About a month ago now, my girlfriend and I went to Chicago. We choose megabus because we heard ‘ok’ things about it. All I have to say is ‘buyer beware’ – avoid at all costs!
At first glance, megabus looks great. Cheap-ish rates, direct service, better than greyhound, wifi on bus, etc. However, the real story comes out once you start your journey. Enroute to Chicago, the ambient temp on the bus was ~50 degrees or so. The wi-fi wasn’t equipped or wasn’t turned on. It was packed (this was expected though). On the way home, well..the freaking bus was 2 hours late to get to our pick-up spot! WTF. The driver didn’t know how to drive a bus, it seemed. He also got lost in Milwaukee.. WTF #2. Wi-fi was on, but we couldn’t associate with the access point…the driver “didn’t know how to work such fancy technology thingies” – FAIL! – get trained in on your equipment, sir.
Ok, rant about megabus is over. Bottom line: You will probably be disappointed with the service. Google search for “megabus sucks” and see all the other stories of how bad this company is.
Chicago was neat though – we got to see “The Bean” (below)
And we ate at a bunch of restaurants, went shopping, saw a protest, walked around the city, among other stuff. Cool place there.
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Sometimes I feel like the megabus was the worst decision of my life.
Also, nice picture of the bean… whoever took it must have some awesome photography skillz
I use the megabus all the time, to save on money, and to get work done on the ride home to Ann Arbor. I have ridden the megabus at least 15 times and only had one real issue when a bus broke down. I love it and would reccommend it to those who need to save money and want to help by not driving their car!
No, the megabus is definitely a pile of crap. I can fly to Chicago for $49 dollars and it costs $80 to take the megabus.
The sold-out 3:30 p.m. Megabus to Indianapolis-Cincinnati was 2 hrs late departing Chicago yesterday, as it was when I took it 8 wks ago. The bus into Chi on Fri the 24th had no AC–outdoor temp was 80+. With consistently full loads, the company has no incentive to improve. It truly does suck.
That IS a nice photo of “The Bean.” Very nice job. As a native of Chicago, let me say two things: Whenever you choose the least expensive way to travel from Chicago, I guarantee it will be CROWDED with the poorest of the poor and not necessarily with courteous and thoughtful people. They will bring big bags of clothes and stuff them wherever they can fit them, because they can’t afford suitcases. A lot of the poor don’t eat nutritiously and are obese. Sometimes they will have so many bags with them that they will turn their legs inward hogging up part of your legroom, as well. My advice: spend a few bucks and take Amtrak. If you sit in the “QUIET CAR,”
That IS a nice photo of “The Bean.” Very nice job. As a native of Chicago, let me say two things: Whenever you choose the least expensive way to travel from Chicago, I guarantee it will be CROWDED with the poorest of the poor and not necessarily with courteous and thoughtful people. They will bring big bags of clothes and stuff them wherever they can fit them, because they can’t afford suitcases. A lot of the poor don’t eat nutritiously and are obese. Sometimes they will have so many bags with them that they will turn their legs inward hogging up part of your legroom, as well. My advice: spend a few bucks and take Amtrak. If you sit in the “QUIET CAR,” you will be assured of a very peaceful and comfortable ride.
P.S. to Jeremy — Chicago IS the best city in the world to live and work in. We have miles of the most beautiful lakefront because the designers of Chicago wanted the lakefront left as public parks for the people. We have famous architecture, sightseeing riverboats up and down the Chicago River, opera, theater, movies, free concerts in the parks, nightclubs galore and lots of job opportunity. In essence, Chicago has everything that New York has but is CLEAN, more beautiful and with friendly people. It also covers a much larger land area from the border of Wisconsin to the border of Indiana. I came here years ago to visit my aunt and never left. I loved Chicago immediately upon setting foot on it.
I love Megabus. Only late once — 45 minutes because of mechanical problems. Drivers were polite, buses not crowded. Riders were mostly seniors and college students. I think it beats Amtrack to pieces.