Finding reliable transportation to return home for holidays and special occasions can be challenging for students who don’t own a car.
The latest travel option students have is Megabus, a service that departs from the Marion Transit Center, about 25 minutes from downtown Tampa.
Megabus is a “safe, convenient, low cost, daily express bus service” that has served more than 35 million people in the United States and Canada, according to the Megabus official website. This double-decker bus offers affordable prices to anybody visiting Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando from Tampa. It has restrooms, reclining seats, power outlets, free Wi-Fi and allows passengers to eat and drink onboard.
Fares start at just $1 and steadily increase in price as the departure date nears. A ride to Orlando booked a week in advance would likely cost $5 to $10. The earlier the booking, the cheaper the ticket.
Megabus’ prices are cheaper than a flight, which can cost about $281 round-trip according to Expedia. The average price to fly from Tampa International Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is $85.
Megabus leaves from both TIA and the Marion Transit Center. At TIA, prices vary drastically depending on the date, time and airline. Take Interstate 275 N to the Marion Transit Center.
For each reserved seat, two pieces of luggage are permitted # one to rest in the lap of the passenger, and another to remain in storage overhead. If more luggage is necessary, an additional ticket may be purchased to ensure space. This option is still cheaper than purchasing an extra carry-on item at the airport, which can cost $20 or more according to weight.
Information gathered from Google.com/flights and Google Maps.
