Bus to NYC tips

[Anonymous]

Bumping this thread for recent experiences.
Would like to visit NYC for Memorial Day weekend or possibly July 4.
Amtrak (not Acela) tickets appear to be $500. Does that seem correct?
Otherwise, would love recent feedback on busses (leaving from FFX)
Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

We take Best Bus from the Vienna metro. Very easy, better than going to Union Station, and much cheaper than Amtrak. Made it back from NY in 4 hours last time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread for recent experiences.
Would like to visit NYC for Memorial Day weekend or possibly July 4.
Amtrak (not Acela) tickets appear to be $500. Does that seem correct?
Otherwise, would love recent feedback on busses (leaving from FFX)
Thanks in advance!

$500 per person? Just checked for Friday afternoon departure and Monday afternoon return on Memorial Day weekend. $239 roundtrip for 1 person. Not cheap, but not $500.

July 4 (morning)-July 7(afternoon) seeing $175 per person.

[Anonymous]

I recently took the Vamoose gold and regular busses from Bethesda (I think they also have FFX stops). The gold bus was nicer and had a stop at a rest area on the way up to NYC. The regular bus was good enough that I just went with it for scheduling purposes instead of waiting until later for the gold bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you do this?

Taking these buses is awesome. Depending on where you live it can be more convenient than taking the train, and it is certainly less expensive. Many of the buses are at least as comfortable as Amtrak as well.

[Anonymous]

I've taken Vamoose and Gold Bus from Rosslyn and people are lining up half an hour before. But just a few people. You need to arrive that early only if you feel some need to be early in line and get a particular seat. Plenty of people show up about 10 mins before.

I didn't know about the Tysons one. Good to know. That is potentially more convenient for us.

[Anonymous]

For us getting to Amtrak adds at least 30 mins so the train is going to have to be a lot better to make it worthwhile

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For us getting to Amtrak adds at least 30 mins so the train is going to have to be a lot better to make it worthwhile

+1
This is us, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm taking a bus to NYC for the first time. It leaves from Tysons which is convenient for me as long as I can find the bus at the metro station. It leaves at 7:50, what time do I need to arrive to get a seat with my DH? Any tips, I'm happy to be avoiding Union Station but I love Amtrak.

I've considered the bus, and can't do it......

Don't some let you reserve seats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For us getting to Amtrak adds at least 30 mins so the train is going to have to be a lot better to make it worthwhile

Yeah, same. We usually drive to Metropark, park in the garage there and then take NJ Transit into NYC.

[Anonymous]

We've taken the bus multiple times back and forth (Vienna to NYC) and its been great. We were on BestBus, but my impression is that all of those bus lines are pretty comparable.
I mean, not 1st class, but its only a 4 hr ride... its fine for what it is. The ones I've been on have not been 100% full, and were able to sit together (we arrived about 20 mins early and just lined up).

The say there is wifi on the bus, but I just used my hotspot from my phone which worked well. There are plugs to keep everything charged up.

Its less stressful than driving yourself, much cheaper than Amtrak (most of the time), and for us, the location is better. So all wins.

Its pretty chill... not like the scene from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. When going up for a weekend, I will definitely be taking it again.
For those who want a better experience, you can book "The Jet" ... which is supposed to be a 1st class bus experience DC to NYC. I watched a youtube review for it, and sounds pretty nice, but for me, why spend the extra since I'm fine with the basic service, and the Vienna stop is closer for us.

[Anonymous]

I've done Best Bus and Go Bus from the Vienna Metro -- if you care about your seat (I prefer to sit up front), get there at least 20 min early. Otherwise, 10-15 is fine.

I've done it for work where I go up one day and back 2 days later and I've done it up and back in a day (saw a Wednesday maintinee Broadway show - got up in time for lunch, and scrambled back after the show with a quick stop at Whole Foods for prepared food to eat on the way home). I've gone alone and with a companion.

I've had some "adventures" but more or less everything has always gone smoothly. I always look at Amtrak but end up with the bus. Time and money seems to always be a better option.

We live out near Dulles Airport to getting to Amtrak is LONG and can be pricey - with waiting time and all, not even sure getting there plus the train saves any time at all and certainly is not as cost effective.

[Anonymous]

https://wapo.st/3UqvOPF

[Anonymous]

How is the driving?

I would be worried about the guy falling asleep, taking a turn too fast to make up time, etc.

What is the bathroom situation. Do they have wifi? In-seat entertainment?

Are you almost guaranteed a stranger next to you (if you go alone?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is the driving?

I would be worried about the guy falling asleep, taking a turn too fast to make up time, etc.

What is the bathroom situation. Do they have wifi? In-seat entertainment?

Are you almost guaranteed a stranger next to you (if you go alone?)

Yes, the buses have strangers on them and one will sit next to you, just like on a train or a plane.

Different bus lines have different amenities (wifi, etc.).