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Bus from Boston to New York City

Updated: January 24, 2024

This post reviews the various bus companies that offer bus service between Boston and NYC.  

We compare the average prices, length of journey, availability of basic facilities (such as Wifi and luggage storage), and more.

Sorting out transportation during your vacation can be stressful, but with this guide it doesn’t have to be!


Buying Bus Tickets from NYC to Boston

There are two very useful sites for comparing bus options between New York City and Boston.

Each is a database that allows travelers to search for specific journeys and compare prices between several different companies.  

Though neither database includes results for all bus operators between NYC and Boston, their selection is vast.

Each website is an excellent solution for those who don't want to review each bus company's offerings separately.


Wanderu

With Wanderu, you simply plug in your departure and arrival destinations, as well as the dates that you wish to travel, and a list comparing several different companies will appear.

Each result specifies the departure and arrival times, the cost of the ticket, and the type of amenities included.

Travelers can then book directly through Wanderu, making the booking process incredibly simple.


Go2Bus

Similar to Wanderu, Go2Bus is another easy way for people to book seats on buses between NYC and Boston.

In addition to showing departure times, cost, and features, Go2Bus also rates each company and allows guests to further narrow their search by limiting the results to specific operators, departure times, or a price range.


Bus Company Reviews


BOLTBUS

Bolt Bus is a popular transportation company that operates around the country and is known for its affordable fares.

They offer several trips between New York City and Boston everyday, so guests can choose from a wide selection of departure times.

As is the case with most companies, Bolt Bus requires passengers to have government issued ID and usually prefers that they provide a copy of their reservation.

Lastly, consider signing up to become a Loyalty member for free, as they get priority seating and are allowed to board first. 

The cheaper or more last minute the ticket purchase, the more likely you end up in category C which boards last.

Length of journey: Between 4 hours & 45 minutes - 5 hours

Average Cost: Approximately $20-$40 each way, however BoltBus offers $1 tickets (only 1 per bus), so you might get lucky, provided you are flexible, book in advance, and you can spend the time researching which ride still has the 1 dollar fare ride available.

NYC Pick-up/Drop-off: (1) New York W 33rd St & 11th Ave or (2 ) 1st Ave between E 38th and E 39th

Boston Pick-up/Drop-off: South Station

Facilities: All Bolt Buses have Wifi, power outlets.

Baggage: No checked baggage service provided. Passengers are restricted to one (1) bag to be placed under the bus and two (2) carry-on bags, such as a purse or backpack.

Carry-on bags should be small enough to fit into the overhead bins.

Reviews: Bolt Bus is a solid, affordable option for those looking to travel between New York and Boston.

Though the facilities are rather basic and seat space is limited,  the affordable price and frequency of trips more than make up for these minor issues.

Some reviewers complain that their bus was late, however this almost exclusively occurs during rush hour as BoltBus (like most companies) does not adjust its scheduled arrival time to factor in traffic.

Yelp Rating: 3 stars. 


MEGABUS

Similar to Bolt Bus, MegaBus is another budget transportation operator that offers several trips between New York and DC.

Though most fares are approximately$17-$36 each way, guests who book several months in advance can occasionally purchase tickets for as little as $1.

Travelers are required to present ID upon checking in at the station. Megabus offers very late departures after 9pm or event after midnight.

Also, for an extra charge you can choose a table seat or upper deck front window seat.

They are ADA compliant, and can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. If special travel requirements are necessary, just state so when booking online.

Length of journey: Approximately 4.5 hours

Average Cost: Approximately $25-$35 each way, though tickets booked in advance are cheaper, and tickets booked at the last minute or during peak times can be much more expensive.

NYC Pick-up/Drop-off: New York, NY , 34th St b/t 11th Ave and 12th Ave

Boston Pick-up/Drop-off: South Station

Facilities: Wifi, power outlets, and are green certified.

Baggage: Passengers are allowed 1 checked bag that can be put below the bus and that must not weigh more than 50 pounds.

Additionally, passengers are allowed 1 carry-on item that should be able to fit in the overhead storage facilities.

Reviews: Though Megabus admittedly receives very mixed reviews for punctuality, the company remains one of the most widely used in the country.

The low price of their tickets and the frequency of their departures make the a popular choice, especially amongst younger travelers.

Yelp Rating: 2 stars.


GREYHOUND / PETER PAN

Greyhound/Peter Pan is one of the largest bus companies in the United States with most of their journeys operate in the northeast.

With most tickets selling for less than $30 per journey, Greyhound/Peter Pan is a very economical similar to MegaBus and BoltBus.

Though their reviews are mediocre, Greyhound / Peter Pan have recently dealt with competition by improving their fleet and lowering their prices.

Reservations can be made by phone or online, but the former is much more expensive. 

Most bus companies only offer non-refundable tickets; Greyhound / Peter Pan has a $20 change fee, which essentially can be as expensive as just buying another ticket.

When purchasing your ticket from NYC to Boston, make sure to check the schedule details since some routes have several stops on the way.

For example, though Greyhound / Peter Pan are partnership companies, tickets booked with the operator Greyhound Express are usually direct journeys, whereas those booked with Peter Pan include a transfer and thus take 2-3 hours longer.

Length of journey: Approximately 4.5-7 hours

Average Cost: Approximately $22-$32 each way, though tickets bought at the last minute can be much more.

NYC Pick-up/Drop-off: (1) Port Authority Bus Station or (2) 30th St and 9th Ave

Boston Pick-up/Drop-off: South Station and (2) Logan International Airport

Facilities: Wifi, power outlets, and extra legroom.

Baggage: Guests are allowed to stow up to 2 bags beneath the bus and 1 carry-on bag that can fit either under your seat or in the overhead.

Reviews: Reviews of Peter Pan / Greyhound are relatively mixed.

While many appreciate the affordable price and extensive number of journey options, several others complain about the company's poor customer service and consistent delays. 

Yelp Rating: 2 stars.


GOBUSES

GoBuses is another smaller company that specializes in bus journeys between Boston, Providence, New York, and Washington, DC.

Tickets are usually a bit more expensive than those on offer by some of the larger companies, but if purchased in advance or for off-peak times, they can be extremely affordable.

Length of journey: 4 hours and 45 minutes - 5 hours

Average Cost: Approximately $25-$35 each way.

NYC Pick-up/Drop-off: 30th Street and 9th Avenue

Boston Pick-up/Drop-off: (1) Cambridge MA, Alewife Bus Station or (2) Riverside Bus Station, 335 Grove Street

Facilities: Wifi, power outlets, and free bottle of water.

Baggage: Guests are allowed to stow up to 2 bags beneath the bus (including bikes or instruments) and 1 carry-on bag that can fit either under your seat or in the overhead.

Reviews: Reviews of GoBuses are also mixed with the biggest complaint being the occasionally mediocre customer service.

However, many reviewers also comment that they had no issues during their trip and appreciated the cheap price of the ticket.

For those hoping to avoid delays, it's best to not travel during rush hour.

Yelp Rating: 3 stars. 


Things to Know

  • Always bring government issued ID. Though it's not a requirement for every company, it makes the check-in process much easier - especially in the unlikely instance of confusion.
  • Have an electronic or printed copy of your seat reservation. Though this is also not always required, some companies will charge you if you don't present this at check-in.
  • If traveling with a bicycle, contact the bus company ahead of time to inquire about available space and reservation requirements.
  • Try to avoid booking a reservation during rush hour. None of the bus companies account for traffic when calculating their estimated arrival times, and so are often inaccurate during peak travel hours.
  • Carefully consider the arrival and departure locations when considering which bus company to select. Some are much more conveniently located than others.
  • If you're worried about not being able to sit in the front or with a particular person, consider paying a few dollars extra for a seat reservation which will guarantee you a place.
  • Always assume that the driver will not stop along the way. Although there are occasional stops in Providence to collect additional passengers, these are brief and do not include a visit to a snack shop for water or food.

Pick-up and Drop-Off Locations

There are several different places from which buses traveling between New York City and Boston depart and arrive.

Here is a list of those locations so you can determine which company may be most convenient to you.


NEW YORK: 

New York W 33rd St & 11th Ave - BoltBus

34th St b/t 11th Ave and 12th Ave - MegaBus

1st Ave between E 38th and E 39th - BoltBus

Port Authority Bus Station - Greyhound / Peter Pan

30th St and 9th Ave - Greyhound / Peter Pan and GoBuses


BOSTON: 

South Station  - Greyhound / Peter Pan, MegaBus, and BoltBus

Cambridge MA, Alewife Bus Station - GoBuses

Riverside Bus Station, 335 Grove Street - GoBuses

Logan International Airport - Greyhound / Peter Pan


RHODE ISLAND:

Providence, Canal Street and Smith Street - GoBuses

Brown University, Lloyd Ave. - GoBuses

NOTE: Greyhound / Peter Pan offer some direct buses between New York City and Boston, but most routes make several stops throughout Connecticut and New York state.


Guides to Public Transportation in NYC and Boston

As both NYC and Boston are very congested cities, it is often easiest to get around via public transportation.

Though the Metro and Subway can be a bit intimidating at first, each is relatively easy to navigate once you understand how they work.

Below is a list of several guides we have written on how to use public transportation in both New York City and Boston.

Boston: 

New York City:


Things to Do in NYC and Boston

Both Boston and New York City are vibrant cities with many different activities from which to choose.

Below is a list of some of our favorite tours in each city, as well as a collection of our favorite activities and sites to see.


Boston: 


New York City: 


+++Free Tours by Foot wishes you safe travels. Don’t forget to check out our famous pay-what-like-walking tours of New York City and Boston!+++

About The Author

Brian Burgess

I was born in Cambridge and have been living in the Boston area all my life. I am a graduate of Boston's Emerson College with a degree in communications with a journalism/history focus. I have been leading tours for Free Tours By Foot Boston since it was started in the city of Boston in 2012, and enjoy sharing my knowledge of Boston's rich history with not only the guests on my tours, but with everyone I meet. <a href="https://freetoursbyfoot.com/contributors/brian-burgess/" Read More...
Updated: January 24th, 2024
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