide local bus service within both locales.
• Shortline scheduled services from New York City to Woodbury Common, Upstate NY points, Colleges, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Bergen and Pike Counties in New York state
• Suburban Trails offers commuter, casino, and charter services in Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties, New Jersey.
• Van Galder Madison, Janesville, South Beloit and Rockford in Wisconsin to Chicago O'Hare along the I-39/90 corridor.
• Wisconsin Coach Lines operates 15 times daily to O'Hare Airport ( ORD  IATA ), and Mitchell Airport ( MKE  IATA ) from Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha.
• Coach Canada Their Canadian affiliate for travel in Canada which also includes the Megabus brand operating in Canada .

A number of the Coach USA brands have been independent companies that were bought out by or had merged with Coach USA but kept the same name they have before the merger. The Megabus brand is a brand already operating in the UK by Stagecoach Group that was imported to compete in the American & Canadian markets.

Trailways [ edit ]

Trailways . A franchise group of 70 independent franchisees with bases across the country. Most only offer chartered services (for hire) while others offer casino trips and/or bus tours for sightseeing or to scheduled events. The below are the few Trailways franchisees that sell individual tickets for scheduled transportation from 'A' to 'Z': ( updated Jun 2016 )

• Arrow Trailways of Texas ( Southwestern Stagelines ), ☏ +1 254 634-3843 . From Killeen to Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin and Houston in Texas. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Burlington Trailways , toll-free: 1 800 992-4618 . Connects several cities in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska on multiple routes. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Fullington Trailways . Daily scheduled departures from Central Pennsylvania to end points in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ( updated Jul 2016 )
• Martz Group , ☏ +1 570 821-3838 . Commuter & intercity routes between New York City, Hackettstown, Panther Valley Mall, Atlantic City, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Stroudsburg, Poconos & Philadelphia (NJ, NY& PA). They also have affiliate brands operating scheduled services from Washington DC to surrounding areas in Maryland & Virginia as Martz Gold Line & Martz Group Virginia . ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Trailways of New York ( Adirondack & Pine Hill Trailways ), ☏ +1 716 855-7533 , toll-free: +1-800-858-8555 . Trailways of New York includes Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York Trailways in New York state and to Toronto & Montreal in Canada on multiple routes. They also co-brand the NeOn brand with Greyhound Lines and Greyhound Canada for travel between New York City and Canada. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Northwestern Trailways , toll-free: +1-800-366-3830 . Travels across Washington state & northern Idaho from their base in Spokane WA to Seattle, Boise (via Lewiston) and Coeur d'Alene in several directions on multiple routes. Another route travels between Ellensburg, WA and Omak, WA; along US Hwy 97, on contract with the state DOT as the Apple Line .  
• Orange Belt Stages ( Trailways ), ☏ +1 559 733-4408 , toll-free: 1 800-266-7433 . Regular scheduled service between Lemoore, CA and Santa Maria, CA through Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. They also offer day trips to different places for sightseeing and to scheduled events throughout California. ( updated May 2016 )
• Silver State Mainline Trailways , ☏ +1 702 726-4100 , toll-free: +1 888 213-8330 . Connects Doyle, CA to Las Vegas, NV through Reno, Carson City, Hawthorne, Tonopah, Beatty and Pahrump ( updated Jan 2018 )

Other major companies [ edit ]

• Jefferson Lines , toll-free: +1 800 451-5333 . Second largest bus company, serving Arkansas, Iowa, northern Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Nebraska ; North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin; Spokane, Washington (from Billings); Wisconsin, Wyoming; and Winnipeg, Manitoba (from Fargo), where Greyhound services are limited or unavailable. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Academy Bus , ☏ +1 201 420-7000 , toll-free: +1 800 442-7272 . Operates commuter services from New York to Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey; Casino Express from New York to Atlantic City. They also operate the: ( updated Aug 2016 )
• Go Bus , toll-free: +1 855 888-7160 . Regularly scheduled bus services by Academy Bus Lines for travel from Manhattan to Cambridge (in the Boston area), Providence, Hartford, Newton, New Haven and Brown University on multiple routes; south to Manassas and Fairfax/Vienna, VA from New York; and to Washington DC on another route from New York. They also offer regularly scheduled services from Ft Lauderdale Airport and from Miami & Miami Beach to Key West. The Go brand also include door to door shuttles (operated by franchisees) to/from the airports in many cities across the country. ( updated Sep 2017 )
• Ally Charter Bus , toll-free: +1 866-625-7682 , [email protected] . 24/7 . Offers point-to-point group transportation from Virginia to Maine. ( updated Nov 2018 )
• Concord Coach Lines , ☏ +1 603 228-3300 , toll-free: +1-800-639-3317 . Goes up from Boston to several cities & towns in Maine and New Hampshire on multiple routes and an express route from New York to Portland, ME in New England .  
• Express Arrow ( Black Hills Stage Lines ), ☏ +1 402 371-3850 , toll-free: +1-877-779-2999 . Travels between several cities & towns in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska & Wyoming on multiple routes. ( updated Jul 2015 )
• Groome Transportation . Scheduled Airport shuttle buses (and vans) from several major airports to outlying cities in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Oregon, Minnesota, New Mexico, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming at varying distances. More to come as the company expand. ( updated Nov 2023 )
• Indian Trails and Michigan Flyer , toll-free: +1 800 292-3831 . Connects Michigan to Chicago, Gary and Milwaukee and intrastate bus services within Michigan and Wisconsin. The Michigan Flyer Line connects Detroit Metropolitan Airport to East Lansing and Ann Harbor 12-13 times daily. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• Miller Transportation ( Hoosier Ride ), (office) 111 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY 40214 , ☏ +1 502 368-5644 . Miller Transportation operates scheduled bus services throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee as Hoosier Ride. ( updated Jan 2018 )
• New Jersey Transit , ☏ +1 973 275-5555 . Operates commuter and long distances buses to places in New Jersey from New York and Philadelphia, such as the #319 from New York to Atlantic City; and #313/315 from Philadelphia to Cape May. They also operate intrastate routes from Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Elizabeth to various townships and locally within a township in New Jersey. Some of their local and commuter routes are operated by subsidiaries of Coach USA. ( updated May 2018 )
• Omnibus la Cubana , ☏ +1 212 740-6870 , toll-free: +1-800-365-8001 . Comes up from Miami to New York through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Washington, DC; Elkton, MD; Philadelphia and New Jersey. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• OurBus , ☏ +1 844-800-6828 . Goes mainly on routes in the Northeast (Boston, Richmond, Washington, Buffalo, Niagara Falls), plus routes in Indiana, Chicago, and Florida. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Peter Pan & Bonanza , toll-free: +1-800-349-9999 . Operates buses between multiple cities & towns in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Philadelphia, PA; New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Washington DC, in the northeastern part of the country. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Pacific Crest Bus Lines ( PCBL ), ☏ +1 541-382-4193 , [email protected] . Pacific Crest Bus Lines operates 6 routes from Eugene to Bend, Eugene to Florence, Eugene to Oakridge, Bend to Klamath Falls, Klamath Falls to Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass, Grants Pass to Brookings, and Bend to Portland via Salem. Prices vary . ( updated Mar 2023 )
• Salt Lake Express , ☏ +1 208 656-8824 . Serves multiple locations in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming from Salt Lake City. They also include connections to Truckee, CA and Beaver Dam, AZ from Salt Lake City; from Boise to Seattle via Spokane and Everette (on Northwestern Trailways routes); and to Furnace Jct, CA on its route between Fallon, NV and Las Vegas. ( updated Jul 2015 )
• Shofur offers bus charter and rental services for group travel in over 250 cities within the United States.
• Southeastern Stages , ☏ +1 404 591-2750 , toll-free: +1-877-837-9709 , fax : +1 404 591-2745 . Southeastern Stages operates daily scheduled service between cities in the Southeast including: Atlanta, GA; Asheville, NC; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Myrtle Beach, SC; Savannah, GA; Fayetteville, NC and other cities and towns surrounding and between those cities in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. They also have interline agreements with Greyhound & other bus companies to offer service to additional places in the Southeast . ( updated Jul 2015 )
• Vamoose , ☏ +1 212 695-6766 , +1 301 718-0036 . Connects Midtown Manhattan in New York to Bethesda, MD; Arlington, VA & Lorton, VA. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Falcon Charter Bus , toll-free: +1 866-217-2168 , [email protected] . 24/7 . Provides connecting services in over 20 cities in the Southeast. ( updated Nov 2018 )

The above list is not complete as there are numerous publicly operated buses as public transportation in urban and rural areas and privately owned & operated (for profit) companies traveling across longer distances. Some cross state lines (or international lines to Canada or Mexico) while others operate within a single state. See By bus under Get in , in a city or town article and under Get around and/or Get in , in a state article for a list of additional bus companies traveling to or through that location. A number of the Trailways and other bus lines have interline agreements with Greyhound Lines & each other to allow travelers to buy another bus company's ticket on Greyhound.com or their respective websites for contiguous travel. Under such agreements they usually use shared bus station facilities but not always the case either.

Chinatown buses [ edit ]

• Chinatown Buses . A group of small independent discount bus companies operated by Chinese American entrepreneurs since 1998 to provide cheap transportation for the Chinese communities in Boston & New York. They have since expanded to provide bus services from New York to Atlantic City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond and a number of other cities on the East Coast to as far south as Orlando and to as far west as Cleveland by various small, loosely 'affiliated', independent companies transporting other travelers in addition to the Chinese populace. There are additional companies marketing as a "Chinatown bus" in the West Coast and in Canada. Because they're cheap, a number of them have questionable standards of safety and do not provide great service. Some had even gone out of business or have been being shut down by regulators as a result while others crop up to take their places. See GoToBus.com and ILikeBus.com to look them up and buy tickets. ( updated Jun 2016 )

Mexican buses [ edit ]

Some Mexican bus companies offer cross-border transportation between U.S. and Mexico as far north as Chicago and far south as Mexico City from the U.S./Mexico border areas. Some of the cross-border buses are subsidiaries of a larger Mexican bus company while others are smaller American- or Mexican-owned companies serving the regions near the border on one or both sides.

Connections from Texas hubs to the Midwest including Chicago, the Southeast and Mexico are offered by Tornado Bus , El Expreso , Omnibus Mexicanos and Turimex Internacional . Service in and out of Florida is offered by the Chilean JetSet , Argentinian RedCoach , and Cuban-American La Cubana . In California and the Southwest operators include FuturaNet , Tufesa , InterCalifornias [dead link] and El Paso-Los Angeles Limousines , which may have tickets starting from $1.

• El Expreso , (company office) 812 Delano St, Houston, TX , toll-free: 1 800 601-6559 . They operate buses to Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Alabama and within Texas from Houston. At the US/Mexican border they serve Laredo/Nuevo Laredo; Matamoros/Brownsville; Reynosa/McAllen and more along the Rio Grande (where Texas borders Mexico). El Expreso partners with Grupo Estrella Blanca, ADO and other Mexican bus companies for onward services south of the border. They also operate the Tornado Bus brand to compliment El Expreso. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• El Paso Los Angeles Limousine Express , ☏ +1 213 623-2323 , +1 915 532-4061 . Travels across the southwest , along I-10 from El Paso to Los Angeles via Phoenix; I-10/I-25 to Denver via Las Cruces and Albuquerque; and from El Paso towards Torreon via Cd Juarez, Chihuahua (City) and Delicias along Mex Fed Hwy 45 as Los Limousines . They also have additional routes to Las Vegas from Los Angeles & Phoenix. ( updated Apr 2016 )
• Omnibus Express , toll-free: 01 800 765-66-36 (MX), +1-800-923-1799 (US) . A subsidiary of the Mexican bus company, Omnibus Mexicanos , provides transportation from Texas towards Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Louisiana in the U.S. and to Aguascaliente, Colima, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, DF, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michocoan, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas states in Mexico. They also offer intrastate travel within Texas. ( updated Jun 2016 )
• Tufesa , ☏ +1 213 489-8079 . Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc.); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); San Francisco Bay Area; to Salt Lake City via (Las Vegas, St George, etc.) and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). From Hermosillo it travels north towards the US state of Arizona and south towards Mazatlan along the Hwy 15 corridor in Sinaloa & Sonora states . Prices vary depending on your destination .  
• Turimex Internacional , toll-free: +1-800-733-7330 (US), 01 800 890-90-90 (Mexico) . A subsidiary of the Mexican bus company Grupo Senda provides transportation from Texas to Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia in the U.S. and to Aguascaliente, Colima, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michocoan, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas states in Mexico. ( updated Oct 2015 )

Tickets [ edit ]

Tickets can often be purchased online with many of the bus companies, some offering discounts for buying online while others require the tickets can only be bought online. Others with established stations and stops at hotels and convenience stores may sell the tickets at the station or through the store or hotel front desk on a contract basis. The companies with only a curbside stop may require tickets be purchased online, printed and presented to the driver prior to boarding as the drivers cannot accept payment or carry any cash. See their websites as to what the policy may be.

Station amenities [ edit ]

Layovers are a part of longer bus journeys. Some last only 10 minutes, but they can be several hours long. If you have the energy, longer layovers can be used to explore the city. Some travelers may choose to break a long journey to stay overnight in a hotel next to the bus station/stop to be able to shower and get some rest before continuing on the next bus for the rest of the trip.

In many cities Greyhound Lines have closed their large monumental stations and sold them. They have since downsized to curbside stops (like in Portland, Oregon) or into shared facilities with Amtrak trains & local public transportation (Los Angeles, Denver, San Jose, etc) or with local public transportation only (known as 'transit centers' as in Las Vegas). In smaller towns, they have contracted with convenience stores and truck stops (Love's, Travel Centers of America, Pilot's Flying 'J', AM/PM, etc) or hotels to serve as a pick-up/drop-off stop or as a de-facto station. In other places (Seattle, Sacramento, Orlando, Daytona Beach, etc) Greyhound still maintain and operate full service bus station but in smaller building which may or may not eventually close. Other companies have only designated curbside stops or maintain their own separate bus stations in smaller buildings or a "hole in the wall" storefront (such as the 'chinatown' bus companies in New York). They (including Greyhound) also offer airport pick-up/drop-off at the 'ground transportation' (or departure) zones at a major airport or somewhere nearby such as in Buffalo, Miami, Seattle, Orlando, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, etc. Since the acquisition of Greyhound Lines by Flixbus they now have the same shared stops and stations as well as additional stop(s) for Flixbus.

Therefore, amenities vary according to the location. Gone are the days of the large open indoor waiting room with a small TV set on the armrest at each seat, with a restaurant inside the station. Curbside stops require passengers to reserve, pre-pay and print their tickets or be able to generate a QR code on a mobile device prior to travel as drivers cannot accept cash or card payments and can refuse passengers without a pre-paid ticket. Even at a retail store/truck stop the store may only provide space for the bus to pull in and load/unload passengers only while others may sell tickets and/or provide indoor seating for bus passengers. The remaining functioning bus stations (and those in Amtrak stations) still sell tickets over the counter and offer an indoor waiting room which are small and basic in comparison to the past Greyhound stations. Food and overnight stay options will vary depending on the availability of stores, restaurants, cafes and/or hotels surrounding the stop or station. Some of which are in sketchy neighborhoods with unsavory characters loitering around these establishments while the nearby hotels/motels can be used as dens for prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal activities.

Local public transportation vary in their frequencies and routing. In urban areas the same bus station or stop may be served by multiple local public transportation routes on more frequent schedules while in remote rural locations services are limited and less frequent. Some rural public transportation companies may only operate on certain days or every other week rather than daily. Check their schedules closely if planning to use local public transportation. Otherwise arriving passengers will have to arrange for taxi, ride-share (Uber, Lyft, etc), or with a known contact for pick-up prior to arrival as the stop or station can be in sketchy neighborhoods in an unfamiliar location. In some places a car rental office (Usually Avis, Enterprise or Hertz) can be nearby the bus stop or station for car rental.

If you choose to spend your layover time sampling nearby bars do not get drunk as you will not be allowed on the bus. Even the smell of alcohol in your breath may be enough for a driver to disallow you back on the bus.

Rules [ edit ]

Generally, the few rules imposed on bus travelers are very basic and largely common sense. Smoking and alcohol consumption are always forbidden. Some buses have signs banning eating and drinking, but this is rarely enforced; if you do eat or drink try to clean up after yourself. Try to keep noise to a minimum - no-one wants to hear other people's conversations or music. Unlike air travel, security checks are rare, but there are occasional inspections for 'banned' items, though items that are obvious hazards such as firearms may not be brought on board. Each company has its own guidelines regarding live animals.

Stay safe [ edit ]

In the United States, the security risks in long-distance bus travel can be related to the behavior of other passengers and maintaining order on the buses.

There have been several reported incidents where threatening or violent situations have occurred between passengers on long-distance buses. In these cases, the risk is directed at other passengers and the bus staff.

Problems can be caused by, for example:

• Substance abuse on buses
• Disruptive behavior from those with mental health issues
• Arguments and fights between passengers
• Possession of weapons on buses
• Disruptive behavior from youth gangs

The openness of long-distance buses and the large number of certain types of passengers increase the risk of such situations compared to, for example, air travel.

Bus companies try to address these issues with security personnel and passenger screenings, but it is difficult to guarantee complete safety in all situations.

In any case, the threat of situations caused by other passengers is an unfortunate security risk in long-distance bus travel in the United States.

See also [ edit ]

• Driving in the United States Driving offers the most flexibility and freedom to go wherever and whenever you want and is the most preferred method with many folks especially when three or more are traveling together.
• Air travel in the United States Can be the most economical and quickest way to get across longer distances. A flight across the nation from New York to Los Angeles is 5-6 hr vs. 3 days (65-72 hr) on a bus for the same amount of fare. Flying is (almost) a must for travel to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
• Air travel on a budget tips on ways to save money on air travel.
• Rail travel in the United States Less cramped, more comfortable and more scenic ride than bus. To some, rail travel is the highlight of the trip rather than just a means of getting there.
• United States without a car
• Getting around in Mexico for onward travel south of the border
• Getting around in Canada available means of getting around Canada.

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Navigation menu

Popular bus routes in the USA

Popular national bus routes.

• Boston ↔ New York
• New York ↔ Washington DC
• Los Angeles ↔ San Diego
• Las Vegas ↔ Los Angeles
• Atlanta ↔ New York
• Virginia Beach ↔ New York
• Philadelphia ↔ Washington DC
• Miami ↔ Orlando
• Boston ↔ Philadelphia
• New York ↔ Philadelphia
• Charlotte ↔ New York
• Dallas ↔ Houston
• Greensboro ↔ New York
• New York ↔ Orlando
• New York ↔ Rochester
• Tampa ↔ New York
• New York ↔ Raleigh
• Norfolk ↔ New York
• Austin ↔ Dallas
• Fort Lauderdale ↔ Orlando
• New York ↔ Augusta
• Columbia ↔ New York
• Union City ↔ Washington DC
• Los Angeles ↔ Oakland
• Houston ↔ New Orleans
• Austin ↔ Houston
• Houston ↔ San Antonio
• El Paso ↔ San Antonio
• Orlando ↔ Tampa
• Los Angeles ↔ San Francisco
• Portland ↔ Seattle
• Chicago ↔ Indianapolis

Bus routes that connect with international destinations

• New York ↔ Toronto
• Montreal ↔ New York
• Los Angeles ↔ Tijuana
• New York ↔ Ottawa
• Seattle ↔ Vancouver
• Santa Ana ↔ Tijuana
• Boston ↔ Montreal
• Washington DC ↔ Montreal
• Toronto ↔ Washington DC
• San Diego ↔ Tijuana
• Everett ↔ Vancouver
• Fresno ↔ Tijuana
• Anaheim ↔ Tijuana
• Detroit ↔ Toronto
• Vancouver ↔ Portland
• Guadalajara ↔ Los Angeles
• Ciudad Juarez ↔ Santa Ana
• Buffalo ↔ Toronto
• Las Vegas ↔ Tijuana

Travel by Bus Around the World

• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom

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Coach / Bus Tours & Trips in USA

Find a Coach / Bus trip that explores USA. There are 219 adventures to choose from, that range in length from 3 days up to 32 days. The most popular month for these tours is September, which has the most tour departures. For more inspiration, discover our  USA vacation deals  and the best coach/bus tour companies .

182 Coach / Bus tour packages in USA with 3,765 reviews

• Coach / Bus

Best of the American West

Excellent tour! Our guide, Ken Black, was the best tour guide ever. He took us to the best places, made excellent hike recommendations depending on our interests and capabilities, made sure we were safe and had fun at all times!

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Dollywood and Nashville Escorted Tour

Road Trippin’ American West

• In-depth Cultural

Northern California (8 Days)

Every aspect was well planned, tour guide & driver were courteous & knowledgeable

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Wild West, Cowboys and Buffalos (End Denver, 9 Days)

Fantastic group of people ! Sophia was very knowledgeable about all the places we visited. Learned a lot, saw a lot and had a great time.

Best of California (Small Groups, 10 Days)

Fall Colours of New England (10 Days)

The tour experiences, excellent work by tour director Pam and most of the hotels were wonderful. Having grown up in the east, now living in the west, I loved seeing the autumn leaves and delightful small towns. Overall, this tour was a bit too strenuous for me at the age of 81 and with arthritic knees.

Best of the West (12 Days)

This was a fast but nice tour and Dave was a good guide. Only in LA i thought we should have had more time but it was perfect for a Solo Travler

Eastern Discovery (10 Days)

It was a great experience

Rhythms of the Road (including Hammond)

tour took us exactly where we wanted to go with someone else doing the organising!

• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Fascinating West, Ending in San Francisco

New York and Washington

National Parks of America's West

The tour agency made it so convenient for all of us. The driver, tour guide and tour director were all pleasant and helpful.

USA Road Trip — Yosemite, Canyons & Camping

Exploring the Pacific Northwest

Ken, our guide was knowledgeable, efficient, courteous and fun. The tour would have been better with a full day in Seattle spending 2 nights there. You could skip Leavenworth, Yakima and the nature center in Bend.

What people love about Coach / Bus Tours in USA

It was great. Tough schedule but I liked it.

Comfortable Coach, tour director Erica was fantastic, driver, Kevin was professional and very accommodating. We traveled 1790 miles, great group of people to travel will. Thanks. Gary

Regions in USA

• Western USA (78)
• Sun Belt (78)
• Eastern USA (51)
• Southwest USA (45)
• East Coast USA (38)
• Southern USA (27)
• Southeast USA (27)
• West Coast USA (25)
• Rocky Mountains (22)
• California (22)
• Northeast USA (20)
• Four Corners (18)
• Mideast USA (12)
• New England (10)
• Central USA (9)
• Pacific Coast USA (8)

Travel Styles

• 10 Best Coach & Bus Companies (with Reviews)
• USA Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• 10 Best Backpacking Tours & Trips 2024/2025
• Best time to visit East Coast USA (Low & High Season)
• Best Time to Visit the West Coast, USA in 2024/2025 (with California)
• Best USA Vacation Spots for Couples: Parks, Cities and more
• 5 Best Guided Backpacking Trips & Tours
• Best 10 Day USA Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

The Best Bus Companies in the USA

T raveling is an adventure, and one of the most classic ways to see the vast and diverse landscapes of the United States is by bus. But how do you decide which bus company to choose? Here, we dive deep into the top options available, ensuring your journey is as smooth as the road ahead.

Greyhound: A Century-Old Travel Companion

Greyhound is the most significant and oldest bus service provider in the U.S., connecting over 3,800 destinations. Founded in 1914, its long-standing history vouches for its service quality.

• Affordable tickets for budget travelers.
• On-board amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, and restrooms.
• Feedback suggests occasional delays.
• Some customers feel improvements can be made in customer service.

Megabus: Big Savings on the Big Blue Bus

Megabus has caught the attention of many, especially budget travelers , due to its promotional $1 fares.

• Extremely affordable ticket pricing.
• Equipped with Wi-Fi, power outlets, and restrooms.
• Buses can get crowded, potentially compromising comfort.
• Strict baggage policy, limiting passengers to one carry-on and one personal item.

BoltBus: Fast and Budget-Friendly

BoltBus, a sibling company of Greyhound, offers non-stop and limited-stop services, emphasizing speed and budget.

• Affordable fares with occasional $1 tickets.
• Direct routes for faster journeys.
• Potential for crowded rides.
• Limitation on baggage similar to Megabus.

Lux Bus America: Ride in Luxury to Vegas

As its name suggests, Lux Bus America offers a touch of luxury, especially for travelers heading to the entertainment capital, Las Vegas.

• Premium service at around $50.
• Exclusive routes to Las Vegas.
• Limited to specific cities and destinations.

Vamoose: The Metro Connector

Specifically catering to the NYC and Washington D.C. corridors, Vamoose provides efficient service for metro travelers.

• Reliable service in dense city routes.
• Amenities such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, and restrooms are standard.
• Limited to specific city routes.

RedCoach: Premium Florida Travels

For those exploring the sunshine state of Florida, RedCoach is a top pick, emphasizing luxury in its services.

• Premium services in key Florida destinations.
• Generous baggage policy: two checked bags and one carry-on.
• Limited to Florida routes.

Making the Right Choice for Your Journey

When you're ready to book that ticket, remember:

Budget Matters:  Compare prices across companies.

Comfort Counts:  Look for spacious seating and desired amenities.

Read Reviews:  Customer feedback provides insight into service quality.

Check Schedules:  Some companies have more frequent departures.

Routes and Destinations:  Ensure the company covers your desired course.

Pack Right:  Understand the baggage policy to avoid any surprises.

Final Thoughts

Traveling by bus in the U.S. is both an economical and scenic option. With numerous companies available, each offering a unique flavor of service, you're spoilt for choice. So, pack your bags, pick your provider, and embark on a memorable journey across the U.S. Safe travels!

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A Guide to 10 ‘Luxury Bus’ Lines You Can Take Instead of Amtrak

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com , a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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Yes, you can travel in luxury on a bus: A few bus lines around the country are providing luxury bus service on intercity routes up to about 300 miles, especially in areas where air and rail service is either sparse or expensive. To qualify as “luxury,” my primary requirement is that a line must provide one-by two seating, with extra legroom, in a full size intercity bus, along with an onboard lavatory, Wi-Fi and/or streaming TV, snack/drink service, and no-fee baggage checking. That’s all typically much more comfortable than a plane, and sometimes more comfortable than Amtrak. Fares are around double regular bus fares, because the lines fit only 22 to 35 seats into buses that nominally hold 55 to 60 seats, in addition to extra passenger amenities.

I found 10 lines that qualify, listed here alphabetically, with samples of posted one-way fares. Most lines employ capacity-controlled pricing: As buses fill up, fares for remaining seats increase. Most lines also offer a variety of round-trip, multi-ride, frequent-traveler membership, student, and similar discounts. Most require reservations, and pick up and leave travelers on public-street loading zones, or sometimes at hotels.

Editors’ Note: Included fares are accurate at time of publication.

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BestBus is one of the many bus lines that operate between New York City and the Washington, D.C. area. Although most of its trips use conventional intercity buses, one or two daily trips feature “Prime” service that offers the necessary luxury mix. At least one trip operates most days nonstop between New York Penn Station and Washington-area drop off points at DuPont Circle and Union Station and three stops in suburban Virginia. The Prime fare for February starts at around $47 one-way, compared with $38-40 for the regular service; trips take four hours and more.

Amtrak offers frequent competition, with trips taking from a bit under three hours (Acela, from $155) to 3:30 hours (Northeast Regional, hovering around at $115 with fares below $100 available on specific dates).

C&J Bus Lines

C&J operates at least two daily trips, all with luxury buses, on two main routes:

• Connecting Boston with Dover, Portsmouth, and Seabrook New Hampshire. Trips take 55 minutes to Seabrook, at $13.99, to 1:30 to 2 hours to Dover at $14.99, and on average 1:15 to 1:30 to Portsmouth at $14.99.
• Connecting New York with Andover, Massachusetts as well as Seabrook and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Trips take 4 hours to Andover, fares are $74. Trips to Seabrook take between 4:30 and 4:45 and trips to Portsmouth take roughly 5:15, fares for both are $84.

Concord Coach Lines

Concord operates several trunk routes, but offers its luxury “Plus Bus” on one daily round trip each on its route connecting New York City with Portland, Maine (6 hours, $79).

Amtrak connects New York with Portland, but a train trip requires changing trains and stations in Boston. The shortest connection for a trip in early March takes six hours and costs $84, including bus transfer between stations in Boston. Competitive air service to Portland for a similar time frame starts at $45 one way.

10 Tips for Long-Distance Amtrak Trips

Dartmouth Coach

Dartmouth Coach operates luxury bus trips at least once daily with extra weekend service between New York City and Hanover/Dartmouth and Lebanon, New Hampshire. Trips take about five hours; fares start at $89. This company is affiliated with Concord Coach Lines and appears to offer a similar luxury product. Dartmouth also operates from the Boston area, but only with conventional buses.

Amtrak does not go near Dartmouth or Lebanon. Flights from New York to Lebanon start at around $134 one way, and require about four hours with a plane change at Boston.

Hampton Jitney

The Hampton Jitney operates between New York and the main eastern Long Island centers, including three to four daily luxury “Ambassador” service trips to/from Montauk, with additional trips to/from Amagansett. Montauk trips take 3:15; fares start at roughly $45.

The competition to the Hamptons is the Long Island Rail Road Montauk line. Montauk trips take 3:15 and cost $22.25 off-peak, $30.50 peak.

Red Coach operates a complex network linking Miami with Tallahassee while also serving key intermediate stops. Although it also operates conventional buses, Red Coach operates luxury First Class runs several times daily between Miami and Tallahassee via Orlando. Miami-Tallahassee trips take about nine and a half hours, with fares starting at $99; Orlando-Miami trips take about 4 hours with fares starting at $45.

Red Coach competes with Amtrak, Brightline, and Tri-Met between some South Florida stops, but no rail line operates to/from Tallahassee or between Atlanta and Florida. Miami-Tallahassee nonstop flight fares start at roughly $150 round trip, taking two hours nonstop or over five hours with a layover.

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Tripper Bus Elite

Tripper Bus is one of the many lines that operate between New York City and the Washington DC area. The line runs between two and seven trips each day, and on most days one of those trips uses a luxury “Elite” bus. Trips run between New York City Penn Station area and stops in suburban Bethesda and  Arlington. Travel time is 4:00 hours; Elite class fares start around $60, compared with regular fares which start at $27. See “BestBus” entry for Amtrak and airline competition.

Vamoose Gold

Vamoose is yet another New York-to-Washington bus line that operates a luxury service. “Gold Bus” trips operate three to four times per day between midtown Manhattan and stops in Bethesda, Maryland, and Arlington and Lorton, Virginia. The trips take 4:00 to 4:30 hours to/from Bethesda; 4:40 to/from Arlington; and 5:00 to 5:30 to/from Lorton. Gold Bus fares start at $79, depending on time of day; regular fares start at $49. See “BestBus” entry for Amtrak and airline competition.

Vonlane operates an extensive network of all-luxury bus routes connecting Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, and San Antonio. All stops are at city-center hotels except for Dallas, where the terminal is at a Love Field hotel. Sample fares from Houston to Fort Worth are $129; the trip takes four hours.

All Vonlane routes are serviced by multiple airlines, including Southwest. Sample nonstop airfares for Houston-Dallas in late February start at $154 one way, decreasing to under $100 for select dates in March. Amtrak operates one train daily between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth and one train daily Dallas-Austin-San Antonio. Coach fares Dallas-San Antonio start at $37 for a 10-hour trip.

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Washington Deluxe

Washington Deluxe is the fourth (on my list) New York-Washington bus line that offers a deluxe option. “LUX” buses operate less than daily between New York/Penn Station and Washington/DuPont Circle. The trip takes 4:00 to 4:30; the fare starts at $35. See “BestBus” entry for Amtrak competition.

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Bus Schedules and Bus Times

At Coach USA we are committed to providing safe, reliable, and convenient scheduled bus services to get you wherever you need to go on time. Stay up-to-date on our bus times along with any changes in our daily bus schedules.

Work is stressful enough without adding the hassle of city driving, traffic congestion, tolls and parking. Let us take control of your commute while you enjoy catching up on daily news, music and extra sleep. Our daily commuter bus times allow for a flexible commuting schedule for all work days. Learn more about multiple our commuter routes.

Long distance travel is a safe and economical way to travel between cities. Whether you are visiting family & friends or exploring a new city, our team of professional drivers will get you there on time. We offer various bus schedules that service intercity commutes. Each bus service offers numerous bus times to ensure you get to your destination when you need to. Find out more about the bus service that fits best in your schedule

Throughout the US, we operate many local transit bus services to help you get around town. Our bus times run throughout the day on a fixed, dependable bus schedule. Find the bus times for your bus route.

Take a ride with us to the best casinos in North America. Our services include regularly scheduled bus guided tours , single and multi-day tours at various times throughout the year. Check out our casino bus schedules today.

We know that college students need a reliable way to get to and from campus and Coach USA is here for you! Each of our designated college bus services offer numerous bus times to ensure you get to your destination when you need to. Our college transportation service is just what you've been looking for.

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Migrants, desperate to reach the U.S. border, are traveling inside cargo trucks. Some never make it.

Telemundo News and the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP), together with other partners, corroborated through official records the journey of some 19,000 people who attempted to reach the U.S. border inside cargo trucks through Mexican roadways, including some 3,000 children. 

The heat inside the cargo truck was suffocating. The women were squatting against the walls holding the children on their legs; the men sat in rows, one behind the other, at the center. About 170 people were traveling in the container, in the dark and in forced silence.

Two weeks earlier, on January 4, 2019, Yanira Chávez had closed the reddish wooden door of her house in Armenia, a small town in northern Honduras. She had paid $5,000 — an amount she would have never been able to save with her salary at a banana packing house — to a local coyote (smuggler) who promised to take her to the United States along with her children, Samir, who was 9 years old, and Emely, 5. Her husband, Erling Rosales, had paid for the trip and was waiting for them in New Orleans, where he had been living for two years now.

Chávez was carrying two huge black suitcases “with little wheels” that she bought for 1,200 lempiras (about $48) in a nearby town because the coyote assured her that they were going to cross Mexico by plane and “they couldn’t look like immigrants” at the airports. Upon arriving in the United States, the family would have to pay the smugglers another $5,000.

From San Pedro Sula they traveled by bus to the Guatemalan border with Mexico, which they crossed through a river by boat. “I’m now a little closer to you,” she wrote in a text message to her husband. “We didn’t know, it didn’t cross our minds, everything we still had to go through,” Chávez recalled last October in an interview with Telemundo News. She spoke from Long Island, New York, where her family lives in uncertainty, after their asylum request was denied.

In Mexico, she said, they were taken to Villahermosa, a city in the state of Tabasco, where they expected to finally catch a plane. But there they had their phones taken and were forced to throw away their suitcases and board a trailer truck.

“We said: ‘We’re not going,’” Chávez recalled, “but by then it doesn’t matter if you want to get in or not: you have to go, because if you don’t, they threaten to turn you over the cartel.”

They hadn’t gone two miles when the truck stopped at a checkpoint and a child, around 2-years-old, began to cry. “Either you shut him up or I do,” a coyote demanded of the mother, while outside the vehicle was being inspected, according to Chávez. The smuggler, who was armed, snatched the boy from her, held him dangling by his head, and put one hand on the back of his neck and another on his face, covering his mouth: “The mother just started crying. Then the boy fell fast asleep,” she recalled.

They had barely any food or water. There were plastic buckets at each end of the trailer for those who couldn’t hold in their bodily needs: “People were fainting. A young woman told me not to let the children fall asleep,” Chávez said.

They crossed 900 miles (almost 1,500 kilometers) from Villahermosa to Reynosa, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. In four days they got off the trailer only twice. At one of the stops, already near the border, they walked for several hours up a mountain until nightfall to go around a police checkpoint. “It was so cold it was horrible,” Chávez said, “we felt so weak, I couldn’t walk as fast since I had my daughter. We hadn’t had water in two days.”

The 36-year-old woman claims that when she arrived in Reynosa, the coyotes who greeted them kidnapped her along with her children and her sister-in-law, who was traveling with two children, and held them in a hotel for two weeks with almost no food while they extorted her husband in New Orleans. Rosales paid $14,000 to have them released, she said. Finally, on February 3rd, after traveling for almost a month, Chávez and her children crossed the Rio Grande and surrendered to the Border Patrol in McAllen, Texas.

“I think about the people who die in those containers. It’s horrible to have to beg them, because they could maybe open the door, but they don’t care. They want the money and to deliver the package, because they don’t look at you as a person. They look at us as if we were cattle or animals,” Chávez said from Long Island, New York, where her family lives in uncertainty, after their asylum request was denied.

Chávez and her children survived the harrowing journey, but many others have not.

For seven months, Telemundo News and the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP, in Spanish), together with Pie de Página and its allies Chiapas Paralelo, En un 2x3 Tamaulipas, and reporters in Veracruz, Plaza Pública in Guatemala, Contracorriente in Honduras, ICIJ in Dominican Republic and Bellingcat, investigated the flourishing business of smuggling migrants in tractor-trailers across Mexican highways.

We interviewed survivors, researchers and former officials, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents. Based on statements from federal institutions and press reports, we created a database with more than 170 cases of trucks that were involved in traffic accidents or were detained or abandoned between 2018 and 2023, which offer important clues about how smugglers operate. 

About 19,000 migrants have traveled in these cargo trucks, including more than 3,200 minors. At least 111 migrants who were traveling in tractor-trailers in Mexico have died in the last six years, suffocated to death by the heat and lack of oxygen, or in traffic accidents, among them the trailer that overturned in December 2021 in the state of Chiapas, when 56 people died.

Due to the inconsistent quality of the data, and because Mexican authorities only began tracking cases since 2022, following the Chiapas accident, the data reveals only a small portion of this form of human trafficking.

To continue reading the special report, click here.

Àngela Cantador is a journalist with the Centro Latinoamericano de Investigación Periodística (CLIP).

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Today, Delta unveiled its custom Airbus A350 Team USA aircraft livery in Toulouse, France honoring the airline’s commitment to celebrate the athletes' journeys and connect them with their dreams as the official airline of Team USA.  

The Team USA-inspired A350 celebrates Delta's eight-year partnership with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which runs through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

“Unveiling the Team USA aircraft for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 marks a major milestone for Delta’s support of Team USA as we look toward the start of competition in just a few months,” said Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman. “This plane, designed by our in-house creative team, represents Delta’s commitment to Team USA and our partnership to elevate these athletes to reach their highest potential. As this plane flies around the world in the coming months and years, we hope it is seen as a symbol of hard work, dedication and the upward momentum to being the best that Team USA and Delta innately share.”    

DELTA’S CHAIRMAN’S CLUB TAKES DELIVERY IN TOULOUSE  

The celebration in Toulouse – home of Airbus’ global headquarters and where the plane was built and painted this year – had a special audience this year, with Delta’s Chairman’s Club – a peer-selected honoree group of the airline’s top 100 employees from divisions across the company – being a part of the reveal moment for the first time.  

These employees, who are nominated by their peers and Delta’s most senior leaders, represent top employees from across the business. The honorees, which are selected annually, are chosen based on their merit and ability to exemplify the Delta brand each day. Each year, Chairman’s Club Honorees receive the distinction of flying on a new Delta aircraft home to Atlanta as recognition of their commitment and dedication to the brand. To celebrate the countdown to the Paris Games, the 2023 honoree class was able to unveil the brand-new Team USA livery design and be the first to fly on the newly minted plane. Members of the 2023 class were in attendance for the occasion.  

“Team USA athletes are resilient and perseverant – much like Delta’s own people who work each day behind the scenes to connect the world," said VP of Global Communications Gina Laughlin. “Celebrating this moment alongside our 2023 Chairman’s Club Honorees is only fitting as Delta’s people and Team USA work diligently each day to bring the best of themselves to their work. No one better understand what it means to Keep Climbing to the top.” 

Delta’s Chairman’s Club Honorees will fly the aircraft back to Atlanta on May 3.  

DESIGNING THE LIVERY   

The custom livery was designed over several months by Alessandra Rabellino and Delta’s internal brand design team, Window Seat. The bespoke design boasts red, white and blue colors with ‘Team USA’ proudly written across its side and maintains elements of the Team USA Livery design for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, as a nod to the beginning of the partner journey, while also incorporating features that look ahead to Paris and beyond.   

“We evolved one of the main features from the Beijing Livery – the jet stream – into the shape of the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing momentum as we countdown to Paris,” Rabellino said.  “Being able to see the big reveal after the curtain drop was so exciting. But what is even more special is being part of this occasion alongside the Chairman’s Club Honorees who have such a big impact on our company – it's a true honor.”   

On May 2 Delta unveiled its custom Airbus A350 Team USA aircraft livery in Toulouse, France honoring the airline’s commitment to celebrate these athlete’s journey and connect them with their dreams as the official airline of Team USA. NBC’s Keir Simmons shared an exclusive look inside on TODAY.

ABOUT DELTA’S TEAM USA PARTNERSHIP 

To further its commitment to Team USA, Delta has also proudly partnered with 15 Team USA athlete ambassadors for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. This group of inspiring athletes will join Delta on the road to Paris as the airline will support them both on and off the field of play, celebrating their stories of resilience and perseverance as they pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.   

U.S. Olympic Athletes:    

Allyson Felix, 11X U.S. Olympic medalist, Track and Field 

Gabby Thomas, 2X U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Track and Field 

Ilona Maher, U.S. Olympian, Rugby 

Brooke Raboutou, U.S. Olympian, Sport Climbing 

Jagger Eaton, U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, Skateboarding 

Chase Kalisz, 2X U.S. Olympic medalist, Swimming 

Victor Montalvo, U.S. Olympic hopeful, Breaking 

Ashleigh Johnson, 2X Olympic gold medalist, Water Polo     

U.S. Paralympic Athletes:    

Brad Snyder, 8X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Swimming & Paratriathlon 

Oksana Masters, 17X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Cycling & Para Cross-country ski 

Kaleo Kanahele Maclay, 3X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Sitting Volleyball 

Trevon Jenifer, 3X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Wheelchair Basketball 

Roderick Townsend, 4X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Track and Field 

Chuck Aoki, 3X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Wheelchair Rugby 

Mallory Weggemann, 5X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Swimming 

As Team USA’s official airline, Delta will manage travel for all U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milan 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where it also is an inaugural founding partner.  

The partnership with Team USA furthers Delta’s longstanding support for sport – and the airline’s proud history supporting Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Delta served as a past sponsor of its hometown in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Atlanta 1996 and Salt Lake City 2002.   

The foundation of Delta’s partnership is in the alignment of values and a shared focus on excellence, a passion for connecting people and cultures and a drive to be the best and the gold standard difference. Learn more about Delta’s partnership with Team USA .   

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