Greyhound travel

[bcneil]

End of the month, some friends are heading down to Miami for a few days.
I am off work all month. So I have been challenged to get their by Greyhound.
Its like 4 and a half days.

Anyone ever do a trip like this? Would it be a nightmare? I am assuming no showering the whole time?

I am off work anyways with not much to do, and my buddies have pooled some money together if I can do it.

 

[pjrd]

yah, My son travelled via greyhound from Washington a few years ago. Half way home the drivers went on strike and left him in a town he didn't know. no compensation, nothing, just abandomed him 500 miles from home. never again will we have anything to do with greyhound

 

[Oldfart]

Not to mention the occasional beheading that happens on Greyhound buses.

 

[sales]

As much as I hate buses and would rather take the train as well, if you are not doing anything anyways, I would do it just for the adventure of it.

 

[rebeccaryder]

I once took Greyhound from Seattle to Chicago....longest and most uncomfortable ride of my life!! My advice is don't do it, but if it is a must on your part by all means avoid the back of the bus by the bathroom lol. I did meet some very wonderful people along the way, but I did cancel the bus home and bought a flight instead!
Good luck on whichever you decide.

 

[dunnochit]

I did Daytona Beach to Calgary. 4 days and a bit, Reserved the front window seat next to the driver the whole way. Layovers in New York, Chicago and Winnepeg, I had a blast. It was in the early 80's. Yes at times it was boring, but other times the scenery was amazing. I smoked back then so hopped off at every stop for a puff. Met some really interesting people and look back on it fondly.
I vote DO IT for the adventure.
JMHO
D

 

[SFMIKE]

4 and 1/2 days, each way? Does you life not have more meaning than that? Airfare cannot be much more than $500. 9 days wasted.

 

[storm rider]

I once travelled from Winterpeg to Toronto on Greyhound - all I can say is don't do it. I did some very long, very wonderful trips by train - in fact - I prefer trains to planes if I have the time. However - if you train - get a sleeper. Young women on the train LIKE guys that have a sleeper - just saying.

Fuckin A...travel by train is the BEST....I very much miss the Via Rail service between Calgary and Vancouver....a very refined/relaxed way to travel with some luxuries...I have fond memories of the train trips I took and it also helps that I got to drive...yes DRIVE the Via from Field BC to Calgary when I was 12...an UBER wicked cool thing for sure.....I also liked the passenger service by BC Rail...sadly it is no longer either.

Are you crazy beneil? It will be the longest 4 1/2 days of your life. No amount of pooled money will make it worth while......Just say NO to craziness!!!

Here's an idea....hop on a plane, have a few cocktails and in 5 hours or so you can be in Miami. That's 4 extra days on the beach having fun, chasing chicks and enjoying yourself.

I dunno....seems like a tough decision.

You got it right....long distance bus travel sucks ass....but you forgot to mention the people you will get stuck with on that bus trip....such as the annoying fucktards....inbred hillbilly types...thieves....nutcases and other types...and no bus trip ever comes without a loud screaming baby/ill-behaved kid....and a 4 day long distance bus trip = 100 X more of that action.

To the OP....dont do it...you will be pissing away 4 days of your life that you will never get back.

SR

 

[FloridaGuy]

The biggest problem, apart from the discomfort, is the nature of most long-distance bus passengers in North America. Most "normal" people on this continent have enough money to drive or fly anywhere. It is the scuzziest of the scuzzy who are reduced to bus travel for financial reasons. Yes you may meet some normal people - students, European backpackers who didn't know any better, senior citizens who can't drive anymore - but there will be an overwhelming preponderance of the very bottom segment of society. While many of that class of citizen are fine and decent people of course, many many many others are highly undesirable seat-mates.

 

[wolverine]

I once took the Greyhound between Vancouver and Edmonton - once was enough, and it took a couple of hours longer than it did driving (which takes 13 hours) because of the many stops along the way. Another time I took VIA Rail, which took twice as long because of lengthy stops and having to yield to freight trains. Since then, I either drive or fly between Van City and E-town - if you're not in a hurry, it's worth driving because of the lovely BC Interior scenery.

 

[the virgin gary]

i'd consider doing this just for the layovers. i'm still fairly young (26) and haven't seen much outside of edmonton. hell i think it's be cheaper to fly.

 

[bcneil]

Looks like most people wouldnt take it.
Basically I was playing poker with the guys, and they came up with the idea of me taking the bus to Miami.
They'd pay the bus fare and return air home.

I guess it would be boring beyond belief, and I hate not showering.
It also looks like seats are random, and each time you get off the bus, its whoever first gets the seat once back in.

 

[FloridaGuy]

If you do your homework, theirs places to shower.
One look in my eyes, and nobody takes my seat.

I'd think most guys would want you to sit on their laps!!!!

 

[badbadboy]

I travelled a lot around Australia back in the day when Air Travel was way too expensive and bus or train travel was economical.

Three days from Adelaide to Perth. My butt hurt for weeks afterwards. Just like Canada, Australia also has its fair share of crazies on the buses.

I swore I would never travel that way ever again.

Train travel is good if you get a good deal on a first class ticket. Via Rail takes good care of its passengers. Otherwise its a plane for me.

 

[sunnysideup]

I think you'd enjoy yourself more if you stayed home and poked needles in your eyes instead.

 

[maroonedsailor]

yup - if you want to meet interesting people - hitchhike - after meals and whatever you need to do to get some sleep the plane will save you money - by the time you arive on the bus you'll be so bagged you won't recover for at least two days - so have a nice vacation - DON'T DO IT - DUDE Fly man - it's cheaper

Plus if you take the bus across the border you WILL be harassed beyond belief by the us immigrations types who prey on bus passengers.

I think you'd enjoy yourself more if you stayed home and poked needles in your eyes instead.

 

[chancy4me]

Make sure you wear a neck brace and a hockey helmet! lol

 

[Boneman]

Looks like most people wouldnt take it.
Basically I was playing poker with the guys, and they came up with the idea of me taking the bus to Miami.
They'd pay the bus fare and return air home.

I guess it would be boring beyond belief, and I hate not showering.
It also looks like seats are random, and each time you get off the bus, its whoever first gets the seat once back in.

If your buddies are paying the return airfare tell them you took the bus and fly instead. If they want to see you get on the bus, do it and bail at the first place that has an international airport.

 

[bcneil]

If your buddies are paying the return airfare tell them you took the bus and fly instead. If they want to see you get on the bus, do it and bail at the first place that has an international airport.

Oh I thought of that too. So did they, so I'd have to take pictures of each of the major stops, like proof I was there.
And they want to pick me up at the bus station, and see me getting off.

But yeah wont be doing it, only in Miami 3 nights, don't want to spend the first 2 recovering from a bus.

 

[bcneil]

Amtrak will get you to Miami. Vancouver-Seattle-Sacramento-Chicago-Washington-Miami. That's a trip I'd do with a bar car and a sleeper

I looked into the train, but if you get a sleeper for the whole time its not cheap. Still about 4 full days.