Riding Long‑Distance Buses in 2026: My Greyhound and FlixBus Experience from Texas to Georgia

In late January 2026, I had to make a long-distance trip from central Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, for work training. Ideally, I would have preferred a rental car — but my company would not cover it because I didn’t yet have the seniority, and I didn’t have the disposable income or a credit card to pay for the rental and fuel myself.

My second choice was Amtrak, but traveling by train from Texas to Atlanta would have taken four days and passed through multiple regions heavily affected by severe winter weather — far longer than the roughly 36 hours it took me by bus. My third choice would have been driving my own vehicle, but it has over 80,000 miles and had recently shown issues starting, so I didn’t trust it for such a long distance. Flying wasn’t a real option either, because my company rarely books flights for new employees without prior flying experience, and I personally had never flown before. After explaining my situation, the company decided the most viable option was long-distance bus travel.

Early Trip Cancellations and Rescheduling Headaches

On my first attempt to depart, a portion of the itinerary was canceled due to ice storms. Greyhound did not automatically reschedule that leg — only a single portion was dropped.

On my second attempt, after reaching Austin, I learned that all routes heading north — even those out of Waco and as far south as Houston — were canceled as weather conditions worsened.

Communication between Greyhound and FlixBus was inconsistent: some passengers got emails or texts, others got nothing until they physically arrived at the stops.

Some people were left scrambling, with no clue how to continue their journeys.

Luckily, I had a ride to return home so I could rebook for the next day.

To hedge against further cancellations, I pre‑booked two departure times — one early and one later that would run directly to Houston if the first one was canceled.

What You Should Bring in Your Carry‑On Bag

Your carry‑on bag — the one you keep with you inside the bus coach — is one of the most important things you’ll pack. It should not be tiny. Greyhound and FlixBus allow one carry‑on bag that is kept in the seating area, typically about 16 × 12 × 7 inches and up to around 25 lbs. This is roughly the size of a large school or college backpack, or something equivalent to a medium hiking pack (50–70 L). Use that space fully — it’s meant for everything you might need during the journey.

Snacks & Hydration

Bus terminals and roadside stops are not guaranteed to have food options — even official Greyhound terminals don’t have vending machines or food services.

Recommended snack items:

-Protein bars, beef jerky, dried meats, trail mix, nuts

-Cheese sticks, crackers, chips

-Ramen or similar meals (bring a small lidded bowl and napkins for any leftover liquid)

-Plenty of water, coconut water, or Gatorade ( you wouldn't think sitting that long will make you dehydrated, which will make you hurt all over which I'll make your next day miserable but it will happen)

- Foods that won’t spoil without refrigeration or create strong smells

Personal Comfort Items:

- Small blanket or packable throw (many travelers carry these, and it’s invaluable when you get cold or try and sleep)

- Travel pillow (especially for overnight legs)

- Layers of clothing (jacket and a long sleeve shirt under a tshirt or sweater is invaluable this time of year. Be aware, though some drivers keep that bus hot as hill. My last segment was with a great Greyhound driver. He was fantastic. Driver kept the bus really comfortable overnight. But once  daytime came he should have lowered that heat down. Because both his heater in the front and the one for the rest of the bus was sat at 80 and 81°F, which overnight with the low temperatures that was invaluable. But once it warmed up to the forties and fifties during the day that got a little stifling)

Health & Hygiene Essentials:

-Prescription medications and over-the-counter basics

-Menstrual products if applicable

-Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues (There is only have hand sanitizer back in the commode of the bus plus if you eat anything you need to be able to wash your hands and face. Overnight you might want to wash your face. Baby wipes are a great way to do all this.)

Electronics & Entertainment:

-Fully charged devices (phone &/ tablet)

-Portable battery pack

-Chargers for all devices

-Headphones or earbuds (wired or Bluetooth) ( make sure you they work with your device, especially if you just recently got your device)

- Downloaded audiobooks, podcasts, music, or movies

Other Essentials: 

-Money, ID, tickets

-Multiple pairs of glasses, contacts, and sunglasses

-Reusable utensils if you bring meals

Packing Organization Tip

Invest in packing cubes.

I didn’t do this for my trip, and once I reached my hotel in Atlanta and was trying to find clothes for the next day, I basically made a mess of the organization I had in my main bag. Packing cubes keep items grouped — socks in one, underwear in another, shirts in another — making travel far less chaotic.

Seat Considerations for Taller or Broader Travelers

Bus seats are generally designed with a 160–180 lb frame in mind.

That means:

- Taller people may feel cramped in legroom

- Broader or plus-size people may find shoulder and hip space tight

- Traveling overnight or for more than a couple of hours makes discomfort worse

If you can afford it, reserve the seat next to you.

This allows:

- Extra room to stretch out

- Less stress on joints and hips

- A better chance at sleeping

- Greater personal comfort for long trips

On one segment from Waco to Dallas, I sat next to a gentleman about 5’10” and 250 pounds. Even though he tried to maximize our shared space, we were still uncomfortably tight. If you’re on an overnight or extended trip, that extra seat can make a significant difference. These buses are not designed for large bodies — two average adults in a single row often feel cramped.

Terminals & Stops: Greyhound vs. FlixBus Experience

Greyhound Terminals (Formal Stations)

All the Greyhound terminals I used — Austin, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, and Atlanta — were proper stations with staff, seating, and at least basic waiting areas. On the Greyhound portion of my journey, we also made: One gas station stop to briefly pick up a passenger. One non-terminal stop in a shopping center where a passenger got off. In Alabama, we briefly pulled into a few Greyhound terminals, including Montgomery, to drop off and pick up passengers. These stops were very quick and we did not disembark.

FlixBus (Off‑Terminal / Informal Stops)

The FlixBus segment, until Biloxi, did not stop at any Greyhound terminals. Most of the stops were:

Sidewalk pull-outs covered in ice or snow (such as in Dallas for nearly an hour). Dark, empty parking lots (some with 4-hour layovers such as in Houston). A few small gas station stops. One Love’s truck stop - which was the highlight of the hours spent on a Flixbus. One or two other roadside pick-ups and drop-offs that were very unsecure. At most FlixBus stops, there were no facilities, vending machines, or shelter. You cannot rely on the bus for food or water — bring everything you need in your carry-on bag.

Who Uses Long-Distance Buses

Long-distance intercity buses remain an essential transportation mode for millions of Americans, not just for those without cars:

Around 50 million passengers used long-distance buses in 2023

Greyhound alone serves roughly 16 million passengers annually

FlixBus and Greyhound combined serve over 1,600 destinations across North America. These buses serve roughly 89% of rural U.S. populations, connecting communities where trains and flights don’t reach. 

Typical passengers include:

Working adults commuting or traveling for job training, students or young adults, those without disposable income for flights or rental cars, travelers in regions poorly served by Amtrak or other rail. By comparison, Amtrak has far fewer routes outside the Northeast Corridor. For example, traveling from central Texas to Atlanta by train could take four days going from central Te as to in Chicago to D.C. before reaching Atlanta and costing just shy of $400 whereas a bus trip takes roughly 36 hours for under $200.

Practical Tips for Long-Distance Bus Travel

Pack enough snacks, meals, and beverages for the entire trip. Include personal comfort items: blanket, pillow, and a jacket if the temperaturemight drop. Pack efficiently and consider packing cubes for organization. Book extra seats if possible, especially for overnight trips or if taller/wider. Bring your own entertainment and fully charged devices. Carry a small lidded bowl and utensils for meals like ramen or soups. Include hygiene items, baby wipes, and spare glasses. Prepare for informal stops — many FlixBus stops have no facilities, lighting, or shelter. 

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Sources:

Smart Cities Dive. “Here’s how U.S. intercity bus lines are doing in 2024.”

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/intercity-bus-lines-flixbus-greyhound-megabus/726020/

FlixBus. “Flix marks seven years of expanding intercity travel.”

https://www.flixbus.com/flix-marks-seven-years-of-transforming-intercity-bus-travel-in-the-us-amid-rising-consumer-demand

Bureau of Transportation Statistics: Scheduled Intercity Transportation and the U.S. Rural Population.

https://www.bts.gov/archive/publications/scheduled_intercity_transportation_and_the_us_rural_population/table_of_contents/rural_intercity_transportation

Bus industry statistics and ridership figures.

https://gitnux.org/bus-industry-statistics/

Greyhound. Baggage Policy and Carry‑On Guidelines.

https://www.greyhound.com/en/faqs/baggage

Amtrak. Route Maps and Coverage Information.

https://www.amtrak.com/routes