Taking the bus between these blockbuster cities is more affordable, convenient and comfortable than you might assume.
Greyhound is North America’s most iconic inter-city bus network (Photo: Greyhound)
You could fly in half the time, but for those on a budget and with an environmental conscience, bus is best. It takes roughly nine hours to make the 370-mile journey across the border, which means you could feasibly enjoy pancakes and coffee in Manhatten and poutine in Montreal for dinner without having to break too much of a sweat. Currently, 16-18 services operate along the route between the two cities, though some are slower and require transfers. To help you work out the best bus for your budget, we’ve compared three of the most popular bus services from New York City to Montreal.
FlixBus
FlixBus is one of the fastest-growing coach networks in the world, and for good reason. Renowned for its reliable and affordable services, customers consistently rate it as one of the top coach providers in the United States. The company offers two services between New York and Montreal per day, departing at 10:00 am or 10:30 pm from Midtown. Both journeys take around 8 hours and 30 minutes. Onboard, there’s free WiFi, air conditioning and power sockets at each seat. Passengers are entitled to one carry bag, one 20 kg checked bag, and extra bags for an additional fee. Buses are direct, with stops at Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Plattsburgh.
Greyhound
FlixBus acquired Greyhound in 2021, but the iconic North American bus service still operates its own fleet of buses. Currently, the operator offers four daily services, including two overnight services departing at 08:45 pm and 12:01 am respectively. For this reason, it’s the best option for those looking to maximize daytime hours in both cities. Journey times vary between 8 hours 19 minutes and 9 hours 35 minutes, depending on the time of day and number of stops along the way. Onboard, passengers can enjoy similar amenities to those offered on FlixBus, including air-conditioning, WiFi and power sockets at each seat. Carry-on luggage allowances are slightly more generous, making it a good option for those travelling with one bag.
Trailways
New York-based Trailways offers six services per day, from 09:30 am to 09:30 pm. Journey times range from 8 hours 20 minutes to 12 hours 50 minutes, depending on the route. Three of the six services are shared with Wanda Coach, another popular coach provider in the United States. Prices are slightly cheaper than those offered by its competitors, making it the best option for those on a budget. Prices include one carry-on bag and one checked bag, with a maximum of two additional bags for a fee. Onboard, passengers can enjoy Wifi, air-conditioning and power sockets at every seat.