Cheap ways to Travel: On Megabus and Coaches/Busses

When travelling cheaply, either because of lack of funds (poor college student here!) or because you just don’t like to waste money, oftentimes travelling by bus is the way to go. Busses (or Coaches as they are known in the UK and a lot of Europe) are often (nearly always) the cheapest way to travel especially short distances. Today I will be discussing both busses in general and, more specifically, Megabus.

The Benefits of Travelling by Bus

Busses are cheap. There is no way to dismiss this point; trains are expensive and planes even more so. A bus ride from two to five hours (or even longer) can be had from five to ten dollars. Busses also often have more stops than trains and planes and also can come closer to the inner parts of cities that their larger counter parts. Busses also often stop for food and give a chance for you to spread your legs.

The Cons of Travelling by Bus

While busses are cheap they are also slow and often do not offer the amenities of other forms of transportation. While busses often stop for food they do not have places to buy food onboard or serve a meal. There is also not a lot of room on busses; even less than trains or most plains. There is also often no one you can ask questions to or voice concerns like flight attendants or the attendants on trains. Most times you are forbidden to talk to the bus driver unless it is an absolute emergency. You also do not have a table or the ability to pick your seat.

Busses are also notoriously late (see Megabus).

So when do I use busses?

I use busses pretty darn often mostly because I have very little money. I also hate flying because I get sick so I try to use a bus or train whenever possible. The shortest trip I took was about an hour (the second bus to by destination; part of a two bus trip) and the longest was about nine hours (over night from London to Edinburg.) I will continue to use busses quite often until I have the money to switch to using trains. I, of course, cannot use busses over most bodies of water and I do not know if I will take a bus much longer than nine hours and then only overnight.

Megabus:

Megabus is a popular bus service found in both the United States and in Europe. It is known for being cheap (as low as $1) but also not the grandest experience ever. It is par for the course to complain about it, yet continue to use it along with a lot of people.

The good thing about Megabus is that it is air conditioned, has a bathroom on board, and has plug for everyone to plug in their electronics. Each person can also have one standard suitcase and one carry on item. I’ve only every brought on both a backpack and a purse and no one said anything, but do not carry on much because there are often no overhead bins and you will need to have your items on your lap or under your seat.

The worst thing about Megabus is that it is almost always late. The latest a bus was to depart was 45 minutes for myself but I have heard of my friends waiting over an hour. A bus was only early once (by like 10 minutes) but ended up departing late anyways. Always come 10 to 15 minutes early but be prepared to wait in cold of heat because most Megabuses (at least in the US) to not have stations; they park on the side of a street or in a parking lot.

A few more tips for megabus is to bring a jacket or something because they are often cold and, for the love of the Earth, bring snacks and some water. The busses only stop on longer trips (like 6 hours) so, if you are on a 2 – 3 hour trip do not plan on a stop!

I have ridden megabus throughout Pennsylvania and into Delaware. It was also Megabus that I took from London to Edinburg and what I plan to take throughout the UK. Frankly, a one pound trip from London to Oxford cannot be beat! And, overnight busses also allow you to save money on hostels or hotels if you can sleep.