Traveling with BoltBus FAQs

Frequently-asked questions about traveling with BoltBus

Bryn avatar
Written by Bryn
Updated over a week ago

BoltBus is a popular bus company offering very affordable ticket options to top travel destinations. Wanderu has the information you need for smooth travels with BoltBus!

Ready to book your ticket? Search away!

Know Before You Go

How much luggage can I bring on my BoltBus trip?

You are allowed one piece of baggage under the bus and two small bags to carry on (i.e., purse or backpack). The carry-on bags should be small enough to fit in the overhead bin. BoltBus does allow bicycles, if they fit under the bus. See the BoltBus luggage policy for more details.

Does BoltBus have amenities on board?

BoltBus does offer WiFi, power outlets, bathrooms, and entertainment on board most of its trips. Please keep in mind that since these are complimentary it is within the carrier's rights to not offer them on specific routes or if there are technical issues outside of their control.

Does BoltBus have a discount for children or infants?

BoltBus allows one infant (under the age of 2, seated on a lap) to travel for free per adult with full fare ticket. Children aged 2 or older must hold a full-priced adult ticket to travel accompanied by their parents or guardians.
You can book all of your BoltBus tickets, even for little ones, on https://www.wanderu.com/.

Can minors travel alone on BoltBus?

You must be 16 or older to travel unaccompanied on BoltBus. Young adults should be prepared to produce a photo ID with proof of age.

After Booking Your Ticket

I didn't receive my confirmation email or ticket from BoltBus!

Remember to check your email inbox/promotions and spam folder for an email directly from BoltBus. If you can't find the email, you can reach out to BoltBus at 1 (877) 265-8287 to request the tickets be resent.

Do I need to print my BoltBus ticket?

BoltBus does not require a printed ticket to board the bus. An E-Ticket is sent to you by email that you can load on most electronic devices. You will want to have your ticket ready to be displayed as you board for the agent to scan.
For more information about reading your BoltBus ticket, see our blog post here.

How early should I arrive at the station?

We recommend arriving at least 20-30 minutes before the departure time to prepare for the boarding process. If you are unfamiliar with the departure station, it's always good to leave extra time to find your way around!

Do I need an ID to board my bus?

No, currently BoltBus does not require an ID to board the bus. Of course, it is always a good idea to carry a government-issued ID whenever you hit the road.

Cancelling or Changing Your BoltBus Reservation

Can I make changes to my ticket?

You can contact BoltBus directly at +1 (877) 265-8287 (select Option #1) to change your ticket for a fee.
You may rebook up to the day prior to the original planned departure between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm ET. There is a $3 rebooking fee and a $2 transaction fee plus any difference in the new fare. If the newly rebooked fare costs less than the original fare, BoltBus will not issue credit for the difference.
All tickets are non-exchangeable after the bus has departed.

Can I cancel my ticket and get a refund?
Unfortunately, all BoltBus tickets are nonrefundable.

On Your Day of Travel

Where is the bus?
BoltBus offers an online tracker to see when your bus will arrive!

I missed my bus! What do I do?
You can use your ticket as a standby passenger on earlier or later schedules from your ticketed origin to your ticketed destination on your ticketed travel date. Standby passengers will board on a space-available basis and will only have a guaranteed seat on their ticketed schedule.

If you did not travel, requesting a refund for the unused ticket would be completely up to BoltBus, since reservations and transactions are done directly with the carrier.
Usually, no refunds or credits will be given in instances where passengers did not travel, but you can always contact BoltBus to inquire at 1 (877) 265-8287.

More Questions

You can learn more about traveling on BoltBus here. If you have further questions, you are welcome to reach out to us at [email protected], or by chat using the chat bubble on the right-hand side of the screen.

Safe travels!

Did this answer your question?