Traveling by Bus? Go Greyhound!

I recently traveled home on a Greyhound bus and to my surprise it was quite an enjoyable trip. It had probably been over 30 years since I had ridden on any type of bus. For some reason, I was expecting the trip to be disastrous or at least filled with minor difficulties. However, the entire journey went by without any problems.

I was visiting in Danville, Illinois and my expected car ride home hit several snags. So I was forced to find other means of travel since I needed to leave by the next day. Amtrak was my first choice because I had never been on a train before. It would be a bit more adventurous and the travel time would be shorter. All the possible trains I could take were already sold out. So, that left me with the next best choice...go home on the bus.

Greyhound does not take reservations. All I needed to do was buy a ticket and they would be sure that a bus would be available at the specified terminal. It was an easy process to get my ticket and get my baggage squared away. You are allowed two bags under the bus and two carry-on bags. The price of the ticket included taxes and fees.

The trip I took was relatively short. I got on a bus out of Champaign, Illinois and then laid over for about two hours in Chicago. I transfered to another bus which took me to my destination in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In between, there were several short stops, none longer than 15 minutes. The stops give you an opportunity to get up and stretch or walk around a bit.

The ride was generally smooth and quiet. Both buses were clean and nicely appointed. It was easy to relax and enjoy the sights. I was amazed to find myself comfortable and delighted that I decided to try Greyhound. The trip had me thinking about traveling across the country by bus. The gas savings alone would make the trip worthwhile. Also saving on usage of my vehicle would be another serious consideration.

I love to watch the sights while I travel. Trees, cornfields, old barns, and other roadside attractions all fascinate me to some extent. On this trip, I was able to see parts of Chicago I hadn't seen before. Taking the bus allowed me to concentrate on the passing scenery. However, it's no problem to listen to music, read a book, work on your laptop, or take a nap if that's your desire.

The two main terminals on my trip were in Chicago and Champaign Illinois. Both were clean and the employees were helpful and friendly. Each of the bus drivers were knowledgeable and friendly. They were professional and seemed to like working for Greyhound. Were the buses on time? For the most part arrivals were prompt but departures ran about 15 or 20 minutes late. I didn't mind the delays at all.

I had to pay full price for my trip. The cost would have been about 40% cheaper by booking at least seven days in advance. It is a simple procedure to use the Greyhound web site to plan a trip. You can pay in advance on-line and get a complete listing of times and stops for any trip you might be planning. I was surprised to find that it would cost less than $250 for a round trip ticket from Detroit, Michigan to Seattle, Washington. That is an incredible bargain as far as I am concerned.

Greyhound also offers a limited assortment of discounts and traveling options. The web site will answer most questions. For a company that struggled to stay in business decades ago, Greyhound has made a nice turnaround. Traveling by bus is a great alternative to driving. It is safe and will save you some decent cash verses normal driving expenses. By planning ahead, you could create a masterful itinerary for a short term trip or a longer trek according to your preferences.

Until you have traveled around the United States some, it is hard to appreciate the wonders and variety this country offers. There are always interesting people to meet and fantastic scenery to take-in. Why not take some time to visit a few new places? Just as I was, you might find traveling by bus to be an economical and exciting way to travel. For something different, this mode of travel is worth considering. Personally, I have traveled through over 30 states and can't wait to visit all the others. It is surely one way to learn about other parts of the country and see some wonderful sights.