There is no dearth of transportation options in the US for a visitor who wants to travel from one place to another. Despite the recent increases in gasoline, the car is still the first choice for many. Nevertheless, when the journey distance is more than a few hours, it is the plane that usually wins. Still there are other times when the best option is taking the bus but how do you determine when this is your best option? Well read on.
Bus travel in the US.
While it is not easy to gauge whether there is any element of truth in this, but the reputation of the bus service in the US is looked down upon by many who content that it is absolutely basic. In reality, there are a number of services to suit all budgets from basic to luxury but this will depend on the carrier. The big name in America is of course Greyhound buses and they not only dominate this area but they are the only bus service that can offer a nationwide network of routes. You may also have heard of Trailways and Coach USA who are made up of smaller companies that have joined forces to offer a certain brand and service level. Then of course there are other carriers that work on a regional basis and on some routes share it with Greyhound where they cannot supply the service themselves.
If you are traveling on a budget you may also have the option to use what is referred to as a ‘Chinatown Bus’ which operate at the budget end of the spectrum running routes that can be sustained through the large volume of travelers they have. 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. Another trend in the bus industry is luxury service that competes more directly with the airlines. If you are someone who is no further than about 6 hours from your destination, this option may appeal as this type of bus service offer and excellent 1st class service so you will not feel as if you are traveling ‘budget class’.
So how does one conclude the appropriate conditions when a bus journey is warranted? Answer these questions and you might find what you are looking for: What is the budget that you have planned for your journey? If it is low, take the bus. It is, without doubt the least expensive way to travel across America and if you are traveling in the North East of the country, even more so as there are more companies who want your business.
Do you think once you reach your destination you will require a car? New York, Boston, Washington DC) a car is not only unnecessary but will be a burden to drive and to park once you arrive.
Usually if you journey time is less than six hours it is probably faster and more convenient to use a bus and save yourself the waiting time at the airport. Buses also have a number of steps and generally speaking there is more likelihood of stopping at a convenient location in the city than there is if you fly.
If you are traveling to a more remote are of America then you are less likely to have an airport close by which means a bus may be the best method to get you where you want to go. How much time do you have? If your trip is not rushed, you might enjoy the more leisurely pace of bus travel. If you are running out of time, then bus journeys may not be quite feasible as there are always the traffic snarl ups and a bus in any case takes longer time compared to other means of transport. 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. The recent rises in fuel costs have done nothing but help the bus companies and that is likely to continue as more an more people take to the bus as their preferred form of travel when going longer distances.
