Travel by Grayhound

[Tuckahoe]

For those that have traveled by bus, and other than what I am reading on Grayhound's website, what are some of the ins and outs of traveling to parts of the trail by bus?

I've never traveled by bus before.

[henry g wilgo]

For those that have traveled by bus, and other than what I am reading on Grayhound's website, what are some of the ins and outs of traveling to parts of the trail by bus?

I've never traveled by bus before.


never sit next to the ****-er door

[moytoy]

I have never traveled to the trail on a bus but I have taken a few Greyhound rides. Don't expect first class and don't get upset if somebody on the bus is smelly. Delays are common and some people are rude but all in all it's not that bad. I think it really depends on your attitude going in.

[gsingjane]

My friend was starting his long distance hike a few years ago and was in the Port Authority in NYC with his pack waiting on line for his bus. Somebody came up behind him and unzipped his pack, without him knowing it, and stole a bunch of stuff. Ultimately it wasn't stuff the thief could use, it was maps and some other odds & ends, but it did create a lot of hassle for him at the start of his hike. So I'd advise you to keep a very close eye on your pack at all times.

[George]

put your pack in a cardboard box - the rattyer looking the better and tape the hell out of it

do not get on first, so you can choose who to sit by

[snail2010]

I've travelled to Gainesville several times via greyhound. I keep valuables with me at all times In pockets or a tote bag I can toss once the trip is over, everything else goes inside or seriously attached to my pack. The pack goes on with me, not under the bus. Dress in plain clothes, never show that you have money, be pleasant but not overly friendly. Beware of non greyhound employees that offer assistance. There are a lot of cons working the stations. Keep your stuff in sight when in stations, only wear the pack when moving, otherwise keep it in front of you. Basically, be street smart. Also, as someone has already said, don't be in a rush, the bus is slow and you may have delays. If you don't check your pack you don't have to worry about losing it. Stay on the stations! Bus goes to bad parts of town often, if you are a older and it's go outside be quick and careful. It's a little rough and uncomfortable to travel by bus but hey it's cheap and hikers are adaptable! Happy trails!

[snail2010]

Ok that was supposed to say stay in the stations and if you are a smoker , not an older. I guess I better start proof reading lol.

[Alligator]

Bring headphones.
Bring snacks.
Bring a small pillow.
Bring a charger.
Bring a book.
When I say bring, I mean have them on your person not your pack. Otherwise, you will be wistfully thinking that your pack is just two feet below you in the hold while you are starving, bored to tears being forced to listen to your crazy-assed seat mate and unable to sleep.
Sit above the cargo hold where you can keep an eye that your pack stays put.
If you have to transfer buses, get in line early to insure your seat. Also, as mentioned, buses run late. Make sure you leave adequate transfer time as needed.
Bring a drink.
Be polite to the bus driver.
If the bus is not fully loaded, you can try to sit in the aisle seat to discourage a seatmate. People will select an open aisle seat faster than the window. The more the bus fills up, the less effective this is. You can also try sitting in the window seat and stare stone - faced out the window. Have your headphones on, sunglasses too. People are less likely to ask if the empty seat is taken. Or start talking on your phone while the bus is loading.
If you don’t get on early, you are going to need to pick a seatmate. Think about your pet peeves carefully. People with headphones on too loud is one of mine, especially late night runs.

[RCBear]

Did it once in my life. From Columbia to Tampa. Will not do it twice in my life. I would hitchhike before getting on a Greyhound again.

[John B]

If it's 40 degrees and raining hard, Greyhound is marginally better than clinging to the side of a freight train.

[Alligator]

There's Megabus too, they have a departure point in your area. It's more of a connector bus I've found for reaching the AT. Meaning, you might need to transfer to another carrier at some point. It does go to Christiansburg, VA.

[Slo-go'en]

I've ridden the bus a lot to and from the trail. # 8 and #11 of Alligators list are the most important. I always try my best to get a seat a few rows back from the front and an isle seat. That area is less bumpy and less noisy (engine noise and passangers) then near the rear. An isle seat allows you to streach your legs out. If your skinny and take a window seat, you can bet the biggest person to get on the bus will sit next to you and crush you into the window.

Try not to travel if there is going to be any bad weather between points. That's where the delays stem from. Mid week is usually the best time to travel.

It's not always practical to carry your pack onto the bus unless it's daypack sized. I cinch up all the straps and buckel the waist belt around the back of the pack. Helps keep the straps from getting snagged on anything. Only once did I have to crawl inside the luggage compartment to find my pack which got shoved behind other luggage so was missed by the handler.

Your constantly being reminded not to leave luggage unattended or it may be searched and/or distroyed. There seems to be an unwritten code of conduct which allows cell phones being charged and left unattended not to be touched. But I'd be careful with an iphone or other high end device. Many of the buses these days now have wi-fi (which is not reliable) and 110 AC outlets at each seat, so charging or using electronic devices isn't a problem.

Other than that, don't fall for sob stories of the con artists who work the bus station. Some of them are really good, like I only need a few more dollars for a ticket to get home or to see my dying mother. If the trip takes more then an overnight, you will become a zombie from lack of sleep and that takes a toll on your wits.

[Slo-go'en]

If it's 40 degrees and raining hard, Greyhound is marginally better than clinging to the side of a freight train.

Oh yea, it can get cold on the bus, especially if you get forced to sit next to the window. Make sure you have your fleece jacket with you.

[Astro]

Do not be surprised to hear lots of stories about jail, prison, and other activities that might lead someone to being in one of those places. A lot of good suggestions here. I believe I might take ear plugs with me next time.

On the positive side, I had not ridden a bus in over 30 years until this summer, so I was pleasantly surprised with the electrical outlets and WiFi on the bus!

[max patch]

Did it once in my life. From Columbia to Tampa. Will not do it twice in my life. I would hitchhike before getting on a Greyhound again.

+1

Atlanta-Tucson. I'd walk before I'd do that again.

[Martymart]

Greyhound likes to sell more tickets than seats available on their busses so on occasion your transfer bus might show up already full or without enough seats so you'll be forced to wait for another one. Some routes have priority boarding you can purchase at the stations for like 5 bucks that gives you front of the line privilege so that won't happen to you.

[Feral Bill]

Buy a refundable ticket. Otherwise, when they mess up and you make other arrangements you're out your fare. Do not depend on them for meeting any schedule. If (more likely when) there is a problem, expect the worst possible customer service. Finally, When the refuse to make good on their screw up, whatever it is, see your better business bureau. They respond to them.

[mountainman]

I would only ride greyhound as a last resort. Trailways Or concord are very good.
I have been section hiking the AT for six yrs. going one week at a time from NC. So i've ridden and flowned about everything from NC to ME. Greyhound employees are all very difficult to deal with. they all asume you know how their system works, then if you make a mistake your screwed. Theres no such thing as resrevation. It is where you are in the loading line that determines if you get on. . if bus is full you have to get in line for the next bus. I could go on for an hour, but i'm getting mad just thinking about them.

[Nyte]

Headphones are a must.

Drinks and snacks are a must (station prices and selection suck horribly)

Light jacket is a must.

If your pack is small enough to be carry on, make it so. If not, put it inside a cheap duffel if you can. Some stations will refuse cardboard boxes as luggage.

Anything that looks like a knife, put it in your bag. Some middle of no where stations, where you have to get off the bus so they can service it, will wand you and make you empty your pockets to reboard, and make you give up anything that looks like a knife.

Anything valuable or electronic, stays on you or in your carry on.

If you have an empty seat next to you, and the bus is picking up passengers, lean/lay across it and pretend to be asleep.

If you need drinks, and you have the opportunity, take it. The bus will get behind and you will miss scheduled station time. I have traveled by bus far too much, and it has never not happened.

If you are taking poles, put them in pcv tubes, with caps, especially if your bag is going under the bus. They WILL stack other luggage on top of it, shoved hard against it, and drag your bag when loading/unloading.

Something that can work like a pillow, in addition to your jacket, is a good idea.

Wear comfortable clothes, nothing else about the ride will be comfortable, might as well not have clothes make it worse.

When the bus stops, and you are getting off (either because it's your stop, to get something in the station, or you have to because it's a service stop), either be up and at the front before the bus is pulling in, or relax and be patient while everyone jostles and bottlenecks.

The views on the right side of the bus are usually nicer. Usually.

If the bus stops at a travel plaza or truck stop for a food break, be on the bus before the driver. They will leave you there.

[George]

Buy a refundable ticket. Otherwise, when they mess up and you make other arrangements you're out your fare. Do not depend on them for meeting any schedule. If (more likely when) there is a problem, expect the worst possible customer service. Finally, When the refuse to make good on their screw up, whatever it is, see your better business bureau. They respond to them.

refundable ticket pricing is commonly double - the issues requiring refund are less than 1 in 20 - paying the extra is a waste

[Dogwood]

Heed the advice given! It was offered with an excellent understanding. Try not traveling on or near the weekends as you tend to meet up with more riders why are drunk or high. WATCH you stuff if you store it underneath the coach; make sure your pack is transferred correctly and with care to the next bus you are transferring. I have traveled up/down both coastlines and between the east coast and west coast on the Dog. Not my preferred way of traveling especially w/ many transfers or over long durations. Some routes between some areas traveling mid week are not bad at all. If you are referring to taking the Dog from San Fran to Merced for your N. Lake/ S. Lake LOOP IMO that's not a bad route. Switch to the YARTS in Merced to Lee Vining.

[fiddlehead]

If it's 40 degrees and raining hard, Greyhound is marginally better than clinging to the side of a freight train.

Good one John LOL.
Yes, they lost my bag once (took me almost a week to get it back and then the strap was torn off)
I got robbed once (in Kansas City of all places) (well they just took my ditty bag out of my side pocket but, stuff like my p38 and aluminum spoon were not so easy to replace)
Shady characters for sure, but that can be interesting if you're open-minded.

It's quite and adventure and everyone should do it once. However, mail your gear ahead instead of relying on their baggage people if you really want to see it again.

Buses in other countries are much better sometimes with the latest movies, food and drink served on board by a pretty girl, and more leg-room.

[Praha4]

good advice already given here. I've ridden Greyhound on numerous AT section hikes from NW Florida to & from Johnson City, TN .... Gainesville, GA .... and Roanoke, VA. Also rode Greyhound from Roanoke, VA to Marion, VA last spring, that was probably the nicest Greyhound ride I've experienced. Like others said here, there are usually delays, some bus breakdowns, and if you are lucky the breakdown occurs in a town near a fast food joint. You'll meet all kinds of characters on a bus, it's a completely different crowd than on Amtrak or the airlines.

If you're used to checking bags on the airlines, keep in mind that Greyhound does not transfer your checked bag from one bus to the next at your designated transfer stations. This isn't like flying the airlines where your bags are automatically forwarded to your final destination. At every transfer, you have to retrieve your checked bags from the side of the coach (sometimes that's like fighting the mob on Black Friday), and carry the bag or backpack to your next bus, which likely is not there yet, you'll have a wait at the station. My experiences were that Greyhound employees simply unload the bags from the side of the coach at the bus station, and usually it's kind of a free for all as the mob grabs their bags. This part of the process can range from orderly to complete chaos. Usually it is somewhat orderly. Sometimes I've seen a Greyhound employee referee this phase, sometimes I don't see any Greyhound employee watching, that's where you really have to get in front and make sure someone else doesn't grab your stuff. In my case, I was typically the only one on the bus with a hiking backpack so it was easy to keep an eye out for it.

Also, if you have a late night layover/transfer wait, do NOT fall asleep in the bus station, you may wake up with all your stuff gone, I've seen it happen where someone dozed off, then you hear them screaming when they wake up "MY STUFF GOT RIPPED OFF". That can be a challenge on those really long bus rides, lots of coffee helps.

My worst night was a 11 pm to 4 a.m. layover in the Atlanta downtown bus station on a Saturday nite, all the buses were running very late, bad weather that night, the station was packed, there were drunks, fights, drug dealers working the men's room, pimps working the station, pickpockets, and only one security guy who preferred to sit in his office watching TV while the Jerry Springer Show took place out in the lobby. I stood against the wall on the perimeter of the lobby, trying to look invisible... Then when I finally got on my bus heading for Florida around 4 a.m., we had a woman try to get on the bus without a ticket, she sat in the very back, refused to get off the bus when the driver checked tickets when the headcount was off, she argued with the driver, he had to call local police, then we sat there 30 minutes while the police had to physically carry this woman off the bus. I said before there ought to be a website called "GREYHOUND BUS JOURNALS" that would rival "TRAIL JOURNALS" for entertainment value. I'll still ride Greyhound in the future, stick to middle of the week like they said here.

[stacy324]

I find the dog a very good way to get to the trail and back, but you won't arrive rested and ready to go. I don't usually do a zero, but I always plan a short day and an early camp on the first day to let me recover from the ride.

[beeper]

I have taken the bus a lot. I think that is cheating to keep stuff on an empty seat or lie across two seats. A nasty stare is often enough to keep a seat empty. You can also start the trip with a nice odor, but you don't want to over do it. Shoot for unwashed camp clothes level and not end of thru-hikehike level. Reading a porno during boarding usually helps people move along. The best strategy I have seen was a small good looking woman who at every stop would take out a large knife and start cleaning her toe nails. I saw people sit next to 300+ lb men to avoid sitting next to her.

[The Weasel]

I got off at each stop and left a blanket on my seat to "hold" it. Then I would watch baggage unloading and loading to make sure my pack stayed in the baggage compartment. I would stay until the baggage compartment was closed and locked again. Comfortable shoes, not boots, worn during the ride; under no circumstances sit/walk on the bus without shoes. Avoid conversations; people can take offense for reasons you'll never understand. Don't put anything in the overhead since it will be gone when you look for it, especially if you sleep. Keep wallets in front pockets of pants, preferably inside pockets. Try to avoid on-board johns if it looks like anyone might be shooting up.

TW

[Feral Bill]

The amazing thing I have learned on this thread is that there are people who loath Greyhound even more than me.

[Coffee]

In most cases, Greyhound doesn't even seem cheaper than other options. For example, I just checked Greyhound fare from DC to Gainesville GA for a week from today. $115. The same trip on Amtrak is $86. And flights to ATL are available for $147. And this is on short notice of one week. I would only consider Greyhound if there is no train or air service nearby.

[Old Grouse]

If riding on a double decker bus in hot weather, be it Grayhound or any other line, try to sit in the lower level. The ACs are rarely sufficient for both levels.

[John B]

The amazing thing I have learned on this thread is that there are people who loath Greyhound even more than me.
To take a page from Bill Bryson, there are pretty much only three groups who still use Greyhound -- nuns, Norwegian exchange students, and those so mentally disturbed that even SafeAuto won't sell them insurance. Back in The Day when I thought that I was being environmentally aware, I rode the dog from Rome, GA to Atlanta, and then an epic 20-hour trip from H3LL from Lexington, KY to Memphis. Never again for any reason. I'd rather crawl through broken glass than ride Greyhound. If you think that no one could possibly despise Greyhound more than you, do a Google search with "Greyhound sucks" -- there are entire websites devoted to nothing but steaming hate and vitriol.

[Drybones]

There's Megabus too, they have a departure point in your area. It's more of a connector bus I've found for reaching the AT. Meaning, you might need to transfer to another carrier at some point. It does go to Christiansburg, VA.

I took my first bus ride in October. I drove to Pearisburg and started the hike there, left my truck with Don Raines (who BTW was a great help, if you need a shuttle in that area call him) and hiked to Harpers Ferry. To get back to my truck I caught a commuter train to DC (Union Staion) and took the Megabus from there to Christiansburg where Don met me and shuttled me back to my truck. The bus ride wasn't bad at all, wouldn't hesitate to do it again. The commuter train was $11, the bus ride $24...not a bad deal.

[magic_game03]

I do remember once, in PA, getting my bag from the underbelly storage compartment and it was soaked thru. I'd gotten off the trail in Damascus and went over to Abington to catch a bus, to go home for a few days and also pick up snow shoes. I caught the bus that morning and when I got to PA that night my bag had eventuality made it to the bottom of the luggage pile where all the snow had melted. It was a good thing that I was on my way home and not on my way to the trail.

[Tuckahoe]

Thanks everyone for your coomments. In Virginia it's pretty easy for me to get to the trail by train between Roanoke and Harpers Ferry. South of Roanoke, especially towards Damascus, there isn't the train and bus seems to be the only option without a rather long shuttle.

In and out of Williamsburg it's college kids. But it's the transfer in downtown Richmond that would be my hang up.

[Mobius]

I rode the Greyhound out of Williamsburg up to DC a fair bit when I was a freshman at W&M (early 90's - now I feel old). My policy at Richmond was "don't go outside". I never had any issues. I only ever had a day pack so never had to deal with luggage under the bus. I recall having to stand on a few return trips on the leg from Richmond back to Williamsburg.

[TEXMAN]

If you return home on the bus after hiking be aware that the rest of the world doesn't understand HIKING..
I came back to Dallas from Virginia after 2 months on the trail. When the bus stopped in Texarkana the local officials had the drug dogs go through everyones luggage..Only one bag was identified by the dogs as suspect ...MY Pack... after i had let them go through the pack I had to explain to them why I was traveling so lite, where I had been etc...they really didn't have a clue about what I was telling them .... I think the dogs smelled some of my water purification chemicals ( I was using iodine at the time) or maybe my pack had rubbed up against some illegal smells in the shelters ...

Riders beware

[Dogwood]

In most cases, Greyhound doesn't even seem cheaper than other options. For example, I just checked Greyhound fare from DC to Gainesville GA for a week from today. $115. The same trip on Amtrak is $86. And flights to ATL are available for $147. And this is on short notice of one week. I would only consider Greyhound if there is no train or air service nearby.


Absolutely correct. It's worth checking various modes of travel. There is sometimes an assumption the The Dog is always the least inexpensive from a financial perspective and that is NOT always the case.

[George]

I learned a lot about fighting chickens on a dog ride - you do not get that flying

[Feral Bill]

I learned a lot about fighting chickens on a dog ride - you do not get that flying So. There is an up side.

[fiddlehead]

Oh, I could see myself riding the "dog" again, just for the adventure and seeing a part of America that's unique in many ways.
But, I would be prepared to bail at any time, if the wrong person sits next to me, and also be prepared to lose everything in your possession.
As long as your properly prepared, let the fun begin!

[Nyte]

If you are looking for upsides... and I agree that some of these will be dependent on luck, or the individual...

No TSA gyno/proctology exam.

Meet interesting people.

Learn things you never would have imagined.

Come to appreciate laying down to sleep. (On longer rides)

See lots of views.

Test your immune system.

Never have your id checked after you have your ticket, and sometimes even to get it.

Learning that even Greyhound affiliates (such as Peter Pan) are better than Greyhound itself.

Truckstops at 2 am.

Hardees in CT for breakfast, northbound on I-95. Fast food breakfast never seemed so welcome.

The look on the faces of soldiers getting to visit home when they talk about getting to visit home.

Seeing human kindness in action; an older sister/brother giving their cookies/chips/soda/sandwich to their younger sibling just to see them smile, or cause they are hungry; someone no one has seen eat or get off for food for 8 hours getting handed a bag of food with no question; perfect strangers singing lulabies to a baby when the mother has gone hoarse trying...

I am sure there are more....

[George]

most people in the US are so sheltered from the realities of the conditions that the majority of the population of the world lives in that riding the dog seems like such an adventure

[Alligator]

...
If you're used to checking bags on the airlines, keep in mind that Greyhound does not transfer your checked bag from one bus to the next at your designated transfer stations. This isn't like flying the airlines where your bags are automatically forwarded to your final destination. At every transfer, you have to retrieve your checked bags from the side of the coach (sometimes that's like fighting the mob on Black Friday), and carry the bag or backpack to your next bus, which likely is not there yet, you'll have a wait at the station. My experiences were that Greyhound employees simply unload the bags from the side of the coach at the bus station, and usually it's kind of a free for all as the mob grabs their bags. This part of the process can range from orderly to complete chaos. Usually it is somewhat orderly. Sometimes I've seen a Greyhound employee referee this phase, sometimes I don't see any Greyhound employee watching, that's where you really have to get in front and make sure someone else doesn't grab your stuff. In my case, I was typically the only one on the bus with a hiking backpack so it was easy to keep an eye out for it.
...I rode the bus from Maine to Texas once. They followed airline style checking at a Texas transfer, I can't remember the city-maybe Houston or San Antonio. The bags went down a chute and got routed to the next bus. They misrouted my bag:mad:. I got it back a day or two later. I've never seen this anywhere else though, not on the East Coast.

[Miner]

I got off a long AT section hike in October in Williamstown, MA and road the Greyhound to Amarillo, TX to pick up my car at a relative. It seems expensive for shorter runs, but after a certain distance the price doesn't change much and becomes steadily cheaper than most alternatives. Especially if you are buying a ticket on short notice. For me the price of flying or taking the Amtrak was a lot more expensive. Going all the way to LA wouldn't have cost me much more then what I paid to goto Texas. My experience was riding it for serveral of hours isn't so bad. Riding it for a couple of days gets old really fast. Its hard to sleep on one.

Take an aisle seat. You have more options for stretching out your legs then the window seat. After several hours, this becomes important. Also, you may get a heavy person get on at the next stop and they may sit next to you, better to have some space then squished against the window.
Bring food and drinks. You have limited ability to buy food and it will be expensive.
Bring a charger for your electronics. Most buses now have a electric outlet you can plug into.
Carry on all valuables (camera, phone, money, etc.).
Try to pack everything inside your pack and not on the outside if at all possible (less likely to loose something falling off or someones quick fingers)
Keep track of your stuff at all times. If its out of sight for a moment it may be gone.
Try to enjoy the novel experience of the type of people you are riding with instead of getting an attitude about it. The guy giving a sermon to the bus in the back seat just before getting off. The 2 ex-cons fresh out of jail heading home. The super-sized person who just had to sit next to me. The illegal guy from India who had been hear for 10years with no documentation who got taken off by the border patrol when we stopped in Buffalo, NY (he should have picked a route that didn't go near the border).

[Siarl]

I tend to get a window seat if at all possible. I've never traveled as a thru-hiker but I lived in San Francisco for twenty years and generally speaking, most San Francisco residents don't have cars and they walk out the door with a small daypack. I moved north and would take the Greyhound into San Francisco alot. I traveled with a daypack and chose a window seat. I tend to keep to myself and nod off frequently. I fold my arms over my daypack which sits in my lap against my chest and then my hands lock in under my arms. I'm a nice guy but wear a face that says, don't bother me. It helps too if you mumble and gesture in your sleep, which of course I have no idea why I just said that, but it certainly helps. :D

[Firefighter503]

Didn't read the whole thread, but from my one experience on Greyhound, I will never do it again. The cost of a plane/train ticket is well justified in my opinion.

[steve0423]

Lot of good advice here. I traveled by bus on my thru including three diff buses getting from Millonocket to Portland. I never had what I’d call a bad experience just some better than others. Caught a bus to Albany to visit my wife for a few days. It was full of some pretty shady characters and smelled like the zoo. Finial ride into Portland was very nice and even featured an “in flight” movie.


You should bring drinks, snack, jacket etc. Most have rudimentary Wi-Fi and outlets by the seats for charging.


All and all, not the end of the world, an experience everyone should have, but don’t know that I’d want to spend more than a few hours on the bus. Now I CAN get excited about traveling by train!!

[Siarl]

I am traveling by train, Amtrak, from far west Texas, Big Bend National Park area, to Atlanta and then by shuttle to Amicalola Falls. It's a little pricey but there's no way I'm traveling for a couple of days or more on a bus. If it's a few hours I can handle that but not a few days. Oh gawd no. But having said that, my advice above still stands.

[starbright]

We traveled by bus 2013 to Gainesville. Was not fun in any way. We got packs searched at Atlanta had to pay extra to have small pocket knives taken out of our packs that were under the bus in storage. And put in envelopes put behind the driver seat. It was ridiculous got lucky they didn't see the stove fuel. God only knows what that would have caused considering we had already been on three other buses before getting to Atlana.

[Luddite]

I was on one once when some dumbass kept going into the bathroom to smoke weed, and finally the bus driver pulled over and demanded that the person who smoked in the bathroom come clean. He never did so we sat there on the side of the road for over an hour and the driver finally gave up. Another time a driver sat in the station to make a phone call on the payphone even though we were over 2 hours behind schedule.

Greyhound treats their customers like crap, like they're doing you a favor. I've been screamed at for asking a driver which bus was mine. I'm am terrified of airplanes but I have finally boycotted greyhound. I would crawl to the trail before I deal with that company again.

[Luddite]

We traveled by bus 2013 to Gainesville. Was not fun in any way. We got packs searched at Atlanta had to pay extra to have small pocket knives taken out of our packs that were under the bus in storage. And put in envelopes put behind the driver seat. It was ridiculous got lucky they didn't see the stove fuel. God only knows what that would have caused considering we had already been on three other buses before getting to Atlana.

I remember being searched once in Atlanta and I had my hiking blade in my pocket and the moron never even found it. I was pretty pissed that after being searched at 4 in the morning the incompetent "security guard" wasted my time.

[Buzz Saw]

Tried the bus in 2010. Did not work out very well. They had changed pickup point but did not notify me. I had gone in to check if I was at the right location and was told bus would pick me up out front. Never happened and by the time I was re-informed that the bus did not stop their it was to late to make it to the new location. Talked to reps from bus (gray hound) and were told that they put the notification in the local paper. I live in a a small neighboring community and do not get that paper. They refused to refund my money and I was forced to catch a plane next day to fly to Atlanta to meet my partner plus pay for a shuttle that would get me to my destination. I'm sure this is an unusual story but the plane was not that much more and I was there in three hours instead of 24. Buzz

[Preacher_68]

I would rather run through hell in gasoline underwear than ever ride a greyhound.

[Dogwood]

I always enjoy these Dog stories.

[Dad]

Here's a story about a bus trip to the trail.



http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=96705

[July]

Ha!... that's a pretty good'un..

[July]

Ha!... That's a good one, squared (how do you put that lil #2 up....nopun)

never sit next to the ****-er door

[SunnyWalker]

I have traveled Greyhound a lot when in college years ago. My last to-the-trail (CDT) in 2013 I used Greyhound from Amarillo into NM. It has not changed much but I would say it is friendlier and nicer then you've read here. Probably depends on which part of the country you are in. However Alligators advice was good. Remember to bring your jacket to use as a blanket. I personally would bring all my snacks and stuff I ight want while on the trip with me in a throw-away bag and all. If you bring electronics with head phones . . . yeah . . . be careful to keep them close. I would bring a lot of reading stuff with me-book, newspaper, magazines, etc. This usually helps me a lot . If you are on a bus that has a lot of country stops what helped me is that when everyone got off that was getting off I would get up and stand in the aisle and walk if I felt ok about it. That gave me a nice break from sitting and I was still on the bus. I have met some really neat people on the bus and so treat it as part of your AT adventure.

[putts]

Miss Janet taught me: If you don't want anyone to sit next to you, fill your water bladder up with some awful colored liquid, set it in the seat next to you, stick the hose into your pants. If someone asks if they can sit there, say sure then fumble around for a second to get situated and hand them the bladder "Can you hold this for just a second?". If they sit down, pull the hose out and take a drink.

I imagine this works especially well if you are fresh off the trail, musty, bearded, wearing duct taped crocs, and are used to not holding in your farts.

[fiddlehead]

I love these Greyhound stories.
Do you notice how some people think it's fine, and a way to get to where you're going, not so expensive, interesting experience, etc.
While others say: Never again. It was horrible. Bad drivers, passengers, food choices, etc.
Isn't it how we look at life in general?
Americans need to get out more and see how the poorer people of the world live.
No one has it as bad as Tibetens who live out in the dry mountains, no water, no trees, extreme cold in the winter (with no heat).
And no one has the opportunities as vast as Americans with choices for transport, jobs, weather extremes, religions, etc.

I often say that any American college degree should require one year of that degree to be spent in a university in a foreign country.
So much more would be learned in that one year. Most importantly, that there are many cultures in the world and we really should think about what other's priorities are in lfe.

OK, rant over.
Back to "dog" stories: (never mind, that one is not appropriate and hard to believe anyway)

[bamboo bob]

I got off and on the trail in Waterville Maine. I took the Greyhound to Boston for a toothache and back again a week later. Both ways was a pleasant ride. The bus was full of well behaved people. Mostly young student types. No bums, no perverts, no criminals.

Cheap too. Steve Longley came and put me back on the trail from the bus station.

Maybe New England is just nicer.

[Dogwood]

"I love these Greyhound stories.
Do you notice how some people think it's fine, and a way to get to where you're going, not so expensive, interesting experience, etc.
While others say: Never again. It was horrible. Bad drivers, passengers, food choices, etc.
Isn't it how we look at life in general?"

No, it's how U.S. citizens who never had to ride on the top of a 1969 Partridge family looking bus holding on like a piece of cheap luggage in a torrential downpour on a backwoods Patagonia rutted muddy road while the goats got to ride inside the bus think! All too happy to do it too. :D

"Americans need to get out more and see how the poorer people of the world live."

Isn't that the truth!!!

"No one has it as bad as Tibetens who live out in the dry mountains, no water, no trees, extreme cold in the winter (with no heat).
And no one has the opportunities as vast as Americans with choices for transport, jobs, weather extremes, religions, etc."

YUP!

"I often say that any American college degree should require one year of that degree to be spent in a university in a foreign country.
So much more would be learned in that one year. Most importantly, that there are many cultures in the world and we really should think about what other's priorities are in life."

WOW! Here Here. ABSO - DAMN - LUTELY! That made me cry.

"OK, rant over."

Gets my vote for BEST rant of the year so far though! And sure as heck beats hearing about the BEST rain jacket, again! You get a dancin banana for that. :banana

[jdc5294]

I used it to get from Bangor back to Philadelphia after I finished, 16 hours either on a bus or waiting for another bus wasn't what I would call fun but it was cheap and I had my headphones, just ignored everyone and got some sleep. I don't have anything resembling a horror story so I guess that's good.

[ki0eh]

These folks love the 'hound: http://www.aibra.org

[handlebar]

Miss Janet taught me: If you don't want anyone to sit next to you, fill your water bladder up with some awful colored liquid, set it in the seat next to you, stick the hose into your pants. If someone asks if they can sit there, say sure then fumble around for a second to get situated and hand them the bladder "Can you hold this for just a second?". If they sit down, pull the hose out and take a drink.

I imagine this works especially well if you are fresh off the trail, musty, bearded, wearing duct taped crocs, and are used to not holding in your farts.

ROFLMAO! That's the best one yet!

[handlebar]

These folks love the 'hound: http://www.aibra.org This web site has a cool map showing all the bus and train lines in the USA, although it's a little out of date. It was very helpful to me in arranging some shuttles for my last sections of the CDT. I did find that, of the bus lines, Greyhound was by far the worst. Some of the others: Salt Lake Express that runs from SLC to Butte with connections to Helena, and Black Hills Stages where pretty nice and had a much higher class clientele. In the old days, you used to be able to get anywhere by bus. Not so any longer. I would have welcomed a bus to get me out of Durango, but had to take a high-priced air trip instead.