Drive, Fly, or . . . LuxBus? I was planning a trip to Las Vegas to meet Dennis, who was driving back from the East Coast. Unfortunately, we made our plans too late for me to get one of the good economy airfares. Then I thought of Whoopi Goldberg. Because she's afraid to fly, Whoopi took a bus from New York to Los Angeles and back to attend the Academy Awards. Now that's a hell of a bus ride! But hey, if it's good enough for Whoopi, it's good enough for me! Of course, Whoopi had her own private bus. I can't quite afford that, so I did the next best thing?I called Greyhound. I was shocked to find out that "the Dog" doesn't run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas anymore. And even if it did, I wasn't relishing finding a way to get to their bus terminal in downtown Los Angeles. So I searched the Internet to find other ways to get to Las Vegas. There were no trains. Limos were way too expensive. On Craigslist, I found one ride that was pricey; one in a broken-down car; and one guy who wrote he would drive me for free, except he would be driving naked! Thanks, but no thanks! It was back to surfing the web. Then I hit a true find: the LuxBus! LuxBus America offers daily, deluxe service to Las Vegas. Based in Orange County, the Las Vegas buses leave from their Anaheim terminal near the Disneyland Resort. If you're going from Los Angeles, a shuttle picks you up at a nearby hotel and takes you to Anaheim to board their luxury bus. I live about a block away from the Marriot Marina Del Rey, so in the morning I just walked over and the LuxBus Van was waiting for me. Billed as an "airline on the ground," the LuxBus is outfitted so you feel like you're in an airplane, except the seats are much roomier, and they don't charge for luggage! The luxury motor coaches feature color-coordinated interiors, tray tables, pillows, blankets, and a restroom in the back. There is an onboard attendant, who serves you complimentary snacks and beverages, including beer and wine (limit two per person). An entertainment system provides music and full-length movies, and passengers are given complimentary headphones. I was told there would be wireless internet access, but my bus wasn't equipped with it. Their new fleet of buses supposedly has wifi available. Driving time is approximately 4 hours from Anaheim to Las Vegas, where passengers are dropped off at one of three hotels: the Flamingo Hilton, Harrah's, or the Golden Nugget. Morning pickup in Los Angeles is at 7 a.m.; afternoon departures from Vegas are at 3:30 p.m. The price is fairly economical. From Los Angeles to Las Vegas, round trip is $99. So if you don't feel like driving, have a fear of flying, or don't like the security hassle and lines at the airport, try the LuxBus. It's relaxing and easy. After napping and watching a movie, I arrived refreshed and ready to enjoy my Vegas getaway. LuxBus America also offers daily scheduled service between Los Angeles, San Diego, and Anaheim area hotels. In addition, the company offers tour packages to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Group charter services are also available. LuxBus America |
