Sherman's Travel

Planning a trip in the South? Skip the frisky screeners at TSA and take a bus instead, as Megabus expands its operations into Texas and other Southern states with fares as low as $1.

Beginning June 19, customers who book early can secure dollar seats from Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio to locations like Austin and other states like Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana. While prices go up as the traveling date gets closer, Megabus is giving away 10,000 free seats and capping the price of its tickets at $1 during the first week of sales to promote its new service. Read more

It’s hard to beat Megabus’ consistently low fares (seats start at just $1), but the discount bus service has found a way: To celebrate the opening of its Atlanta hub, 10,000 passengers will score free seat on the new routes, each valid for travel from November 16 to December 16. The service, launching November 16, links Atlanta to 11 southern cities: Birmingham, AL; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN; Gainesville, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Knoxville, TN; Memphis, TN; Mobile, AL; Montgomery, AL; Nashville, TN; and Orlando, FL.

THE VALUE: It’s free!

THE CATCH: Free seats are based on availability and only offered on select dates.

THE DETAILS: Visit www.megabus.com, and use promo code ATL10K.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Low-cost bus service Megabus is expanding yet again with the creation of its 6th hub, in Pittsburgh. Fancy a weekend in Toronto? How about a quick trip to Detroit? Now you can take the bus there from the Steel City. Nine new daily routes from Pittsburgh also include Akron, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Toledo, Ohio. This comes on top of existing service to Camden, New Jersey; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; New York City; Philadelphia; State College, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. The new routes start May 11.

THE VALUE: Compared to the cost and hassles of planes, trains, and automobiles, a $1 Megabus ticket can’t be beat.

THE CATCH: The $1 one-way fares tend to go fast, so be sure to book early. Fares do not include a $0.50 service charge.

THE DETAILS: Go to us.megabus.com to book your Megabus tickets.

WE’RE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find hot hotel deals for your trip.

Sign up to receive more editor-vetted deals with our Top 25 Newsletter.

In 2011, Megabus is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does Megabus regularly offer $1 seats on popular routes throughout their Northeast and Midwest network, they are now offering 200,000 free seats this winter! Customers can book the free seats now, which are subject to availability, for travel between January 12 and March 1, 2011, in all Megabus.com’s U.S. cities as well as Toronto. What more can you ask for in the new year?

THE VALUE: These seats are free – only a reservation fee of $0.50 applies!

THE CATCH: Seats on the most popular routes will go fast.

THE DETAILS: To book your free seat, visit www.us.megabus.com and remember to use the promo code WOW200K.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find a great hotel room with all the dough you saved on free travel.

If you’re sold on the idea of free travel but don’t know where to go, scope out our Travel Guide section and see what catches your eye!

On December 15, Megabus will expand its service to and from Washington, D.C., and to celebrate they’re giving away 10,000 seats for free! The free seats are available now with the promo code ILUVDC for use between the nation’s capital and all 10 new routes, which include Boston, Mass.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Hampton, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Toronto, Canada. These free rides are valid between December 15 and January15, 2011, but are subject to availability on select dates and routes. But even as the free seats are filled, many routes during this period are still selling for as little as $1 each way!

THE VALUE: Competitors rates on many of the same routes can start as high as $66 each way!

THE CATCH: Free seats are not available on the old routes to and from D.C. which include Baltimore, Md.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and New York, N.Y.

THE DETAILS: To book your free seat, visit www.megabus.com.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the perfect hotel during your vacation.

Read our Washington, D.C. Travel Guide to find out about all the best attractions.