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2023 PASSENGERS' CHOICE AWARDS

Best by Region

Although some ground travel providers provide cross-country service, most carriers stick with routes in just one or two geographical regions. We looked closer at each region of the U.S. to highlight the ground travel providers offering dependable service in your area.

Best Ground Travel Provider in New England

TIE FOR #1 WINNER

Concord Coach, the hometown hero from Concord, New Hampshire, ties for first as being the best ground travel provider in New England. Passengers love their comfortable seats and punctuality.

“I really liked how comfortable the experience was! The headrests were top tier.”

Julianna (Wanderu user)

TIE FOR #1 WINNER

Boston Express provides excellent value for its service and takes passengers to convenient destinations across New England. Visiting Portland, Boston, and the White Mountains in New Hampshire has never been easier or more comfortable.

“What a super convenient hidden gem! Price is right. Love the service and friendliness of the drivers.”

Janice (Wanderu user)

#2 HONOREE

“Very smooth trip. Try Amtrak instead of using your own car, you can save more money!”

Sofronio Jr. (Wanderu user)

#3 HONOREE

“Fantastic value and convenience. Well worth investigating.”

Roberto (Wanderu user)

#4 HONOREE

“Peaceful and adventurous experience. Train trips are a must-do experience!”

Ana (Wanderu user)

#5 HONOREE

“Great bus line. I’ve never been disappointed.”

Patricia (Wanderu user)

Best Ground Travel Provider in the Mid-Atlantic

#1 WINNER

Martz Trailways scored the best ratings for the bustling Mid-Atlantic region. This family-owned bus company provides exceptional service from its headquarters in Pennsylvania to top destinations in the region like New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

“It was a pleasure traveling with them.”

Deborah (Wanderu user)

#2 HONOREE

“The compartment was spacious, seats were comfortable. I would love to travel by this train again.”

Gulam (Wanderu user) 

#3 HONOREE

“It was a great trip, plenty of overhead luggage space, comfortable seating and I arrived safely to my destination.”

Elizabeth (Wanderu user)

#4 HONOREE

“The bus wasn’t crowded at all, the seats were comfy and tons of leg room.”

Elira (Wanderu user)

#5 HONOREE

“Very pleasant and comfortable ride. Easy access to outlets. Would definitely use it again!”

Roberta (Wanderu user)

Best Ground Travel Provider in the Southeast

#1 WINNER

Amtrak’s City of New Orleans not only shares a name with one of the most iconic cities in the Southeast — it also provides excellent service from its departure in Chicago, down through Southeastern states including Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and of course Louisiana

“I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the train was. I enjoyed my morning coffee sitting in the observation car looking out over the countryside as we whisked along to our destination.”

Deborah (Wanderu user)

#2 HONOREE

“Easy for someone who had not done this before. On-time with plenty of helpful people. The wifi worked well, lots of legroom.”

Joan (Wanderu user)

#3 HONOREE

“I was able to keep my phone charged and get a safe quiet nap in.”

Joseph (Wanderu user)

#4 HONOREE

“The trip was very comfortable and the staff was very helpful.”

Eric (Wanderu user)

#5 HONOREE

“It felt really fast despite the almost 3hr commute. The bus driver spoke Spanish and English, and was very efficient.”

Sabrina (Wanderu user)

Best Ground Travel Provider in the Midwest

#1 WINNER

The Midwest is crossed by several Amtrak lines and countless bus companies, so it is no small feat to win this gold. Amtrak’s Hiawatha line, which runs from Milwaukee to Chicago, earned the highest average rating from passengers in the Midwest thanks to its unparalleled service and comfort.

“Pleasant journey, everything as it should be. Staff on the train were the best!”

Clare (Wanderu user)

#2 HONOREE

“Driver was very helpful and courteous!”

Gregory (Wanderu user)

#3 HONOREE

“Very pleasant trip, conductors were very nice. Very easy and safe way to travel.”

Megan (Wanderu user)

#4 HONOREE

“It was quiet. Nice people, clean environment, and friendly staff. They were nice and helpful.”

April (Wanderu user)

#5 HONOREE

“The train is comfortable, relaxed, and all at a fair price.”

Michelle (Wanderu user)

Best Ground Travel Providers in the Southwest

#1 WINNER

Amtrak Thruway is the bus service connected to Amtrak’s nationwide train network. While it’s not concentrated within a specific route or region, Amtrak Thruway’s service in the Southwest has garnered it the number one spot in the region. Praise for Amtrak Thruway includes references to its friendly staff and comfortable seats.

“Driver was friendly and personable. Take the bus, it’s a way to travel stress-free.”

Maryé-Elizabeth (Wanderu user)

#2 HONOREE

“Polite and friendly driver who went above and beyond to please his passengers.”

Fru (Wanderu user)

#3 HONOREE

“Loved the price and the convenience of getting to a major city without having to take my car.”

Lavaughn (Wanderu user)

#4 HONOREE

“I had a very comfortable and spacious ride. I would recommend Amtrak as the best form of travel possible.”

Modupe (Wanderu user)

#5 HONOREE

“The staff were excellent and deserve a raise!”

Javier (Wanderu user)

Best Ground Travel Provider in the West

#1 WINNER

Although it faced heavy competition from several of Amtrak’s train lines, Quick Shuttle snagged the victory for Best Ground Travel Provider in the West. While traveling from Seattle to Vancouver, passengers enjoy the free, reliable WiFi, the cleanliness of the bus, and the accommodating drivers.

“I travel a lot from Vancouver to Seattle and from now on, I don’t think I’ll use any other service. Thank you so much!”

Basma (Wanderu user)

#2 HONOREE

“It was wonderful! I saved money on gas too! I love riding the train…so relaxing.”

Meg (Wanderu user)

#3 HONOREE

“Everything went great. Love the train!”

Brittany (Wanderu user)

#4 HONOREE

“My ride was very smooth and quiet. Love it.”

Marilou (Wanderu user)

#5 HONOREE

“An efficient and easy trip. Good staff and information. Comfortable and on time.”

Mona (Wanderu user)

PCAs Home

Learn about the awards and how winners are selected.

Best of the Best

The overall best bus & train carriers in the U.S. and Canada

Best By Feature

Carriers that offer the industry's best value, safety, and more.

Best by Passenger Type

The favorite travel providers for different kinds of travelers

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