Boston to New York Bus Comparisons

Which Boston - New York bus service is best?

Although all 6 choices reviewed on this page get you back and forth between Boston and New York, amenities range from luxury to no-frills, with a couple of attractive mid-range options.

All buses have on-board restrooms. Travel time listed on this page is based on what the bus companies state; in reality, traffic can add another 1 to 1.5 hours each way.

Megabus Service from Boston to New York

Amenities:  Megabus uses luxury 81-passenger double-deckers for its Boston New York bus service with free WiFi and power outlets. Most buses also have seatbelts.
Stations: Boston - South Station; NYC - Penn Station vicinity (check website for exact location)
Travel time to NYC:   4 hours, 15 minutes
Typical 1-way fare:   About $5 - $20, with some $1 fares available on every trip; ticket cost is higher closer to departure date, so it pays - literally - to make your reservations as early as possible. Overall, Megabus fares average out to be the lowest among Boston-New York bus fares, plus Megabus service hits the "sweet spot" for providing the most desirable amenities combined with low fares - my definition of the best bargain!
Other cities from Boston: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Burlington, Hartford, New Haven, Secaucus NJ (and of cource New York)
Click here to securely book your ticket on Megabus

LimoLiner from Boston to New York

Amenities: Plush and roomy seating on this luxury Boston - New York bus service, with each of the 28 seats at a window or on the aisle, newly released DVD shown on every trip; satellite TV and radio, free WiFi and power outlets, pillow and blanket, hot and cold drinks - even a glass of wine in the evening, light meal (bagels, scones, croissants at breakfast; salad, sandwiches, fruit and cookies later), and snack service provided by attendant
Arrival/Departure: Boston - Back Bay Hilton (40 Dalton Street, across from Pru Center near Huntington Ave); New York - Midtown Hilton NYC (1335 Avenue of the Americas at 53rd, by the Etrusca Restaurant)
Travel time to NYC:   4 hours
Typical 1-way fare:   $69 - $89 - making LimoLiner generally the most expensive Boston-New York bus service
Other cities from Boston: Framingham, MA - NYC service
Book tickets:  Online

***Bonus*** Discounted rates at the Hilton *** Both the Back Bay Hilton and the Hilton New York offer special LimoLiner deals. Check the LimoLiner website for details. Read reviews for the Back Bay Hilton and for the Hilton New York.

Inside the luxury LimoLiner Boston to New York bus - photo by Melissa, www.nycinsiderguide.com

My friend Melissa, publisher of NYC Insider Guide shares her recent LimoLiner experience (and photos):
"Great experience! It is a luxury coach bus . . . reservation process was easy and the bus left on time.
The Limo Liner provides complimentary internet access as well as a movie, CNN on TV, a full meal, snacks, beverages, and in the evening, wine.
The attendant was very friendly and the ride was smooth, even though we hit traffic and the trip was about 5.5 hours. The front of Limo Liner has regular coach seats, and cell phones can be used. The back of the bus has full tables and is a cell-free zone.
Having traveled many times on the Acela, I can easily compare the two. Limo Liner is slightly less money, and includes a meal, movie and internet. However, travel is time longer. Acela is faster, less likely to face delays, but meals and drinks are extra and internet access is not available unless you have your own broadband card."

Bolt Bus - Boston to NYC

Amenities: Bolt bus offers free WiFi and power outlets.
Stations: Boston - South Station; NYC - Penn Station vicinity (check website for exact location)
Travel time to NYC:   4 hours, 15 minutes
Typical 1-way fare:   About $10 - $21, with occasional $1 fares; ticket cost is higher closer to departure date; walk-up fares are about 30% higher
Guaranteed seat?   Yes, if you book online and arrive at the boarding point 15 minutes before departure time. Other cities from Boston: Philadelphia
Book tickets:  Online up to 2 hours before departure

World Wide Bus - Cambridge and Newton to NYC

Amenities: World Wide Bus provides free WiFi and high-back seats on its 56-passenger coaches - and the only bus service between Cambridge, MA - New York City and Newton, MA - NYC - a huge bonus to students from Harvard, MIT, Boston College, and all the other colleges and universities in Cambridge and Newton.
Arrival/Departure: Cambridge - Alewife MBTA station (end point for the T's Red LIne); Newton - Riverside MBTA station at 390 Grove Street); New York - 8th Avenue and 31st Street, near Penn Station
Travel time to NYC:   4 - 4.5 hours
Typical 1-way fare:   $15
Book tickets:  www.worldwidebus.com

Fung Wah Bus - Chinatown Boston to Chinatown NYC

Amenities: Fung Wah offers no-frills low-cost bus service between Boston's South Station (near Chinatown) and New York Chinatown
Arrival/Departure: Boston - South Station; New York Chinatown - 139 Canal Street at Bowery Street
Travel time to NYC: 4 hours (may include 10 minute fast food / smoking stop)
Typical 1-way fare: $15
Other cities from Boston: None
Book tickets: Online at South Station

Lucky Star Bus- South Station to NYC Chinatown

Amenities: Free WiFi on some buses
Arrival/Departure: Boston - South Station (near Chinatown); New York Chinatown - near Grand Street Subway Station at 55-59 Chrystie Street at Hester Street, next to the Comfort Inn
Travel time to NYC: 4 1/2 hours (may include 10 - 20 minute fast food / smoking stop)
Typical 1-way fare: $8 - $25, with most at $15
Other cities from Boston: None
Book tickets: Online

Insider tip: Boston - New York bus tickets

Boston's huge student population competes with business and leisure travelers for seats on the buses between Boston and New York. It's not unusual for ALL buses to completely sell out around weekends, and getting reservations for certain holidays such as Thanksgiving can be notoriously difficult. Best tip: book early, and make sure your seat is confirmed!

Other Ways to Go from Boston to New York

In addition to driving (my least favorite way to travel between Boston and NYC) you have 2 other choices: Amtrak train service, and flying - specifically, cheap flights.

With Amtrak, you also have 2 choices:

Regular service - 4-5 hours and costs about $60-$95
High-speed Acela - 3 1/2 hours, and costs $95-$126; offers power outlets and Wifi on all Express service between Boston, New York, and Washington D.C.

Seats are spacious and comfortable, work space is great if you're using a laptop, and food and beverages are available to buy - although both Penn Station and South Station offer much better food choices than you'll find on board.

Unlike the Boston - New York bus services, the Acela does not get impacted by heavy traffic on the highway. My experience has been that it doesn't always depart or arrive on time, and equipment issues occasionally cause significant delays. However, for convenience, comfort, and general reliability as well as a pleasant ride through the New England countryside, I love the Acela.

The Acela Express departs/arrives from South Station and Back Bay Station in Boston, and Penn Station in New York.

Cheap flights to New York from Boston usually cost about the same or 10% - 20% less than the Acela, and may be faster door-to-door, even with all the airport security. Although any savings may be eaten up by ground transportation time and expenses if you're heading into most areas of Manhattan, flying can be the best choice if your target destination is outside of the city.

Sometimes, however, you can find really cheap fares - too low to pass up! A good place to check for cheap New York flights is on Expedia. Don't forget to also look for special deals for NYC hotels as well. Or, cheap Boston hotels if you're coming this way.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 6 BEST BUDGET TRAVEL BUS COMPANIES IN THE US

BT INVESTIGATES

6 Best Budget Bus Companies in the U.S.

They’re eco-conscious and tech-friendly. Some serve drinks. A few sell tickets for a buck. But the best reason to ride one of the new regional bus lines is as simple as two words: gas prices.

July/August 2011 issue | Subscribe to the magazine

Our intrepid reporters—editors, readers, friends (and moms)—hit the road to evaluate the experiences.

MEGABUS
Midwest & Northeast
Cities Served: 50+
Everything about Megabus is mega. The British brand's blue double-decker fleet (each emblazoned with a smiling cartoon of a driver) now serves over 50 cities in the United States and Canada, making it the biggest player on the block.
If it were an airline, it would be: United Airlines
Contact Info: 877/462-6342, us.megabus.com

BOLTBUS
Northeast
Cities Served: 8
BoltBus is operated jointly by old-school Greyhound and Peter Pan, but it's much hipper than its parents. For example, send a complaint via Twitter, and the issue will often be addressed by the techie team before you step off the bus.
If it were an airline, it would be: JetBlue Airlines
Contact Info: 877/265-8287, boltbus.com

$1 Tickets: Are They For Real?

Much like discount European airline Ryanair, America's budget bus lines first grabbed the spotlight with shockingly low teaser fares. But it takes strategy (and luck) to land those rates; in fact, there's often only one super-cheap seat per ride. The best rule: Book weeks in advance. Megabus and Tripper sell their $1 seats on a first-come basis, while BoltBus off-loads theirs on a random date to deter scalpers.

LUX BUS AMERICA
L.A., San Diego & Vegas
Cities Served: 4
Sure, Lux Bus offers door-to-door service between Southern California hotels. But the line's bread and butter is its cushy L.A.–Vegas route: leather seats, free snacks, and free beer and wine so you can start the sin before you hit Sin City.
If it were an airline, it would be: Singapore Airlines
Contact Info: 877/610-7870, luxbusamerica.com

VAMOOSE
Northeast
Cities Served: 4
With service between New York and the D.C. metro area, Vamoose has options for any capital commuter. Senators can choose the $50-each-way Gold Bus (which has added legroom), while interns can pay with campus cash from local colleges.
If it were an airline, it would be: Delta Shuttle
Contact Info: 212/695-6766, vamoosebus.com

TRIPPER BUS
Northeast
Cities Served: 3
Tripper Bus, which runs between New York and the D.C. area, values loyalty: after buying 8 one-way trips, you'll pick up a one-way for free. In addition, each ride includes one $1, one $5, and one $10 ticket—a steal for frequent buyers.
If it were an airline, it would be: Southwest Airlines
Contact Info: 877/826-3874, tripperbus.com

REDCOACH
Georgia & Florida
Cities Served: 16
Debuting last spring, RedCoach still has that new bus smell. And with only 27 business-class leather seats per coach—each reclines to 140 degrees—you'll be relaxing in style. Consider it training for those sunny Florida beaches.
If it were an airline, it would be: Virgin America
Contact Info: 877/733-0724, redcoachusa.com