Booking a Ticket for the Bus

How can I purchase my bus ticket?

CheckMyBus Support BookingAre you looking for more information about purchasing your bus ticket? Do you want to get more information about special offers, discounted prices or coupons? Or would you like to know if children are allowed to travel alone, how expensive a children ticket will be and if there is a discount for seniors or people with a disability available?

With CheckMyBus you’ll learn about how to purchase a bus-ticket and what you need to know in case of a cancellation or a rebooking. We’ll tell you how you’re going to receive your ticket, either per e-mail or per message to your Smartphone.

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How do I Book a Bus Ticket?

The bus industry is one of the fastest growing transport markets in the US. Thanks to inexpensive prices and many direct and express connections, numerous travelers opt for a bus trip. If you want to do the same, then you can use CheckMyBus to find the right bus route for you. Once you have found it, then all that is left to do is to book your ticket.

Online Booking:
Booking a ticket for the busBooking a ticket online is probably the easiest option. After you have chosen your trip with the help of the CheckMyBus search function, you can click on “View Deal” and you will instantly be redirected to the respective bus company’s website, where you can complete the booking process. Most bus companies will send you your ticket as an e-ticket via e-mail. You can then print it at home or simply use your smartphone screen to show it to the bus driver. Some companies also allow you to pick your printed ticket up in person. When you book a Greyhound bus ticket, for instance, you can collect it at the bus terminal, 7/11 stores or ACE Cash Express stores. In order to do so, you will need to present a valid photo ID and the 8 digit reservation code that you received via e-mail.

When it comes to payment methods, then credit and debit cards are the most common option since they are accepted by all of the bus companies.

Buying the Ticket at the Bus Stop:
Some companies allow you to purchase your ticket directly at the bus stop. On larger bus terminals, such as in New York City, you will find specific selling points of companies such as Greyhound or Jefferson Lines. While this allows for spontaneous journeys, an extra fee might apply and the ticket could be more expensive than an online fare. What you should also keep in mind is that the bus of your choice might already be fully booked. Also pay attention to the fact that not every bus company sells tickets at bus stops: The low-cost provider megabus, for instance, only offers online tickets.

Can I Buy a Bus Ticket for Someone Else?
Greyhound Bus Lines and Jefferson Lines allow customers to reserve and pay for a ticket that is collected by someone else. You have the possibility to buy a ticket online and to choose a bus terminal, where a friend or family member can pick it up. This is particularly handy for customers without a credit card or other means of online payment. The person picking up the ticket has to present a valid photo ID and a password as authorization. However, this service is usually charged an extra fee. In the case of Greyhound and Jefferson Lines an additional $18 have to be paid. There might also be further conditions attached to the pick-up service. Jefferson Lines customers, for example, only have 10 days to pick up their ticket. In addition, only the person who has purchased the ticket can claim a refund.

How can I Cancel or Change a Booking?

When it comes to cancelling a trip or changing a booking, it is important that you know which kind of ticket you have purchased. Greyhound Bus, Jefferson Lines and Trailways, for example, offer both refundable and non-refundable tickets. In general, the latter a bit less expensive. If you are not 100 per cent sure whether you will actually use your ticket or whether you will take the bus at a specific time, then it is recommended to pick the refundable option. Some bus companies, such as megabus, only offer non-refundable tickets. However, you can change your reservation but a small arrangement fee will be charged. The table below gives you more information on the specific cancellation policies of the bus providers Greyhound Bus, FlixBus, Jefferson Lines, megabus and Trailways.

 

Bus CompanyTicket Exchange, Cancellation and Refund
FlixBus
  • Cancellation: Cancel your trip for a cancellation fee per each trip and passenger. The fee varies depending on the date of the original booking and how many days before the trip the cancellation was made.
  • Changing a Booking: Change your Booking up to 15 minutes before departure for a cancellation fee per booked ticket and passenger.
Greyhound Bus
  • Refundable Tickets: Full refund and date exchange for free; No refund when the ticket was already used on parts of the trip, when a bus is delayed or when the ticket was lost.
  • Non-Refundable Tickets: No refund.
  • Changing a Booking: Changing a date or time is charged $20, changing the name of the traveler is not possible. Also pay attention to the fact that certain programs like the commuter ticket pass do not accept exchanges.
Jefferson Lines
  • Refundable Tickets: Refund with 20% procedure fee, date exchange free of charge.
  • Prepaid Ticket Orders: can only be refunded to the original ticket owners with valid receipts and original tickets.
  • Non-Refundable Tickets: Marked with „no refund“. Date/time exchange is charged $20. Online Tickets are not refundable but can be cancelled in exchange for a voucher for future bus trips ($15 cancellation fee is required).
megabus US
  • All tickets are non-refundable.
  • Changing a booking: Passengers can change a reservation for $5 fee between 6-24 hours prior to departure, $1 fee when changed more than 24 hours prior to departure. A new reservation fee of $1.5 is charged. Should there be a price difference between the old and new trip, then this needs to be paid on top. Should the new trip be less expensive, then the difference in price is not refunded.
Trailways
  • Refundable Tickets: Tickets purchased via stations or agencies can be refunded for a 20% cancellation fee.
  • Non-Refundable Tickets: Marked with „no refund“. Online Tickets cannot be cancelled or exchanged.

 

What Happens if I Lose My Bus Ticket?

If you lose your Greyhound ticket or a ticket for any other bus provider, then unfortunately you need to book a new one. If you have only lost the printed version, then you can check your e-mails for the original ticket in order to print it out again. Should you lose your ticket on the way to the bus stop, then you can ask the bus driver or at a service point whether an electronic version of your ticket is ok for you to board or whether they can print out your actual ticket for you. Should you book a bus trip and you did not receive an e-mail, you should check your spam folder before contacting the bus company.

How Can I Save More Money with Discounts?

In order to compete with each other, the various bus companies offer different forms of discount. It’s always worth checking them out in order to find out, which bus provider really offers the best overall deal. In the table below you can see, which bus company provides discount for which customer groups and how to save money with a few easy tricks.

Bus CompanyCoupons and Discounts
FlixBus
  • Child Discounts: Children under 15 can travel at discounted prices, which are calculated from available discounts and rates.
  • Group Rates: Are calculated during the booking process.
Greyhound Bus
  • Midweek Discounts: 15%-40% for bus trip on Tuesday or Wednesday, max. savings for trips before 10 am
  • Small Group Discounts (2-3): 10%
  • Child Discounts: 0-2 years free; 2-11 years 20% (accompanied by adult)
  • Student Discounts: 20% for the bus trip and 40% for shipping service with Student Advantage Card
  • Soldier/Veteran Discounts: 10% (applies to family members as well, booking at the station only), 20% with Veterans Advantage Card
  • Senior discounts: over 62 years 5%
  • Large Group Discounts (>7): Contact Greyhound for personalized prices
  • Loyalty Discounts: Road Rewards Program for coupons and free tickets
  • Attention: Valid Photo ID is needed for discounted tickets
Jefferson Lines
  • Advance Tickets: 10%, 25% and 50% when booked 7/14/21 days prior to departure
  • Child Discounts: 0-2 years free; 2-11 years 25%-40% (accompanied by adult)
  • Student Discounts: 15% with valid college ID
  • Companion Tickets: One ticket at full price, two more tickets 30% off
  • Soldier/Veteran discounts: 10%
  • Senior Discounts: over 62 years 5%
  • City Pair Discounts: Iron Range Routes $5, Northwoods Routes as low as $15, Superior Shores starting at $25
  • Attention: Discounted Tickets are non-refundable. Advance tickets cannot be combined with other types of discounts.
megabus US
  • Regular Deal: tickets starting from $1 for all bus trips across the US on a frequent basis
Trailways
  • Child Discounts: 0-2 years free; 2-15 years 25% (accompanied by adult); unaccompanied children pay full price + $5 fee (booking at the station only)
  • Student Discounts: 15% with valid college ID or Student Advantage Card (only select destinations)
  • Military/Veteran Discounts: 10%
  • Senior Discounts: over 65 years 5%-10%
  • Half Price Program: passengers over 65 as well as disabled passengers & Medicare cardholders 50% on select routes (cannot be combined with other discounts)
  • Attention: Valid Photo ID is needed for discounted tickets

420 Gedanken zu “Booking a Ticket for the Bus”

  1. I would like to make a reservation for a Japanese group, a total of 12, for a round trip from LAX to Disneyland on 3/26, by email.
    The departure from lax, the earliest time bus, and the departure from Disneyland, the latest would be great.

    Antworten

    1. Dear Junko,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus currently only connects long distance buses with fixed plans, so we cannot provide bus rentals for large groups at this time. We suggest contacting a bus rental company to best accommodate your travel needs.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

  2. I think that bought one bus ticket from Belfast Europa Bus to Dublin, O’Connell Street for March 20, 2:30pm. On this site, but I can’t find any confirmation or ticket to print out. In my notebook I wrote: „paid, print ticket“. Is it posdible for you to track my payment, having only my name, date and departure time?

    Antworten

    1. Dear Helena,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus search engine and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a searched route, you are then redirected to the provider’s webpage to complete the payment. Please contact the provider you booked your trip with directly to see if you can get the confirmation for your ticket to print out.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

    1. Dear Magdeline,

      Thank you for your message. When you go to board the bus, all you will need is either a printed, or electronic copy of your ticket on your phone and possibly your ID to verify your identity. If you are making an international connection, you will also need your passport before boarding the bus. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

    1. Dear Raisa,

      Galway has a Central Coach Station that most of buses go to, so it would be best to choose it as destination when you search for your ideal connections on our website.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

    1. Dear Lisa,

      The search results in our search engine show that there are a couple of departures from Bari Airport to Matera on that date, of which the earliest one is at 9:15 AM. You can use our search engine to find the remaining ones, and by clicking on the „View Deal“ button you will be redirected to the website of the selected bus provider, where you’d be able to purchase the ticket.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

  6. Hi!

    I’m thinking of visiting Ireland. Dublin and Cork to be exact. I’ve stumbled upon your website and was wondering what ‚aircoach‘ means? I could take a plane from Cork to Dublin, but thought that a train or bus would be so much nicer, because I can admire the scenery. Also, which stations should I choose as my destination? St. Patrick’s Quay or the airport?

    I look forward to your reply.

    Cheers,

    Raisa

    Antworten

    1. Correction, I meant Dublin Batchelors Walk and not St. Patrick’s Quay. So which one is better as a destination? Dublin Airport or Batchlors walk. I’m just going to Dublin for two nights after Cork.

      Antworten

    2. Dear Raisa,

      „Aircoach“ is the company name of one of our many partners, a bus provider whose departures we show on our website. If you are travelling from Cork to downtown Dublin for sightseeing, it would definitely be better if you chose „Dublin – Batchelors Walk“ as the destination station. You can use our website to find the best time for your departure, and when you click on „View Deal“ you will be redirected to the website of our partner, where you can purchase the ticket.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

    1. Hello H.F.,

      Thank you for your message. Different bus companies have different policies regarding the age cut-off for children’s tickets. Sometimes, this cut-off is as early as 11 years of age for example. To be sure whether or not to buy a child or adult ticket, please refer to the company you plan to book your trip with. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

  8. My husband and I would like to take a bus from San Miguel de Allende to Guanajuato. We have a small dog, who fits in a sherpa bag. He is an emotional support dog, and I have certification for him. Can he come onboard.
    Thank you

    Antworten

    1. Dear Darlene,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is a price comparison portal and doesn’t set bus policies, which are determined by the individual bus providers. To know whether or not your dog will be permitted on the bus, it’s important that you contact the bus provider you booked your trip with directly. Typically certified emotional support and seeing eye dogs are allowed with the proper documents.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

    1. Dear Adrian,

      Thank you for your message. We apologize for the delay, since the office was closed for the holidays. Please note that CheckMyBus is a price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets or set schedules. To change the travel date on your ticket, you must directly contact the company you’ve booked your trip with. Typically this can be done either 24 or 48 hours in advance. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

    1. Dear Gustavo,

      Hello and thank you for your message. There are buses to and from Tijuana Airport that you can find through the intercity bus search engine. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

      Antworten

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