Megabus

So this was my first time riding Megabus in California, I would do it again! I rode it in the midwest a few times from Chicago to Michigan. I just booked online and took a picture of my confirmation email to show the driver when I boarded. I was leaving from Vallejo, so I had to take the Vallejo ferry to SF ferry building then took a lyft ride to Caltrain station (about 10 min drive). You walk down the block and get to the Megabus where its parked. The day I went, it was not a full bus so everyone had a row to themselves so I felt spacious, nice to take a nap. I liked that it is clean. Mine didn't have wifi but they said most of the time they do have wifi. Each seat had an outlet charger so that is great and it works! That was crucial.
Honestly, in the beginning of the ride, they stop a lot so that slows the time. My time of arrival to LA union transit plaza was 5pm but we didn't get there till 6pm. My partner had this same experience so just keep in mind - they do run behind. So don't book anything too close to your time of arrival, you'll likely run behind and why I took one star off.
Other than that, its relaxing, much cheaper than driving (if you book wisely, I paid $20 from SF to LA). Safe traveling!

New feature "track my bus"

My letter to Megabus: Hello, Welcome back to Northern California. I have been a loyal customer since 2010 ish and have always been happy with your service and was sad to see you leave several years ago.

Unfortunately, on Tuesday May 16, 2023 your second day back to serving Sacramento to San Francisco. I missed my first bus due to your new track my bus feature. Unfortunately, it was not accurate with glitches which cause me to miss the bus all together.

So I re-booked later that same day and your new tracking feature worked flawless. I had the perfect experience.

I was wondering if you would be able to refund my first booking or even a credit voucher would be nice as I already have future trips planned.

Thank you for your consideration.

Megabus response: Hello and thank you for contacting Megabus Customer Service.
I am sorry to hear you missed your bus!    I understand you are requesting that refund be provided, however as outlined and stated in in the terms and conditions prior to proceeding with the purchase, all ticket sales are final.  

We suggest that all passengers be at the bus stop location 15 minutes before boarding to ensure timely boarding as we cannot hold the doors open for passengers who are unable to make their trip.

Once our driver completes loading passengers onto the bus, the doors are shut and the parking brake is released, and the bus departs. 
While I apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced, we are unfortunately unable to provide you with any compensation ( refund, credit) as the service was executed.  

Thank you for choosing Megabus.

Sincerely,

ZarenaMegabus Customer Service Specialist
megabus

Date of experience: May 16, 2023
(((WHY OFFER THIS FEATURE IF ITS NOT ACCURATE OR RELIABLE)))

Horrible experience, definitely my 1st and last. Don't recommend I would've been better off flying. Bus broke down twice to Oakland from LA. Once in Bakersfield again South of Gilroy. They said the nearest bus coming to pick us up was coming from Stockton 2+ hours away. I was lucky to get an Uber with some folks who were able to catch a ride. Still made it to my destination at around 12:30pm, said we should've arrived at 9:30am. When I called to get reimbursed for the $60 I had to spend on Ubers or at least a complimentary ride back, they just told me credit would be granted to me for a 1 way ticket mind you I had bought round trip tickets and this was on my trip TO my visit..

Saying that the current situation stinks is an understatement.

I always avoid writing reviews in the heat of a moment. This is to avoid ranting and whining instead of giving a fair and unbiased review. This time, I'll go with the contrary.

So I took megabus' 6 am trip back to Burbank. Boarded at the Caltrain station in San Francisco, bus picked more passengers in San Jose and off we go.

Bus stopped at Gilroy. Driver was quiet but we sensed something wrong. Few minutes later, she announced we have a flat tire. You would think they will get the nearest road assistance but no, we have to wait for one of their own from the nearest bus depot. Guess where our savior will come from? All the way from San Francisco with an ETA of 2-3 hours. I'm not even sure how long they'll be able to fix it when help arrives. I'm hoping the worst won't happen...that the tire can't be fixed. If that's the case, I don't know what will be my other options if there's any. Hitchhiking?

I wanted to update it. I tried it again last week because I was lucky enough to get a $1 ticket to go to Sacramento to see my Grandma. There was no double decker bus like the original Megabus I rode had. There were power outlets, but the seats were very uncomfortable. Also their Wifi did not work so the advertising for Wifi was false.

The ride was only worth $1 in my opinion because it's not getting all the services as advertising and the seats are uncomfortable as heck.

Seriously have to give it the benefit of the doubt and say that Megabus is actually a pretty great bus line FOR THE PRICE. I see all these reviews complaining about poor customer service or how the bus is always late but what did you expect for $6? I'm surprised the bus shows up at all for $6. Take a $35 greyhound if you want reliability.

Overall, got me from SF to Sacramento only 15 mins past when expected and was comfortable and easy ride. Great for those on a budget.

Megabus needs update luggage handling way.
Someone took my bag instead her during unloading. They do not have any tracking system.

Hi I wrote something about Megabus on Quora then was given a notice that I can't contribute anymore because I used only my first name? anyways I actually enjoyed my trip SF to Anaheim. It was fun sitting on the top deck. The seats were comfortable and the restroom had hand sanitizer (I say this because the flixbus I took on the way back did not. So on flixbus there is no sink or hand sanitizer in the bathroom).

I had no problem with the driving of the bus, everything seemed fine. At least I didn't notice. On the way back with flixbus I did notice the driving of that bus driver and he was following too close.

The bus was on time for pick up and departure.

Other things I liked, the seats are higher than flixbus which was more comfortable. There is a pocket behind the seat in front like an airplane seat. I noticed something else: they took good care of our luggage. They loaded in for you, and I was surprised to see that the luggage area is carpeted and how they carefully stacked the luggage. They even put a color band on it and asked which stop you were getting off at.
I don't have a lot against flixbus, but the driver made us load and basically unload our luggage. It was the typical metal large cargo space, and he scraped our luggage along pushing it from the other side. I'm
Not trying to side against competitors; it's just easy to compare them. Me
And my daughter have been flying on trips frequently and I usually drive to LA and back, so this is our first time trying this out. I was ok with Megabus. I will avoid flixbus.

I took mega bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles for a last minute trip. It was about $65 per person round trip. We left Caltrain station at 1130p at night. Then the bus stopped at west Oakland Bart station and did a pitstop in Gilroy. When we got down to Southern California we stopped at Burbank and then union station. The seats are small and don't adjust at all. I didn't get a good night sleep at all. The seats were uncomfortable and there was a green light shining above my head the whole night couldn't turn it off or move it.

The trip back we were delayed we got to union station a half hour before departure and it was an hour delay, at first they said it was going to be a 2 hour delay. We were standing there in the hot sun/ heat in Los Angeles for nearly 2 hours they didn't text us only emailed us about the delay! I won't be taking mega bus, I'm going to take bolt bus. Bolt bus I heard is the same price, has nicer seats and is on-time!

Pros: more available seats, more professional service in storing your luggage unlike its Vietnamese bus competitor Xe Đò Hoàng. Also has a electric charger available to you.

Cons: seats not comfy, WiFi works 60% of the time, and extra charges/fees if booking online.

FYI: when you reserve MegaBus and order your trip online, remember to have your reservation code ready before boarding