USA Bus Lines

How does Greyhound work the bus thingy?

How does greyhound bus work? I am planning to go from Pennsylvania to north carolina and i am very anxious. I have never been on buses that goes state to state. Is there a limit on the number of bags u can take? what do i have to bring besides the tickets? do they stop to take eating breaks and stuff like that? I really want to know how this is like in most details as possible because i am very anxious about this.

Public Comments

1. I've been on the Greyhound a couple of times and it was a long trip (from South Florida to New Orleans). All u do is go to the counter, check in, they clip your ticket-and you check your bags (have them stored underneath the bus) and climb aboard. You're allowed one free checked bag and one carry on (according to Greyhound.com). They stop every 4-5 hrs and also p/u and drop off passengers at bus stops. The best advice I can give you is don't go to sleep on the bus, cause u might miss your stop. Also, sometimes everyone has to get off the bus because they're changing drivers, buses or refueling, so make sure you stay near the boarding area and listen for any announcements. While you're on the bus, just relax, read, listen to music (and try not to use the bathroom unless you have hand sanitizer :S ). Don't b anxious, all u really need are your bags, ticket, and ID. I recommend some snacks you can carry on and bottled water. Have a safe trip!
2. It doesn't work well, let me tell you. If you can don't bring much with you, when I ship things, it's not as bad. I have seen them lose luggage. When they do stop for breaks, they WILL leave without you, so make sure you are back in a timely manner. Bring some music and something to read. I enjoy listening to music and looking out the window.
3. "Lovestar" pretty much covered all the bases. Just let me add that Greyhound dos not reserve seats, so if you get off to eat make sure to get bach on the bus before it leaves of boards new passengers if you want to keep the same seat for the entire trip. Also sit closer to the front of the bus if you can. It smells better up there. Oh yea, DON'T leave anything valuable on the bus when you are off during lunch breaks.
4. I took a Greyhound trip last summer, so here are some tips I've found: Although they say they only allow one carry-on, they really don't care. I brought a duffel bag and a tote bag and did not check any bags. It gave me peace of mind having full control over my luggage. I think technically you are supposed to have a photo ID, but I don't recall them ever checking it...better safe than sorry though. Depending on the time of day, you may want to invest in an inflatable U-shaped travel pillow. Best thing ever for long bus rides. They do stop for eating breaks...but keep in mind that you have to stop when and where the driver wants to stop. On my trip from Detroit to Buffalo, they were stopping for dinner at 2 in the morning in a not so nice area; they had a little snack bar type "restaurant" and that was really the only eating option. I brought some lunchables, granola bars and other easy food options with me and it was really the best thing I could have done. I recommend sitting near the front, just because it's closer to the driver and then you're one of the first off. If you get a seat to yourself, cherish it, put your feet up on the seat at stops and pretend you're sleeping and it will usually prevent someone from sitting next to you. If you have to sit with someone when you first get on the bus, sit by a little old lady...they usually make for good seat partners. The nice thing about Greyhound: if you have connecting buses, and your original bus is delayed, they will either hold the bus, or send another so that you are still able to get to your final destination. It's not luxury travel...but it's an inexpensive way to get from point A to point B and as long as you're remotely savy, it can be a good experience. Good luck! Enjoy! :] (I actually preferred my trip there via Greyhound to my Amtrak trip home...)
5. Don't expect a comfortable trip, Carl. It will be rough, crowded & noisy. There will be people who want to tell you their entire life story, others who smell like tobacco and cough constantly and others with crying babies. Don't use the bathroom on the bus unless it's an emergency -- it will be filthy. They are bad about losing luggage, but it's still better to check it than carry it on unless you don't mind carrying it with you when you stop for meals. Watch the time when you stop because the bus will leave with or without you. Don't expect to get the same seat when you get back on the bus. The only good thing I can say about it is that the price is reasonable.