Getting around America is just as easy for visitors as it is for Americans. Despite the recent increases in gasoline, the car is still the first choice for many. But then when one needs to travel from one city to another, which is situated a few hours drive away, then going by air could be preferable. Many people overlook the humble bus but they shouldn’t as this can be an excellent way to travel and below are some reason why.
Taking the bus option in the US.
Not everyone agrees this is the best way to get around America though and many feel it is at the basic end of travel. The reality however is that there is plenty of categories of buses available, ranging from luxury to economy depending on the carrier. There is only one company in the US, Greyhound, which rules the industry operating bus transportation services across the country. Several other companies such as Trailways and Coach USA are made up of independently owned bus companies that share marketing functions and branding. In addition there are several strong regional players in the bus industry, although they may share service with Greyhound on certain routes.
There is a new addition to the industry with the entry of ‘Chinatown bus’ a word which describes cheap bus services run by companies who operate in a clipped down manner on specific routes and, as the name suggests, charge lesser fare than the usual companies. Originally they were used more by the Chinese migrant community - hence the name - but in recent times this low-cost form of travel has begun to appeal to a larger audience. Competing head on with the airlines industry is the introduction of luxury bus services, yet another new introduction to the industry. Such carriers offer A-1 services with coaches that reek of luxury and are considered to be most effective to travel to a destination which requires less than 6 hours of travel.
If you are unsure if this is the way you want to travel, some regular questions have been answered below. What is your budget? If you are on a tight budget you won’t be able to beat the bus for price. This is without doubt the least costly way to see and travel across the States and if you are fortunate enough to need a bus in the North East of the country you will find even more so as there are more carriers competing.
Do you think once you reach your destination you will require a car? Remember in cities like New York, Boston and Washington DC, a car is not only useless but can prove to be a big hassle for driving around and finding a parking space.
What most people don’t realise is just how much time is wasted at airports ‘waiting’ and of course there are the increased security checks so for journeys of under 6 hours, the bus is the best bet. Another advantage is a bus will likely have stop-off points in the center of the city and not on the outskirts like you experience at an airport.
What is your destination? Remember most of the people in the US find traveling by bus more convenient even if it is to the remote area of the country as this is the only viable means of pub transport. How much time do you have? If your trip is not rushed, you might enjoy the more leisurely pace of bus travel. This also means that if you are in a hurry, the bus not be the quickest way for you to reach your destination especially if it is over 6 hours away. However, the bus is still viewed as the best way to get around the States for visitors especially if they want to see more remote locations. There is no doubt as fuel costs continue to rise, the bus will become increasingly popular for more and more Americans and visitors alike.