SUNDAY, JULY 1 , 2018 .

THE WASHINGTON POST EZ EE F5

The deals on the bus

BY M EGAN M C D ONOUGH

The 227-mile ride from the District to New York City can sometimes resemble a game of duck, duck, goose. But instead of waterfowl, travelers count vehicles: car, car, bus.
Car, car, bus. The much-maligned workhorses of mass transport have made a resurgence in the last decade and, in response, the number of carriers has surged, with
companies adding more creature comforts, departure times and rewards programs to encourage loyalty. ¶ And while they all look nearly identical from the outside — flashy
signage excepted — no two bus operators are the same. Their ticket prices, points of departure, amenities and scheduling can vary widely. And those distinctions matter, especially
as you’re entering Hour 3. ¶ Overwhelmed by the options? Here’s a quick comparison of 11 budget bus lines that offer service between the two cities.

PHOTOS BY CALLA KESSLER/THE WASHINGTON POST

CARRIER D.C. STOPS NYC STOPS PRICE BOOKING POLICIES AMENITIES REWARDS PROGRAM BEST FOR

Riders can stream free shows and Bargain travelers who like to
11th Avenue and movies on their personal devices via book in advance. To score one
Book online, by phone or pay cash curbside
West 36th Street, bus WiFi. (Current selections include of the company’s coveted
($25 for walk-ups). No refunds. but you can
near the Javits “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Get Out.”) cheap seats ($3, with fees),
BoltBus $13-$40. rebook up to 24 hours before departure for Free. Members receive a free
Dupont Circle; Center; Sixth The company’s BusTracker system reserve your seat several
877-265-8287 Sometimes, it $5, plus any fare differential. There’s no one-way trip for every eight
Union Station Avenue between also provides real-time updates and weeks in advance. Popular
boltbus.com has $1 specials. weight limit on baggage, but your carry-ons purchased.
Grand and Watts alerts to delays. Also, there’s travel times (mornings and
(up to two) must fit in the overhead
streets near Canal additional legroom, seat belts, cup evenings) tend to sell out
compartment.
Street holders and, on select coaches, quickly, so spontaneous
leather seats. travelers be wary.

Dupont Circle;
Union Station Formerly DC2NYC. Riders can purchase
Free. Members earn one point
(50 tickets online or by phone. Passengers can Social-media-savvy riders who
for each dollar spent, and
Massachusetts also reschedule tickets online, without Extra legroom, a complimentary bottle can quickly pounce deals: The
BestBus West 34th Street earn a free trip after eight one-
Ave.); Vienna/ additional cost, 24 hours before initial of water, direct routes and a movie, company frequently promotes
202-332-2691 and Ninth Ave., $30 one-way way rides. They can also
Fairfax-GMU departure. Arrive at least 15 minutes early, or selected by a majority vote of flash sales (typically $15
bestbus.com near Penn Station reschedule their tickets up to
Metro Stop; risk your ticket being resold. Walk-up passengers. tickets) and other giveaways
12 hours before their
Silver Spring reservations, cost $35, cash-only. No on its social-media accounts.
departure time.
Metro on refunds.
Colesville Road.

Formerly Hola Bus. You can book tickets

28 Allen St., online, by phone or in person at the bus In-bus entertainment, via a free
in Chinatown; terminal. Call 24 hours before departure to smartphone app with preloaded Free. Members receive one Besides consistent cheap
715 H St. NW
Eastern Bus Seventh Avenue reschedule free. One annoyance: Customers movies such as “Girls Trip” and point for each dollar they fares, it’s ideal for travelers
(near the $15-$23
212-244-6132 and West 33rd must to show a print copy of their e-ticket or “Guardians of the Galaxy 2.” The spend. Ten points can be who want to be dropped off in
Chinatown one-way
easternbus.com Street, near write their ticket information on a piece of company’s internal bus-tracker system redeemed for $1 toward future New York’s Chinatown area or
arch)
Madison Square paper to present before boarding, or pay a also provides real-time updates, travel costs. on the Lower East Side.
Garden small fee. Flashing the confirmation on your including an updated ETA.
smartphone won’t cut it. No refunds.

Eisenhower
Avenue Metro
Free. Members receive 100 Travelers with extra baggage.
Station; West 30th Street $20-$28 Book online or at the bus stop (cash-only).
Go Buses points for each dollar they Customers are allowed two
L’Enfant Plaza between Ninth one-way. Travelers can cancel and receive a full refund
855-888-7160 Complimentary water and foot rests. spend. and can redeem 1,000 pieces of checked luggage
Metro Station; and 10th Avenues, Sometimes, it up to 24 hours before departure time by
gobuses.com points for $1 toward future (each up to 50 pounds), along
Vienna / Fairfax near Penn Station has $5 specials. logging into an account.
travel costs. with two carry-on items.
— GMU Metro
Station

Free. Members receive one Prompt travelers who want

point for every one-way trip. A lots of travel time options.
variety of perks are offered at Greyhound boasts the most
different point levels, and you options for departure times,
Union Station; In Manhattan: Port Book by phone, online or in the terminal. If Extra legroom, leather seats and eco-
can choose which perk is best with an average of 26 trips
Greyhound Bus Silver Spring Authority Bus you bought an Economy Extra or Flexible friendly engines. Restrooms include
for you. For example, you can from the District per day.
800-231-2222 Bus Station; Terminal; In $11-29 one-way. fare, you can get a refund or exchange your baby-changing facilities and are
claim a free companion pass However, it is not for
greyhound.com College Park Brooklyn: 206 ticket free. If not, you can change your ticket reportedly checked every hour by a
after six trips or a discounted passengers with a penchant
Metro Livingston St. to a new departure time for a $20 fee. staff member.
single ticket. You’ll also for lateness. They recommend
receive a 10 percent discount riders arrive at the terminal
for enrolling in the rewards one hour early to reserve their
program. seat.

Arrivals: Seventh Riders who prefer reserved

Avenue and West Riders on the double-decker bus can seating. Travelers can book
27th Street near stream 30 movies, 10 hours of TV the most in-demand seats in
Book online, by phone or pay with cash or No rider rewards program, but
MegaBus Penn Station; $5-$37 one-way. shows, 50 audiobooks, music, games advance for a small premium.
card at the terminal. Riders can rebook their the company does have
877-462-6342 Union Station Departures: West Sometimes, it and news on their personal smart For example, upper deck front
trip online up to three hours before partnership deals with Uber
us.megabus.com 34th St. between has $1 specials. devices via onboard WiFi. The window seats, which offer
departure for $10. and Airbnb.
11th and 12th company also offers an app that lets extra legroom and scenic
avenues, near the you track ETAs and locate bus stops. views of the trip, can be
Javits Center claimed for an additional $7.

$49.99. Riders can upgrade to

Book online, or through its free mobile app. Frequent commuters. The
OurBus Free bottled water, in-bus OurBus Select with the
Port Authority Bus $9-$22 There’s no rescheduling fee if the ticket is package deal is a good option
844-800-6828 Union Station entertainment with preloaded movies purchase of 10 tickets for
Terminal one-way canceled 24 hours before the departure for travelers who are making
ourbus.com and an app that lets you track ETAs. $9.99. Valid 60 days after
time. multiple trips to the Big Apple.
purchase.

Book online, by phone or at the

Seniors, active duty and
terminal. Riders board the bus in groups Free. Receive a $5 credit for
retired military personnel, and
Peter Pan Bus based on boarding times on their tickets. No every $50 you spend on
Port Authority $15-$32 Extra leg room with footrests and fold- first responders can receive a
1-800-343-9999 Union Station refunds, but tickets can be reissued in tickets (not including taxes or
Bus Terminal one-way down tables. 15 percent discount. Children,
peterpanbus.com person or by phone with a fee of 20 percent, fees) and $5 for completing a
2-11 receive a 20 percent
plus the price differential, as long as it’s done service survey.
discount.
two hours before the initial departure time.

Book online or by phone; walk-ups pay cash.

4681 Willow Ln. Guaranteed seat with a reservation. No Free in-bus entertainment. Tripper
TripperBus Free. Travel three times round- Virginia and Maryland riders.
in Bethesda, 254 W. 31st St., $27-$37 charge to reschedule. Must cancel at least Elite, a more luxe bus with less seating
718-834-9214 trip and receive a free one-way No need to trek into the
1901 N. Moore near Penn Station one way three hours before departure time. Tickets and leather chairs, costs about $18-28
tripperbus.com trip. District.
St. in Arlington are nonrefundable, but credit can be used more.
toward future travel.

With the most liberal

rescheduling window (two
hours before departure time),
it’s great option for
Book online, by phone or pay by card or cash Free. Travel four times round-
1801 N. Lynn Seventh Avenue Free bottled water. Its luxury line, overschedulers who may
Vamoose Bus curbside. Riders can modify their reservation trip and receive a free one-way
St., Arlington; and West 30th $30-$40 which starts at $50, has single-seat need to cancel or make last-
301-718-0036 up until two hours before their trip, at no ticket. The points never expire
7401 Waverly Street, near one-way rows, leather seats and minute trip modifications.
vamoosebus.com additional cost. They may also put the ticket and can be credited
St., Bethesda Penn Station complimentary movies. Also, current students at
on hold for a future date (valid for one year). retroactively for past trips.
American and Georgetown
universities receive a 20
percent discount when buying
tickets online.

1100 S. Hayes In Manhattan: 202 $22 one way Riders who want convenient
St., near W. 36th St., near Book online, by phone (or pay at curbside, Extra leg room and leather seats. The
Monday- bus stops in both D.C. and
Washington Pentagon City Penn Station; In cash-only, with an added charge of $5). No company is also launching a new
Thursday. $27 Free. Travel four times round- NYC. Brooklynites will also
Deluxe Metro; 1610 Brooklyn: 1727 refunds; but you can change your trip online premium service called Washington
one-way Fridays, trip and receive a free one-way appreciate the stop on
866-287-6932 Connecticut Bedford Ave.; up to 12 hours in advance for $1 (plus any Deluxe LUX, which will offer in-bus
Saturdays, ticket. Bedford Avenue. Also, with set
washny.com Ave. NW near fare differential), or travel on a standby basis entertainment and “expansive
In Chinatown: 122 Sundays and prices, it’s a reliable choice on
Dupont Circle; on departure day. captain’s chair seating.”
Allen St. holidays. busy and holiday weekends.
Union Station

All offer free WiFi service and electrical power outlets, along with normal motor-coach accoutrements such as restrooms and air-conditioning. megan.mcdonough@washpost.com