by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 1:00 AM ET, Tue May 16, 2023
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and news reports far and wide are predicting a record number of travelers will be hitting the roads (or taking to the skies) in order to enjoy a holiday getaway.
For those who are planning to avoid air travel altogether, not to mention driving, Wanderu has just released an analysis of the most budget-friendly destinations for those interested in eco-friendly bus or train journeys over the coming holiday.
The Wanderu platform specializes in comparing bus and train ticket costs and as a result, has unique access to pricing trends across the ground travel industry. After pouring through a mountain of data, the platform found that bus travel in general is more affordable this year than last.
“If you’re planning on traveling this Memorial Day, you’ll be pleased to hear that bus fares have, on average, decreased this year — with a few exceptions, like Orlando and Atlanta," says the report. “Despite inflation impacting the travel industry as a whole, many destinations are more affordable to visit by bus this year than in 2022.”
The report reveals that three cities in particular are more affordable this year than last: Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Seattle. The average bus fare to each of these cities has dropped more than 30 percent compared to last year.
The average bus fare between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, for instance, is just over $21, while a bus trip from New York to Philadelphia costs just $16 one-way for the holiday weekend. Boston residents interested in exploring Philadelphia over Memorial Day will pay the most, at about $52 for a one-way ticket.
Baltimore, MD Harbor at dusk. (Photo via Vito Palmisano / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Bus fares to Baltimore are also a downright bargain. For instance, the fare Philadelphia and Baltimore is just under $10, while traveling to Baltimore from New York will set you back just $33. Boston to Baltimore bus tickets are about $65. The bus fares to third place ranked Seattle are equally wallet friendly. For instance, a ticket from Portland to Seattle is just $25 and the fare from Spokane is just $30.
As an added bonus, each of these cities offers a variety of free activities that can stretch your travel budget even further.
Train fares are more expensive than buses, but still a bargain
On the other hand, train fares are a bit more of a mixed bag. While some destinations have slightly higher fares than in 2022, taking the train to big cities like New York City and Chicago is actually cheaper than last year. In other words, if you’re on a tight budget and looking for the best deals, taking the bus is still your best bet.
The Wanderu report also offers some insights on the best day to travel over the Memorial Day weekend (though admittedly with only a three-day holiday weekend, there isn’t a ton of options).
The platform researched the average daily price of bus tickets and train tickets for each day during and around Memorial Day weekend to identify the cheapest possible itinerary.
“Bus ticket prices remain relatively stable throughout the long weekend, only varying by a few dollars on average,” says the report. “If you’re looking to save a few extra bucks, consider traveling on Sunday or Tuesday instead of Friday. While Friday may be slightly more expensive, the price difference typically doesn’t exceed 10 percent, so go ahead and plan your getaway without stressing too much about the cost of your bus ticket.”
There’s a bit more fluctuation, however, on the train ticket front. Wander data shows that traveling on the Saturday before Memorial Day instead of Friday can save up 10 percent. Additionally, traveling back on Tuesday instead of Monday can save as much as 7 percent.
“While these percentages aren’t ground-breaking savings, they’re nothing to sniff at if you’re booking a pricier ticket,” says the report.
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