Megabus, mega-bargain

For many, a springtime trip to see the cherry blossoms in DC or the bright lights in Times Square is somewhat of a modern day ritual to celebrate the vernal equinox. Washington explodes with shades of pink and the Big Apple sheds its grays and browns for reds and yellows. The essential to budget travel is to prepare ahead. When it happens to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved trips and/or going to see new spots we have never been before, the fact of expense and budgeting is generally in the back of our mind. Planning and spending our travel budget correctly is a consideration for most families. Reducing consuming and prices, while still experiencing your vacation to its fullest, is the key to certain achievements and fiscal responsibility. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The reasoning behind protecting money while traveling is simple: Even if your personal finances is really tight, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also keeping in mind that while traveling, no matter whether on a resources or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel charge!. While things at home are coming alive, its still, well . . . its "home." Spring is a time to stretch our legs and shake off the winter cobwebs. The ancient coding hidden deep within our DNA wakes us up and tells us to get out there and do something, anything. So we oblige by planning weekend getaways.

Then the practical voice in our heads makes its presence known. Wait! Hold on a minute, what about the cost of this little weekend away. You know gas prices keep inching closer to $3.00 a gallon, tolls certainly aren't coming down and then there is the issue of parking. The price to park in New York City is about $30 a day and parking in DC . . . forget about that, its impossible! The voice of reason slowly begins to win us over; maybe we should stay home and cut the grass instead.

Megabus.com to the rescue! According to their website, they offer "low cost express bus service in the US and Canada."The companyprovides service from Philadelphia's 30th street station to Manhattan (near Penn Station)or downtown Washington. These non-stop, express trips have you in New York in two hours or in DC in two and a half hours. Although the company advertises "daily express bus service for as low as $1" that rate is not available on the Philly/NYC routesbut $1.00 and $3.00 fares are available going to DC.. However, the regular rates from Philly to New York are reasonally priced: between $5.00 and $11.00 depending on the time of departure. Still, a very good value for your travel dollar. Just in case you are wondering, Amtrak charges $47.00 forfor the ride to New York(it's about 30 - 50 minutes faster).

The Megabus fleet is unique to say the least. First of all, they are double-decker vehicles, painted bright blue with a funny roly-poly man dressed in yellow displayed on the rear section of the bus. The interior is also unique.
The lower level features two tables, each with forward and rear facing seats to provide a meeting space or perhaps just a place to play cards with friends while on the road. The upper level is pretty much just "bus-like" except for the front row which will give you an outlook that is either scary or thrilling (depending on your point of view). Megabus vehicles also have onboard Wi-Fi service at no additional charge and the reclining seats are equipped with 110v outlets to plug in your electronic device.

The next time the get-away bug bites you, check out Megabus.com and see if their service meets your needs. Even the practical voice in your head will agree the price of the bus is better than driving, paying tolls, and dealing with parking headaches.

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All photos courtesy Megabus.com