There is no dearth of transportation options in the US for a visitor who wants to travel from one place to another. Even though gas has risen considerably in the last few years, renting a car is still a good option. Nevertheless, when the journey distance is more than a few hours, it is the plane that usually wins. Still there are other times when the best option is taking the bus but how do you determine when this is your best option? Well read on.
Traveling by bus in the US.
It is difficult to tell whether this is justified or not, the bus service in the US has a rather tarnished image and many consider the services to be at the base level only. The truth of the matter however is that there is plenty of bus services to choose from like luxury or budget category, depending on the carrier. Of course everyone has heard of Greyhound buses as they are a national service (the only one) and they pretty much dominate the US market. You may also have heard of Trailways and Coach USA who are made up of smaller companies that have joined forces to offer a certain brand and service level. Then of course there are other carriers that work on a regional basis and on some routes share it with Greyhound where they cannot supply the service themselves.
If you are traveling on a budget you may also have the option to use what is referred to as a ‘Chinatown Bus’ which operate at the budget end of the spectrum running routes that can be sustained through the large volume of travelers they have. Originally they were used more by the Chinese migrant community - hence the name - but in recent times this low-cost form of travel has begun to appeal to a larger audience. Another trend in the bus industry is luxury service that competes more directly with the airlines. These carriers offer first class amenities and luxury coaches who tend to be most successful for destinations that are fewer than 6 hours apart.
So how does one conclude the appropriate conditions when a bus journey is warranted? Answer these questions and you might find what you are looking for: If money is an issue the bus will beat just about anyone on price. S.
Will you need a car once you get to your destination? Certain US cities are really car-unfriendly (New York for one) and usually it is easier to travel around without burdening yourself with one.
How far are you planning to travel? If it takes less than 5 to 6 hours, you might as well take the bus as it reaches your destination faster than a plan, considering the time you spend waiting at the airport. Buses also have a number of steps and generally speaking there is more likelihood of stopping at a convenient location in the city than there is if you fly.
Where are you going in the US? Remember that for remote places, the bus is the only feasible option you have and this is the only recognized mode of public transportation in the country. What is the level of your hurry? If you have adequate time in your hands, traveling by bus could enable you to enjoy the landscape at leisure. You always have to consider traffic delays and if you have a longer trip to make and are in a hurry then the bus will not be the fastest way to get there. However, the bus is still viewed as the best way to get around the States for visitors especially if they want to see more remote locations. With fuel prices rising and reduction of train services it could be one of the most common ways move around.
Tags: , , budget category, bus industry, bus journey, bus service, bus services, chinatown bus, class amenities, coach usa, dearth, greyhound buses, luxury coaches, luxury service, migrant community, regional basis, renting a car, smaller companies, spectrum, trailways, transportation options, truth of the matter