How to Find a Cheap Bus Ticket

George Chriss/Wikimedia.org

Some travelers might say that they don't bother looking for a "cheap" bus ticket because bus travel is already considerably less expensive than most other methods of getting to your destination. But there are ways to get a cheap bus ticket even cheaper when you know how to find the best deals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Bus Ticket Basics

Step 1

Buy your ticket as early as you can. Bus lines such as Greyhound offer price incentives for travelers to purchase 7 and 14 days in advance. You might be able to get as much as 50 percent off if you buy your ticket 21 days ahead of time. These deep discounts might not apply to all bus routes, during holidays or if you have to change bus carriers.

Step 2

Choose a nonrefundable ticket over a refundable ticket. Of course, this means that you must set your travel schedule in stone, but you can save quite a bit of money in the long run if you plan to travel to many different cities. If you can't make your bus, some bus lines will allow you to use a nonrefundable ticket at a later date, as long as you're traveling the same route.

Step 3

Get your bus ticket online. Some companies give you a discount simply for purchasing your ticket on the Internet. Check the website for special offers. Just as airlines offer Internet fares, some bus lines offer cheaper tickets if you're leaving out of a certain state or traveling from one certain city to another. You can find these offers only online. These deals won't be available to all travelers at all times, so make sure to check if your departure and/or destination is part of the Internet special.

Step 4

Take advantage of relevant discounts. Note if the bus line offers a discount for children, students, seniors, active military, veterans or American Automobile Association (AAA) members. If you're traveling with another person, see if you might be able to get a companion fare at a discount.

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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