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 have language of near about 50 kg. How many charges are i want to pay. From new York to Kansas by bus or by air.
Dear Mangesh,
Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a bus route in our system, you are then redirected to the bus company’s web-page to make the booking and payment. Different bus companies have different policies regarding extra charges, and to not for sure, we suggest contacting the company you plan to travel with ahead of time to know for sure.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
I would like to take a bus to Orlando from Jacksonville I do however have a large bag, due to me travelling from South Africa. Can I take this on the bus with me?
Dear Nicola,
Luggage policies vary from company to company, but generally you will need to pay extra for luggage weighing more than 25 pounds. We suggest notifying the bus company you plan to travel with prior to your journey so that accommodations can be made and to make sure that you can bring your luggage.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
We are 3 people’s and we have total 6 luggages and when I asked to ticket counter dey told me dat we are only allowed to take one baggage and I ve to pay for other luggages,so kindly LL u help me out as soon as possible
Dear Anup,
Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal. To settle this issue, you must contact the bus company you booked your trip with directly.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
Hi. My question is, if I carry 2 bags of 50lbs each. Will I be allowed to board the bus? Will they be able to accommodate both my bags? How much will it cost?
Dear Karan,
Thank you for your message. Different bus providers have different policies when it comes to how much luggage they allow. If you’re travelling with more luggage, you can usually bring the extra baggage at a higher fee. In this case, we suggest contacting the bus company before your trip to let them know so that they can make sure there’s enough room on the bus to accommodate the extra luggage. Prices will vary depending on which company you book with.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
Hi
Might be travelling from Weymouth to Heathrow airport in July.
My question is, can I take my golfbag on the bus?
Dear Lasse,
Thank you for your message. You should be permitted to bring your golf bag provided it fulfills the National Express and is no more than 20 kg. If the item is oversized, then you will need to pay an £8 or £12 for a round-trip-tour. We suggest contacting the company directly to confirm this is all right to bring with you.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
should i send 50 lb luggage or stuff from USA to CANADA with your bus service?
I just want to send luggage? is that possible and what cost?
Dear Ami,
Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t offer bus shuttles. When you click “view deal” on a route in our search engine, you are then redirected to the Wegpage of the bus provider which offers the route. To see whether or not you can transport your luggage, you would need to check with an individual bus provider, such as Greyhound or megabus to see what their luggage policies are and whether or not you can pay an extra fee to have the luggage transported. Typically, if you inform the provider well enough in advance of the trip, it should be alright.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
Hello. I am trying to find a bus that goes to Atlanta, GA from New York (Brooklyn or Manhattan preferred). The address I’m going to is supposed to be in Fulton County.
3540 North Camp Creek Pkwy
Atlanta,GA 30331
Even if you don’t go very close to this address, if you have a bus going to DEKALB County, as long as it is close to a MARTA Station, that could be good enough for me.
There is no rush for me, but I might as well get there whenever your next available bus departs from New York. Please provide cost of return ticket, time(s) departing from New York, etc
Dear Everard,
Thank you for your message. There are buses from New York, NY to Atlanta in our system that connect to the Civic Center MARTA station. Once there, you should be able to travel via local transportation or taxi. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
I’m moving back to my home state and have a large tote of clothes, not a bag, a tote and was wondering if they would allow that on a greyhound
Dear Kylee,
Thank you for your message. According to Greyhound’s terms and conditions, you cannot bring plastic or paper bags or have items protruding from your baggage. While there are no specific mentions of totes, Greyhound does offer shipping containers for a small fee (which varies depending on your city and the type of luggage you need stored). For this specific request, we’d suggest directly contacting Greyhound to make sure it’s all right.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
I am a student from k
JHB moving to CPT am I allowed to put my plates on a 20 liter container as part of my lagguage
Citiliner
Dear Ibongwe,
Thank you for your message. With both Intercape and Eldo Coaches, you can bring two suitcases at a maximum size of 80cm x 60cm x 30cm in size. As long as your plates and container fall within these dimensions, you should be able to bring them. If you’re unsure whether or not this is the case, we suggest directly contacting the bus provider you plan to travel with to check to see what you can bring to reach a solution.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
Can I bring a dog with the bus from Malaga airport to Torre del Mar?
kind regards,
Birgitte
Dear Birgitte,
Thank you for your message. The chief bus operator between Málaga and Torre del Mar, Spain is ALSA. You can bring small dogs which are no larger than 10 kg or 22 pounds on board ALSA buses. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support
I am planning to travel from Gloucester to Tralee by coach. What is the luggage allowance? What are the additional luggage fees? I want to know if my journey would be on the same coach for the entire trip, and if my main luggage can be uploaded in Gloucester and then left until arrival in Tralee? Or does one need to change coach in Bristol, plus off load one´s luggage whilst travelling on board the ferry when crossing the Irish sea?
Dear Helen,
Thank you for your message. Each coach company has different policies regarding luggage. In the case of National Express, you can bring two medium-sized suitcases or rucksacks which must not weigh more than 20kg each or be longer than 85cm. You can also bring a piece of hand luggage that could be stored overhead or under the seat. Additional luggage can only be brought for domestic journeys within the UK, and extra costs from overweight luggage will vary from case to case. To know for certain how much you can expect to pay in this case, we suggest directly contacting the coach company you plan to book your trip with.
You will have to make a couple of coach changes during the trip. First, you can travel from Gloucester to Bristol, and then from Bristol, you can travel to Dublin, across the ferry, via National Express. Once you are in Dublin, you will need to book a separate coach to reach Tralee. You will need to transfer your luggage from each transfer to the next coach you’re taking. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.
Best regards,
Your CheckMyBus Support