When was the last time you traveled by bus?
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As a globe-trotter, I’ve taken bus rides around the world. There was a sleeper bus between Bangalore and Mumbai; another from Umea, Sweden deep into the wilderness; and a few high-octane Megabus trips between Boston and NYC.
The most luxurious experience was the Raja bus that ferried me across the Indian subcontinent. (I even remember the name—that should tell you something.) I had a full, flat bed, a reading light, a privacy curtain, and a massive window with another thick curtain.
Adventures in India aside, my experiences on the Megabus in New England are more indicative of how most Americans experience bus travel.
We take buses as a matter of convenience, to get somewhere on time at the last minute, and to save on pricey trips. There’s little fanfare involved… and that’s assuming you can find a viable bus route to begin with.
As you’ll notice by the list below, the majority of (non-public) bus routes in the United States are focused on the Northeast, Southeast, and Southern regions. Few lines traverse the Midwest and West Coasts, largely because towns, highways, and byways are more spread out.
That being said, don’t strike bus travel off your list entirely.
If you’re traveling in the regions mentioned above, you might benefit from knowing the better bus lines out there and how they can serve you. In fact, in some cases, buses are the easiest and fastest way to get between two cities, such as routes from NYC to Washington DC.
But before we cover which bus companies to keep your eye on, let’s cover what differentiates the good from the bad in terms of bus travel.
What do the best bus companies offer?
A solid bus company offers more than you’d expect. All the brands listed in this article offer some combination of these amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, and reclinable seats.
In fact, many offer all of these—especially if you opt for a higher class.
That’s right. Just like Amtrak, many bus companies are starting to split up their seats into various classes. Some options are outright fancy.
Best bus companies with nationwide routes
Greyhound
Amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, and reclining seats
You’ve likely heard of Greyhound thanks to its expansive routes across the country. In fact, this is the United States’ largest company, offering service in every single state except for Alaska and Hawaii.
You can even take Greyhound routes in and out of Mexico and Canada.
Just keep in mind that this company was acquired by Flixbus (below) back in 2018, along with BoltBus. However, Greyhound’s branding and routes haven’t changed—and they aren’t likely to anytime soon.
Flixbus
Amenities: Bathrooms, air conditioning, and reclining seats; many routes also offer Wi-Fi, power outlets, and snack selections
Flixbus is a global brand and one of the best options that Americans have when traveling across the country, or even between Canada and Mexico.
It’s considered one of the best bus companies in the US thanks to its global experience, including years of providing intercontinental travel around Europe. Seriously, Flixbus has over 400,000 routes serviced around the world.
But here’s what you need to know about Flixbus: it’s the most luxurious option for Americans. Not only does the company place an emphasis on eco-friendly solutions, but its amenities are also top-tier. If you’re a little hesitant about bus travel, start with Flixbus.
Megabus
Amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, and reclining seats
In case you missed out on the glory days of Megabus, it used to cost one measly dollar to travel between New York City and Boston.
Since then, the bus company has elevated its offers and hiked prices—and fair enough. The one thing that hasn’t changed? Massive, panoramic windows that let you soak up the views.
Megabus focuses on the Northeast and Southeast, but you can also find routes nationwide, similar to Greyhound. Most are still very cheap despite the number of amenities on offer.
Best bus companies with regional routes
Jefferson Lines
Amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, and reclining seats
Jefferson Lines serves a huge portion of the Midwest, which makes it the most popular bus company in the Heartland. You can find routes from North Dakota down to Texas. Just keep in mind that you need to show a printed ticket to board—no digital copies.
RedCoach
Amenities: Three classes with varying amenities, but all classes have Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, and lap trays
RedCoach serves the South and Southeast, though most of its routes are focused on intercity travel in the states of Texas and Florida.
OurBus
Amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, reclining seats, and free bottled water
OurBus has a fleet of highly modern buses, which makes this a popular choice for travelers across the East Coast.
It also ventures inland to service routes all the way to Indiana and Illinois. OurBus is also known for its great customer service and flexible rescheduling.
Vonlane
Amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, air conditioning, and reclining seats
Vonlane is the premier bus company serving Texas—and it’s got a strong focus on extravagance. If you want to get between cities like San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, and even Atlanta (it’s only out-of-state destination), then stick with Vonlane.
Just don’t forget how huge the state is—some routes take up to ten hours.
