BoltBus offers several daily, express buses between DC and New York. The BoltBus makes two stops in each city. Buses between 10th and H Street NW in DC and 33rd and Seventh Avenue in New York run most frequently, but they also depart from Union Station and arrive in SoHo on Sixth Avenue between Grand and Watts Streets. Wi-Fi is available and every seat, with the exception of those in the emergency row, is provided with a power outlet. Seating is roomy. According to its web site, BoltBus seats have approximately three more inches of legroom than other coaches. Finally, if you register for their free rewards program, your ninth trip is on the house.
BoltBus
877-265-8287
boltbus.com
MegaBus, easily recognized by its blue double-decker style coaches, runs several express buses daily between DC and New York. Like BoltBus, MegaBus coaches also depart from the lot at 10th and H Streets NW. They arrive at the MTA bus shelter at 28th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York, but take note--when you return to DC, they depart from 31st Street and Eighth Avenue. Each seat offers an outlet and Wi-Fi is available, according to the MegaBus web site. Seating is what you'd expect from a coach, though it can feel quite cramped when the bus is full on both its upper and lower levels.
MegaBus US
877-462-6342
us.megabus.com
DC2NY offers four buses to New York on Tuesdays and Wednesdays before ramping up the number of departures for the weekend crowd. The coaches provide a more intimate experience than most lines. Passengers vote on movie preference and whether or not to make a rest stop. DC2NY operates three stops in DC--14th Street between H and I Streets NW, DuPont Circle at 20th and Massachusetts Avenue NW and Union Station. In New York, the buses arrive at and depart from Penn Station at 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue. According to its web site, DC2NY buses offer Wi-Fi access and outlets at every other row. The seating room is that of a standard coach, and a rewards program and discounted rates are available to those who register for their online community, DC2NY TOO.
DC2NY
888-888-3269
dc2ny.com
Vamoose Bus runs between four or five daily trips to New York during the week, and more on Thursday through Sunday. Catering to the suburban DC crowd, Vamoose departs from 1801 N. Lynn Street in Arlington, Virginia, near the Rosslyn Metro stop and 7490 Waverly St. in Bethesda, Maryland, near the Bethesda Metro stop. The Vamoose buses only stop in New York at 31st Street and Seventh Avenue near Penn Station.
According to the Vamoose Bus website, some buses offer Wi-Fi. You can register for the Vamoose Bus rewards program, and earn a free ride after your fourth trip. Vamoose also offers Vamoose Gold, which features standard-size coaches, fully equipped with Wi-Fi and power, but only 36 seats. The extra room comes at a premium--one-way fares on Vamoose Gold as of August 2010 are $50.
Vamoose Bus
301-718-0036
vamoosebus.com
There are several small, no-frills companies that run buses between the Chinatowns in DC and New York, and New Century is one of the most reliable. The buses run every two hours daily between 513 H St. NW in DC and 86 Allen St., in the heart of New York's Chinatown. New Century does not offer a rewards program, and its buses feature standard seating with no power or Wi-Fi. Every bus departing DC will stop in Baltimore to pick additional passengers according to New Century's website. Also, Chinatown in Manhattan can be disorienting for newcomers.
New Century Travel
202-789-8222
2000coach.com
