With all our coverage of otherbuses, you'd think the only advances in the industry were happening between Boston and DC. But we're happy to report on Oxford Tube, a cheap-but-classy way to commute between London and the original college town.
Buses are souped up BoltBus style, with plenty of legroom, power outlets, WiFi and "washrooms." Early morning departures on weekdays include a light breakfast, which is a nice touch, even if the grub isn't award-winning. The bus even prints up a quarterly on-board magazine called iON, which you can browse online, too.
Despite the perks, the Tube isn't too pricey. One-way trips are £13 ($24), and if you're coming back the same day or the next, a round-trip is just £16. If you want to stay longer than that, a round-trip is still a reasonable £20.
There's no doubt that we're fans of all the new buses that have been popping up lately. But instead of using them simply for transportation, why not use them for a vacation? That's the idea behind Adventure Bus, a company that tours great national parks and other scenic sites across the US in tricked out coaches.
The big see-it-all trip is the two-week Best of the National Parks Adventure Tour. You'll start from Salt Lake City and return there upon completing your adventure, hiking, rafting, swimming and climbing your way through the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and many others. It starts at $1,495 per person and includes most meals and admission to all the parks.
If sitting in a cramped bus isn't your idea of an ideal vacation, no worries here. These rides have been totally redesigned as a lounge on wheels. There are pillows, couches and every night the seating is transformed into "bus beds" so you can catch some shuteye while you cruise on to your next destination.
Jaunted's own Ellen Wernecke just got back from a bus trip. Don't worry: She's recovering.
You know how they always say not to throw good money after bad? Nowhere can the adage be more keenly felt than at the Greyhound desk at the Port Authority in New York, where I decided to try out the veteran bus service's new "Priority Seating" offer.
For $5, I would get to board my bus to Boston first and stand in a special line and... that's it. So why would I pay for something I could just get if I waited long enough? Because I'm a sucker, and I will probably be a sucker again. Why would paying what amounts to a 20 percent surcharge on my already overpriced bus ticket be a good idea?
It's been a rough month for Greyhound. The bus line has been hit with multiple accidents, stranded passengers and money problems. Meanwhile, Greyhound CEO David Leach says that his company is going to be A-OK despite a plunging stock price and rising fuel costs--because the recession is a good thing for bus travel. Leach also thinks Greyhound has nothing to worry about despite rising competition from low cost rivals because he's got a "secret" new marketing strategy.
