TICKET AND BAGGAGE FAQ & TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Baggage Allowance

Burlington Trailways expressly disclaims liability for any items left unattended for any reason. Burlington Trailways expressly disclaims liability for lost or damaged baggage. Burlington Trailways reserves the right to inspect any and all carry-on or checked baggage, personal effects and persons.

Passengers holding adult fare or child fare tickets are allowed one piece of baggage checked under the bus (not to exceed 50 pounds) at no additional charge. All passengers are allowed to check additional baggage under the bus (up to 2 additional pieces, not to exceed 50 pounds each) for an additional charge above the free allowance.

Call us at (319) 753-2864 to speak to an agent for details.

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE

  • Allowed on Bus
  • Must fit in overhead compartment or under seat
  • One bag up to 25 lbs. (11 kg)

 

UNDER THE BUS  BAGGAGE

  • Stored underneath the bus in the baggage compartment
  • Maximum combined size of 62″ (157 cm) (H+W+L)
  • Up to 3 bags per paid passenger, maximum of 50 lbs. (22.5 kg) each, subject to additional fees.
  • Bicycles are allowed as under the bus baggage, but must be inside of a box or bag, subject to additional fees.

Baggage Tags

Government regulations and carrier’s tariffs require that all baggage must have proper identification that clearly shows the passenger’s name and home address. A telephone number should be placed on the tag so we may contact you if we locate your bag but can’t find you. Free identification tags are available at all ticket counters. Place your completed ID tags on the outside and inside of all checked and carry-on baggage. If you’re bringing bags to place under the bus, you will need to see a Trailways agent for a tag. If you’re getting on the bus at a location with no staff, you’ll need to ensure the driver puts your baggage under the bus until you arrive at the next transfer point or are directed by the driver to take the bag for proper tagging. All tags should be legible. EVERY BAG NEEDS A TAG.

What Can I Bring?

Only clothing and toiletries are to be among the items in your checked baggage. Items of value, electronics and cash should be transported in carry-on baggage.

Always keep your medicine with you at all times and do not put it in your baggage stored in the baggage compartment under the bus. Burlington Trailways is not responsible for lost items or their contents including medicine or other restricted/prohibited items*.

Plastic bags will not be accepted as checked baggage, and only small plastic bags can be carried on the bus.

FRAGILE ITEMS – SHOULD NOT BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE
It’s important to pack your belongings securely so they don’t get damaged or lost. Fragile items should be wrapped in bubble-wrap, packed in styrofoam, or placed in cardboard containers with corrugated partitions. Please don’t pack fragile items in clothing, bedding or newspaper as baggage may move about while traveling.

STROLLERS & CAR SEATS
Burlington Trailways does not charge extra for bringing a stroller or carseat. You may bring a stroller and car seat in addition to your maximum baggage allowance to be placed under the bus with your checked baggage. Car seats may be placed onboard the bus in a vacant seat at the discretion of the driver and must not interfere with the seat of a paid passenger. If you must bring a car seat onboard a Burlington Trailways bus, you must purchase a ticket for that seat.

ACCEPTABLE BAGGAGE

OK
Not OK

• Suitcases                                                                                       • Plastic Bags
• Backpacks                                                                                     • Paper Bags
• Duffel Bags                                                                                   • Items Protruding From Bags
• Trunks
• Toolboxes
• Securely Tied Cardboard Boxes
• Totes with secured lids

Forbidden Items

For the comfort and safety of our passengers, and in order to best adhere to federal, state, and innumerable local laws, Burlington Trailways does not permit the following items:

  • Acids
  • Ammunition
  • Batteries
  • Electronic Equipment*
  • Explosives
  • Firearms
  • Fireworks
  • Laptop Computers*
  • Money
  • Perishable Items
  • Poisons
  • TV’s

*Electronic Equipment may be stored under the bus, only in the original box with original packing material. Laptop Computers must be carried onboard the coach with you.

Please click here for a full list of prohibited items on all Burlington Trailways motorcoaches, both inside AND outside of baggage.

Lost Luggage

We’ll do everything we can to help reunite you with your lost luggage or items left on buses. Burlington Trailways expressly disclaims liability for any ITEMS left unattended for any reason along with lost or damaged baggage. See our complete Terms and Conditions to find out more.

If you’ve lost your bag and would like us to try and help locate it, please complete a lost and found request form.

Lost Luggage

Children Fares

One child (per adult fare paid) who has not reached his or her second birthday will be carried for free when not occupying a seat to the exclusion of another passenger.

With each adult fare purchased, 2 children between the ages 2 and 16 are eligible for a child fare.

A maximum of two children can be accommodated with a single adult fare paid. Additional children will be charged full fare.

Children Traveling

Children under the age of 12 can’t travel unless accompanied by someone 17 years of age or older.

Children ages 12-16 are allowed to travel unrestricted when accompanied by someone 17 years of age or older.

Children ages 12-16 are allowed to travel unaccompanied but will be subject to certain restrictions. Applicable restrictions:

  • • The trip should be direct (only occurs on a single schedule)
  • • The trip can be a maximum of 8 hours in duration (each way), between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • • The departing and arriving stations must be full-service stations. The station must be scheduled to be open when the child’s bus is scheduled to arrive.
  • • The person named on the Unaccompanied Child Form who is meeting the child must have positive photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID card. Without the correct ID, the child may be released into the custody of Child Protective Services or to local law enforcement.

Tickets for unaccompanied children can only be purchased in-person at the station of departure. Round-trips tickets are not available for unaccompanied children, as the Unaccompanied Child Form must be completed at the station of departure, an agent must verify your ID and get consent for the child to travel and be picked up by a designated person at the other end. For this reason, online tickets are also not available.

In addition to the ticket price, a $15 fee must be paid at the point of purchase for each child traveling unaccompanied.

An Unaccompanied Child Form must be completed when the ticket is purchased. These forms must be completed at the station of departure, as an agent must verify your ID and get consent for the child to travel and be picked up by a designated person at the other end. Please have the following information available to complete this form:

  • • The name, contact details and signature of the person who is giving permission for the child to travel (the child’s parent or legal guardian)
  • • The departing and arriving destination of the child’s trip
  • • The name and contact details of the person picking up the child at the final destination

 

Pursuant to Illinois state law, unemancipated minors under the age of 17 traveling from Illinois to a destination outside of Illinois can only do so with the consent of the parent or legal guardian. A child under the age of 17 is prohibited from purchasing a ticket.

Children and young adults should be prepared to show proof of age, if requested.

Children ages 2-16 are not allowed to travel in to or out of the U.S. unless accompanied by someone 17 years of age or older. For general information related to international travel for children, take a look at our Traveling To/From Canada and Traveling To/From Mexico pages.

Delays & Cancellations

Burlington Trailways is not responsible for delays. It is our goal to maintain an on-time schedule, but we cannot guarantee an on-time schedule. Passengers will not be compensated for delays. Burlington Trailways is not responsible for incidental expenses such as a rental car, hotel room, or meals due to a delayed or cancelled schedule.

To keep up with delays and cancellations, you can check the website, or follow us on social media. You can also check the status of a bus by calling us at (319) 753-2864.

Refunds & Re-Issues

  1. Non-refundable fare tickets will be charged a reissue fee of $20 per passenger. If the cost of the new ticket is higher, the difference in fare must be paid in addition to this fee. There will be no refunds or reduction in this fee if the cost of the new ticket is less than the previous ticket value. Non-refundable tickets may only be exchanged for a ticket with the same origin and destination pair. For example, an Iowa City to Chicago ticket may be exchanged for a Chicago to Iowa City ticket.
  2. Refundable fare tickets will have no reissue fee. Refundable fare tickets may be exchanged for a ticket with an alternate origin and destination pair. If the cost of the new ticket is higher, the difference in fare must be paid. There will be no refunds if the new ticket has a lower value than the old ticket.
  3. All passengers on a confirmation or order number must be reissued at the same time.
  4. All reissues must be done prior to the date and time of travel on the current ticket.
  5. Refundable tickets are eligible for a 100% refund if unused. Refunds must be requested prior to the departure date and time. Partially used tickets are not eligible for a refund. Should a passenger choose to end their trip early, the remainder of their ticket will be void. This refund policy only applies to tickets purchased through Burlington Trailways.

You can send a letter or an email with the unused ticket and reason for the refund to P.O. Box 531, West Burlington, IA 52655 or refunds@burlingtontrailways.com. Please Note: All terms & conditions still apply to any refund requests that are mailed. Burlington Trailways must receive your ticket before the date and time of your scheduled travel date listed on the ticket to be eligible for a refund. Ticket refunds will take 4-6 weeks to process after the scheduled departure date.

Burlington Trailways can only process tickets that are printed with Burlington Trailways at the top of the actual ticket. If the ticket is not a Burlington Trailways ticket, please contact the company where the ticket was purchased (Trailways.com, Greyhound, Wanderu, etc.) regarding their current refund policy. For Trailways.com tickets, you can contact Trailways Customer Care at 1-800-858-8555 for assistance.

Ticketing

Ticket prices will fluctuate based upon number of seats sold. A ticket price is not guaranteed until a ticket is purchased. Please plan accordingly.

Tickets can be purchased in-person at staffed locations; please review our list of locations to see what services are offered at each location. Tickets can always be purchased online at www.trailways.com.

Any passengers intending to buy tickets at a non-depot location or any locations temporarily closed for ticket sales must purchase a ticket online.  Drivers will not offer ANY ticket sales curbside.

There are two ticket options. However, Flexible Fare may only be available in certain markets. Please be aware of the type of ticket you have selected, prior to purchase.

SAVER FARE
Saver Fare is the lowest fare available. Saver tickets are not eligible for a refund under any circumstance. Double check your travel date and time before making your purchase. Ticket information may be altered for a fee. Notification of alteration must be received prior to the date and time of departure listed on the ticket. If notification of alteration is not received prior to the date and time of departure listed on the ticket, the ticket will be considered void.

FLEXIBLE FARE
Flexible Fare is a fully refundable and changeable option, as long as all cancellations, refunds, and/or schedule changes are made to the eligible itinerary before the time of departure. No change or cancellation fees apply.

The unauthorized resale of tickets is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted.

Burlington Trailways is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

You must present your online ticket to the driver along with your photo I.D. when you board the bus.

No passenger will be allowed to board the bus without evidence of a valid confirmation number (printed ticket, mobile boarding pass, confirmation email, etc.). At times, the motorcoach driver may request that a passenger enter the depot to have their electronic ticket printed for internal paperwork purposes. If a passenger cannot produce evidence of a valid confirmation number, the passenger will be asked to display a valid form of identification so a ticket search can be performed.

Burlington Trailways staff may conduct random ticket verification checks to ensure that passengers are properly ticketed. Please be prepared to show valid photo identification upon request.

All tickets are non-transferable. If a ticket is presented by any other person other than the one for whom it was purchased it will be void and subject to confiscation by any employee or any authorized employee of another carrier over which the ticket is issued.

Seating is first-come, first-served. Burlington Trailways does not offer seat selection and does not guarantee seating together for groups traveling together. Seating aboard Burlington Trailways is without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin.

Trip Preparation

Passengers should arrive at open terminals 30 minutes prior to the time of departure listed on your ticket. Burlington Trailways will not be responsible for the inconsistencies of various timepieces. All baggage matters should be handled prior to departure time. Schedules may not be delayed due to ticketing/baggage matters.

If you are departing from a closed terminal or unmanned station, we ask you to have proper accommodations until the bus arrives. Burlington Trailways will not be responsible for the inconsistencies of various timepieces. Please have baggage prepared and be ready to meet the bus at the departure time listed on your ticket.

Burlington Trailways is only responsible for the transportation on its own lines, in accordance with tariff regulations and limitations and assumes no responsibility for acts or omissions of other carriers, within or outside the United States. Please be aware of what company you are traveling with for each part of your journey and that company’s rules & regulations.

Safety & Security

Burlington Trailways reserves the right to refuse service to any person who violates our Terms and Conditions.

For the comfort and safety of all our passengers, Burlington Trailways reserves the right to refuse service to any individual whose personal hygiene or cleanliness may be deemed offensive or pose a health risk to others. This includes, but is not limited to, excessive body odor, lack of cleanliness, or other conditions that may disrupt the travel experience of other passengers. If you believe a medical condition may present difficulty with following this rule, please contact our ticket office to learn what accommodations may be available.

All passengers are subject to security inspection. Burlington Trailways reserves the right to inspect any and all carry-on or checked baggage, personal effects and persons.

Burlington Trailways will not be responsible for lost, mislaid, abandoned, or unattended property.

Photos, video or audio recordings of any Burlington Trailways staff, equipment or procedures is strictly prohibited and may be reported to local authorities and/or the Transportation Security Administration. Passenger information may be shared with law enforcement and/or the Transportation Security Administration in relation to security concerns.

The use of tobacco products (including vaping)  and illegal drugs is prohibited onboard and in depots. Some states have legalized marijuana, but the use of marijuana remains prohibited onboard and in depots.

The use of or possession of alcoholic beverages and illegal substances are strictly prohibited on the premises and buses by law. Intoxication or simulated intoxication is also prohibited on premises.

Firearms and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on the premises and buses by law.

Unless using the onboard restroom, please remain seated while the bus is in motion. Unruly behavior, such as shouting, using profanity, being loud, or generally disturbing the driver or other passengers is prohibited.

Any aggressive behavior or assault will be immediately reported to authorities and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by local, state or federal laws.

Only animals that have been trained for specific tasks or duties to aid a person with a disability are allowed in depots and aboard motorcoaches. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed in depots or onboard motorcoaches.

* Call (319) 753 – 2864 for further details

Tickets

Tickets must be purchased online or through a ticketing location for travel on a Burlington Trailways bus. This ticket can either be presented as a mobile boarding pass or may be printed and presented while boarding the bus.

If you are unable to present a printed ticket or a mobile boarding pass you must present photo identification. If you are unable to present a ticket or photo identification, please call us at (319) 753-2864.

If you wish to purchase a pre-paid ticket order (a printed ticket to be picked up a ticket location) for another person, you can do so by calling us at (319) 753-2864.

Departure Times

We ask passengers to arrive at open terminals 30 minutes prior to departure.

Burlington Trailways is not responsible for delays or cancellations. It is our goal to maintain an on time schedule, but we cannot guarantee an on time schedule. Burlington Trailways is not responsible for incidental expenses such as a rental car, hotel room, or meal due to a delayed or cancelled schedule.

To keep up with delays, you can check the website, or follow us on social media. You can also check the status of a bus by calling us at (319) 753-2864

Just Sit Back and Relax

Let us do the driving.

Contact Us