Amtrak/Greyhound for interviews?

[threecoins]

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Hey Folks, I have applied to programs almost all over the country but I have most density in the Midwest and East coast. I am considering clustering each group of interviews in neighboring states, flying between regions but taking Amtrak/Greyhound between states/cities. Does anyone have any experiences traveling on Greyhound or Amtrak for interviews? Any other options for transport that might save me money?

 

[mackie]

Hey Folks, I have applied to programs almost all over the country but I have most density in the Midwest and East coast. I am considering clustering each group of interviews in neighboring states, flying between regions but taking Amtrak/Greyhound between states/cities. Does anyone have any experiences traveling on Greyhound or Amtrak for interviews? Any other options for transport that might save me money?

I used Amtrak during east coast interviews in Maryland/DC area and Virginia. I flew into to DC. I didn't have any problems and it was really cheap compared to the cost of additional plane tickets. The train was also very comfortable with plenty of space to move around. I was able to sleep comfortably also.

I don't know anything about Greyhound except that my Mom road one once when she was younger and she instructed me to avoid them at all costs. She said an extra few hundred $$ was nothing compared to the discomfort I would suffer riding Greyhound (her words not mine).

 

[PTP]

I met an interviewee who did it. he mentioned its cheapest if you get somekind of pass thing where you can go on any bus/train in any city one you buy it.

 

[toofache32]

I remember researching trains and it wasn't much cheaper than airplanes, but a lot slower.

 

[fedor]

Google "Chinatown bus"

There are many bus lines between Chinatowns which are about half the cost of Greyhound.

 

[APACHE3]

These interviews are important. Rent a car and see a little of America. You are already showing the PD that transportation and TIMELY arrivals at the hospital MAY be a future problem for you. I don't know, maybe its just me, but if I'm a PD and my interviewee has no relaible transportation...Hmmm! Anyway, as of now, I'm flying to my 1st interview, then RENTING a car to hit get to my other places. Try to find what you can do, and DON"T take a bus. You will hate it! GL

 

[gryffindor]

I took Greyhound out of NYC last year for interviews in Philly, DC, Boston. It was fine, no problems. I've taken Greyhound many, many times out of NYC without complaints. Tons of people ride the bus and tons of buses are always leaving to/from these cities b/c they are very popular routes. You could take the Chinatown buses, but they really aren't that much less expensive than Greyhound. I choose Greyhound over Chinatown since they are national and have tons of choices to get you where you are going. Plus they are easy to find in Manhattan - go to Port Authority, a huge place, can't miss it - vs. Chinatown where you line up on a street corner. In Boston, however, the Chinatown bus leave right out of South Station right next to a Greyhound bus, so I guess it would be ok coming out of Boston.

Amtrak is a nicer ride, but it's always much more expensive than Greyhound. For example, I am going to Philly next weekend. Greyhound is going to cost me $32 ($14 each way + $4 ticket fee) and I can choose whichever time I want to get on the bus. Greyhound takes 2 hours door to door. Amtrak's cheapest option is $106, and it doesn't even have the times I want at that price. Amtrak takes 1.5 hours. Ummm, for an extra 30 min and 1/3 the cost, I choose Greyhound.

As far as renting a car, who cares? It is possible to arrive on time at a place using public transportation. If in a bind, I'll go to the front desk of my hotel and call a cab. Renting a car just to show you are "reliable" is ludicrous. Just b/c I don't have a car now (a car in NYC is a big expense and really unnecessary) doesn't mean I can't buy one when I match into their fabulous program in the middle of America.

Although I'm a fan of Greyhound out of NYC, I have rode the Greyhound out of Houston to San Antonio and that is a trip I will NOT do again. 😉

FYI, if you're going to do Greyhound, buy your tickets online b/c they are cheaper than the "walkup fare" you'll pay to buy it in the station. And make sure you look at the "special fare" link (whatever it's called) b/c that where it links you to the cheapest prices for the most popular routes.