Touring - Transporting bikes via Greyhound

Hello,
We leave friday night by Greyhound to our touring destination. Does anyone know the price per bike? Im a little concerned, because we are being transferred to different buses twice. One of them is a bus line different than Greyhound. Does anyone know if we will be charged twice for the bikes due to this? Also, our stop is only a drop off location and doesn't have an actual terminal. If for some reason they tried to put our bikes on a different bus we would be in bad shape. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon

Make sure when you get on and off, that you have your bike moved (you may have to physically do this yourself). Ask people if you're not sure. Be vocal as hell. If you don't, and they fail to move them from bus to bus, you'll have to wait til the next day or so to pick it up.

The fee you pay for the bike is for the whole trip. Greyhound often has contracts with other carriers for parts of their routes. As mentioned in Blaise's post you need to make sure your bike makes the transfers.

I travelled cross-country on Greyhound with my loaded bike once- the worst problem I had was that they required a bike box (and they say their max is 4 ft or so- I'm a little fuzzy on that detail), but no station I passed through, all the way across the country, actually HAD such a box, and I spent hours looking around one town for one with no luck. In the end, I ended up wrapping it in plastic.

It's BS anyway, as there is a TON of room under those busses, and their box rules are to protect other peoples' luggage, not your bike :)

Its pretty easy to keep track of your stuff- its not hidden from you like on an airplane. Just pick a seat on the same side they load your stuff and you're likely to see them loading an unloading your bikes. Also, though the other buses may not be "greyhound", it seems that once you're on, the policies are constant from bus to bus.

As this is something I'm interested in for an upcoming tour, I called Greyhound. The box size allowed is quite ample, like 82" in length and up to 100 pounds. The charge is very nominal if you are traveling with the bike. Treated as part of your luggage.

My experience with Greyhound was rather unfortunate, however I'd imagine it could go much better.

We packed our bikes in boxes, and they let us on. At every transfer station they told us that there might not be room under the bus for our bikes, so we always tried to be the first ones on the bus and never had trouble. After our bus caught fire and they had to transfer us to another one, things got trickier because we were on totally different buses than we were supposed to be.

My advice is: just be persistent about getting on with your bike and getting where you need to go, and they tend to accommodate you.

Also, make sure you bring packing supplies (e.g. fork brace) if you intend on getting a box from Amtrak/Greyhound/etc. Tools should be a no-brainer.

I shipped my bike via greyhound and it was $1 a pound. I was sitting outside the Greyhound station in Denver (I would go inside next time). Make sure you have your bathroom and supplies all ready for the tear down. I got lucky and some police showed up to ticket taxi drivers :) I had too move too big heavy boxes.



I think if I was correct you pay $10 bucks. For an oversized luggage. Also the bike box was 10 dollars. I would call ahead to see if they have them. One last thing bike boxes are extremely small. So I would practice. Go to a LBS they usually have free boxes.

Hello,
We leave friday night by Greyhound to our touring destination. Does anyone know the price per bike? Im a little concerned, because we are being transferred to different buses twice. One of them is a bus line different than Greyhound. Does anyone know if we will be charged twice for the bikes due to this? Also, our stop is only a drop off location and doesn't have an actual terminal. If for some reason they tried to put our bikes on a different bus we would be in bad shape. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon

You're leaving on Friday and you haven't checked into all this with Greyhound yet? You might want to get on the phone today.

I've only travelled by Greyhound, with my bicycle once, and each time they changed busses they were very rough with my bicycle (packed in a box, of course) and threatened to put it on a different bus or leave it behind. At the last terminal they told me it would definitely go on a different bus and that I would not see it again for a few days. I asked if there was any way it could go on the same bus as me, and they told me the only way would be if I went down to the end of the platform, with my bicycle etc., and begged and pleaded with the bus driver to let my bicycle on. So that's what I did, and my bicycle travelled with me ... although the bus driver was very reluctant and made me wait till everyone else had boarded and all the luggage had been stowed before he put my stuff on.

The longer the trip....the more tricky Greyhound gets. For short trips, with only one bus, it's easy. As soon as you transfer buses....all bets are off.

Although airlines are no better.....

I get a box at a bike shop and use that....never had any trouble. I've also shipped bikes by bus across the State and had them picked up. Cheap and easy.....

Okay, I know it won't do the original inquirer any good, but maybe someone in the future has the same question. As a cyclist who has used Greyhound numerous times I think I can do a reality check on the Greyhound bike scenario. Disclaimer: it's always best to confirm requlations with Greyhound in advance for bike regulations.

READ THIS CAREFULLY!
Take nothing for granted!
Bikes must be boxed. I recomment fitting your bike in the smallest box possible!!! Other people may pack heavily and there may not be room for your bike.
I strongly recommend insurance for peace of mind.
YOU are responsible for transfering your bike (you may also be able to pay a special fee for assistance)
Note: Watch your bike like a heart transplant, make sure it gets on the bus or you may very likely never see it again!!
Price is based on the weight and duration of trip-they need your ticket to process (min $20)
Note: Some ticket agents don't know the greyhound policy and you may or may not get a cheap deal for transporting your bike. I might even print out the greyhound regulations for them. Also be aware that you must pay a fee for each individual (non-continous) trip. This does not mean transfers, but trips were you have two seperate tickets (like you decide to visit friends along the way and get on the bus a few days later to continue your journey.
Be Kind, respectable, and ASSERTIVE... this is your bike we are talking about.

Okay, do I sound absolutely insane? Sorry, but I've done 36 hours on buses numerous times as a money saving thing. Also Greyhound raised its rates about 3 years ago and now Amtrak may be a very comparable price.

Given the choice GO AMTRAK!!! Boxed bikes $5-10. With advance notice they may even be able to sell you a bike box. Boxes are huge!! Simply lower the seat, loss the pedals, turn the bars and you're good. So much easier! The seats are better, the environment is better, the people are better... and it may be only a few dollars more (if you book in advance) Do confirm baggage car!!

Hope this helps...somewhat

i would like to add my two cents if i may.....

I worked for Grey hound for a little over a year, during that time i handled 15 maby 20 bikes. now most of the were boxed and ready to go, but a few were not. ( our terminal didnt sell them , but we knew where passengers could buy them.)

A word to the wise, when getting on or transferring buses talk to the baggage handlers let them know wich bus you are going out on and make sure that you see it being loaded on your bus..( slipping the handeler a few bills wont hurt either)

From Pedaltheglob.com:
Greyhound just might be the worst company in the USA. The bikes survived for the most part.


Maybe Jon will elaborate.