Travel by Bus

“I have a question for anyone that can help. We are thinking of taking the bus this summer to our hiking destination.
Does anyone know what is allowed on buses and what is not.
Like hiking staffs, fuel, matches, lighter, trowel, etc...
On the Greyhound online site they say that matches are not allowed with checked luggage does this also apply to carry on.
We have Trioxane Compressed fuel, and wooden hiking staffs.
Any advice would be great thanks.”

“This won't help you, but I know 2 soldiers who were lost in the Mojave desert and hitchhiked on a Greyhound.

They were both carrying M16s.”

“This past summer I had no problem with my hiking poles, but they did not allow fuel.”

“short bus?”

“Long bus with 3 to 4 transfers Will be going from Arkansas to Montana.
last edited: 12/02/05 9:44:01 PM”

“I think bus "security" is almost non-existent.”

“lol Scorch”

“It's cheap but doesn't it take like 24 hours, sometimes, to go what might otherwise be 8 hours? Gonna shoot a lot of hiking time on that bus. Get more people to go and split gas/car(/possibly rental car?) costs.”

“You might want to look into traveling by train instead.”

“Be very careful to watch your packs whenever you change buses - or even at a major stop where a lot of people get off. I know a couple of people who had their packs disappear when they were riding Greyhound to the trail. (One guy's pack was found six months later, when the cheese inside got so rank somebody finally looked to see what it was that smelled so bad.) Losing your gear on the way to the trail sucks big time.

Try Amtrak - it's more comfortable and you can walk around during the day. More expensive, but it can be worth it. Or just keep your eyes open for a cheap flight.”

“Thanks but car trip won't work would still be out most of the money and it would take a big car. I have a 16, 14, and 10 year old that will be going with me.
As for Amtrack that cost would be enormous.”

“The last time I checked, the bus prices had risen considerably. I used Grayhound several times between Melbourne, FL, and GSMNP. Had to transfer in Jacksonville, FL, which was a pain. Yes, it was a long trip, about 22 hours for a 10-11 hour trip by car, w/o stopping for family meals. But when going, they would make a whistle stop to let me exit on I-40's Waterville ramp, where the AT crosses the Interstate, as long as I had everything in the passenger compartment. I would get my pack out of the luggage area at the Asheville, NC, stop. On the return I would get on at Newport, TN. Sometimes they would give me a hassle about no ticket or a return ticket from Knoxville, but we always worked it out, somehow.

It was a long trip and I don't wish it upon anyone. I had a daughter ride from Baltimore, MD, to Jacksonville, FL, once. I met her in Jacksonville, so she would not have to wait there with all the bums in the vicinity. She did not want to do it again.
last edited: 12/05/05 4:53:15 AM”

“According to the website the trip from Arkansas to Montana will be alittle over 2 days with 4 transfers. Not looking forward to it but at moment it is the only way for us to get there.
I own a Suburban (gas hog) but it has been down for about a year. Been using my moms van but it is 3/4 ton and another (gas hog). So for us it problably will be cheaper to take the bus than to drive.
Any more advice would be great. Thanks”

“I have two words to describe bus travel: never again!”

“I took a bus out of the Philadelphia station last year. The bus ride wasn't bad at all, but some of the characters hanging around the bus station seemed kind of scary. I had two people come up to me asking for money.”

“Bus travel doesn't always attract the elite, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. If budget is the driving concern, then a bus will certainly work. I didn't enjoy it, but it got me where I needed to go. I probably could have easily carried my fuel because they don't check, but why take the chance. Denatured alcohol is readily available most places.”