One of the more unfortunate aspects of our Memphis/New Orleans/Nashville round-trip is that we're going to have to travel through the night on a Greyhound from New Orleans to Nashville (12 hours or so) as a domestic flight is too expensive. Basically, i'd like to know if this will be comfortable and, more importantly, safe.

Martin, have you checked out Amtrak?

Yes, there's no direct service between New Orleans and Nashville. Any train would take just as long.

Martin,

Greyhound buses can be scary, no other way to put it.

A couple of years ago (while in college, actually a few years ago now) I took the Greyhound from Dallas to Salt Lake (36 hours). Our first bus change was in Amarillo and someone decided to occupy the seat next to me (there were no more than 20 on the entire bus, so sitting next to me was completely unnecessary).

He proceded to tell me about his recent furlow from prison, and the circumstances that got him there (stabbing a guy over 10 times). Of course, this was all at about 2am in the morning and I was very tired. Right about the time I began to doze off I heard him say "if you fall asleep don't worry about your stuff, I'll keep an eye on it for you." That was all I need to hear to keep me awake until Denver when he finnally got off (and asked me for enough money to buy himself a cup of coffee.)

If I were you I would find a way to rent a car and drive it on your own, don't take your chances with whatever ex-cons will be sitting next to you.

Southwest Airlines serves New Orleans-Nashville with 3 nonstop and 2 direct (1 stop in Birmingham) flights each and every day. Fares are cheap, too.

Yes, fly Southwest by all means! Do not use Greyhound. SW may be more expensive but it's an hour flight vs. the 12 hour bus ride from hell.

Thanks guys, you may have saved my life! Flights for $97 each and an extra night in New Orleans! Thanks, good folk of Fodors.

Hey Martin, glad it worked out! Enjoy your visit to our city.

Which is that - New Orleans or Nashville. And have you got some good info on either - paces to eat/drink/see live music?

I go to school and work in New Orleans. Search the "Louisiana" tab on this site and it's got lots of info from people who have visited recently! (N.O. has many good places to eat/drink/be merry!)

My Mother takes Greyhound all the time and has never had a problem. If you don't like who you sit next to you can always change seats...

My suggestion

1. Fly
2. Amtrak
3. Hitchike
4. Hop a freight train
5. Walk
6. Mail yourself in a box
7. Greyhound bus