What should I expect on my first trip using the Grey Hound bus going from New York to Toronto?

Question

All I want to know is: How long will the trip be? What should I bring? Do you or your baggage get searched at anytime during the trip? If you have any more information, please feel free to post. Thank You.

Answer 1

A long and very boring bus ride.

Answer 2

I am not sure of how long it would take, but I took the Grey Hound form Illinois to Forthood, Texas, and it took 2 and half days. It sucked pretty much. There are some pretty stinky people, so bring something to try and fade out the smell. I think you get to have one carry on luggage, and two that go under the bus. They do have dogs sniff the under carriage, but they do not go through the luggage unless they have probable cause. I would also advise you to personally make sure that you take your luggage and put on any bus that you change on to, other wise it could get lost or stolen. I Had a bag end up missing, and I havent seen it for almost 3 years now! Haha. Anyway, that is about all I can tell you about the wonderful adventures of traveling Grey Hound!

Answer 3

Your trip could be a few hours or possibly longer, depending if Greyhound runs on time (which doesn't happen here in Illinois), the bus breaks down, no seats are available and you have to wait for the next bus, etc. I've taken greyhound just a
few times before and it's not my ideal way of travel. The last time I traveled (last summer), I only had to go through a metal detector at security...no taking off of shoes or anything.

I just had a carry on bag on board with me and watched the driver put my large suitcase at the bottom of the bus. I HIGHLY recommend that you use a bright colored scarf or something to help find your suitcase quicker on the bus, especially since the suitcases tend to get tossed on top of each other. Also, make sure that your cases have your contact information (and keep the barcode thingy on your luggage ticket) in case your luggage gets lost. If you're going to be staying at a particular place for a couple of days, you may want to even include that information.

Items to bring on board:
Hand Sanitizer/Handiwipes
Books/Magazines--help pass the time
Music/headphones--good for drowning out excess noise
Extra shirt
Bottle of water with screw top lid
Pillow--provides comfort
Light Snacks
Kleenex - comes in handy in case there's no toilet paper
Toiletries/Medications--you'll never know when and if you'll get stuck somewhere
Some money, but keep other cards hidden as much as possible
Light jacket/sweatshirt/travel blanket--in case it gets chilly on the bus
Cell Phone (fully charged) and charger
Mints or Mint Gum--you'll never know who can use one for their bad breath or to freshen up yours
Sense of Adventure--who knows what will happen on this trip

Generally, you'll want things to be compact so that you can toss them into a duffel bag/backpack, have it be lightweight, and not take up much space. Plus, the less that you show anything that could possibly state that you're a rich person, the better.

Have fun in Toronto and safe travels!

Answer 4

Keep your purse/valuables close and in front of you. Pickpockets and thievery is a common occurrence when you go Greyhound. On your carry bag, carry some (liter size) bottled juice or water, snacks like granola bar, or whatever you fancy for light snacks, crackers, etc.. . Mapquest.com says its a 490 miles trip. Always be on your guard; you're travel ling with an adult companion, right ??

Answer 5

Expect a long and uncomfortable trip! When I was in college (in Boston) my GF took a year off and was living in Toronto. I made that rip by bus (Boston to Toronto) maybe 3x that year (drove and flew the others), and all I can recall was how HORRIBLE and UNCOMFORTABLE it was.

Answer 6

I'm not sure about there, but here you can expect screaming children, couples making out, teenagers giggling and screaming loudley and a very numb bottom..... Have fun, its going to be hell!

Answer 7

Me taking your wallet.