Pyrodes loves the Chinatown Bus, and everyone loves a good set of rankings, so we have decided to continue our ongoing Chinatown Bus debate with a new NYC-Boston edition of the Chinatown Bus rankings. (For our NYC-DC bus rankings click here). For the ride to or from Beantown these days, there is no doubt fewer choices than the DC counterparts and less creativity on cornering the immigrant/college student/thrifty spender/train-phobic market. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t analysis to be done and rankings to be ranked. Look closely, folks, because there are real differences that can make the difference in a joyous day trip to Fenway Park or an afternoon stuck on the side of 1-95 somewhere in Connecticut. Soooss, here we go….

5. Boston Deluxe: (Website Here). Boston Deluxe, accessed through Go To Bus, has all the essentials without all the bells and whistles. This company has revamped its image and taken anew to the web with a fairly decent and functioning website. The company offers the standard fare of $15, but it does only provide about three trips a day between Boston and New York. Also, if you are in a small group, you may get stuck in a van instead of a bus, so beware. Witha ll the other options out there, van = not cool. So, for those of you who make your plans as you’re walking to a bus station, then this may not be the company for you. But, if you have a bit of forethought and want to avoid the rush with the other folks, look these guys up. They leave from the standard spots in Midtown at 32nd and Broadway but also provide service to the Upper East Side at 2nd Ave.

If you suspect there are better offers out there, you are right. The top four are after the jump….

4. Greyhound/Peter Pan: (Website Here). So, we know, these are the classics, the establishment, but they are still in business for a reason. Both peas from the same pod, Greyhound and Peter Pan offer consistent and dependable service up and down the east coast. Their prices may ebb and wane a bit, but as long as you’re shopping online, there shouldn’t be a problem finding a competitive price. Also, for those of you traveling to the myriad of satellite cities, these may be the options for you because there is  no equivalent to DC’s wonderful Vamoose Bus that can take you to all the places outside of downtown you may be headed to. Word to wise, Peter Pan often has the better buses, a movie or two, and better seating. Same price, same company…go figure…

3. Lucky Star: (Website Here). Lucky Star is Boston Deluxe with the bells and whistles added on. It is a solid bus ride, but the company offers many many more trips per day than our number five pick. The company operates a standard website for the standard prices at the standard stops in New York and Boston. It’ll take you to South Station and pick you up from New York’s Chinatown, very near to the Grand Street subway stop. All in all, we don’t have much bad to say about Lucky, but nothing that great either. That is why number 3 seemed to be the perfect fit. They are, however, running a $1 promo now, so check them out for some bargain shopping.

2. Fung Wah Bus: (Website Here). Fung Wah, simply put, is the grandpappy of the Chinatown Bus fad, and so, in respect, it deserves a spot at number 2. Let’s be clear though, Fung Wah operates the most buses and the most routes from Boston to New York and visa versa over its competitors, so it has street cred. Additionally, there is a rumor that you can get this company to swing you by Providence as well if the driver is so inclined, so keep an eye out for those opportunities Rhode Island fans. Fung Wah can’t always assure you the best quality busses, but they are there for you night and day, ticket or no. As the vertible pioneers of the Chinatown Bus movement, we encourage you to ride a bit of history and give’em a try. Now, it’s on to number one.

1. Bolt Bus: (Website Here).Bolt, even though deceptively operated by Greyhound, has established itslef as a dependable alternative to the Chinatown bus confusion. The busses are new, the drivers are courteous, the website is functional, etc and so on. But, as many of you know, the real selling point is the Internet. Slow, but usable, the Bolt wireless system is a godsend for those folks fortunate enough to own a computer but unfortunate enough not yet to have mobile internet. All the seats have electrical outlets and the hypnotic sounds of typing often fill the bus as it rolls down the road. Movies happen occasionally, but don’t count on it. Bolt offers easy tranfers in NYC to DC as well, so for you poor DC to Boston souls, this might be a good choice. Bolt has had its misssteps in the past, but the management seems to fix problems as they arise. Give them a try; you may find a cheaper deal somewhere in Chinatown at times, but for overall quality, Bolt is the ticket.

Happy Travels all, and if you have your own input, let us know in the comments section. Cheers.

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