Is there a comfortable and not too expensive way to get from Washington DC to Toronto

[Spanky Deluxe]

We're going to be heading to the states in mid June for a couple of weeks and are planning on splitting our time between NYC, Washington DC and (maybe) Toronto.

NYC to Washington shouldn't be too much of a problem since the trains don't look too expensive or long but it looks like Toronto won't be too feasible since there's no direct train line. Is the only option (short of expensive short haul flights) the megabus? If yes, is it ok? I've only ever had miserable experiences of coach rides in Europe (being 6'2" tall) but I've always heard US busses are far more roomy.

The idea would have been NYC->Washington DC->Toronto->NYC. If we were to get the megabus from DC to Toronto then it would only be about $30 or so for an overnight bus but I'd happily pay ~$100 for an overnight per person if it were comfortable enough to sleep on.

 

[wordoflife]

Did you already book your tickets?
Where are you arriving in the US?

I would personally just go from North to South (Toronto, New York, Washington, New York).

Also, I wouldn't take a bus. I would just take the train (Amtrak), but it costs more. How long would the bus take?

*edit, just looked at the bus/train times. The bus is way faster

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Yeah, already booked the flights. Flying to/from different airports would have cost a hell of a lot more alas.

 

[wordoflife]

Yeah, already booked the flights.

to where?

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Jfk

 

[mstrze]

Also, I wouldn't take a bus. I would just take the train (Amtrak), but it costs more.

It's a nearly 16 hour trip...costs $144 one-way for coach seats. You take 3 separate trains (at least no buses are involved).

 

[wordoflife]

It's a nearly 16 hour trip...costs $144 one-way for coach seats. You take 3 separate trains (at least no buses are involved).

Yeah, I just checked. Its ~21 hours actually. The bus seems like a better choice.

 

[iJohnHenry]

I just checked Porter airlines, a fairly new "hopper" around here.

~$500 to and from Newark/Toronto Island airport.

This was for a return flight from N.Y. next Wednesday and return next Thursday.

Yikes.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Yeah I can't find anything else. A coach service that's a bit more roomy would be ideal but I can't find anything. Is megabus really that bad? I'm quite surprised that no one else seems to have coach services from Washington DC to Toronto, what with it being the capital and all!

 

[leenak]

Although airplane tickets are super costly right now, I'd look at taking the plane. It isn't unusual to get a RT $100-$150 ticket for DC/NY or even Toronto/DC.

I've had friends go on Megabus and really the only reason they like it is because it is cheap. I personally go on Amtrak when visiting NY.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Although airplane tickets are super costly right now, I'd look at taking the plane. It isn't unusual to get a RT $100-$150 ticket for DC/NY or even Toronto/DC.

I've had friends go on Megabus and really the only reason they like it is because it is cheap. I personally go on Amtrak when visiting NY.

Are there any budget airlines to look at? I haven't seen any tickets even remotely close to $100-$150 return.

 

[Sydde]

Yeah I can't find anything else. A coach service that's a bit more roomy would be ideal but I can't find anything. Is megabus really that bad? I'm quite surprised that no one else seems to have coach services from Washington DC to Toronto, what with it being the capital and all!

Ottawa is the capital, not Toronto.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Ottawa is the capital, not Toronto.

Obviously. I meant Washington D.C.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Obviously. I meant Washington D.C.

And Toronto is the capitol of the province of Ontario.

 

[Iscariot]

Flying porter (as ijh suggested) is an excellent experience, and the airport they fly out of in Toronto is located centrally. As far as a bus service goes, I've taken Greyhound to and from New York, overnight, and it was comfortable enough to sleep on.