From NYC to DC...Bus Questions

Old May 30th, 2016, 11:57 PM
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From NYC to DC...Bus Questions

I was originally planning to take Amtrak from NYC to DC but the price is well over $400 for the 4 of us...and that's with a discount. The Super Saver $50 fares are no longer available. I should have booked earlier but our schedule was not firm. So now thinking about going the bus route. The price for all of us on the bus will still be cheaper than the price of one person on the train.

I've read some of the past post on here, but wondering what the current reviews are of the various bus companies. I want something clean, with bathrooms (do they all have bathrooms?), CLEAN.

Mega Bus has reserved seats that you can select...was interested in that so we won't stress out about sitting together. Heard it may not be as good as some of the others? Also considering Bolt. Tripper Bus may not be as convenient because the drop off in DC is in Arlington...but let me know if that should not be an issue. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
zachanned is offline  
Old May 31st, 2016, 01:52 AM
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I have not taken either bus. For $200 or less you can do a 1-way car rental. Add in tolls and gas, it is cheaper. I can understand if you would prefer not to drive - just offering it as an option.
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Old May 31st, 2016, 05:50 AM
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I have not taken those buses to DC, but have taken them elsewhere. You get on the buses in the middle of the street and hope it is not raining that day.

Also the buses seem inexpensive until you book them and see the actual price. I do not recall the conditions of the toilets.
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Old May 31st, 2016, 04:06 PM
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I've taken both Bolt and Megabus and have found Bolt to be slightly better- more outlets and roomier seats. It's been 3 or 4 years though. I wish Amtrak was cheaper because it's so much more relaxing!
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Old May 31st, 2016, 05:58 PM
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I prefer BestBus to Megabus or Bolt (have taken all 3 many times). BestBus has stops inside the parking garage at Union Station, and also in Dupont Circle. Best Bus has the cleanest buses, including bathrooms, IMO. And their workers are very friendly.
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Old Jun 1st, 2016, 04:38 AM
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If you have to sit down to use a toilet, you will be happy that you brought a small spray can of disinfectant or a large supply of alcohol wipes on any trip -- car, plane, bus, train.
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Old Jun 1st, 2016, 06:03 AM
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Thanks for responses! Some reviews on yelp mention that waiting to get on the Bolt and Megabus is chaotic. Is that true? Has anyone used Vamoose?

Ackislander- I totally agree! lol
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Old Jun 1st, 2016, 08:50 AM
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I've done 3, have always read Megabus is the worst so I've never taken it. I've taken Bolt, DC2NY (now Bestbus) and Washington Deluxe. They were all fine, Wash Deluxe was a little bit better in terms of having more overhead room on the bus where I could fit my carryon. That may depend somewhat on the bus you get, not sure, a friend of mine took it and felt differently.

I have never gone to a toilet on one of those buses, the ride isn't that long that I've needed to, but they have usually made a rest stop half-way anyway where people could do that. I think coming back once, the driver took a vote to see if anyone wanted to stop or not, and no one did so we just kept going.

I don't understand Imdonehere's comment about how they seem cheaper until you book them and see the price. They are lots cheaper, I think usually $17-30 one-way when I've taken them. IN DC, you get on them in Union Station (at least I do, I think there are some points elsewhere). Prices vary by date and time of day, I believe. In NY, they do pull over near certain corners or locations but the bus is not in the middle of the street. Has never bothered me in the slightest. I suppose if you were going in monsoon season, it might.

Have no idea what reviews about waiting to get on Bolt is "chaotic". What does that mean, you just wait in line more or less. Maybe Megabus has riots, don't know. IN fact, I find the buses just as comfortable as Amtrak and sometimes more comfortable. Last time I took Amtrak, they oversold or somethign, and I didn't get a regular seat, I had to sit on a hard bench in the cafe car the entire trip.

Have never taken Vamoose, I believe it doesn't stop in an area convenient for me in DC.

None of the buses I've ever taken have been dirty.
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Old Jun 1st, 2016, 09:57 AM
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Bolt.
I mostly ride the Boston to NYC route and the double decker Megabus makes me carsick riding on the top. Few lower seats.
There has never been anything I would remotely describe as chaotic about boarding, and the newer stopping place in NYC, a bit more out of the hustle and bustle of the old site at the TickTock corner, has more space devoted just to Bolt to make things very clear. There was no shelter though, at least the last time I rode, and it was a fairly cold wait(in winter in an unprotected spot).
With all of these, usually the further ahead you book, the cheaper.
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