A "Jen from Maine" LONG Trip Report 7/23 - 8/1

[maine_jennifer]

Hi!

I'd ask you how your summer was, but knowing that a little bit southeast of you, we didn't really have one, I don't want to insult you!!

The bus service was Concord Trailways out of Portland.
$37 round trip

The airline was Song, a Delta subsidary.
Usually around $200+/- round trip, non-stop service to MCO.

So, depending on the season, it runs about $50/ticket cheaper to bus it to Boston, then fly to Orlando. Of course, if you have a number of people, it may be cheaper to drive and park down there. Personally, I don't think I'd fly from Boston again, unless I was saving big $$$. More of a hassle than I'm used to, even though flying from Portland, you have at least 1 stop where along the way.

Let me know if you need more info.

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi - Thanks I think we too will be using Concord Trailways for RT service from Por to Logan . We are flying airtran.. (they have been awful so far concerning keeping me up on the 4 changes already to our flights -10/28 to 11/6 ) I wish I had held out for Southwest ... oh well live and learn

Summer what was that !! oh yea it was last week.. Haa haa..

Michelle

 

[maine_jennifer]

You had summer last week??? No fair!!!

We only had it for one or two days!!!

I've never flown Southwest or from Manchester? Have you? Any thoughts on it?

The website if you're interested is www.concordtrailways.com They have lots of good info and we got to watch a movie. Nice way to get there. Seats are first come, first served, so if you want to be near the front, it's best to get there 30 minutes early and line up right at the door!

Good Luck!

 

[bigsis1970]

Haa haa Lucky me i guess !!!

I love southwest -- I just got antsy and booked with airtran. its always Direct flights and worth the 1.5 hour drive and parking is reasonable at $8 per day .. only bad part is the way they do boarding --no seat asignments they kinda herd you in like cattle.

thanks for the link -- did you get tickets before hand for the bus - our flight is Thursday am at 9 .. so i was thinking of taking the 5am bus arriving at 6:55 -- which means leaving home at 4 or 4:15 am !! oh lordy lordy !! I hope the seats are comfy so i can snooze or more like so my kids can snooze!!!

 

[maine_jennifer]

Off their FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation?

Concord Trailways does not accept reservations. Please arrive 15-30 minutes before bus departure. Every effort will be made to accommodate all passengers during peak travel times. Tickets may be purchased in advance but do not guarantee a seat. Tickets are not time or date specific--they are good for a block of time.


We got there at 5:30 for the 6am bus and were second to buy tickets, but first in line.

When you're standing at the counter, the doors to the busses are to the left, on the same wall. After you get your tickets, take all your stuff and pile it about a foot or two from the door and have one person wait there.

The people who bought their tickets ahead of me didn't know that so they were like fourth or fifth in line. I wouldn't have know either, but my mom's used the bus and she's the one that dropped us off there.

They also have coffee and donuts free for travlers, but we had stopped at Dunkin' Donuts before we got there.

 

[bigsis1970]

Wow great tidbits of info.. thanks again.. Michelle

 

[Buzzfanmom]

Where are you in Maine Jen? We're in South Portland.
This December we're flying down from Portland for the first time. We did Logan last time and with the kids, it was just too inconvenient.