For a Wheel Deal, the Bus Stops Here

Each year, multitudes of Americans vacation by heading off on road trips--but instead of using the family car, they “leave the driving to us,” to quote the well-known ad line. “Us” in this case is not only Greyhound, Trailways and the score of regional intercity bus companies throughout the United States, but also outfits specializing in bus touring and traveling. Some are multimillion-dollar concerns, while others are nearly mom-and-pop operations. Levels of cost (as well as handholding and amenities) can differ markedly as well.

What they have in common is their dedication to encouraging Americans to expand their firsthand knowledge of their country and the world at prices lower than just about any other option except simply getting into that family car and going. Following are just a few of the least expensive escorted and independent bus touring possibilities:

* YMT Vacations. One of America’s top budget-oriented motor coach touring companies, it specializes in Hawaii, Alaska, the West, the Southwest, the South and New England. An example of its remarkably low rates: $899 for a two-week tour of the Western states, including round-trip air fare from most U.S. cities; telephone (800) 922-9000, Internet https://www.ymtvacations.com.

* Cosmos Tours. Another long-established escorted tour company, this one Swiss-owned, it caters heavily (but far from exclusively) to the senior market. Using modest tourist-class hotels, it’s able to offer rates sometimes as low as $60 per day. A six-night tour from St. Louis to the country-music mecca of Branson, Mo., in November and December runs $619, which includes breakfast, shows and sightseeing in addition to lodging. Cosmos also operates as many as 60 tours throughout Europe. “The Best of Europe,” for example, is a 19-day sampler that includes all sightseeing and lodging, plus 18 breakfasts and eight dinners, for just $1,225; tel. (800) 851-0728 or log on to https://www.globusandcosmos.com.

* Sanborn’s Viva Tours. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this company, especially favored by seniors, specializes in escorted tours of Mexico. Starting usually from McAllen, Texas (a border town at the state’s southernmost tip), the tours generally include first-class accommodations, breakfast and some additional meals, for just $40 to $70 per person per day. A sample itinerary might include Mexico City, San Luis Potosi, Taxco, Cuernavaca, San Miguel de Allende and Matehuala. Tel. (800) 395-8482, Internet https://www.sanborns.com.

* Do-It-Yourself Colonial Mexico. For independent souls who’d rather discover Mexico on their own, the ravishing sights, culture and other charms of old Spanish-built cities such as San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Queretaro and Patzcuaro are accessible at bargain prices. From Mexico City’s north bus terminal, take a “luxury bus” to your destination for about $12. Charming hotels offer rooms at $30 and $40 a night, and you can feast on three-course meals for $3 to $4. Culture’s cheap too: Chamber music concerts in San Miguel, for example, cost just $7 for a top seat. Local public buses are generally reliable and cost 25 cents in town and about $8 between towns. For more information, call the Mexican Government Tourist Office in Los Angeles; tel. (213) 351-2069.

* Green Tortoise Adventure Travel. Back north of the border, Green Tortoise is a very different kind of bus tour. With roots as a “hippie bus” back in the ‘70s, recruiting passengers from Northern California bulletin boards, it has evolved into a free-spirited but fully licensed and insured company with a fleet of 14 sleeper coaches. The group sleeps on the bus. Sample round-trip costs from San Francisco: Yosemite National Park, two days, $69; Baja California, nine days, $269; New Orleans, 16 days, $369; New York, 10 to 14 days, $299. Other destinations include Seattle, Death Valley, Guatemala and Alaska; tel. (800) 867-8647, Internet https://www.greentortoise.com.