Traveling in the US is easy with a multitude of efficient methods to get around the country. Most people automatically choose a car even when the cost of fuel is taken into account it is still relatively inexpensive. Nevertheless, when the journey distance is more than a few hours, it is the plane that usually wins. Of course you must not forget traveling by bus which is still popular and convenient but not everyone is aware of how to gauge if this is the best method or not.
Bus travel in the US.
It is difficult to tell whether this is justified or not, the bus service in the US has a rather tarnished image and many consider the services to be at the base level only. In reality, there are a number of services to suit all budgets from basic to luxury but this will depend on the carrier. Of course everyone has heard of Greyhound buses as they are a national service (the only one) and they pretty much dominate the US market. There are a couple of other large names, such as: Trailways and Coach USA but these are just networks of smaller privately owned carriers that have decided to share the same livery and marketing arrangement. Additionally the country also has several other reputed and popular regional operators who may seek the assistance of Greyhound on certain routes.
There are also what are referred to ‘Chinatown buses’ which offer a low cost travel option on selected routes - much less than traditional carriers. Originally these carriers tended to operate in, and cater to, the Chinese immigrant community but now the phenomenon appeals to a much wider group of customers. Another trend in the bus industry is luxury service that competes more directly with the airlines. 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.
So, how should you decide when the bus is your best option? Here are a few questions that might help you make your decision: What is your budget? If you are on a tight budget you won’t be able to beat the bus for price. 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.
When you get to where you are going, will you really need to hire 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.
How far are you going? If you are traveling less than a five or six hours it is probably faster to take the bus than to fly when you factor in 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.
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. What is the level of your hurry? If you have adequate time in your hands, traveling by bus could enable you to enjoy the landscape at leisure. If you are under time pressure, the bus is probably not the best choice as it is subject to traffic delays and usually takes a little longer than other modes of transportation. If you are a visitor and intend to visit some of the more remote destinations, the bus is still the best way for you to do this. As the gas prices soar and train services get curtailed, this could be one of the most viable options for traveling.
Tags: , airlines, budg, budgets, bus industry, bus service, bus travel, coach usa, greyhound buses, immigrant community, journey, livery, low cost travel, luxury service, marketing arrangement, multitude, phenomenon, regional operators, traditional carriers, trailways, travel option