How to Get Cheap Bus Tickets

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Bus travel has a distinct advantage over all ways of getting around, especially for the traveler who enjoys sitting back and watching the changes in terrain and scenery as she gets from one part of the U.S. to another. Bus travel is markedly less costly than airline travel, offers far more points of departure and arrival than train travel, and is less of a hassle than driving.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Smarter Bus Travel

Step 1

Plan your trip well in advance. You can get cheap bus tickets from carriers such as Greyhound at least 21 days in advance for up to half off the regular ticket price. Purchasing your tickets 14 days in advance gets you a 25-percent discount, and buying tickets seven days ahead of time saves you 10 percent off the regular fare.

Step 2

Take along some friends. Just like some airline carriers offer a companion fare at a reduced price, you can get cheap bus tickets for traveling companions if you shop around for the right deal. For example, Greyhound offers companion fares. If you purchase one bus ticket three days before you travel, you can save half the price on three companion fares.

Step 3

Look for cheap bus tickets offered only over the Internet. Bus lines often offer Internet-only deals that depart out of a certain state or that take you from certain select cities to others. In some cases, you get an automatic discount simply by purchasing your bus ticket over the Internet and printing it at home. However, these special fares might not be available over the holidays or if your trip requires you to switch bus carriers at some point during your journey.

Step 4

Don't forget other intrastate and regional carriers, which might offer the cheapest bus tickets of all. When you think of bus travel, the two lines that spring to mind are most likely Greyhound and Trailways. However, bus lines such as Cantrail, which provides service between Vancouver and Seattle, may be a better bet. This line also offers affordable commuter fares. (See Resources.)

Step 5

Take advantage of all of the discounts you can. Greyhound offers discounts for children, seniors, veterans and those in the military. College students who sign up for a Student Advantage Discount Card save 15 percent on bus tickets, while active and retired members can enroll with Greyhound's Veterans Advantage program and also save 15 percent (see Resources). Some discounts apply to family members as well.

Resources

Article Written By Lisa Sefcik

Lisa Sefcik has been writing professionally since 1987. Her subject matter includes pet care, travel, consumer reviews, classical music and entertainment. She's worked as a policy analyst, news reporter and freelance writer/columnist for Cox Publications and numerous national print publications. Sefcik holds a paralegal certification as well as degrees in journalism and piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin.

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