Question about those cheap bus travel from Boston to NYC (to buy, buses)

[Deef1]

I need some opinions please...What about the cheap bus rides that go between Boston S.Station and NYC... Are they Safe? What I mean is...do you recommend them for an inexpensive way to go to the city for a day? Again, Single female traveling alone kinda thing?

There is a specific event in NY. Travel would be midday TO NY taking a cab directly from the bus stop then back to the bus by cab late at night (10pm_ish) getting on the bus back to S. Station and then a cab home.

Please stay on topic with your responses. Just want to know...is it safe? Any recommendations or worries? Your advice is appreciated!

[Cantabridgienne]

The only company I won't use anymore is Fung Wah--lousy track record, lousy personal experiences with drivers going too fast.

As for safety for women...it's a bus ride--what might be unsafe about it? It's kind of like asking if flying or taking Amtrak is safe for a solo woman.

[altlover85]

I used Bolt Bus last week and had no problems at all. The ride was safe, cheap, and had wifi and electrical outlets. I wasn't traveling alone, however I am a relatively small male and I didn't feel unsafe. I arrived in the afternoon and left in the afternoon so I can't speak to the safety at night although I would think it wouldn't be too different at night. The bus picked us up and dropped us off near the Tick Tock diner, which is between 34th and 35th St. and 8th Ave.

One last bit of advice I would recommend is to make sure you buy your ticket in advance so you don't have to be on standby.

[Deef1]

Originally Posted by altlover85

I used Bolt Bus last week and had no problems at all. The ride was safe, cheap, and had wifi and electrical outlets. I wasn't traveling alone, however I am a relatively small male and I didn't feel unsafe. I arrived in the afternoon and left in the afternoon so I can't speak to the safety at night although I would think it wouldn't be too different at night. The bus picked us up and dropped us off near the Tick Tock diner, which is between 34th and 35th St. and 8th Ave.

One last bit of advice I would recommend is to make sure you buy your ticket in advance so you don't have to be on standby.

Thanks for the input here. Appreciate it!!! Think of anything else, let me know. I would like to ask...how are they on timing? Did they seem to run on time? AND...let's say the schedule says 2pm...what time does boarding begin?

[altlover85]

They board 10-15 minutes before the scheduled departure so for a 2 PM departure think 1:45-1:50 PM. They were great about being on time when I went down to NYC, but the return trip was made a half hour late due to flooding in Connecticut. Overall they were fine. I would be there at least 20-25 minutes before departure.

[Cantabridgienne]

Atlover85, which company are you talking about that garuntees a seat with a pre-purchased ticket? Greyhound and Megabus don't offer this, and neither doees Fung Wah or Lucky Star. All it does is elimiate the need for you to buy a ticket at South Station. If you have a pre-purchased ticket and all the seats fill up before you get on, you're still going to have to wait for the next bus.

I've also found most buses (Greyhound and Megabus are the ones I take most frequently) are on-time, but I still like to get there at least a half hour early to line up. Being the last person on board and getting stuck next to the bathroo for 4+ hours isn't fun.....

Deef1 which company are you planning to use? You understand there are several that go from Bos-NYC, right?

[altlover85]

None of them guarantee a seat if you have a ticket, but if you get there before boarding time and have a ticket you don't have to worry about standby on BoltBus.

[Deef1]

Originally Posted by Cantabridgienne

Deef1 which company are you planning to use? You understand there are several that go from Bos-NYC, right?

BoltBus. Reason is it drops off about 1.5miles from my destination location which is a conference on 52nd Street. Conference doesn't end until 8:30pm so I was going to have to slip out 1/2hour early. I was thinking leaving at 8pm would give me time to get a cab to where it picks up being only 1.5mi away with no probs. 8:30p is the last bus of the night. Will I be okay...if I leave right at 8p to the stop?...it would be on a Monday evening, not a weekend.

[altlover85]

I've never had to pick up the bus at night on a weekday so I am only guessing here, but I would leave myself at least 45 minutes. It might be a slow night, but if you are at this conference other people may want to be hailing cabs around the same time. I would think Boltbus would be moderately busy, but not too bad as I can't see tons of people wanting to go back to Boston on a Monday night.

To conclude, I think you need to allot yourself enough time to try and catch a cab, while I think the bus itself shouldn't have a huge line.

Good luck!

[Deef1]

Originally Posted by altlover85

I've never had to pick up the bus at night on a weekday so I am only guessing here, but I would leave myself at least 45 minutes. It might be a slow night, but if you are at this conference other people may want to be hailing cabs around the same time. I would think Boltbus would be moderately busy, but not too bad as I can't see tons of people wanting to go back to Boston on a Monday night.

To conclude, I think you need to allot yourself enough time to try and catch a cab, while I think the bus itself shouldn't have a huge line.

Good luck!

Thanks for the help :-) I appreciate it!!