squeezeplay

I've been offered a job in Utah and when I leave is open ended. As soon as I finish getting my affairs in order here in Ct. I'll be able to leave. I'm estimating that will take around 2 weeks to a month from now. The person who is giving me a job is a personal friend who is growing his new business quickly and is going to be hiring a few people in the immediate future. He will be paying my way there but I would like to try to figure out the best combination of cheap/fast.

I looked at Greyhound's site and noticed that if I make advanced purchase of a ticket from here to say, Salt Lake City (not where I'm going, just used as an ex.) for the 10th of June at the earliest, I can get a ticket as low as $128, down from like $210. However, that requires me to buy the ticket for a predetermined date, when I'm not sure exactly when I'll be ready to leave. I would rather the ticket be a bit more flexible if I can finagle that.

Basically, what I'm looking for is advice on how to save him the most money with the most flexible dates and best method of travel for me. Also, are there any sites like Priceline etc. that offer deals on bus/train/whatever the way they do for planes and rental cars?

Any help would be most appreciated.

My email address is [email protected] for anyone interested in talking via email/IM instead of the boards.

emalloy

Is there a reason you are not driving your car out there? Probably the most flexible way to go.

qwovadis

erideshare.com

Craigs List

best cheapest way to do it overland.

Bus train tends to be lots more unless booked in advance

might check out cheap flights to Vegas(LAS) then cheap us up

one ways on some econos like spirit.com jetblue.com etc

cheapoair.com last minute specials

To avoid that long overland slog.

Happy Journey,

tomfuller

If you are not driving your own vehicle, ride Amtrak.
NE Regional from Hartford to Washington DC. Three hour layover in DC and then get on the Capitol Limited to Chicago. 4-5 hour layover in Chicago and then ride the California Zephyr to SLC.
If you leave at 6:30 AM from Hartford on a Friday you will get to Salt Lake City about 11 PM Sunday night. The fare is $356 or less if you get a 10% discount for AAA membership.
Train travel is much more comfortable than bus travel. The dining cars have better food available than what you find at the bus stops.

capxxx

Southwest airlines can fly you from Hartford CT to Salt Lake City UT, one way, for less than $300. They don't participate in air-pricing websites like Expedia, so you have to visit the airline's site.

DebitNM

"best combination of cheap/fast"

Unless there is a REALLY good reason to take a bus, or no other way, do not go by bus. Did you look at how long it takes? Do you really want to be stuck on a bus that long and have to try and sleep on a bus and use a rest room on a bus and be forced to eat food from some awful reststop?

A train would be the best if for some reason you won't fly, but really, Southwest is the best way to do this. Since cost shouldn't be a factor since you are getting it paid for by new employer.

Both train and bus takes a lot of hours. I understand that you want some flexibility in date to leave, but if you pick a reasonable date - you then have a goal and you will just need to meet it. Sometimes, that is the best way to get things done, rather than an open date which allows for procrastination.

tekwriter

If your prospective employer has offered to pay for your fare, why would you even investigate any other route but flying? It is a grueling three-day drive, minimum, and by bus or train, longer. Airfare is not that much more expensive, and for the time saved, worth it. Southwest Airlines gives you flexibility by not charging change fees. It's really the only way to go.

mclaurie

Fly unless you're bringing your car. The amount of money you'll save your new employer will not, in the long run, be worth the aggravation it will cause you. Getting there faster to be helpful may save even more money than taking the slow boat to China.

janisj

The train probably will cost more than flying -- because you need some flexibility, and will take forever. Greyhound -- too gruesome to consider IMO. Southwest is probably your best bet because no change fees.

spirobulldog

There is always hitch hiking. But, I would still fly.

nytraveler

IMHO there are 2 ways that make sense:

1) if time matters fly - you can get advance tickets for a steal

2) if you're taking your car (and I would htink better than buying another there) thenjust drive - no advance planning needed

sallytakemyhand

Rent a U-haul/Pensky/Ryder truck with auto trailer. Load up all your stuff, put your car on the back and drive. Thousands of people move this way every year.

doug_stallings

You're going to need a car in Utah if you don't already have one. So I'd simply buy the car in Connecticut and drive to Utah or drive the car you already own. If you really don't feel comfortable driving that far, then I guess you can fly and buy a car in Utah. But a car is in your future regardless, and you're going to need it almost immediately upon arrival in order to get a place to live, etc.

But a bus or train is a waste of both time and money in opinion. It's fly or drive ... those are the only two choices.

squeezeplay

Thanks so much for the replies guys. A lot of good advice in there.

Really sorry, but I forgot to mention a couple of things. One is I'm dead broke, haven't had a job in ages. And I have no car. Also, I need to keep the amount of money he spends on the travel to a minimum, as I already said. I am probably going to be paying him back from my salary within the first weeks.

I really don't care about the hardships of riding the bus. Done it before, doesn't bother me in the least.

With that in mind, anyone change there advice now?

I'll check out the other people's methods in the meantime and see if I find anything interesting.

Thanks again as well.

tomfuller

If your employer is willing to pick you up at the SLC airport, fly Southwest. If you can get a much cheaper fare on Southwest from a NY airport you could consider riding a bus from CT to the airport. Mail any heavy items that you will not need on your trip to your employer in a flat rate box with the USPS.
I would not even think of a trip of more than 200 miles on buses. I'm thinking even if you did have a car, the gas to get to Utah would be more than $350. If the employer is willing to pay, ask if they want you soon or 4 days from now.

doug_stallings

The fact that you can still check 2 50-pound bags for free on Southwest still makes it your best option, even if it costs a little more than the bus or train.

I'm not trying to lead you astray. If you can get a $300 ticket on Southwest, then it's really the best value. Regardless of your mode of travel, though, you are going to have to commit to a specific travel date to get the best deal.

By the way, it costs around $67 to send one 50-pound box via UPS (ground service); it could be slightly less by the Postal Service. Do the math after checking the various ticket prices to see which is the best deal for you.

tomfuller

The large 12X12X5.5 inch Priority Mail box is only $14.95 anywhere in the US up to 70 lb. I have mailed home dirty clothes wrapped around a heavy item I have bought on vacation before my flight home. It would have cost $35 or more on some airlines.

janisj

12 X 12 inches doesn't hold many household goods or much clothing, whereas two 26 inch suitcases crammed w/ 50 lbs of stuff will hold a LOT (and for free)

squeezeplay

Thanks guys! I'll do some checking into the various options mentioned here asap (only online maybe once every 3 days lately due to packing my house).

I'm actually not bringing anything but clothes. I live at home with several of my relatives in a huge old house so I can leave all my stuff here for now and only take my (about) 100-200 items of clothing or less.

I've been collecting and trading stuff online for about 10 years so I know I can send a huge box of clothes (or two) to his house in Utah if I have to, relatively cheap.

I know I'll probably end up having to pre-buy a ticket and stick to a certain date at some point but just want to make sure there are any other options first.

squeezeplay

Another thing I forgot to put in my original post: He's putting me up at his house indefinitely (will be paying rent eventually etc.) so having a car when I get there is going to be secondary. I'll probably buy one for myself after being there more than 3 months.