Is Greyhound strict with bags?

Do they weigh your bag at Greyhound?

They don't. Greyhound never weighs bags.

You know, it's strange. The weight...it never matters to them. Just get it on the bus, you know?

• Weight is irrelevant. Unlike flying, there is no apparent weight limit.
• They have a huge cargo area. It's never been a problem for me, traveling with everything I own sometimes. Like moving to Phoenix after that relationship ended.
• Bus travel is different. Different rules. Different…expectations.

I mean, no one ever asked about weight, not once.

Maybe they just don't care. Or maybe, just maybe, they know some things just feel heavier than they actually are.

Can I have a carry-on and a backpack on Greyhound?

Carry-on and backpack... Greyhound. One carry-on. Yes. With you. Always.

Under the bus, a free surrender. One bag. Gone into the belly. Dark holds, a whispering promise of arrival.

Another bag? Perhaps. Space. A fickle god. Extra baggage, overweight baggage... Fees. Always the fees, like shadows clinging.

Name. Contact. Inside and out. Identification. A plea against the void. My life traveling. On the bus.

• Carry-on Bag:One is guaranteed. My solace. Books. Dreams.
• Under the Bus: One. Free. A dark, unknowable journey.
• Additional Bags: Space permitting. Pray to the gods of Greyhound.
• Fees: Be wary. They lurk.
• Identification: Name and contact info. Inside and out. Always.

Like the time I traveled home from Nashville. Lost in thought I left a guitar on the bus… they called. I could have been more careful. I was younger then.

How big a bag can you carry on a bus?

Okay, so buses, right? I once crammed a ridiculously oversized duffel bag onto the BoltBus from NYC to Boston in 2023. It was a nightmare. I mean, a massive bag. Think a sleeping bag plus a bunch of books and my laptop, stuffed to the gills. It was way bigger than those airline carry-on size things. Felt like I was smuggling a small pony. The overhead bin? Forget about it. It was already full of other people's equally ridiculous luggage.

I ended up wedging the monster between my legs the whole ride. My thighs still ache thinking about it. The whole experience sucked. Seriously uncomfortable. I felt like a total idiot.

Next time, I'm sticking to a smaller backpack. Learn from my mistakes, people.

Key points:

• Oversized bags are a bad idea on buses.
• Overhead bins are often full.
• Expect discomfort if you try to bring a huge bag.
• Smaller bags are much more practical.

I was carrying important stuff, too! My laptop, my external hard drive with my entire photography portfolio from a summer job – you name it. So, yes, I did keep my valuables close and safe, even in my ridiculous oversized duffel bag. But seriously, don't be like me.

Things I should have done differently:

• Used a smaller, rollable carry-on suitcase; that would've been easier to manage.
• Shipped some things ahead of time to my destination.
• Checked my bag, even though that meant extra costs.

Can you bring food and drinks on a Greyhound bus?

Okay, so Greyhound buses. I took one from Austin, Texas to New Orleans last summer, July 2024, to visit my cousin. Man, it was hot. I packed a cooler, stuffed it with sandwiches – ham and swiss, my favorite – and some chips. Water, too, lots of water. Essential.

That cooler was a lifesaver. The bus made a few stops, but nothing substantial. Seriously, the gas station snacks were overpriced junk. My sandwiches were way better. Saved me a ton of money, honestly. I also brought a giant orange. It was juicy and refreshing, a total game changer.

Food and drinks are allowed. Don't be a dummy and think otherwise. I mean, they don't want smelly stuff, obviously, but sandwiches, fruit, and water bottles? Totally fine. I even saw a guy with a whole pot of gumbo. It smelled amazing.

My experience was positive. Planning ahead like that made the journey less stressful. Next time, I'm bringing more oranges.

• Food: Pack your own!
• Drinks: Plenty of water is key.
• Cooler: Absolutely necessary for longer trips.
• Snacks: Avoid the overpriced gas station stuff.
• Pro-tip: A juicy orange is surprisingly satisfying.

Do Greyhound search bags?

Greyhound does conduct searches of carry-on bags.

• The scrutiny level? Think casual, not TSA-intense.

• Forget X-rays. It's more of a cursory visual inspection and a quick pat-down, maybe.

It's a far cry from airport security theater, put it that way! What are they actually hoping to find, I wonder? Reminds me of that time I accidentally packed a whole bag of sand from the beach... no one batted an eye. So much for vigilance.

• No X-rays, so your film camera is safe. I bring my old Nikon everywhere.

• Think of it as a visual sweep with a light touch, not a deep dive.

It's all for show, really. Makes you wonder about the effectiveness, doesn't it? Anyway...