Budget bus travel tips

The detailed strategies live in the guides section; this is a quick summary of what works.

• Book at the schedule open. Megabus releases new schedules 60 to 90 days in advance with $1 floor fares for the first few seats. Book then or pay several times more closer to departure.
• Travel mid-week or Saturday morning. The cheapest departures are Tuesday and Wednesday all day, Saturday before 9 AM, and Sunday early morning. Friday afternoon and Sunday evening are the most expensive slots.
• Subscribe to operator email lists. Megabus, FlixBus and Greyhound all run two to four flash sales per year with codes worth 10 to 20 percent off.
• Compare across carriers. Megabus, FlixBus, OurBus and Greyhound often compete head-to-head on the same corridor. Search all four for any specific date.
• Travel light. Skip the underbus bag if you can. A 30-litre backpack lets you board faster, walk off faster, and avoid the underbus claim queue at the destination.
• Plan the destination arrival. Curbside stops are not always near a transit hub. Map the walk from the stop to your accommodation before boarding.

For everything in detail, work through the long-form guides.