The holiday season is quickly approaching, and for many people across the country, it’s time to get a jump start on travel plans. While the placement of back-to-back holidays between November and January can quickly drain your budget, bus travel’s affordability means you can visit friends and family without breaking the bank. Yet that doesn’t mean you can’t further increase your savings. Here are a few surefire ways to find the best rates on bus tickets for your holiday bus travel.
Research Your Holiday Bus Travel Options
There are a variety of bus carriers and routes available. While it’s tempting to choose the most straightforward schedule, you should take the time to learn about your options. On closer examination, you may be able to spot savings opportunities that would otherwise go unnoticed.
One common way to save is to combine the services of multiple bus carriers. For instance, if you’re booking bus tickets to New York from out of state, you may find the best fare overall by creating a route that combines national and regional service providers. To reach the Empire State, you could first catch a route on a large carrier, like Greyhound, before transferring to a local outfit, like Trailways. The lowest rates for cross-country trips, on the other hand, may include routes in rural locations where there’s a lower demand. Using BusTickets.com to book your holiday bus travel makes it easy because we make these bus carrier connections for you, giving you the best schedule and rates on your bus tickets.
Be Flexible With Travel Times and Days
Whether you’re planning bus travel to Dallas or Miami, there are plenty of opportunities to save on tickets by booking them for the least busy times of the week. However, the schedule fluctuations of travelers around holidays change the peak days and timeframes. For example, most schools, including colleges, begin their Thanksgiving break the Wednesday before the holiday. As a result, Tuesday evening — which is typically a prime time for lower bus ticket rates — becomes one of the busiest periods of the week.
To find the most affordable options, avoid the most common travel habits of other bus riders. For Thanksgiving, Monday will allow you to miss the rush of the weekend and the boost in demand on Tuesday. To accommodate the varying break schedules around Christmas, research local school and event timetables. The goal is to book your bus tickets at least a day before the travel rush begins. It’s also wise to avoid weekend options if possible. Early morning and late night bus trips are the least popular, so look for tickets with departure times that fall into those categories.
Save On Group Travel by Booking a Charter Bus
Many extended families use the holidays as an opportunity for a group getaway. If your holiday plans fall into this category, booking a charter bus is likely the smartest choice for your holiday bus travel. The substantial number of people traveling from Thanksgiving to New Year’s makes it challenging to book bus tickets for a large group. In many cases, the party ends up being split up across multiple buses and departure times. As a result, you end up losing that sense of community that’s provided by group travel.
Charter buses not only provide the right atmosphere for family adventures, but they’re also affordable. When compared to purchasing 10 or more individual bus tickets, renting a bus with a professional driver is often the most cost-effective option. Plus, the wide range of carriage options available means you can choose the right size for your party’s needs.
Avoid Putting Off Your Purchase Until the Last Minute
Whether you’re looking for bus tickets to Chicago or Portland, the competition only increases the closer it gets to the holiday season. Since the market is controlled by the variables of supply and demand, there’s little chance for a last-minute dip in prices. As a result, travelers are likely to score the best deals at least a month or more out from their travel date. If you’re on a tight budget, buy your bus tickets as early as possible to avoid the inevitable surge in travel costs around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Find the Best Rates on Holiday Bus Tickets to New York, Chicago, and More!
Ready for a holiday break? Find the best rates at BusTickets.com. Our convenient service allows you to instantly compare rates across multiple national and regional carriers with a simple click of a button. You can also request charter bus quotes directly online. Book your holiday bus travel easily by buying your bus tickets today!
