OLD

I missed out on the $1 fare (yes, it really is $1) that you can get on Megabus if you book in advance, but I payed only $15 for a one way ticket from NYC to Boston this past weekend and I was pleasantly surprised.

I must admit I had some predisposed notions about the comfort of bus travel (Oh are you taking that Chinatown bus?), but with the cost of Amtrak tipping over $100 for many trains, you've got to look for some other options, especially at off-peak times.

The bus didn't have the most efficient boarding system at Penn Station, but once I was on I enjoyed my stop free ride to South Station, relaxing in the AC and surfing the web on my MacBook. My only compliant was that 'movie sharing' sights were blocked from their WiFi network and I was looking really forward to an afternoon of vegging to Lipstick Jungle.

If you can't book on MegaBus, a division of Coach USA, I've heard good things about BoltBus, a division of Greyhound, that has similar services between New York and Boston for only $1. Boltbus even has electrical outlets at every seat.

My prediction? I think this bus thing could catch on. MegaBus says their average clientele is "young professionals", a trend I took note of on my trip. So cut back on traveling and save money for your next NYC shopping trip... 5th Ave... Zara...new Top Shop... and now we're heading towards a new post...

http://www.megabus.com
http://www.boltbus.com