I first heard about Megabus being available in the United States from a woman in Texas who I assessed, based upon her expensive jewelry and clothes, and, yes, big hair, would never ride a bus or any form of public transportation.
She was slightly embarrassed to admit to our group of equally coiffed women about to board a cruise ship to Mexico (I was the last minute invitee to round out the group) that she had enjoyed her ride on the Megabus from San Antonio to Galveston “and it only cost $36 USD roundtrip!” We were all intrigued.
Texas is a large state and driving between major cities–Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Galveston–will take anywhere for four to twelve hours. Yes, twelve hours and you are still in Texas. The state has two time zones after all. Air travel isn’t cheap and security is a hassle for many. But a bus?!
The Megabus adventuress assured us the double deck coach was clean, people were quiet and “they weren’t as poor as you thought they’d be.” (cringe) I vowed to take the Megabus from Dallas to Houston and back next time I wanted to see my lifelong friend, Cally.
I realized I wasn’t going to Houston as often as I’d like because my car was old, I become sleepy when I drive the 241 miles between the cities, the flight is too expensive and, well, I just didn’t enjoy the hassle. I logged on to Megabus.com to see my options.
I was stunned. Megabus travels extensively not only throughout the US, but Canada and Europe. Who knew? I booked my roundtrip from Dallas to Houston for less than $50. Had my friends in Houston been willing to pick me up from the downtown stop at 1 am, my roundtrip cost would have been $4. Yes, $4.
There are two Megabus stops in Dallas. The one I chose was downtown at the local public transportation bus transfer center. Passengers had already started lining up on the sidewalk when I arrived.There was just a small Magabus sign and a couple of attendants with Magabus shirts. You are allowed one bag to check and carry-ons that will fit under your seat. Everyone seemed to follow this rule, unlike airplane travelers who insist carrying half their belongings and are indignant when the flight attendants make them “gate check.”
A family in front of me had one too many bags. there was a moments confusion about what they were going to to when the man in front of them offered to put one on their smaller bags into his large suitcase, thus avoiding an extra charge for anyone. An easy solution. Everyone was happy and we all boarded the bus slowly and quietly.
The bus was clean. The rest room is a port-a-let, but, it, too, was clean.
We arrived in Houston in the same amount of time it would have taken me had I driven my own car, about four hours. The driver asked if we all remained seated until our bags were taken off—and we did it! We stayed seated. There was no jostling and grabbing bags to be first to de-board like on an airplane. Peaceful.
My return trip was just as pleasant.
BethenyReid 