TPG's guide to luxury bus travel
Given the ongoing challenges surrounding air travel — ranging from flight delays and cancellations to lost luggage and long airport queues — staying on the ground may be the easiest (and least stressful) way to get from point A to point B. While taking a road trip or traveling by train may take longer than flying, land travel has its benefits.
To start, the slower journey makes it possible to truly appreciate your surroundings, whether you're traveling between forested mountains or past beautiful city skylines. Not to mention, overland options are generally more environmentally friendly and less expensive than flying.
Sticking to ground transportation doesn't mean you have to make major sacrifices on comfort. Even previously cramped options like buses are evolving to attract all kinds of travelers, including those who enjoy a dose of luxury.
Gone are the days of standard buses being the only option for intercity travel. In recent years, luxury buses have emerged to provide travelers with a stylish take on the classic bus journey.
How exactly are luxury buses different from traditional options, and are they a good fit for you? We took a closer look at this elevated transportation option, including a few noteworthy routes, to find out.
What is a luxury bus?
Luxury buses offer a "first-class travel experience that combines the luxury and personal space of a private jet with the affordability and convenience of a motorcoach," according to The Jet, one of several luxury bus companies that launched in recent years.
Unlike regular buses, luxury options provide several comforts and services more commonly found in the first-class cabin of an airplane.
For example, more space is available between seats, as they're typically arranged in a 1-2 setup across aisles. As a result, you'll enjoy plenty of legroom and space for reclining your seat and using fold-out tables for work or snacking.
Additionally, luxury buses come with a number of conveniences, including free high-speed Wi-Fi as well as complimentary snacks and beverages. You'll also have access to a clean bathroom facility, plus various TV-viewing options and attendant services (on select routes).
Related: Why you shouldn't sleep on bus loyalty programs
Why should you take a luxury bus?
There are several reasons why a luxury bus may be the way to go the next time you travel.
To start, there's the price. A bus ride (even a luxury one) generally costs a fraction of what you would pay for a flight and transportation to and from an airport.
Then there's the convenience of using buses. Intercity buses typically depart from depots in city centers and often offer additional connections at rail and airport terminals, making them easy to reach. Plus, there are no security lines to endure, and you are not required to check in an hour before departure. If you're traveling with luggage, all you have to do is place your bag in the cargo area before you board.
Depending on where you're traveling, you may also find that buses are a more efficient way to reach your destination, as some cities do not offer flight or rail service. They're more environmentally friendly than driving your own car or flying, too, so you can feel good about your journey.
Why should you consider a luxury bus specifically? There is plenty of space as well as amenities on board. If you value having extra elbow room, enjoy creature comforts like snacks and drinks while in transit and want to pay the cheapest price possible, then you'll likely find a luxury bus appealing.
Which luxury bus routes should you consider?
The majority of luxury buses operate between major metropolitan areas and popular tourist destinations. While New York City is a hub for many luxury bus routes, others depart from places such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Houston and Dallas.
There are numerous routes to consider for luxury bus travel, but three in particular stand out from others currently available.
The Jet: New York City to Washington, DC
The Jet luxury bus service runs its route between New York's Hudson Yards and Washington's Metro Center six days a week. Offering enough space to accommodate a maximum of 14 people, The Jet provides passengers with lots of legroom at their wide seats. Each seat features a specially designed "motion-canceling" technology called HoverSeat designed to absorb all the bumps you may encounter during the ride.
While traveling to the nation's capital, you'll have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi and a restroom with high-end details reminiscent of what you'd find in a hotel bathroom (such as white subway tiles and black brass fixtures). Plus, you'll receive complimentary beverages (think: sodas, coffee, beer and wine) as well as snacks such as chips and trail mix from an onboard attendant. Bus tickets also include two free checked bags and two carry-on bags.
Traveling from New York to Washington takes about four hours and 15 minutes, and prices start at $99 for a one-way trip. Specific seats are available for reservation in advance.
Vonlane: Houston to Austin
Vonlane offers 22-person luxury buses for travel within Texas. While you'll find routes connecting several major cities in the Lone Star State — including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio — the Houston-to-Austin itinerary is an especially popular option.
As you ride on a Vonlane bus, you can stay connected with free Wi-Fi from the comfort of an oversized leather seat that also features an extended recline and leg rest. You'll also enjoy complimentary food and drinks served by an onboard attendant; keep in mind that alcohol costs extra. Loaner noise-canceling headphones are free to borrow, as are items such as eye masks, neck pillows, blankets and phone and computer chargers.
The trip from Houston to Austin typically takes two hours and 45 minutes, and it costs at least $114 one-way.
Napaway: Washington, DC, to Nashville
For travel between Washington and Nashville, there's Napaway — a luxury bus operator with overnight sleeper coaches. Passengers book one of 18 "personal suites," which feature two seats that convert into lie-flat beds with memory foam mattress pads. Napaway also provides pillows and blankets for the trip.
Standard amenities include high-speed Wi-Fi, a selection of movies and TV shows to watch from personal devices, fold-out desks and sleep kits with eye masks, toothbrushes and earplugs. Complimentary bottled water is also available, though that's the extent of Napaway's onboard food and beverage options.
The 11-hour overnight Napaway itinerary departs Washington at 10 p.m. on Fridays and arrives in Nashville at 8 a.m. on Saturdays. Tickets cost a minimum of $125 for the one-way trip.
Bottom line
Most people don't consider bus travel to be a luxury experience thanks, in part, to the extra time it adds to the journey. However, several recently launched companies now provide more comfortable and upscale ways to hit the road.
Sure, you'll need to pay a little more for a luxury bus ticket than one in a regular coach, but the service is still an affordable option when compared to flying. Plus, you'll enjoy many of the same amenities you would receive at the front of a plane. So, you don't have to worry about squeezing into a tight space without the necessities to keep you comfortable.
Featured photo by Life Journeys/Getty Images.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.