I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Bolt Bus is the best, most fuss-free way to get from New York City to Boston and back (or DC, Baltimore or Philadelphia if that’s your plan). A recent trip to Boston cost only $38.50 round-trip. $38.50!! I caught the bus in Midtown and got off of the bus at Boston’s South Station. Point A to point B with no nonsense.
Here’s an example: a 6:30 am bus on a Saturday took only 3 ½ hours on the way up (no stops, no traffic) and a 2pm bus on a weekday took only 4 ½ hours on the way back with one 15-minute stop for food and a bit of traffic (I guess the stops are at the discretion of the driver). The bus is clean and modern with nice “pleather” seats, a restroom that wasn't gross and free wifi (which works most of the time). Even the other passengers seemed to be free of any whiff of “Midnight Cowboy” creepiness.
Helpful hint: print out your boarding pass to show the driver. Bolt Bus is a modern operation and in theory you are allowed to show the driver your confirmation code on your smartphone, but I've heard it through the grapevine that this sometimes doesn't work out so well.
Cost, comfort & convenience. All in, Bolt Bus beats flying – and even taking the train – hands down. www.boltbus.com (photo courtesy Boston.com) UPDATE: July 2012 - I am re-thinking my Bolt Bus crush. My cousin was recently on a Bolt Bus, bound for NYC from Boston and the bus caught on fire! She and friend fled out of an emergency window and sustained a broken toe and bruised rib, not to mention busted fun NYC weekend plans. Will I ever take a Bolt Bus again? I've never had a bad expeience, but click here for the video of my cousin's fire-ball bus, so you tell me!
