Touring - Greyhound bus with a bike?

Anyone used a Greyhound bus with a bike? Where? Was it OK? Do you pay extra for the bike? Do they insist on it being boxed and/or dismantled??

I pulled this off greyhound.com. I have not done it personally, but I may soon for trips that are local to me. It looks to be a lot cheaper than flying with a bike. I would also check ahead of time to make sure they have a bike box if you will need one.


May I bring along a bicycle as checked baggage?
Yes. A bicycle can be considered as one (1) piece of allowable luggage. Bicycles will be transported when disassembled and contained in wood, leather, canvas or other carrying case that does not exceed 8" x 32" x 60" and which is securely fastened. There is a $15 - $25 fee assessed for excess, oversize or overweight items as defined in the section "Will I be charged for baggage" and "What are the restrictions on checked baggage?" above. Customers may also purchase bicycle boxes for shipping at an additional $10 per box.

I used Greyhound for the first time this summer when I did my Quebec tour. no hassle with travel on Greyhound and no extra charge for the bike, However getting a bike box from a Greyhound agent was a hassle. Greyhound is like a franchise ,it a loose collection of regional carriers that operate under the Greyhound name and each does things slightly different.The regional carrier I had to use supplies no Bicycle boxes. For your own sanity just get a bike box from a bicycle shop( it will be the correct size). Greyhound will not handle the bike, you have to lift it in and out of the cargo hold on your own. The other caveat is that if the cargo hold is full you may have to wait for another bus even if you had reservations.so make sure you are at the front of the boarding line if you are traveling during a holiday or on a busy route.

Rick

This is correct for other bus lines as well. I took a Jefferson bus to Colorado some years back. I also used a bike box from a local bike shop. The bike was stored under the bus in the cargo area. I had to remove the pedals, saddle, handlebars (with break levers still in tact. The LBS was great at helping me figure out how to get it all in the box (including one set of panniers). The other set of panniers went on the bus as "carry on". I took a cheap crescent wrench with me to assemble the pedals. I left the wrench and box at the bus station. Really not too bad. Hope this helps.

I have seen photos of a Dahon folder packed in a canvas carrying case. Not much larger than a big backpack. It occured to me that a bagable Dahon might make a good "Greyhound bike". Ride the dog to a new city. Tour the city on the Dahon. Come nightfall, you and the Dahon hop back on the bus and head down the road to the next city.

I don't know if they still have this program, but Greyhound used to sell a ninety day pass that allowed you to travel across the 48 lower States. With a ninety day pass and a Dahon, I suspect someone could see a pretty good chunk of America.

Hi,

I have used Greyhound many times, when the need arose, but use caution. They want it in the bike box but two things. If you have to change buses, most places will NOT guarantee the bike can be taken on the transfer bus and they will lay the box on its side and throw as many boxes, bags and crap on top of it unless the bus is almost totally empty and the drive is approachable. THey get so many peole with so many complaints that they fail to understand, (a) just what amount of money you have invested in the bike itself, (b) it is your vehicle for the next three months.

Sometime the trains are just as bad but I have had better luck with Amtrak, it's their schedules they cant keep is the big problem and the Nazi car stewards. At small staions, I have disassmbled and boxed my recumbent and give much consideration from the train folks and even a gentle hand when they loaded it, never had damage. The big stations(Amtrak in Chicago) the baggage folks down in the basement where you have to pcik up your bike or send it off are super and went out of their way tis past summer to insure my budy and myself had our bikes ttrated well.

I think sometimes, it would be less hassle and more piece of mind to ship your bike ahead by UPS, Fedex or one of those guys and have it waiting when you arrive at you start point and not try to save 50$ dragging it with you on a bus or train. You can also insure for replacement cost with these people and you are limited on what greyhound and amtrak will assume lose and liability for(I think (250) fro thebuse line.

Michael

I have used g-hound several times, never know what to expect. I'v found that a crumpled doller and talking to one of the handlers as a fellow human makes the job essier.