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Flats or heels? Shorts or jeans? Jorts or jeggings?
Packing for a trip is all about decisions. And for travelers who value style, narrowing down your wardrobe into the confines of a wheeled bag or a narrow backpack can feel like a special kind of hell.
Whether you fold your clothes or roll them Marie Kondo–style, being strategic in the vacation outfits you choose to bring is an essential element of planning for just about any kind of travel. The first step, however, is knowing the rules and regulations for what luggage you can take—from suitcase dimensions to the cost of extra bags beyond what’s included.
This is especially important for bus travel, where most passengers are unfamiliar with the rules, and baggage policy can vary between different companies. Which is why we’ve put together the following at-a-glance guide to make it clear just how much luggage you can take on the bus, and what exactly the restrictions are for each individual bus carrier.
General Packing Tips
Before we begin, it’s worth saying that in all cases, we highly recommend that you properly tag each and every one of your bags (including carry-ons) with your name, address, phone number and email. If your belongings somehow get lost or misplaced, having them properly labeled gives you the absolute best chance of getting your stuff back.
Also, just as a preventative measure, we suggest keeping all valuables—wads of cash, prescription medication, Infinity Gems—in-cabin with you on the bus. The luggage bay beneath your bus will be inaccessible throughout the duration of your ride, making it highly unlikely that your belongings will be stolen, but still: Better safe than sorry.
Bus Carrier Baggage Policies
Below, we’ve listed the biggest bus carriers on Wanderu operating in the U.S., along with each of their specific luggage requirements. For the purposes of this guide, “stowed bags” simply refer to those stored beneath the bus for the duration of your ride, while “carry-on bags” refer to those kept in-cabin. If the info provided isn’t sufficient for your purposes, we suggest contacting the bus carrier that is conducting your trip directly via one of the phone numbers listed here.
Read more: How much luggage can you bring on the train?
Barons Bus Lines
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each Barons Bus Lines ticket. Additional pieces will be accepted only if space is available. Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on bag and one small personal item (such as a purse or briefcase) are allowed per person. Carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Bags brought in-cabin cannot exceed 25 pounds (~12 kilograms) in total weight, and are limited to the dimensions 10” x 16” x 24” (25.4 x 40.64 x 60.96 centimeters).
More Details: Note that if a trip consists of a bus transfer, passengers are responsible for transferring their own bags. For stowed bags, Barons Bus drivers will provide a claim check at time of boarding. Find further information at the Barons Bus Lines website.
BestBus
Stowed Bags: Three pieces of stowed luggage are included with each BestBus ticket. The weight of each stowed bag may not exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms).
Carry-On Baggage: One small carry-on bag is allowed in-cabin. However, any suitcase with wheels must be placed underneath the bus as stowed luggage. Exact dimensions are not specified, though we recommend keeping in-cabin bags small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you.
More Details: Oversize items, such as bicycles, are allowed underneath the bus as space permits. Find further information at the BestBus website.
Burlington Trailways
Stowed Bags: One piece of stowed luggage is included with each Burlington Trailways ticket. Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms). Passengers are allowed to stow additional baggage for $15 each. The fee for additional bags is to be paid in cash directly to the bus driver. Tip: Before planning to pay the fee, check Wanderu to see if buying a second ticket could actually be cheaper than paying the additional bag fee.
Carry-On Baggage: Burlington Trailways does not list any specific limits for carry-on bags. We recommend keeping in-cabin bags small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you or in the compartment overhead.
More Details: Find further information, including details on Interstate Baggage Liability, at the Burlington Trailways website.
Concord Coach Lines
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each Concord Coach Lines ticket. Additional bags are allowed at a fee of $5 per bag, as space permits. The fee for additional bags is to be paid in cash directly to the bus driver. Tip: Before planning to pay the fee, check Wanderu to see if buying a second ticket could actually be cheaper than paying the additional bag fee.
Stowed bags weighing more than 50 pounds (~23 kilograms) will be tagged as “HEAVY,” and must be handled by the passenger to prevent injury to the bus driver. Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included your ticket. Carry-on bags are not to exceed 25 pounds (~12 kilograms). Exact dimensions are not specified, though we recommend keeping in-cabin bags small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you.
More Details: Find further information, including details on Interstate Baggage Liability, at the Concord Coach Lines website.
FlixBus US
Stowed Bags: One piece of stowed luggage is included with each FlixBus US ticket. One additional bag is allowed at a fee of $9.99. Your checked bag must be under 50 pounds (~23 kilograms) and smaller than 20 inches x 12 inches x 31 inches.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is allowed per person. Carry-on bags are not to exceed 25 pounds (~12 kilograms). Carry-on bags must be smaller than 12 inches x 7inches x 16 inches.
More Details: Find further information at the FlixBus US website.
Greyhound
Stowed Bags: One piece of stowed luggage is included with each Greyhound ticket. Second and third bags cost $20 each. The fee for additional bags is to be paid in cash directly to the bus driver. Tip: Before planning to pay the fee, check Wanderu to see if buying a second ticket could actually be cheaper than paying the additional bag fee.
Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is allowed per person. Carry-on bags are not to exceed 25 pounds (~12 kilograms). Exact dimensions are not specified, though we recommend keeping in-cabin bags small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you.
More Details: Find further information, including details on how to ship excess baggage via Greyhound Package Express, at the Greyhound website.
Go Buses
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each Go Buses ticket. Stowed bags weighing more than 50 pounds (~23 kilograms) must be handled by the passenger to prevent injury to the bus driver.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on bag and one small personal item (such as a purse or briefcase) are allowed per person. All bags must be able to fully close so the contents do not spill out. Exact dimensions are not specified, though we recommend keeping in-cabin bags small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
More Details: Find further information, including details on traveling with instruments and other large items, at the Go Buses Website.
Jefferson Lines
Stowed Bags: One piece of stowed luggage is included with each Jefferson Lines ticket. A second bag costs $25. The fee for additional bags is to be paid in cash directly to the bus driver. Tip: Before planning to pay the fee, check Wanderu to see if buying a second ticket could actually be cheaper than paying the additional bag fee.
Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms). Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included with your ticket. Carry-on bags are not to exceed 25 pounds (~12 kilograms). Exact dimensions are not specified, though we recommend keeping in-cabin bags small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
More Details: Note that if a trip consists of a bus transfer, passengers are responsible for transferring their own bags. Find further information, including details on traveling with strollers and carseats, at the Jefferson Lines website.
OurBus
Stowed Bags: One piece of stowed luggage is included with each OurBus ticket. Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms). Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included with your ticket. Exact dimensions are not specified, though in-cabin bags should be small enough to fit beneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
More Details: Find further information, including details on traveling with pets, at the OurBus website. Click on the “On The Bus” tab for baggage info.
Peter Pan
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each Peter Pan ticket. Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms). Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included with your ticket. Carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Bags brought in-cabin cannot exceed 25 pounds (~12 kilograms) in total weight, and are limited to the dimensions 33” x 33” x 48” (83.82 x 83.82 x 121.92 centimeters).
More Details: Note that if a trip consists of a bus transfer, passengers are responsible for transferring their own bags. Find further information, including details on prohibited items, at the Peter Pan website.
RedCoach
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each RedCoach ticket. After that, additional bags cost $25 each. The fee for additional bags is to be paid in cash directly to the bus driver. Tip: Before planning to pay the fee, check Wanderu to see if buying a second ticket could actually be cheaper than paying the additional bag fee.
Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms). For bags that weigh more than $50, passengers must pay $1 per pound.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included with your ticket. Carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Items cannot exceed 9 inches (22.86 centimeters) in height and 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) in length.
More Details: RedCoach allows passengers with children to bring a stroller onto the bus for free in addition to their carry-on and stowed luggage. Find further information, including details on lost or damaged luggage, at the RedCoach website.
Trailways (Adirondack, Pine Hill, NY)
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each Trailways ticket. After that, additional bags (up to three) cost $15 each. The fee for additional bags is to be paid in cash directly to the bus driver. Tip: Before planning to pay the fee, check Wanderu to see if buying a second ticket could actually be cheaper than paying the additional bag fee.
Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms). Suitcases and other types of bags may not exceed a total of 62 inches (~158 centimeters) when the exterior dimensions (length + width + height) are added together. The only exceptions are for skis, snowboards and bicycles.
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included with your ticket. Carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
More Details: Note that if a trip consists of a bus transfer, passengers are responsible for transferring their own bags. Find further information, including details on prohibited items, on the Trailways website.
Vamoose Bus
Stowed Bags: Two pieces of stowed luggage are included with each Vamoose ticket. Stowed bags are not to exceed 50 pounds (~23 kilograms).
Carry-On Baggage: One carry-on item is included with your ticket. Carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
More Details: Find further information, including details on prohibited items, on the Vamoose Bus website.
Pack Your Bags!
Now that you’re familiar with the fine details of your bus carrier’s luggage policy, you can start stuffing that suitcase to capacity. (Just don’t exceed that 50-pound limit! The last thing you want is for your bus driver to throw out his back because you insisted on packing your geode collection.)
Or if you’re simply prepping for a future trip, consider booking bus and train travel with Wanderu. At Wanderu, travel meets at the intersection of fast and cheap: Search train and bus itineraries between cities across the U.S. (and Europe!). Compare routes, prices and schedules across major carriers and book your tickets on a single platform without paying more. Download the Wanderu app to find fares on the go, or check out Wanderu.com in your browser.
Please note that while the info listed above is up to date as of the publishing of this article, all luggage information is subject to the carriers terms and conditions, and could change at any time.
