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Bus vs. Train: Which Is the Cheapest Way to Travel?

Woman putting coins in small piggy bank.

When you need to travel from point A to point B, cost is often one of the most important deciding factors on how you’ll get there. Whether you need to utilize ground transportation for an upcoming business trip or event, your options are typically one of the following:

  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

In a previous article, we discussed the best way to travel in terms of carbon emissions usage per passenger mile. Bus travel was the clear winner. But here’s another fun fact. Traveling by bus is not only the most environmentally friendly way to travel, but it’s also the most affordable option.

Why Are Buses the Cheapest Way to Travel?

To help answer this question, let’s first consider what’s included in the overall costs of traveling by vehicle and train.

Car vs. Bus

Many of us choose to drive our own cars when traveling for personal comfort. For some, this includes not having to deal with stops along the journey. 

Also, when driving personal vehicles, we accrue additional car-related expenses, including:

  • Rising costs of fuel
  • Paying for food and drinks along the way
  • Navigating parking availability and prices
  • Putting more mileage onto your vehicle 

When traveling by bus, you pay one flat fee each way or round trip. This can range anywhere from $9-$25+ one way. With Jefferson Lines, you also have the advantage of extra savings and discounts that can instantly reduce your ticket price. 

In fact, we offer savings to passengers who book early! We also offer special discounts and offers to the following groups:

  • Students
  • Children
  • Seniors
  • Active Military
  • U.S. Veterans

This means you’ll have more money to spend at tasty restaurants when you arrive at your destination. It also means you can spend less time worrying about traffic and rush hour and more time sitting back in a comfortable reclining seat, scrolling through your social media feeds or listening to music, while a professional driver gets you to your next stop safely.

Train vs. Bus

When traveling by train, passengers typically find that they spend more on their fares. In fact, depending on the destination and your train accommodations, certain train fares can cost as much as a plane ticket—or more!

Another consideration of traveling by train is the limited destination points. When traveling by bus through the interline, passengers can travel to over 2,400 destinations across the United States, plus Canada and Mexico.

At Jefferson Lines, we provide daily bus service to 15 states across America’s Heartland with affordable prices and convenient schedules. We also provide charter services in the Minneapolis, MN, and Billings, MT areas to help you save even more on group travel!

Discover How Much Jefferson Lines Can Save You!

Looking for a cost-effective, comfortable, and eco-friendly way to travel? Bus travel always takes the lead! To help you plan your upcoming trip, you can easily book a ticket online, in person, or by phone at 858-800-8898.

Don’t forget to view our special discounts and savings!