What is it like to take a Greyhound bus?

Question

Thank you ALL so much.. I probably can't afford anything but the bus, so I'm really glad you've all given me your thoughts and experiences and advice. Thank you!

Answer 1

First you purchase your ticket and then line up in the correct line for your bus and they'll take any luggage you have except what you'll carry on and stow it under the bus. You'll board and pick your seat. I always sit as close to the bus driver as possible. I like him to be able to see me in the mirror just in case. I can't say that it's great but it's cheap and it gets you there. Keep in mind some people have been on the bus for days and might not smell that great. You'll have a bathroom on board but I don't recommend it. You'll be stopping at various places to stretch your legs like convenient stores and Mcdonald's every few hours. All in all it's ok.

Answer 2

you can walk faster than going by bus! they take every side road they can find to collect passengers.

Answer 3

I can't give you the procedure information, but I have had a few family members travel via Greyhound in the last few years to come and visit me. They said it was horrible. A lot of homeless and transient types are on the buses and you really can't get any sleep. They over-book so some people are standing in the isle. The bus bathrooms are filthy most of the time. The people who I know that took a Greyhound bus said they would never take one again. Both also said they didn't feel very safe in the stations.

One other thing, if you do take one, try not to wear any expensive jewelry or carry anything of value.  My one friend kept her money in her shoe the whole trip. She just felt nervous about the people hanging out in and around the stations. A lot of bums outside sleeping.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Its NOT the best ride you'll take.Try not to use the bathroom and if you HAVE to,bring toilet paper and something to clean your hands like germX.Oh yeah and don't get a seat near the back.

Answer 5

Things are probably better nowadays, but I sure had a bad experience when I was a teenager and riding on a Greyhound.  We didn't have cell phones back then, and the bus stopped and I got off at some small hick town and it wasn't even at a bus station.  It was just some produce stand on the side of the rode and I didn't even know what town I was in!  I sat down on a bale of hay by the highway and just cried.  Finally, a stranger approached me and gave me a ride to a restaurant (good thing they weren't murderers) and I called my Mom.  It turned out that I was only a few miles from my destination and she came and got me, but I had no way of knowing that.

I don't mean to scare you.  I've ridden the bus other times and had no problems, it was fine.  But it's boring.  I've also rode the Amtrak train, which I totally recommend if it's on your route, but they just don't have that many routes.

Answer 6

Sorry to tell you, but my recent experience was a nightmare.  First, the bus is always late...sometimes hours.  Secondly stations are usually filthy, falling-apart and totally disgusting.  Buses are often ancient and falling-apart too.  Staff and drivers are curt and rude.  And...they lose your luggage and think nothing of it.  If you must take the bus, watch your checked luggage closely...every time they stop and open the compartment and remove luggage to dig out the suitcase of someone getting off..there is a chance to leave your bag sitting there in some God-forsaken place.  They lost mine on the leg of a trip  where we had no change of buses, so I believe that is what happened.  They did find it...2 months later, and now it is 2000 miles from where I am and it is my responsibility to figure out how to get it.  So...I have nothing good to say about Greyhound.  You could consider checking on Craigslist and posting a message there under Rideshare.  It worked very well for me on my return trip.

Answer 7

Terrible!  Takes forever, so many stops. Lost luggage, rude people (bus and ticket)  smells bad, etc.   Bus stops are not clean, well lit.

Try AMTRAK, no picnic either, takes long too but much cleaner onboard.    My nephew has used Greyhound  twice and after the last trip says No More!He just took the train from Chicago to Maryland and says it's better than the bus. Only a few dollars more and much more comfortable.  Maybe Greyhound is ok for shorter trips but everyone I know that has taken them on long trips have said never again!

Answer 8

The buses are fine, like charter buses if you've ever taken one.  People aren't aloud to listen to music loudly, so there's a nice, quiet atmosphere usually.  And their policy is to kick off drunk people.  If your ride is long, they will stop for you to buy food at places, so you should bring your own food if you will want some for the ride or don't want fast food/gas station food.

The terminals are ok... maybe not the safest place you'll ever go to.  The only real problem with Greyhound is that they don't keep track of how many tickets they sell for each bus, so it's a real possibility that your bus will be oversold.  People usually line up in front of the door that you go through to board well in advance (especially in big cities or for popular destinations) to make sure they get a seat.

The buses have bathrooms, so that shouldn't be an issue.  Usually the ride is just you sitting there watching the interstate go by.

Answer 9

It is h**l on wheels.

Late buses (I'm talkin 2-3 hours late), long layovers, crazy people with a capital C, People playing loud music off their headphones for hours, VERY crowded, there is no way in h**l I will EVER ride another greyhound. And trying to pee in those little bathrooms? It's like trying to p**s during an earthquake, especially for men who have to stand up. It's not like I just took the greyhound once and had a horible experience; I have taken the greyhound dozens of times and each time is worst than the previous.

Spend a little extra and get an amtrak ticket or a plane ticket.