Luggage on the Bus

Luggage Support

What can I bring on a bus?

Would you like information on bus and luggage transport? Do you want to know if you can bring a second bag? Whether it will be possible to carry a bike or a stroller? Whether your dog will be able to travel with you? Are you disabled and don’t know how to travel in a wheelchair?

Luggage

With CheckMyBus you will find all the information on transport.

Write to us! – We’re at your service.

Write a Comment

Luggage, suitcases and bikes on board

The bus is a means of transportation that allows you to carry a good amount of luggage for free. However, there are restrictions due to limited space on board. Being aware of the specific general regulations of each bus company can save you trouble. You can then start your journey without any surprises and enjoy a pleasant and stress-free journey.

Luggage: Packed Suitcase

What luggage can I take?

If you travel by bus, you have probably noticed the great advantage this mode of transportation offers. Traveling by bus allows you to carry a large amount of luggage on board. However, there is a limit. Maximum size, weight and even the permitted content vary from operator to operator. There are specific rules regarding the transport of special luggage, such as musical instruments or sports equipment. For this reason, it is important to know what the ground rules are and to stay informed about the company you plan to book with.

Here are the main American bus companies and their general conditions regarding luggage transportation:

 

Greyhound - Bus Tickets, Schedules and Discounts
  • Checked Baggage: One bag (62″ H+L+W, 50lbs max.) for free, second bag $15
  • Carry-On Luggage: One bag (25lbs max.) that can fit into the overhead cabin
  • Oversized/Overweight Baggage: Must be shipped through Greyhound Package Express (up to 5 pieces 75lbs max.); discounts if traveling on the same trip, otherwise $35 to $45 per piece
  • Bicycle Allowance: Yes, must be packed in wooden or canvas container and securely buckled (Should it exceed the size/weight limit, it must be shipped via Greyhound Package Express)

 

megabus - Bus Tickets, Schedules and Discounts
  • Checked Baggage: One bag (62″ H+L+W, 50lbs max.)
  • Carry-On Luggage: One bag that can fit into the overhead cabin
  • Oversized/Overweight Baggage: Not allowed
  • Bicycle Allowance: Not available

 

FlixBus - Bus Tickets, Schedules and Discounts
  • Checked Baggage: One bag (max 80x50x30 cm, slightly divergent dimensions are allowed with a total volume not exceeding 160 cm and a maximum weight 20 kg.)
  • Carry-On Luggage: One bag (max 42x30x18 cm, max. 7kg)
  • Oversized/Overweight Baggage: Not allowed
  • Bicycle Allowance: Not available

What to do with your luggage while you’re in the city

The last thing you need while exploring a new and exciting city is to drag your suitcases with you. Fortunately, there are services that allow you to find a convenient and secure place to store your luggage. Find out more about luggage storage below!

Luggage Storage

What luggage is prohibited on board a bus?

In order to ensure a pleasant, but above all safe travel experience, all bus operators have complied with general rules about items that are absolutely forbidden on board. However, the choice of which objects are considered inappropriate or dangerous, and therefore not allowed, is up to the individual operator.

The main items banned by all companies include: Weapons, bombs, drugs, frozen food, animals (except for service dogs), combustible liquids and solids, toxic items, radioactive materials, raw meat products , dangerous substances containing bacteria or viruses, alkaline substances, liquid batteries and generally any object that may pose a danger to passengers or which is not suitable on board the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to bring cigarettes on board, but it is strictly forbidden to smoke on the bus.

Can I bring my pet on the bus?

Pets on the Bus

Unfortunately, most bus companies do not allow pets onboard. However, if you require a guide or assistance dog, then you are usually able to take them on the bus trip as well. Make sure that the service animal received the proper training and is always under your control. The bus company megabus US, for instance, also demands that passengers properly harness service animals.

On international connections, pets are also not allowed unless they are guide dogs for people who require special assistance.

If in doubt, we always recommend that you contact customer support to get more details about transporting your four-legged friend.

Wheelchairs, Booster Seats and Strollers

Wheelchairs, booster seats and strollers are necessary items, which is why there are specific rules for them. They do not count as oversized/overweight luggage, and passengers can usually bring these on board for free. If you want to take the bus while remaining seated in your wheelchair, then this is usually allowed. However, note the overall weight of the wheelchair and the passenger in it must not exceed 600lbs. If it does, then the wheelchair will be stored in the luggage compartment and the passenger must take a normal seat.

Luggage: Wheelchair

If you want to take the bus as a wheelchair user, then it is necessary to contact the respective bus company in advance. It’s best to do this a few days prior to your trip to make sure there is still space available. Also make sure to be at the bus stop a bit earlier so that someone can help you with baggage storage or other possible issues.

Greyhound:

  • Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter: Overall weight of the passenger and wheelchair/mobility scooter combined is 600lbs max. (Max size for wheelchair: 30*48; for mobility scooter: 30*30*48)
    Note: Contact Greyhound prior to departure for assistance or baggage storage
  • Baby Stroller: You can store baby strollers in the compartment under the bus, and bring a car seat in addition to carry-on luggage

FlixBus:

  • Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter: Overall weight of the passenger and wheelchair/mobility scooter combined is 600lbs max. (Max size for wheelchair: 30*48; for mobility scooter: 30*30*48).
    Note: When making your booking, please indicate how many passengers will be taking a wheelchair or mobility device. We also advise contacting FlixBus within 24 hours to confirm your ride.
  • Baby Stroller: Strollers are free of charge provided the child is travelling with the passenger. These must be collapsible. Passengers with strollers should register within 48 hours of the trip.

megabus:

  • Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter: Overall weight of the passenger and wheelchair/mobility scooter combined is 600lbs max. (Max size for wheelchair: 30*48; for mobility scooter: 30*30*48).
    Note: Contact megabus to reserve your wheelchair space and be at the bus station 15min prior to departure for assistance or baggage storage
  • Baby Stroller: You may bring one baby stroller in addition to the maximum baggage allowance

Trailways:

  • Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter: Overall weight of the passenger and wheelchair/mobility scooter combined is 600lbs max. (Max size for wheelchair: 30*48; for mobility scooter: 30*30*48)
    Note: Contact Trailways 24 hours prior to departure for assistance or baggage storage
  • Baby Stroller: You can store baby strollers in the compartment under the bus.

Jefferson Lines:

  • Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter: Overall weight of the passenger and wheelchair/mobility scooter combined is 600lbs max. (Max size for wheelchair: 30*48; for mobility scooter: 30*30*48)
    Note: Contact Jefferson Lines 48 hours prior to departure for assistance or baggage storage
  • Baby Stroller: You can store baby strollers in the compartment under the bus.

What Happens if I lose my luggage?

Luggage Support

In general, every passenger is responsible for their own belongings. This is particularly true for carry-on luggage. Greyhound, for instance, cannot compensate you if you lose your handbag, which you should carry with you at all times. Furthermore, for luggage items stored in the baggage compartment of the bus, the rules are different. If these go missing, you can file a claim. Greyhound and megabus, for instance, will reimburse you up to a maximum of $250 per adult ticket. If you have bought a child ticket on Greyhound, then the maximum compensation is $150.

If you travel with valuable items, then you should check whether luggage insurance is an option for you. Greyhound, for instance, offers this. If you misplace or lose your luggage, then you should also contact the bus company directly. Most bus companies, like megabus, offer specific Lost and Found offices which try to locate missing items. Sometimes, however, there might be a time limit: Greyhound, for instance, tries to recover your lost luggage for 15 days. Afterwards, most bus companies treat the inquiry as a claim for reimbursement.

111 Comments

  • Maureen L Krull

    Hi I have 20 lb, quiet dog that we need to take touring with us. You say pets are allowed. What are the details. Can he be in a secure carrier at our feet? Or can we buy a seat for him in his carrier?
    Thank you

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Hi Maureen,

      Thank you for your message. Different bus companies have varying policies regarding bringing animals on board so it’s important to keep the bus provider you travel with in mind. Generally, if your pet is licensed and the company says that this is permitted, you’ll need to have all the proper documentation on hand. We suggest contacting the provider you travel with directly to know for sure.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support Team

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Vasanth,

      Thank you for your message. With which bus company would you like to travel with? Different coach providers have different policies regarding what’s allowed as a piece of luggage. Generally, you might be able to bring it as a personal item or as an extra piece of luggage for an added fee provided its packed a certain way. For more specific information, we suggest looking into the bus company directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Dee

      Thank you for your message. You can bring pets onboard Primera Plus. If the pet is a guide dog or emotional support dog prescribed by a mental health specialist, then you should be able to take the dog with you inside the bus. You can also take the pet in the trunk of the bus under the following stipulations according to the company’s webpage:

      It is possible if you meet the following requirements:

      “You must go in a transport cage in good condition and to the appropriate size of the pet.
      The cages must be constructed of resistant and waterproof materials, provided with holes in the walls and / or ceiling that allow sufficient ventilation, with a strong and resistant access door, closed tightly to prevent the animal from escaping.
      You must provide a painkiller 30 minutes before departure (under veterinarian’s prescription).
      You must travel at the bottom of the bus with your luggage (trunk).
      Do not travel for more than 6 hours, in case of trips longer than 8 hours you should consider a stopover with rest stay.
      Carry your health and vaccination certificate for a phytosanitary review.
      The transportation of the pet is at the client’s risk.

      In the event that any damage occurs, the unit or the belongings of the clients, caused by the transported pet, will be the responsibility of the owner of the same.
      You should contact the person responsible for requesting this service, in order to provide the facilities for your trip.”

      For more detailed information, we suggest contacting the company directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear S Arivukkarasan,

      Thank you for your message. With which bus company would you like to travel with? Please note that as an intercity bus price comparison portal, CheckMyBus doesn’t operate buses and each of our partner companies has a different policy regarding the minimum and maximum luggage capacity.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Holly Potton

    Good morning,

    I was wondering if you knew of any buses that would allow me to bring my pet chihuahua with me on board? I am happy to put her in a little carry on box, and to pay for an extra seat. She is a very quiet dog and very well behaved 🙂

    Looking forward to hearing back from you!

    All the best and kind regards,

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Holly,

      Thank you for your message. Where would you like to travel? Unfortunately, the majority of intercity buses don’t allow pets onboard, but some companies like buscenter.it allow pets under specific circumstances. To know for sure what’s allowed, we suggest contacting the bus provider which serves the routes you’d like to travel on directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Sharon,

      Thank you for your message. There are buses available for this connection at about $22.00, however many bus companies only allow passengers to book two to three months in advance. Unfortunately, as of right now, there are no connections for October 6 in our system. As your travel date gets closer, you should be able to see the connections for this date and be able to book your ticket. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us again.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Seshasowri

    Hi,
    I would be traveling with a large suitcase, a rucksack, and a laptop bag. I have a booking in shortline bus through megabus booking portal. On the Megabus booking portal, they specified a restriction of one large bag and a small laptop bag. However, on the shortline bus luggage restrictions, they mentioned 2 large bags and one small bag. Can you suggest which of their restrictions should I consider while traveling. If only one large bag is allowed, would they allow me to travel with the rucksack by charging me some additional monetary compensation?

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Seshasowri,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a bus route in our system, you are then redirected to the bus company’s website to make the booking and payment. According to the megabus website there is one piece of luggage per passenger and one small carry-on bag allowed. For more information about what you can or can’t bring on board, we suggest contacting megabus directly.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Bobbi

    On Jefferson Lines between Kansas City and Omaha, am I allowed to check one bag, have one carryon, AND bring a medium-sized purse, or is the purse considered my “carry-on”? If the purse is a carry-on, should I alert them ahead of time that I will have 2 bags to check to be sure they both get on the bus with me?

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Bobbi,

      Thank you for your message. Generally, you can bring your purse as a personal item, however this could depend on the size of the purse and the bus provider’s luggage rules. We suggest contacting the bus provider ahead of time to make sure that this is alright and so that they can prepare if need be.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

  • Vincenta Mikulenaite

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    I am planning to take a bus from München to Schönau am Königssee in 10-07-2019 at 8:43 PM. My luggage consists of a bicycle which will be folded and packed and one cyclist bag (34 x 46 x 32 cm). I would like to ask if there are any problems carrying that kind of luggage? Maybe I need to get a permission and pay extra for it?

    Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.

    • Avatar photo

      CheckMyBus-Support

      Dear Vincenta,

      Thank you for your message. Please note that CheckMyBus is an intercity bus price comparison portal and doesn’t sell tickets. When you click “view deal” on a bus connection in our system, you are then redirected to the company’s web-page to make the booking and payment. Different bus companies have different policies regarding luggage, however generally you can bring extra luggage for a fee provided you contact the company directly before hand to give them notice. For more specific details about what’s possible, we suggest contacting the bus company directly to know for sure.

      Best regards,
      Your CheckMyBus Support

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.