Has anyone else taken Bolt Bus or MegaBus from Boston to New York City?

I have, three times this summer.

The fares were between $16-$18 each way. It varies based on when you sign-up; they start selling them at $1 a ticket then increase the prices as the buses fill up.

The buses are in good shape, and clean. Bus drivers seem to know what they are doing, focused on the job.

Buses leave on time from Boston. Return trips were delayed anywhere from five to thirty minutes.

They take different routes to and from NYC. Yesterday, on the trip down, I think we went 95. We made it to NYC in three hours, forty minutes (!). That’s damn good time. Going back to Boston during rush hours, it’s been more like five.

The clientele is 20-30 year olds. We are always the only 40+’s on board, I think. There’s a question about whether or not you can bring food and drink on board, but I have every time. No one has yet had stinky food, fortunately. Bathroom is always stinky, but only if you sit next to it. It always has that disinfectant smell.

Bolt Bus has wifi on each bus. MegaBus has it on many buses. Don’t know about Fung Wah. Seats are first-come, first-serve. There are buses almost every hour during weekdays and weekends.

The buses go from South Station to right next to Madison Square Garden, on 31st Street, in midtown Manhattan. You have to wait outside in line in NYC, which can be a drag.

If you live in downtown Boston, you have four options to get to NYC: Car, plane, bus, or train.

Here’s what I think about the other options:

* Plane is fastest, but if you add in the travel time to and from the airport (especially if you rely on the f-ing Silver Line) plus the time you have to wait to go through TSA, and the time on the tarmac, and the high possibility of delays, and the time it takes you to get from JFK to downtown NYC, then you’re probably saving an hour. Plane is most expensive, most of the time (I get a buddy pass, so I don’t know the fares).

* Bus (see above). In addition to Bolt Bus, MegaBus, and Fung Wah, you have Limo Liner, which is classier and geared toward the business traveler. I’ve taken Limo Liner (actually, LimoLiner) maybe a half-dozen times in the past, but not in over two years. It goes from in front of the Hilton hotel in midtown Boston to the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. Usually makes the trip in a typical 4.5 hours. There is a stewardess on board, and I seem to remember snacks being served. Cost is $80 - $100 and you can reserve a specific seat, online, ahead of time.

* Train is always the best. Amtrak Acela is clean and fast. It also is very convenient. You can pick it up at South Station, at the Back Bay / South End station, or at the Rte 128 stop. It drops you at Penn Station, in midtown Manhattan. There is no wifi on board, which is a real negative. The seats are very comfortable. Cost is anywhere from $79 one way to $151 one way, depending on time of day. There is a higher-priced “First Class” ticket, but why bother? They sell snacks on board (not too expensive), and liquor, too. There’s a quiet car, which means no talking or cell phone use (or loud music on your headphones, either) (and no loud “clicking” on your keyboard). I haven’t had a delay in months. Which is good, because if you do, you’ll probably swear to never use Amtrak again. It can be that annoying. At least if you’re driving, you can take a detour or stop on the side of the road for a snack. Not on a train. Regardless, using Amtrak (even the slow trains) is the best option, Boston - NYC.