Megabus?

[Tradd]

Has anyone used Megabus?

I'm in Chicago and will be going to Cleveland for a long weekend in the summer to visit friends. If I bought a ticket right now it would be $80 + whatever tax. If I remember correctly they have wifi on buses AND power outlets at all seats (yay!). I've heard some good things, but wondering what you folks had to say?

The bus would take a bit longer than the drive, but not too much. Plus with the way gas is going, it might not be a bad idea - even though I drive a Focus which gets good mileage.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks!

[Bastelmutti]

Yup - it was fine! The seats are kind of narrow, so be prepared for that. Also, no assigned seats. For the trip I took, the price of the seat was less than gas at the time.
PS In Chicago the stop is out on the street, so be prepared for the weather.

[Tradd]

Yes, the Chicago stop is right around Union Station.

I've never taken the bus before, so I was wondering if it was worth it.

[madgeylou]

i took the megabus from pgh to nyc and back. i was not comfortable -- it just seemed like the contours of the chairs were in all the wrong places. the wi-fi didn't work, and even if it had, it really felt too cramped to get my laptop out.

it might be okay if you are tiny, but i am not and it was not a fun ride. my only comfort was the massive italian sub i got in brooklyn and ate on the ride home. the food coma saved me.

i have thought about paying for 2 seats so i could stretch out. not sure if they would honor it or not.

[Tradd]

I'm not tiny. Got hips! I have an iPad, so it's easier to work in small spaces than laptop. Being cramped sounds miserable. I hate it.

That's good to hear. The bus times aren't the most convenient either, given our plans for the weekend.

[CatsNK]

I Looooove the Megabus. In these parts it costs $80 R/T on the train to NYC. The Megabus leaves from exactly the same parking lot and arrives just next to Penn Station, and costs anywhere from $3 (yes!) R/T to $50. Great savings. AND - it can be faster than the train! The train does all kinds of construction/track work in the summer season, delaying those trains for hours. The Megabus, meanwhile, is often early! I've taken it several times and had nothing but great experiences. I recommend it to everyone.

[mira]

Megabus operates here in the UK too. I have got it numerous times without any problems. Fares are cheap. It's a bus, it's not going to be luxurious. I never take my laptop with me travelling, so I can't comment on the wifi. I don't think they have it here on the buses anyway. Don't know why anyone would want to use a laptop on a bus to begin with - all bumpy and squished!

[sweetana3]

Megabus is great with a few issues. In our city, there are no shelters of any kind for waiting for the bus or getting off the bus. It stops on a major street with nothing except the city county building and some businesses around it. So drop off and pick up are kind of iffy unless you have someone help you. One man had to leave a big tote of "stuff" in Chicago because they would not let him bring it on the bus or stow it. Dont know if the contents were not allowed or too big. He left it in Chicago. Handicapped issues. If there is a lot of snow, it can be very difficult to manage luggage and getting on and off. Friends found this in Chicago.

[bicyclist]

I have taken Megabus from Philadelphia to New York City and back. The trip went well.
The bus was clean and comfortable, crowded with students and others typing on their computers on two levels. I can't say that we were on time exactly but getting out of New York to New Jersey often involves considerable waits due to the sheer amount of traffic. One does run into delays on the trains or when driving as well. It was an interesting and different way to travel and not at all what I expected.