To greyhound or not to greyhound?

[Dorkimus Prime]

That is the question?

I'm trying to get from FL to MO to ND. I'm considering Greyhound. I recently read about them stranding a bunch of people in the northern states. I'm curious if anyone traveling along the south and midwest has had any troubles with greyhound as of late?

 

[CelticWanderer]

I've heard about drivers straight up refusing to work anymore and abandoning the schedule. I've ridden greyhound alot, pretty much have lost count and have personally never been abandoned, though have delt with some pretty rough situations. You might be able to megabus alot of that route which would probably be better.
Greyhound is brutal but divine. You're pretty much guaranteed a shit time but there's a sort of magic to it. Id say go for it

 

[Dmac]

Use the search feature, there are a lot of threads on greyhound

 

[Desperado Deluxe]

it can be really cheap if you order your tickets online or ahead of time.

 

[Deleted member 16701]

I only use it if I'm in a shitty spot thats hard to hitch or just tired of hitchin. Amtrak is alot more comfy and they sell snacks and beer.

 

[peacefulmonokai]

A few years back I was stranded in Wyoming. They changed drop offs and rest stop info that wasn't quite synced up to their website. So there was confusion among passengers. I wasn't the only one. We had to spend the night at a truck stop, then they radioed ahead to make sure there was even room for us on the bus that would pick us up. We eventually got to Denver, but that area of travel is iffy. Be sure of where the transfer, dropoff and rest stops are at. Greyhound on the coasts are good, but watch out for their service in rural type states.

 

[Object]

I missed the bus once, had to pay $20 for reissue of my ticket and the next bus was 12 hours later. It overheated and turned around. 7 more hours of waiting. Did get a $7 food voucher and a $50 travel voucher, my $20 refunded. Main thing is don't be in a hurry and complain if something happens. You can call customer service and they can help too. But it really sucks travelling sometimes.

 

[Dorkimus Prime]

I've heard about drivers straight up refusing to work anymore and abandoning the schedule. I've ridden greyhound alot, pretty much have lost count and have personally never been abandoned, though have delt with some pretty rough situations. You might be able to megabus alot of that route which would probably be better.
Greyhound is brutal but divine. You're pretty much guaranteed a shit time but there's a sort of magic to it. Id say go for it

I checked the mega bus schedule and it comes to a lot more because of the multiple buses it takes to get there. They don't have any direct routes.

Unfortunately I can't by my tickets in advanced because I don't have a reliable ride to Jax. I have to purchase them the day of leaving. I had a camping spot a long time ago out in Jax but it was tore down to build some apartments.

I only use it if I'm in a shitty spot thats hard to hitch or just tired of hitchin. Amtrak is alot more comfy and they sell snacks and beer.

I haven't thought about amtrak. I'll look into them. It's too hot for me to hitch right now so it's the bus or hope I get a direct ride.

 

[Deleted member 14481]

Most of my experiences with Greyhound have been great, so I suggest going for it, if you're thinking about it! You'll do better to get a morning bus or a night bus, if possible. It's usual easy to get to the south, but any direction can have issues due to weather. I've heard horror stories, but none of them have happened to me.

 

[coyote mogollon]

That is the question?

I'm trying to get from FL to MO to ND. I'm considering Greyhound. I recently read about them stranding a bunch of people in the northern states. I'm curious if anyone traveling along the south and midwest has had any troubles with greyhound as of late?

I gotta say my exps in greyhound have SUCKED. Their only motive is to suck as much cash as they friggin can...my advice, if you ABSOLUTLY HAVE TO RIDE THE GREY RAT, is to buy a ticket for the next stop, then keep ridin past it to yr destination, or as close as you can till they kick you off....they don't much check tickets once yre on. I've done this a couple times no prob. On the flip side, DON'T EVER LOSE YR TICLET, or even misplace it for a minute, they'll make you buy a new one full cost (even tho you KNOW its in the computer) the FOKERS!

 

[Koala]

I haven't had too many issues with Megabus or Greyhound, and I've used both quite a lot.

Only major issue I had with Dirty Dog (greyhound) was one specific time in Jacksonville a few months ago where they overbooked the bus back to Miami...we were in line to get on the bus and there were about 8 of us left in line when the driver goes "okay, that's it, the bus is full!" and we were like "whaaaaat?"

They ended up giving up $10 food vouchers and luckily, that bus station is brand new and was really nice and air conditioned. But they were really hush hush with what was going on/how long it was going to be until there was another bus/etc. We had to just keep going up and asking and being really vocal about wondering what was going on cause they weren't letting us know. After 5 or 6 hours, another bus came for us.

So yea just don't be in a rush. And if you do end up doing Megabus and have to take multiple buses, make sure you have PLENTY of time between transfers in case of traffic, etc. cause they won't wait for you/refund you if you miss your next bus!

 

[coyote mogollon]

I checked the mega bus schedule and it comes to a lot more because of the multiple buses it takes to get there. They don't have any direct routes.

Unfortunately I can't by my tickets in advanced because I don't have a reliable ride to Jax. I have to purchase them the day of leaving. I had a camping spot a long time ago out in Jax but it was tore down to build some apartments.



I haven't thought about amtrak. I'll look into them. It's too hot for me to hitch right now so it's the bus or hope I get a direct ride.

Ya ditto AMTRACK... ya I know it breaks a lot of hardline hoborules, but after days/weeks hitching or hoppin trains, its friggin cozy, and not as expensive as you might think, from SF to Yosemeti they actually beat greyrats price. You need pic ID tho!

 

[Dorkimus Prime]

Ya ditto AMTRACK... ya I know it breaks a lot of hardline hoborules, but after days/weeks hitching or hoppin trains, its friggin cozy, and not as expensive as you might think, from SF to Yosemeti they actually beat greyrats price. You need pic ID tho!

I checked them, from Jax to St. Louis was around $700. All it said they had available was first class so I don't know if anything else cheaper is out there. Greyhound is looking to be the cheapest option unless I can catch a ride. It's too hot out for me to hitch. I wish I had left 3 months ago like I wanted to.

 

[Coywolf]

Scamtrack>Greuhound any day.

I've had absolutely horrid experiences on greyhound. Including watching someone get.robbed on the bus, a driver stranding me in Vegas because I "smelt like alcohol" and then them teling.me I had to buy a new 200 dollar ticket to continue my.trip.

They overbook buses all the time. They wont allow disabled people on the bus (with a purchased ticket) if there isint room for their wheelchair.

That company is fucked up, only give them money if you absolutely have to

 

[stormrider66]

Greydog has left me, and a lot of other people stranded more than a few times, because either the bus I was on was running really late, and the connecting bus left (17 hours in Salt Lake City), or they sell too many seats, and make you wait for the next bus. Mega Bus....too expensive, if you're trying to go long distance. Amtrak is pretty reasonable, if you can get a coach ticket, but the booze and food are way overpriced ($6 for a 12 ounce can of Budweiser)....Greyhound may be your best option, though.

 

[Deleted member 2626]

I’ve rode a lot of greyhound with my service dog and can’t say I’ve had any horrible experiences. It’s mass transit so shit happens. Obviously like said if you do a long haul you will have an unexpected layover somewhere most likely. Chicago is good for that. My last haul back across to the east they overbooked in Chi and I had wait a few hours and luckily made my next bus in Cleveland I think it was, by minutes to Erie

 

[Dorkimus Prime]

The trip was about what I expected. An entire bus of about 40 people got stuck at the St. Louis station. We where about 7 hours behind after a driver took the wrong route and made several extra 30 minute stops.

In the end it worked out nicely because Greyhound gave us all free food and a $100 voucher for the next ride. That basically covers most of my trip to North Dakota next year.

 

[KittyCosmos]

Good old Greyhound. Is there ever a boring trip? Like many of our fellow wanderers, I've spent my time chugging along on the wheels of the great grey beast. And like many of them, I am in complete agreement that you're pretty much guaranteed one real shitty time, but after a while you grow kinda numb to it, and eventually it gets kind of fun. I've learned to make a sort of game out of it. You always know it's going to be an interesting experience. I've been on buses that have broke down, caught fire, stopped to pick up bands who's bus had broke down. I've seen schedules be early, hours late, and straight out canceled. I've been on buses I was sure were going to wreck. I've been on buses that are nice, ones that are shitty. One thing to always keep in mind when riding GH, is that you WILL experience ALL that MURPHY'S LAW has to offer. With that being said, say yes to a new and exciting opportunity and experience it for yourself! (at least once) I've met some great folks traveling cross country on the bus, as well as some not so pleasant ones. Overall, as many times as I've said "i'll never take the bus, again." it's not a totally terrible way to travel. Hell, matter of fact, I'll probably be on one next week headed anywhere but here! Best of Luck & Safe Travels!!