Megabus Review: A bargain, or complete scam? Our thoughts

Megabus is one of America's leading intercity bus service and long-distance coach operators. How does it compare to other bus services? Is it worth it? Learn more about Megabus in this in-depth review.

Without a car, traveling can be challenging—even more so when you have to drive miles and miles to reach another city. If you can't afford expensive plane tickets, your next option is riding a bus.

If you live in the US or UK, you might have heard of Megabus. What is Megabus, and how does it make travel cheap and easy in America?

We've previously reviewed other bus transportation operators such as Busabout and Busbud. In this article, we'll review one of America's most popular transportation operators: Megabus.

But first, what is Megabus, and where do they operate?

What is Megabus?

Megabus is an intercity bus transportation operator providing low-cost travel services in the United States, Canada, and Europe. With Megabus, you can explore America's most dazzling cities for the lowest travel costs.

Founded in 2003, Megabus is part of the Stagecoach Group. This company operates buses and trains in North America and Europe.

So, where can you go with Megabus? Aside from local travel, Megabus also offers long-distance travel for people who prefer ground travel over air travel.

Most of their long-distance journeys currently connect America to the New England region's cities (USA). But, recently, they've also launched stations in the southern US and the Appalachian region. Megabus also connects US and Canada through Toronto and Buffalo.

How much does Megabus cost?

MegaBus offers tickets starting as low as $1, which are bookable from your smartphone or computer. Megabus has transportation hubs all around the US, serving over 100 cities and different university campuses.

Depending on the time of year, Megabus prices can vary. It's also typical to find cheap tickets on weekdays instead of weekends.

How to buy a MegaBus ticket

You can reserve Megabus tickets on their website. After booking, you will get a confirmation email with the ticket. Although you can screenshot the email on your phone, printing the ticket is a much better option as you'll have to show this ticket to the driver before boarding.

Schedules vary daily, so you must check their website for up-to-date information. Large cities often have routes scheduled, but smaller regions have several routes changes a year.

Megabus best features

Professional Staff

Megabus has professional drivers that guarantee your safety wherever you go. Each bus also has a driver assistant who takes care of passenger luggage. You can bring one piece of luggage that will be stored under the bus and a carry-on bag on board; additional baggage will cost an extra fee.

Free Wi-Fi

Megabus offers free Wi-Fi on almost all their vehicles, enabling you to connect to the internet during the trip.

Short Stops Between Stations

Megabus will make short stops at gas stations or mini-stores for long trips as well as trips that are delayed due to traffic. On these journeys, you can get food or use the restroom.

Luxury and comfort

Megabus has double-decker buses that offer luxurious comfort. The buses are well-maintained and clean, with one bathroom for passengers. There are in-seat outlets, panoramic windows, and reclining seats.

Track Your Bus

Megabus has a real-time bus tracker via a mobile app where you can search for your route and service. It will also show you the arrival and departure times of other Megabuses. Despite not being as accurate as a GPS, it's pretty good at calculating the average time it will take you to reach your destination.

What do people like about Megabus?

Passengers of Megabus have lauded the company for their comfortable seats and enjoyable upper deck rides. Many customers find the seats well-sized, and the ability to lean back makes any long-distance bus ride very comfortable. You can take a nap or sleep on the bus without feeling any discomfort.

The bus has all the comforts you need for an enjoyable ride with free Wi-Fi, charging outlets, and a clean bathroom. Many passengers praise the politeness and friendly nature of Megabus drivers.

How does Megabus compare to other busses?

Compared to other bus services, Megabus is exceptionally cheap. Because of this, it has some drawbacks. The bus seats are comfortable but cramped and placed too near each other, which means the buses sometimes have too many people.

Many of the Megabus reviews have also claimed that they've experienced horrible bus and bus driver quality onboard their trips, with reports of unhygienic seats, loud and worn-down busses, as well as unprofessional drivers.

Also, a rampant problem of delays. Many passengers have experienced 10-20 minute delays in the bus service. Most of the time, the delays are caused by road incidents common to many bus services.

Is Megabus worth it?

For travelers who like riding buses, Megabus can be a great experience. Not only is it cheap, but it's surprisingly comfortable for a low-cost bus service.

However, while Megabus is great on paper, the reviews of Megabus online may disagree. With the abundance of negative Megabus reviews all pointing to similar issues, its hard to ignore the lax quality control Megabus has on its busses and driver quality. If you have other options that are of similar price points but better reviews, we recommend you go with the alternative.

Our Rating: 3.3/5

Pros:

• Decent seats with legroom
• Professional staff
• Mobile app with bus tracker
• Free Wi-Fi‍

Cons:

• Crowded
• Frequent delays
• User reported poor bus/driver quality
• Frequent Refund issues
• Frequent miscommunication issues

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