Taking Bike on MEGABUS

Hi All:

I have never taken MegaBus, or any long transit bus before but am traveling to Wisconsin Dells next week and the 175 miles via bike in one day seems ominous; thinking of Megabus-ing to Madison, then biking to the Dells.

The MegaBus website says, "no bikes" on buses.

Anyone had any experience with this? I have no problem boxing and assembling the bike, just do not want to be turned away at bus stop. Can't bring bike travel case since I would have to carry it after getting on bike.

Any advice/experience would help greatly.

Thanks in advance.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on October 12, 2009 at 4:03am
Permalink Reply by Jared on October 12, 2009 at 4:51am
Amtrak goes to the Dells. Not sure of their bike policy though.
Permalink Reply by GP on October 12, 2009 at 6:20am
Amtrak will let you take your bike onboard in it's regular configuration (not folded or disassembled) for an extra $10. (They call it buying a ticket for your bike as well as for yourself) They have you bungee it to the vestibule of one of the cars. Here's how they made me stow mine: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v337/236/7/551442442/n551442442_1286096_4685.jpg

Hope that helps.

Jared said:
Amtrak goes to the Dells. Not sure of their bike policy though.
Permalink Reply by joe on October 12, 2009 at 7:42am
here is the deal with megabus and how to get around there stupid bike policy...

ive ridding tons of times and only had a couple with them and my bike...

no bikes me no bikes...dosnt matter if its in a box or a bag..tho most drivers dotn care as long as its taken apart and in a bag or a box...when u do encounter a dickhead driver that wants to look in your bag..then decides that u cant take it..u have them call dispatch and ask...most times they say no too...then u say.."how the hell do u expect me to get home..u brought me here with my bike..in this bag and now u say i cant go home?" they will ask for you confirmation # from the make belive trip..u say it was a week ago and i dont have it any more..i came up here to look for a job..or what ever..." they will let u on for sure. just gotta lie to em. :)
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on October 12, 2009 at 7:42am
Also you could borrow a folding bike from someone which would cut out the whole Amtrak and bus hassle.

Matt M. said:
Permalink Reply by Jared on October 12, 2009 at 8:38am
Was that on the Empire Builder or on an Illinois train? I'm under the assumption that accomodation for bikes varies by route.

Garrett Padera said:
Amtrak will let you take your bike onboard in it's regular configuration (not folded or disassembled) for an extra $10. (They call it buying a ticket for your bike as well as for yourself) They have you bungee it to the vestibule of one of the cars. Here's how they made me stow mine: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v337/236/7/551442442/n551442442_1286096_4685.jpg

Hope that helps.

Jared said:
Amtrak goes to the Dells. Not sure of their bike policy though.
Permalink Reply by GP on October 12, 2009 at 10:47am
Looks like they don't offer bicycle service on the Empire Builder... oops.

Jared said:
Was that on the Empire Builder or on an Illinois train? I'm under the assumption that accomodation for bikes varies by route.

Garrett Padera said:
Amtrak will let you take your bike onboard in it's regular configuration (not folded or disassembled) for an extra $10. (They call it buying a ticket for your bike as well as for yourself) They have you bungee it to the vestibule of one of the cars. Here's how they made me stow mine: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v337/236/7/551442442/n551442442_1286096_4685.jpg
Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 12, 2009 at 1:06pm
i believe that Amtrak's rule is boxed bikes are allowed on baggage service trains ONLY from one full service (baggage) station to another. i asked once about taking a bike on the Hiawatha train Glenview to Milwaukee and was told firmly that i could only take it on the Empire Builder and had to board at the downtown Chicago station. For the return, the bike was subject to availability of space in the baggage car.

Also, the Empire Builder is a reservations priority train, with preference given to through travellers.

Now my info is a couple of years old, so you'll need to check with Amtrak and ask a live person who knows what they're doing... Good luck with that.

Garrett Padera said:
Looks like they don't offer bicycle service on the Empire Builder... oops.

Jared said:
Was that on the Empire Builder or on an Illinois train? I'm under the assumption that accomodation for bikes varies by route.

Garrett Padera said:
Amtrak will let you take your bike onboard in it's regular configuration (not folded or disassembled) for an extra $10. (They call it buying a ticket for your bike as well as for yourself) They have you bungee it to the vestibule of one of the cars. Here's how they made me stow mine: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v337/236/7/551442442/n551442442_1286096_4685.jpg
Permalink Reply by Stuart Hannon on October 12, 2009 at 2:32pm
I've taken the Megabus before to Detroit. From what I have seen (cargo hold) if you could pack your bike into the smallest possible box you could probably get it in there. You would of course probably be charged a fee, not to mention have to disassemble your bike.
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on October 12, 2009 at 3:40pm
What a hilarious photo. Don't they have a baggage car? Or is that only on certain routes?

Garrett Padera said:
Amtrak will let you take your bike onboard in it's regular configuration (not folded or disassembled) for an extra $10. (They call it buying a ticket for your bike as well as for yourself) They have you bungee it to the vestibule of one of the cars. Here's how they made me stow mine: http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v337/236/7/551442442/n551442442_1286096_4685.jpg
Hope that helps.
Permalink Reply by jen on October 12, 2009 at 6:59pm
ok here in the lowdown on taking your bike to the dells. The dells is not a station with checked baggage. Carry on Luggage is limited to 2 peices 28x22x14 weighing under 50lbs. Thats the rule but its really not enforced. If you have a road case or can disasemble it to a moderate size you can prob get away with it.The empire builder is a superliner train I.E 2 levals the first leval is where you store your baggae on shelves if you get in line to board early you should have a chance of scoreing a secure spot for your boxes. If you wanna catch a red cap up on canal street if ya tip him $20 or $30 he can pretty much get ya on the train.
Now your return trip might be a diffrent story depending on who the conductors are passing through the dells they might refuse your oversize luggage. Pretty much if you plan dumb and cute you can get them to accomidate you
Permalink Reply by Amber K on October 13, 2009 at 2:03am
I wish it were easier to take bikes on buses and trains. I would definitely travel a lot more!

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