Luggage on the Bus
What am I allowed to take with me on the bus?
You’re looking for additional information on luggage? What are you allowed to take with you on the bus? Do you want to know if you’re allowed to take a bicycle or stroller with you? Will it be possible to take your dog or an additional piece of luggage with you – and are there going to be extra-fees?
With CheckMyBus you’ll learn all about what you’re allowed to bring along – from luggage, oversized-luggage, carry-on luggage or bicycles.
Send us your comments and questions. – We’re here to help!
Baggage Allowance on Buses
Taking the intercity bus is easy and so is bringing luggage. As opposed to going by plane, there are no long queues in front of check-in counters. Instead, you can usually simply take your carry-on luggage on board with you and give larger suitcases to the driver for him to store in the luggage compartment of the bus. However, there are some things to consider: What is the maximum baggage allowance? How large or heavy are the pieces of luggage allowed to be? Can I take my wheel chair? What about baby strollers on the bus? If you are looking for the answer to any of these questions, then read on as we have compiled a detailed overview over the luggage policies of several major US bus companies.
What Kind of Luggage can I Bring With Me?
There’s two types of luggage: the one you take on board with you and the one that needs to be stored in specific compartments. It is highly recommendable to store valuable items in your carry-on luggage since they will be safer there. Also, taking you tablet or laptop on board with you, generally makes the time pass much faster. A rule of thumb is that the carry-on luggage should be small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of the bus or under the seat in front of you. So taking a handbag or a rucksack should not be a problem at all. When it comes to larger luggage items such as suitcases or oversized back bags, then they can usually be stored beneath the passengers’ cabin. However, the individual bus companies have individual baggage allowance policies. Whereas on Greyhound Bus, you can only take one suitcase for free, Trailways allows you to take two. Also note the size limits. In general the weight of your bag should not exceed 50lbs. If you have heavier luggage, then some companies allow you to store it in the luggage compartment, but they might charge a specific fee. Some companies like megabus, on the other hand, do not allow oversized or overweight luggage. The same goes for bicycles: Some companies are fine with you taking your bike, while others will refuse it. If your item of luggage is really big or heavy, then you might have to ship it via a bus parcel service, such as the Greyhound Package Express.
Take a look at the following table to find out how much luggage you’re allowed on Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, megabus and Trailways. You should, however, note that some companies, such as Trailways, offer journeys which are conducted by smaller bus operators. So if in doubt, find out who exactly serves the bus connection of your choice and contact them for more info on their respective baggage allowance.
| Bus Company | Baggage Information |
| Greyhound Bus |
|
| Jefferson Lines |
|
| megabus US |
|
| Trailways |
|
Useful Tip: What to do with your luggage while you’re in the cityThe last thing you need while exploring a new and exciting city is to drag your suitcases with you. Fortunately, there are services that allow you to find a convenient and secure place to store your luggage. Book your luggage storage with BAGBNB
Bookings are made online on the BAGBNB website. |
Wheel Chairs, Baby Car Seats and Strollers
Wheel chairs, baby car seats and stollers are necessary items, which is why there are specific rules for them. They do not count as oversized/overweight luggage, but can usually be taken on board for free. Taking a baby car seat or a stroller is not a problem with any of the major US bus companies. If you want to take the bus while remaining seated in your wheel chair, then this is usually ok as well. However, note that there’s a standardized weight limit for safety’s sake. The overall weight of the wheel chair and the passenger in it must not exceed 600lbs. If it does, then the wheel chair will be stored in the luggage compartment and the passenger has to refrain to a normal seat on the bus.
If you want to take the bus as a wheel chair user, then it is necessary to contact the respective bus company in advance. We to do this a few days prior to your desired date of travel in order to make sure that there is still a wheel chair space available. Also make sure to be at the bus stop a bit earlier so that someone can help you with baggage storage or other possible issues.
| Bus Company | Wheel Chair, Mobility Scooter and Baby Stroller |
| Greyhound Bus |
|
| Jefferson Lines |
|
| megabus US |
|
| Trailways |
|
What Happens if My Luggage gets Lost?
In general, every passenger is responsible for their own belongings. This is something that is particularly true for carry-on luggage. Greyhound Bus, for instance, cannot compensate you if your handbag, which you should carry with you at all times, is lost. It is different, however, for luggage items stored in the baggage compartment of the bus. If it gets lost or stolen, you can file a claim. Greyhound Bus Lines and megabus US, for instance, will reimburse you up to a maximum of $250 per adult ticket. If you have bought a child ticket on Greyhound then the maximum compensation is $150. If you travel with valuable items, then you should check whether a luggage insurance is an option for you. Greyhound, for instance, offers this. Should your luggage or parts of it be lost, then you should also contact the bus company directly. Most of the bus companies, like megabus, offer specific Lost and Found offices which try to locate missing items. Sometimes, however, there might be a time limit: Greyhound, for instance, tries to recover your lost luggage for 15 days. Afterwards the inquiry will be treated as a claim for reimbursement.
Are Animals Allowed on Board?
Unfortunately, animals are not allowed on board. However, if you are in need of a guide or assistance dog, then you are usually able to take them on the bus trip as well. Make sure, though, that the service animal is properly trained and always under your control. The bus company megabus US, for instance, also demands that service animals be properly harnessed.
I am coming from Akron ohio to Wichita falls tx and i have 5 bags how much extra is it gonna be
Dear Kim,
If you’re traveling with Greyhound bus service, you’re allowed to bring two pieces of checked baggage. That being said, the 1st piece is free of charge. The 2nd one is free with the Flexible Fare, otherwise it’d be $15. Two bags cannot exceed 100 lbs in total. Besides, you can bring a carry-on baggage up to 11 lbs that fits in the overhead compartment or under the seat.
For your extra baggage, you’ll need to check it at the Greyhound Package Express counter. Altogether you can ship up to 5 pieces of extra baggage at a discounted price of $35 – $45 each in addition to the ones you’re allowed to take on board.
Please bear in mind you’ll need to show proof of purchase for your ticket to get the discounted shipping rate. Other than that, it’s only valid when you’re traveling at the same time.
Should you need any further assistance, feel free to contact us again! CheckMyBus wishes you a safe and comfortable journey!
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
My luggage feels heavy,but I weighed it and it’s less than 40lbs… does megabus have a scale to check it again?
Also, can duffle bags be taken on bus as a carry on?
Dear Passenger,
Please kindly note that megabus allows 1 piece of luggage per reservation that is less than 62 inches (total length + width + heighth) and under 50 lbs. So, in your case, it should be fine.
As to your second question, you can take a carry-on bag that’s small enough to fit in the overhead compartment or under your seat. For any extra luggage, you’ll need to purchase an extra ticket for additional luggage space on the bus.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus-Support
Dobry den,
mohu se, prosim, zeptat, zda mohu cestovat autobusem s malinkym pejskem? Pojedu Vasi linkou z Curychu do Prahy. Velmi dekuji, s pozdravem Dubecka
Dear Michaela,
Thank you for your request. Unfortunately none of the providers currently operating routes from Zurich to Prague allows dogs on board.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus-Support
Can your luggage be searched by law enforcement if it is stored in the luggage compartment under the bus?
Dear Rebecca,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Unfortunately there isn’t enough information available to give you a reliable answer. Although the Fourth Amendment seeks to protect citizens against governmental intrusion, there seem to be no other regulations involving luggage privacy.
We recommend getting in touch with the operator of your choice to get more specific information.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
I’m wanting to travel from heathrow airport to reading with 2 passangers and 2 road bikes . Please advise if there is a bus company who will take bikes and if so what is the maximum packaging size .
Dear Jan,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Fixed-frame bicycles are normally not carried on board buses in the UK. Folding bicycles, on the other hand, might be transported depending on available space.
Best regards,
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
What size of luggage is allowed in best bus
Dear Rajiv,
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, BestBusTravel has suspended its service and does not operate anymore.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
Hi
I plan to travel from Postojna to Trieste on either 29 June or 30 June. I will have a folding bicycle in a bag and some other carry on luggage. Will that be Ok? Will there be extra costs to pay. How often do the buses run?
Dear Carol,
Trips from Postojna to Trieste are offered by Baltour and Autotrans. Unfortunately, in general these bus companies do not transport bicycles. However, both of them allow additional luggage if there is enough space. We therefore recommend getting in touch with the companies directly in order to ask whether taking a fold-up bicycle is ok on the trip of your choice.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus-Support
Hello,
I am moving out from Brussels to Prague and would like to send 3 pieces of luggage (around 20kg each) to Prague, without me physically going by bus. (i will take a flight).
Is it possible to use your bus transportation for that? how much would it cost?
Thank you
Joanna
Dear Joanna,
Please, note that we are a search engine for bus travel and don’t have our own bus fleet.
However, we are always happy to provide assistance to our users.
We have checked with our partners and, unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any bagagge shipping services from Brussels to Prague.
If there is anything else we can be of assistance with, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
My wife and I would like to take two bicycles from Ljubljana to Villach. Is this possible?
Dear Wayne,
the trip from Ljubljana to Villach is operated by FlixBus. Once you have found a good trip and you click on „View Deal“ you are instantly redirected to the FlixBus website, where you can also see whether there’s bike slots available for the individual connections. You then have the chance to instantly book your ticket and the bike transport.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
Me and my wife would like to travel from Munich Central Bus Stand to Innsbruck, Austria by bus on the morning of 21st September, 2015.
Please inform the bus timings, the best possible fares and how much luggage is permitted to be carried on the bus.
Thank you
Dear Sanjay,
You can find the cheapest bus tickets by using CheckMyBus with just one click: When using the search engine, just type from: “Munich, Germany” to: “Innsbruck, Austria” and select your desired departure date. By clicking “Find now!” you will see all the available bus trips.
On your desired departure date, there are currently 18 bus trips throughout the whole day, which are all operated by the bus company MeinFernbus. The first departure takes place at 07.30 am and the last one at 10:20 pm, with the fares for the trips ranging from $9 to $14 per person.
Regarding the luggage allowance, in general, each bus company has its own luggage policy. In your case, MeinFernbus allows you to take one piece of hand luggage with a maximum size of 16 x 12 x 7in and a maximum weight of 15lb. Additionally, each passenger can take up to two pieces of normal luggage, which will be stored in the luggage compartment (maximum size of 26 x 20 x 11in per item and a total weight of 66lb). Any luggage exceeding this allowance is subject to an additional fee and needs to be registered at the customer service before the departure.
If you need further information on the bus company MeinFernbus, you can find all the necessary data – including on overview over the company’s on-board features – when clicking “Bus Companies” and then selecting MeinFernbus.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus-Support