Would you consider taking a Greyhound bus for this long??

[crazytimes]

Ok my brother is graduating from college in May down in Florida. My parents and sisters and flying down for the weekend and I was hoping to meet them.

Problem is, I have searched and searched and cannot find ANY cheap flights. Cheap as in, under $200. At this point I just can't stomach paying more than $200 to fly to Orlando for the weekend. I can fly out of Providence or Boston, but nothing is good! I have checked every airline I can think of, Southwest, JetBlue, ATA, and all the major ones...cheapest one I found was $211, and when I clicked it, was told "sold out."

I doubt my parents could loan me any money - they are barely scraping by as it is and are trying to keep costs at a minimum.

I really don't want to miss this, but it looks like my only option is Greyhound bus. The pros are: only $158 rountrip, most of it is during the night so I could sleep, would have a possible 3 hour layover in NY so I could have a little fun. The cons are: 31 hours on a bus and I miss 3 days of classes (and we only get 4 cuts per class, then they prof. can drop us!)

I just can't make up my mind! I've only been on a Greyhound once for 4 hours...I can't imagine being on one for 31 hours???

[MrsLisaP]

I rode a gryhound bus from CA to Oklahoma, I was on 27 hours, before I actually got off early on a stop and had someone pick me up. I honestly couldn't take it anymore, it made me literally sick, not sure why but it did. I was so sore all over, I swore off greyhound forever. However, last year my kids and I rode 13 hours to TN, and it wasn't bad at all, and aside from being crammed in the backseats (3 in a row) by the bathroom it wasn't too bad, aside from them laying on me the whole trip and making me sore.

I can tell you one thing, if you sit in a bus seat for 31 hours you will be sore!

By the way, if you did fly what aiports would you leave and arrive at?

[Nightowl69]

31 hours?? yikes that's a long trip

[crazytimes]

I would leave from either Provdidence (T.F. Green) or Boston (Logan) and fly to Orlando (MCO).

The problem is I have to coordinate my times with my parents. I can't arive later than 2PM on the 30th and can't depart before 3PM on the 3rd, which makes it difficult.

[Jaxxie]

Try Airtran they usually have resonable prices. I have flown them numerous times.
[url]http://www.airtran.com/[/url]

That amount of time on a bus, no I think I would save my money and buy a plane ticket. On the bus i would assume you will stop to eat..you will have to pay for that. Add that plus your sanity into the bus ticket price and you will come close to the price of a plane ticket.

Good Luck!!!

[freesurfer]

I would spring for the air ticket as well.

[cata5]

What is the next highest price that you are looking at? How long have you looked for tickets? There might be a cheaper ticket just around the corner if you can hold out.

What about a bus to another city to fly out of? It might get more complicated, but if you really don't have the money it might be worth a look.

[bestmidwest]

I would just wait until a week or two before and then start looking for last minute flights. I cannot imagine 31 hrs. on a Greyhound and you really can't miss that school!

[AndersonGal]

Note: The only time in my life I took a GH Bus trip......
*A group on the bus were men just released from prison.
*The bathroom was an No-Can-Do for this gal. YUCK!

Enough said?

[chendric126]

Have you checked expedia, orbitz, travelocity and cheap tickets. I can usually find decent fares with those. You could also try priceline as a last resort if your times are flexible.

[lightning1966]

Back in my ummmm "younger" days, I used to take Greyhound from West Virginia to California. That was a 72 hour trip. I was crazy enough to do it more than once. Would I do it now? Absolutely not. ;)

[Rockabillie]

[B]What about Amtrack? [/B] It goes down I-95 to Florida. Price is a little more than a bus, but less than a plane and way more comfortable than a bus.

[MrsLisaP]

I checked expedia. Boston to Orlando leaving May 30 and coming back June 3. Arriving in Orlando at 10:36 AM leaving at 4 PM and the total is: $200.40

If you could change the times or work with it a little, it's as low as $179

I'd say spend the extra $42.40
and save your self your body, food money and the 31 hour trip.

I ALWAYS use expedia to book my flights, and they change their prices for the better a lot, so as long as you book at least 7 days I can nearly promise a ticket for well under $200 before then.

[MrsLisaP]

The more I started thinking, the prices may not go down much so if you find a good deal now you might book. That weekend is Memorial Day weekend, so they probably won't get much cheaper.

by the way expedia has boston to orlando

get to orlando at 11:11 and leave at 3:40 for $215.04

Heck if it came down to it, I'd help you raise the $42 to NOT take the bus!

[crazytimes]

Thanks for checking!! But I am actually traveling April 30th-May 3rd.

Southwest would have been PERFECT, but all their Fun Fares are all sold out :(

I didn't even THINK of Amtrak. I think that might be kind of fun...??