Enga mellom fjella

Greyhound's Discovery Pass... is it worth it?

Sunshine and wind...

ME:

The trip is O.V.E.R.

Two months of traveling on a bus pass (Discovery Pass):

miles, (non-refundable last minute ticket cost)

Missoula to Des Moines, 1550m ($184)
Des Moines to Peoria, ~300m ($62)
Peoria to Des Moines, ~300m ($62)
Des Moines to Chicago, 352m ($54)
Chicago to Missoula, 1704 ($184)

Missoula to Lawrence, 1606m ($184)
Lawrence to Emporia, 84m ($27)
Emporia to Minneapolis, 647m ($114)
Minneapolis to Missoula, 1260m ($165)

Missoula to Spokane and back, 418m ($100)
Missoula to Butte and back, 250m ($49)
Missoula to Whitefish and back, 294m (~$49)

Totals: 7,665 miles
Last minute costs: $1,234 (possibly half if 21 days in advance)

I paid $540 for the two-month privilege.

So what was the real advantage? Flexibility! I could show up anywhere and ask for a ticket. It was good on Burlington and Rimrock Trailways and the Jefferson Lines. The small trips at the end made it worth it. Two trips well-planned in advance would probably be cheaper the traditional way; however, my nerves wouldn't have taken the insanity! I had to buy two tickets just to get to Kansas when I wanted. Same coming back.

Three long trips (over 1,500 miles times 6 comings and goings = 9,000 miles) would definitely be cheaper with a pass.

Was it worth it then? Yes. Plus, it saved me around $300-400 on my plane flight to Costa Rica.

On the other hand... do not ask my butt for an opinion... just saying...

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