From time to time, weekend getaways are a must to stay sane while waiting for your vacation time to roll around.  With only 2 or 3 days to spare, you might decide against the hassle of an airport or the cost of filling your gas-guzzler in these fuel cost fluctuating times. So what’s left to do? Why not let someone else worry about directions, traffic jams and tolls? Spike Lee never steered you wrong– Get On The Bus!

Long gone are the days of antedated buses with rock-hard seats that allowed no comfortable position. Long gone are buses that made frequent stops while you endured boring travel times. Bus companies like MegaBus (subsidiary of Coach USA) and Bolt Bus (subsidiary of Greyhound) have completely raised the standard for the “feel” of a luxury ride at a fraction of the cost of an Amtrak ticket and even more perks than an in-flight experience.

Both MegaBus and Boltbus were launched in 2008, which was an excellent time to attract recession-stirred folks looking for alternative modes of travel. Offering modern buses, outlets, free Wi-fi and extra legroom these buses quickly became the ideal choice of transit for college students, penny-pinching backpackers and even entrepreneurs who frequent major cities for business or pleasure. Recently, they have become extremely popular with the white-collar population, who can set up their on-the-road “office” with ease and comfort.

Currently, both companies are neck-to-neck in competition, take a look for yourself how they measure up:

MEGABUS STATS:

The Look- A sleek double-decker design equipped with tables and cup holders. Serves the US, Canada and the UK.

Destinations- Boasts more destinations than Bolt Bus, covers various important cities on the East Coast, and stretches as far as the Midwest.

Price- Fluctuates depending on amount of travelers. Completely dependent on the day of the week and time of day, but does claim to have $1 fares for those who book first!

Rumors- Drivers have been known to leave people at “rest stops” and have to eventually turn back around to pick them up. On any given ride, your bus might be as hot as Hades or as cold as Antarctica.

BOLT BUS STATS:

The Look- No sunroof view here, just a plain ol’ coach bus that seats less people than the MegaBus, which might work for you (less noise on the bus) or against you (you might have to sit next to…you guessed it, a stranger!)

Destinations- Spreads love to major East Coast cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Baltimore.

Price- Runs on same theory as MegaBus. Additional perk: Take 4 round-trips within a year and 5th one is free!

Rumors- Some riders have acknowledged they have stiff seats, temperamental Wi-fi, and the occasional smelly bathrooms.

So who wins the battle between Bolt Bus and MegaBus? Book a weekend getaway and find out for yourself.

TAGS: AMTRAK, BOLT BUS, MEGABUS, Tracey Calvo Clarke