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Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from New Orleans to McAllen. Traveling by bus from New Orleans to McAllen usually takes around 18 hours and 2 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 561 mi (902 km) |
| Shortest duration | 15h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $65.47 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from New Orleans to McAllen?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from New Orleans to McAllen that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 21h 1m | $211.24 |
| Greyhound | 6 | 18h 1m | $95.28 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from New Orleans to McAllen, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 6 bus trips from New Orleans to McAllen every day, with the average journey taking around 18 hours and 1 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to McAllen usually start from $65.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 18 hours and 2 minutes to cover the 561 miles from New Orleans to McAllen. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 50 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to McAllen at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from New Orleans to McAllen, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
New Orleans
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.
There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.
New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in New Orleans?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.
All bus stations in New Orleans:
Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
New Orleans Canal St
St Charles Ave & Poydras St
Where does the bus arrive in McAllen?
Main arrival station: Tornado Bus Station
All buses from New Orleans arrive at one main station in McAllen.
All bus stations in McAllen:
Tornado Bus Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from McAllen to New Orleans?
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