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Travel is one of those gifts that actually gets used and remembered. But unlike ordering something off a registry, gifting a bus or train trip takes a little preparation. You can’t just wrap a Greyhound ticket in a bow and call it done (okay, you could, but let’s aim higher).
Here’s how to pull off gifting travel without the guesswork, from planning the perfect trip to making sure they can actually use it.
Why Gifting a Trip Works
Travel is one of the best ways to give someone an experience. Whether it’s a weekend getaway to visit friends, a solo adventure to a new city, or a ride home for the holidays, ground travel opens up possibilities that a standard gift just can’t match. You don’t have to take our word for it either – research backs it up!
Here’s why it works:
- It’s thoughtful. You’re giving someone time, freedom, and memories. Experience-based gifts strengthen bonds more than other types of gifts.
- It’s flexible. Buses and trains go almost everywhere, and tickets are way cheaper than flights.
- It’s personal. You can tailor it to the places they love and what they actually want to do.
The catch? You’ll need to put in a little effort upfront. But that’s what we’re here for!
Step 1: Plan the Trip (But Leave Room for Flexibility)
Before you book anything, think through the details. You don’t need to know everything, but you do need enough to make the gift meaningful.
Pick a Destination
The best travel gifts are tied to something the person actually wants to do. Consider:
Visiting someone they rarely get to see. Maybe they’ve been talking about seeing their best friend in another city, or they haven’t been home in a while. A ticket to get there solves that – without requiring you to plan an extensive itinerary once they’ve reached their destination.
Exploring a place they’ve mentioned. If they’ve been dropping hints about wanting to visit a place, a monument, or an attraction, take that into account.
A practical trip they need to take. Sometimes the best gifts just make it easier for your loved one to get somewhere they need to go anyway, like a wedding, family event, or concert.
An adventure for two. Think about places with events or activities that will make both of you happy. Remember, it’s about an experience, and both of you are part of that. (A little relationship advice for ya.)
Consider the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Here’s something people don’t often think about: the trip itself can be part of the gift.
If you’re booking a longer journey (think 4+ hours), the experience of traveling matters. Amtrak’s long-distance trains offer sleeper cars with private rooms, complimentary meals, and scenic observation cars. It’s basically a hotel on wheels. Routes like the California Zephyr through the Rockies or the Coast Starlight along the Pacific go beyond “just transportation”.
Even buses can surprise you. Premium carriers like RedCoach offer luxury leather seating, extra legroom, tables for working, and memory foam seats. Peter Pan and other regional carriers provide WiFi, power outlets, and reclining seats with footrests. For someone who needs to work while traveling or just wants a comfortable ride, these amenities matter.
The point: If you’re giving someone a trip, think about whether the journey itself adds to the experience. A scenic train route or a comfortable premium bus can turn “getting there” into part of the adventure.
Choose Flexible Dates (If You Can)
Here’s the tricky part: unless you’re planning a surprise trip where you’re going together, you probably don’t know their exact schedule. You have a few options:
Option 1: Book specific dates, but keep carrier change policies in mind. If you know they have a long weekend off or you’re planning a trip together, book the exact dates. Just make sure to check the carrier’s change policy in case plans shift. Wanderu also offers travel insurance at checkout (through Allianz) that covers cancellations, delays, and more.
Option 2: Give them the booking info and let them choose. Search the route, screenshot the best options, and present it as “I’m covering the trip to [city]. Pick your dates and I’ll book it.” Less surprise factor, but way more practical. Not everyone likes big surprises anyways, so keep in mind how they want to receive a gift – not just how you want to give it. (Would you look at that? More relationship advice; call us Cupid.)
Option 3: Give them a set amount toward the trip. Tell them you’re giving them $50 (or your chosen amount) to book their own ticket to wherever they want to go. It’s not a formal gift card, but it gives them the same control.
Know What You’re Booking
Once you’ve settled on a destination and rough dates, search the route on Wanderu to see:
- Available carriers and departure times
- Ticket prices
- Trip duration and any transfers
- Available amenities
- Station locations (make sure the departure/arrival works for them)
If the trip involves a transfer, check the details to make sure it’s manageable. Connections within the same station (or close by) make the trip much smoother.
Step 2: Book the Ticket
Booking for someone else is easy. Here’s how it works:
Search and Select the Trip
Go to wanderu.com or open the app, enter the departure city, destination, and travel date. Browse the results and pick the best option based on price, timing, and convenience.
Chiku’s tip: No specific destination in mind? No worries! You can enter your location, depart date, and budget on Wanderu’s Explore page and get a list of trip ideas.
Add the Traveler’s Information
When you get to checkout, you’ll enter passenger details. Use the traveler’s name exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID. This is critical, as some carriers are strict about name matching.
Enter Your Payment Info
Use your own credit card and billing information. The name on the card doesn’t have to match the passenger name, so you’re good to go.
Choose Where to Send the Ticket
Here’s where you decide how to present the gift:
- Send it to your email if you want to print it out or present it yourself
- Send it to their email if you want them to get it directly (less dramatic reveal, but very practical)
Once payment goes through, you’ll get a confirmation email with the ticket. Some carriers send e-tickets you can show on a phone; others require printing. Check the carrier’s policy if you’re not sure.
If You’re Booking a Round Trip
Select both the outbound and return trips during your search. Wanderu will walk you through booking both legs in one transaction.
Step 3: Present the Gift Creatively
Let’s be real: handing someone a printed bus ticket isn’t exactly peak gift presentation. Here are some ways to make it more special:
Print the itinerary and put it in a card. Add a personal note about why you chose that destination or what you’re excited for them to do there.
Create a mini travel kit. Pair the ticket with snacks, a travel playlist, a book, or a small item related to the destination (like a guidebook or a gift card to a restaurant there).
Create an experience kit. Pack a disposable camera and a small scrapbook along with the ticket. They can document the trip as it happens and turn it into something they can look back on.
Send a digital reveal. If they’re getting the ticket via email, follow up with a text or video message explaining the surprise.
Make it an experience. If you’re going together, present it as “We’re taking a trip!” and build the whole day (or weekend) around it. Plan an itinerary with specific activities, restaurants you want to try, or sights you’ve both been curious about. The ticket gets you there, but the plan makes it memorable.
Give them the choice. If you didn’t book yet, create a “ticket” (literally just a nice card or printed note) that says “Good for one trip to [city]” and let them pick the dates.
Step 4: Know the Flexibility Rules
Life happens. Plans change. Here’s what to know about modifying or canceling a gifted trip:
Change policies vary by carrier. Some bus companies (like FlixBus and Megabus) let you change tickets up to 15 minutes before departure with no fee. Others (like Greyhound) charge a change fee or don’t allow changes at all. Check the carrier’s policy before booking.
Cancellations usually aren’t refundable. Most bus and train tickets are non-refundable, so if the trip doesn’t happen, the money’s gone. That’s why booking flexible dates – or giving them the option to choose dates – can be smart.
Travel insurance exists. If you’re booking a pricier trip or the dates are far out, consider adding travel insurance at checkout (available for U.S. trips through Allianz). It covers cancellations, delays, and other issues.
If plans change, reach out to the carrier. Wanderu helps you book, but changes and cancellations go through the carrier directly. Most have customer service lines or online portals for modifications.
Alternative: Give Them the Tools to Book Their Own Trip
If you want to give the gift of travel but don’t want to commit to specific dates or destinations, here’s another approach:
Hand them a set amount and let them book. Tell them “I’m covering $75 toward a bus or train trip. Pick wherever you want to go.” It’s not a formal gift card, but it gives them full control.
Walk them through Wanderu together. Make it a fun activity. Put out some refreshments, sit down somewhere comfy, search routes, and explore where they could go within a certain budget. Then book it together.
The Bottom Line
Gifting a trip doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick a destination, book the ticket, and present it in a way that makes the person excited to go. Whether it’s a weekend adventure, a ride to see someone they love, or just a spontaneous “get out of town” moment, travel is one of the most special gifts you can give someone.
And if you mess up the dates or they need to change plans? Most carriers let you adjust. It’s not perfect, but it’s a lot more meaningful than another gift card to a place they’ll forget about in three weeks.
