Best bus NYC to DC?

Hope since this trip originates in NYC and I'm going to see shows that are hopefully coming to Broadway, it's ok for this board.

I'm hopefully heading to DC this weekend to catch Next to Normal and West Side Story. What's the best way to get there? I'm assuming bus, since train is outrageously expensive. Any preference between a few bus options I see?

Also, if any bus stops/picks up in NJ, that'd be even better. It's going to suck to take an hour to get into NYC only to backtrack.

Thanks.

from DC to NYC is 20 or 25 bucks each way on Greyhound

How'd I know you'd be an expert on traveling to DC for theater, jordan? :)

Thanks, please keep the recommendations coming.

Ah. Does Mega have power/wifi? I know Bolt advertises that, on some of their buses at least...

MEGA BUS offers $1.00 bus fair to NYC if you are one of the first 10 tickets purchased on that bus trip.

I echo the above sentiments. Bolt and Mega are both great and both do the $1 trips if you book early enough. I've actually gone the boston/nyc trip several times for a whopping $2.50!

I find both to be superior over Greyhound/Peter Pan. Newer, cleaner busses and reallyl pleasant and friendly drivers. Also, you are GUARANTEED a seat on the trip you book, as long as you are there on time. Not so w/Greyhound. They say that your ticket is ONLY good for what you purchase it for; but several times I've gotten on an earlier bus. I'm not sure they will do the same if you miss your scheduled trip.

They both have wi-fi....but Mega's is not always reliable. Additionally, there are no outlets on Mega. However, (from Boston anyway) the Mega schedule has more options.

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The only thing I can advice is DO NOT TAKE the Greyhound bus, if you wanna arrive next day. They usually make this stop on every city & town. Take the NON-STOP trip to NYC to DC. Yes its an hour~but youll save some time in the long run. As a a frequent travelers (day trip) from Boston. I always take BOLT BUS. Its $24.00 (boston is only $20.00) ..its has WiFI and lots of room. It's 3 1/2 hours ....I love this bus a lot.

https://www.boltbus.com/

As for two shows- It may be possible. I have never done it, just because I dont want to arrive back home at 3 o'clock in the morning. I only watch one show~which is the matinee but its is do-able to see two shows.

Damn! There's tons of GREAT SHOWS in DC, lately, huh? Theater here in Boston is a JOKE lately! I'm soo jealous! Enjoy your trip and GOOD LUCK!

J*

I think if you're trying to fit in two shows on one day (just saw that part of the post), MegaBus is your better option simply because Bolt's schedule is VERY limited.

Just because I'm paranoid about traffic and stuff, if I'm seeing a matinee, I take the 6:45am bus down (I've seen it empty and I've seen it packed...no guarantees either way). Gets in a little before noon, which lets me grab something to eat and freshen up a little. Then if I wasn't staying over but seeing an evening show and leaving I'd take the latest one back ~ I think it's 11:15.

My recommendation would be to go for N2N for the matinee and WSS for the evening if for no other reason than N2N gets out at 10:20 best-case scenario, and depending on which Metro train comes first (weekends and nights they, like the ones in NYC, often have construction and a more limited schedule than during the week) it could be a good 20 minute or more ride to Gallery Place/Chinatown or Metro Center once you get ON the train. The National will be a lot closer to the bus stop.

edit... I'm assuming by "this weekend" you mean the 10th and/or 11th. I know the closer in, the more likely you are to have the $20 each way rates pop up. If you mean the 17th and/or 18th, I found that Bolt was actually cheaper there as Mega jacked up their TO DC prices to $45 ~ I guess because of expected demand to go down for inauguration. Hence why I'm taking Bolt that weekend. The total cost was $45. Yes, it's $10 cheaper than most of the "Chinatown" lines, but honestly having been on MegaBus (operated by Coach) when they pulled off at rest stop (or whatever those things on the Turnpike are called) to exchange drivers because ours had hit his time limit and knowing Bolt is operated by Greyhound, I know they have to follow the regulations for bus drivers. I've been on one too many of the Chinatown busses where the driver had obviously been driving for a LONG time and usually stayed on the cell phone the whole time. Literally. I'd rather pay more and know they're operating under transportation guidelines than pay less and risk my life.

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Updated On: 1/9/09 at 07:48 AM

So just you know... Greyhound wont get you to DC by 3 1/2 hours! probably 5 hours...

You have to think about that! I took that godawful bus one time to NYC (on my way home to Boston) and it took me 6 hours, instead of 4 and I SWEAR not to take the bus anymore..that's why I am posting it- I dont want people to experience what I have to endure and also bus HAS NO SCHEDULE- its says it will leave by 9...oh no!.. the bus driver will take his time...he might leave by 9:30 or 9:45 or even wait for the 10 o clock schedule because the bus is not filled up yet.

J*

Updated On: 1/9/09 at 08:28 AM

Bolt Bus stops in Cherry Hill, NJ and you can take it to Phila. and pick up the DC bus from there if you live closer to South Jersey area.

Bolt and Megabus are both good. I also recommend DC2NY and Vamoose. The only caveat with Vamoose is that they don't have stops in DC proper. Dropoff points are in Bethesda, MD and Rosslyn, VA. But the Rosslyn stop is right next to the metro (only one stop to DC and 4 to Crystal City where N2N is playing) and Georgetown is just a 5-10 min walk across the Key Bridge.

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I recommend Boltbus over Megabus, just because Boltbus has power outlets for each seat. Megabus (at least, when I used it) didn't. The actual buses for Boltbus were nicer, as well.

If I were you.. do 1 bus on the way to DC then another 1 on the way home (the one that has more schedule) I do that sometimes ~specially going home- youre mostly likely to be tired and just sleeping....

I like BOLT BUS because its very clean, the bathroom is very clean too and the clientele is okay~mostly college students.

Okay...you guys know me.. its all about the photos, baby! LOL.





More leg room


This is where they dropped you in NYC or pick you up..

Updated On: 1/9/09 at 01:56 PM