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In all my years of traveling as an adult, one method of travel I have yet to experience was bus travel. Although I am familiar with local bus transit, traveling by national bus charter companies was out of my element. Recently I experience bus travel from New Orleans to Orlando. The experience was affordable but at times inconvenient to my specific needs. With that being said, if cost is an issue, bus travel is something to consider. I know I will!
In a world where travel costs are constantly rising, bus travel is starting to make a bit of a comeback. There was a time when bus travel was extremely popular. In fact, bus travel rivaled train travel for the number one slot. Now that we have all kinds of options to move about the world, the costs have risen to meet those options. Bus travel is now one of the more economical options and people are taking notice. Here are some pros and cons to bus travel that you need to know if you are considering using it as a mode of travel:
Pros
Price – There are few ways to move about the country that can rival a bus. Buses will save you money no matter where you are going but the savings increase as you go farther away.
Comfort – Today’s buses are not like the ones of years gone by. Buses are equipped with all kinds of luxuries like padded seats, plugs for your electronics and plenty of space.
Ride While You Sleep – Many people that are traveling a larger distance enjoy taking a bus trip that runs overnight. This allows them to sleep through the ride and wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy their destination. The hum of a bus is often great for allowing one to sleep comfortably.
Less Security Hassles – Security is not an issue at all on buses. You show up and climb aboard assuming you have a ticket.
Plenty of Luggage Space – Nobody likes going to the airport and checking baggage that you may or may not ever see again. You have no such problems with bus luggage as it stays right there with you under the bus.
Cons
Longer Travel Times – If you are wanting to get somewhere quickly, bus travel is not going to be your cup of tea. The rides are long and the time it takes to go from one place to another is far from regular. It might be totally different each time you ride it depending on traffic and various other problems.
Less Security – Although this is an advantage where hassle is concerned, a very lax security attitude can lead to some dangerous situations in parts of the world or country. Understand that you will have no cops and no security on most bus trips.
Lots of Stop and Go – Buses are constantly going to be stopping and you will need to have a stomach for it. Buses are forced to do it both for bathroom breaks and the various stops needed to pick folks up. There are no quick trips on a bus.
Odd Birds – Call it what you wish, but some of the travelers you run into will be out there. You might run into some problems with this sort of thing although it is really not all that common. Transients, beggars and occasional con artists might approach you on a bus. Sometimes folks are simply eccentric. Just be prepared and have some safety precautions in place.
Have you experienced bus travel? What would you add to our pros and cons list?
My last long bus ride was in college when I went to go see a friend in Upstate New York. Now that I’m 41, married with a child and pressed for time – I’m not sure a bus ride would be ideal for me.
But living in Atlanta, we have used the local rail system – MARTA – for rides downtown and to the airport.
For myself, I would be fine on a bus, but I think my kids would not fare as well.
Actually I haven’t experienced bus travel. I’m usually one to fly! But maybe next time I’ll give the bus a try!
I haven’t actually, but you make a good point – there is a lot of pros. But, it’s always the time it takes, that’s what hold me back.
Actually I have experienced bus travel a couple of times. I actually enjoy it more then a plane-much more in fact. I have never taken an over night bus trip but would probably not mind it at all. The biggest pro is being able to see all the scenery and sites as you are driven past it. The con-not being able to stop and see those sites like you would if you were driving yourself!
I rode on a bus twice — once from KY to Memphis, and once from KY to PA. Although I didn’t really enjoy it because both times I rode alone (hence had to sit by someone I didn’t know) it would have been okay if I’d been with a friend.
These are great pros and cons. For me I think I would rather take the bus when traveling because it is cheaper.