Has anyone taken the bus from Boston to NYC? (plans have changed)

[DAME]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 3:08pm

Any companies you recommend?  Do they take luggage?  

Updated On: 7/25/17 at 03:08 PM

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 3:24pm

I'd probably take Amtrak before I'd take the bus. $49 each way if you book in advance on their saver fare. You carry your luggage on with you and store it overheard like on a plane. Very pleasant way to travel. I've gone NYC to DC with them a number of times.

But if you want to take the bus, I'd stick to Greyhound. There are smaller bus companies that a lot of the students use that advertise $6 or $8 fares each way but they can be wildly unreliable. Greyhound is pretty reliable and if you pick the right day to travel and are flexible as to when you leave, you can go for as low as $15-20 each way. And you can take your luggage which the driver will load in compartments at the bottom of the bus and unload upon arrival.. 

Updated On: 7/19/17 at 03:24 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 3:31pm

My concern with the train is that it says no baggage service.  We have big suitcases as we are going to Europe in a later part of our trip.  Can we brings those on the train with us?   I know the buses take luggage. 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 3:37pm

No baggage service meaning that you can't check your bags, you keep them with you. I use normal sized carry-ons and they fit fine overhead. I don't know how big your bags are, how many you have or whether they would fit. If they don't you might end up having to keep them on your lap if the train is full. If you're interested, I'd suggest calling Amtrak directly and ask them how big th bags can be and still fit and whether there are limits on how many you can bring on..

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 3:42pm

I take the bus all time, and seldom have problems.  It's usually much cheaper than the train and not that much slower.

 

All the other info you got from Uncle Charlie is spot on.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 3:43pm

They were not very helpful.  But I get the feeling it would be fine.  

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 4:10pm

Where are you going in Europe? C19 was in Rome this summer.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 4:38pm

Barcelona.

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 5:36pm

Oh.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 7:49pm

Taking busses OUT of Boston is a lot easier then back.  I would only suggest: Megabus, Bolt or Greyhound....although Greyhound has the most trips and had become much more reliable then the others.  Returning to Boston, I suggest ONLY using Greyhound, especially with luggage, for 2 reasons: 1. the others have street pickup and Mega, in particular, is a pain to get to with luggage.  You are also stuck outside regardless of the weather conditions.   2. Neither Mega or Bolt have many offerings past early evening.

 

All of them allow luggage, but I don't know if there are limits. (and since the luggage goes underneath, size isn't an issue.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/19/17 at 9:40pm

Thank you drama!

[LarryD2]

Posted: 7/20/17 at 10:52am

I've taken the Bolt Bus from NYC to Boston (and back), and now I take Bolt regularly from NYC to Philly (my husband's family lives there). It's a great, cheap, no frills ride. As drama says, they have luggage storage underneath. I don't know how true this is of Boston-->NYC, but on the busses I've taken, I've noticed that most people are daytrippers and aren't carrying much (or any) luggage. So space probably isn't a huge issue. I don't think I've ever paid more than $30 for a roundtrip ride.

Updated On: 7/20/17 at 10:52 AM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/22/17 at 7:38am

I actually just did this yesterday.  I was up in Boston for vacation.  I don't recommend trying to get into NYC on a Friday afternoon.  At least with Megabus.  Don't know if the others are more reliable,  but the traffic made my ride 3 hours longer.  Was not happy at all. Again,  this may have just had to do with it being a Friday during rush hour. I sure hope most other experiences aren't that bad.

And I believe Megabus has a 50 lb. weight limit.  Basically just like the airlines. 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/22/17 at 9:00am

Yes, there is nothing that can be done about traffic!  There is definitely a lot of variation due to that.  I have to admit I usually take a 7am bus IN to NY, getting in between 11-12, and very often take the 12:15am bus home, getting in between 4 and 5.      Those hours don't often have many issues with traffic, but, of course, it doesn't take much to throw a monkey into things.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/25/17 at 9:48pm

Guys,  Thank you so much for all the info.  My travel plans are a little different now.  See other post.  But thank you all!  Your info was wonderful and you are all very kind.