FlixBus Pittsburgh to New York City Review

Usually fly or take the train for this route, but wanted to give the bus a try. Here is my review:

Bus & Comfort:

  • Boarding: Easy. Scan your ticket, and you're on.
  • Luggage: Under-bus storage. There is zero tagging or security, making it easy for someone to steal your bag at an intermediate stop. Would not recommend using. There is overhead storage for smaller items.
  • Seats & Space: Some recline and have working AC. More legroom than economy on a plane, but less compared to coach on a train.
  • Bathroom: Smell is brutal after a few hours. Was seated next to the toilet and had to douse the area in perfume to survive people opening and closing the door.

Logistics:

Outbound trip was on time, but actual operations were a mess on both legs:

  • Driver Changes: 30 minutes into both trips, bus exited the highway into tight, remote motel parking lot for a 20-minute driver change. Nowhere on the ticket stated this would happen? Ridiculous to navigate a 50-foot bus down tight backroads for a shift swap. Just get the other driver an Uber/have them stay by the nearest station.
  • Return Trip Delays: Started 20 minutes late. Had an unannounced "rest stop" at a gas station that stretched from 10 minutes to nearly 30.
  • Navigation Fails: Driver missed an exit entirely, adding 15 minutes of backtracking through a small town. Near Pittsburgh, a major bridge was closed. Instead of taking a designated local detour, the driver took the worst, tightest roads possible, adding even more time.
  • The Staff: The drivers seemed exhausted, overworked, and spoke very little English, which made getting updates impossible. Ultimately arrived an hour+ late.

Final Verdict:

For \~$200 roundtrip ticket, you are better off flying. It's quicker and more comfortable. The only real caveat is if you are trying to reach a smaller town that train or airlines don't service.

  • Comfort: 5/10
  • Value: 5/10
  • Convenience: 6/10
  • Service: 3/10

Not impossible to survive, but a gamble. Don't expect a smooth ride.

Author: LightEmittngResistor