traveler24

website states $ 8.00 one way---Seems too good to be true????
Pictures and descriptions of bus look and sound good...but I know "looks" can be deceiving..

vjpblovesitaly

Lots of people have.

I haven't but I've seen plenty of the busses and they look like regular, newish busses to me. I've seen them here in DC and also on the highway on my way back from NJ

They are often recommended here and at Trip Advisor. I would not hesitate to take them. I've taken Washington Deluxe and they were fine. Bolt Bus also gets favorable reviews.

Aduchamp1

We have taken it to Syracuse.

The problem is that you muster in the street and there is no protection from the elements.

nyer

Megabus, Bolt, Vamoose etc have rates that start at $1.50 per ticket--no typo. Usually one or two seats per bus are at that rate, then some for $3, $5, etc, up to about $20. If you see a cheap ticket, grab it.

Legitimate companies, they are connected with Greyhound and Coach. I forget which connects with which

dawn3793

I've taken them from DC to NYC. It's definitely legit, as are Bolt Bus, DC2NY, Vamoose, and others. Be careful, though -- some of the bus trips sold on the Megabus website are operated by Eastern bus lines, which is a more traditional Chinatown bus line and drops people off in DC at a different location. (If I recall, those trips are denominated by some symbol - maybe a different color bus?) The real Megabuses, though, are fun doubledecker buses.

Other caveats: although Megabus sells NYC to DC as "express" service, you will have a stop in White Marsh, MD (outside Baltimore) to drop off passengers. You may also have a stop in New Jersey to switch drivers. For this reason, I prefer Bolt Bus (which has no stops between NYC and DC).

yk

I've taken Megabus several times, between Boston & NYC. some of the trips, I was able to grab the $1 ticket, so it's $1.50 including the fee. Megabus is a UK company which is has a big operation there.

I also have taken BoltBus several times.

ita

I have taken Megabus between Baltimore and NYC several times. It is great. The pickup and dropoff sites are very convenient. The prices change so book quickly

smetz

They're nice buses. The only complaint I have about them is that the double decker design means no overhead racks or bins. So all your stuff has to stay in the seat with you, and the seats are pretty small. If you can manage that, I'm sure you will find, as we do, that it is well worth the money.

DebitNM

We are taking Megabus from NYC to Philly and then Philly to DC. Will we be able to have 10x16x22" roller carry on? We will each have one. I didn't even think that they have no luggage area above seat or in the belly [like greyhounds].

yk

Deb, all large luggage is stowed in the belly of the bus. You hand your luggage to the staff as your board, and they retrieve your luggage for you when you arrive.

DebitNM

phew! thanks yk!

smetz

yk is right - I should have mentioned that they stow suitcases in the baggage hold. The stuff in your seat with you would be purse, jackets, backpacks, etc.

bardo1

The super-low fares are for those who book FAR in advance. If you wait until a few weeks before departure, you'll pay full fare. And, yes, most of these budget bus lines queue in open spaces, so hope for no rain or have a huge umbrella handy.

walter34

lot's of people have. bolt bus is the best quality, but megabus is usually cheaper. there's a fare comparison engine at www.busjunction.com that works pretty well.

DebitNM

live from Megabus!! Going from NYC to Philly. LOTS of people queued up for 3 different busses. Ours was ontime, others were running late. Lots of empty seats on ours, others very full. $3 seems well spend -so far.

TDudette

Not to worry traveller! DH and I caught megabus at Whitemarsh shopping center near Baltimore. Free parking for the weekend (you print out a parking pass) in a special section near pickup.

Our total was 33.00. Roundtrip. 15 going up and 1.50 coming back-we didn't book early enough to snag the low fare both ways.

Great bargain and legit.

Doh

Here's a review the Wash. Post did a little while ago on all the DC-NY buses.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...iew/index.html

emd3

I take Bolt Bus about once a month btwn DC (Union Station) and NYC. After I did 7 bus rides, I got a free ride! Their loyalty program pays off. I love Bolt Bus.

ita

I am taking the megabus from NYC to Baltimore in October for $8.50. If I had booked the bus that leaves one hour earlier it would have been $1.50.

DebitNM

Reporting back - the trip was pretty good, made it ontime. Had wi-fi most of the way, lost it the last 20 mins. The driver announced when we started "if the wifi doesn't work, don't ask me."

Aside from 3 incidents, we made it safely. A panel truck cut in front of us; which the driver nicely avoided. The driver hit an orange barrel and the outside mirror by the front passenger moved - he stopped in the right hand lane to go out and adjust it [yikes] and then a truck came up along side the lefthand side of truck and swayed right into the truck. It was right outside the window where I was sitting. I thought the truck was going to hit us, it was within inches. My husband said it did scrape us, I didn't hear it, he did.

Trying again on Monday from Philly to DC. Hope it is less eventful!