First of all: I want to warn you that some of this story may be a little sad. But I want to share my Greyhound Experience.
I boarded a bus In Hickory, NC to visit my cousin who lived in Louisville, KY. Upon waiting for the bus I was talking to a guy waiting for the bus about it being my first time and I have read bad reviews. He told me it actually isn't so bad and not to believe everything you read on review sites.
When the bus came I boarded it and the driver checked my ticket to go to Knoxville. The bus had outlets and wifi so I could use my phone at my pleasure. We then rolled along on Interstate 40 going towards Asheville to pick up more passengers. By then the bus was full. A girl sitting next to me was heading home to Kansas from South Carolina. In the seat across from me was a trucker using his phones CB radio app to find out road conditions as we rolled along down I 40 to Tennessee. 3 hours later, we were in Knoxville. I waited for my bus in the station which was rather old and boring. There was a table set up for migrants who needed legal aid. When the bus to Lexington/Cincinnati arrived a big load of people got off to take a break. Included was this family of 3 who looked like they haven't bathed in months. They brought in a microwavable bowl and ramen noodles.
It was my misfourtune I had to sit next to them going to Lexington. I mainly looked out the window going up Interstate 75 through the Tennessee/Kentucky night heading to Lexington. The guys in the seats near me were talking about how dumb an idea Pet Rocks were back in the 70s. The bus driver was moving along as she wanted to get home to Cincinnati to watch Matlock. We got to Lexington about 11:30 pm that night. My cousin met me with a sandwich, diet Coke, and a hug after a long bus ride and smelling like hot ass.
Now comes the story of going back home. My cousin took me to the Louisville Greyhound station about 1 am a few nights later to get me back to NC. I boarded a bus bound for Nashville. I started crying as I boarded the bus. Just embracing her as I didn't wanna leave. Rolling down Interstate 65 going through another time zone to Bowling Green, then to Nashville. At Nashville It was completely crowded and disoragnized. I got on the bus bound for Atlanta. Rolling down Interstate 24 going across Monteagle Mountain. Which is one of the most dangerous roads in the US. We finally got to our halfway point in Chattanooga where I had a major panic attack not wanting my trip to end. I wanted to finish my vacation but my cousin was having health issues as well.
After cooling off we headed to Atlanta where I sat in wait for over 4 hours for a bus to take me back to Charlotte. The bus was stuck in Mobile, Alabama because they couldn't find a driver. So the Atlanta station dispatched another bus for us and told me that greyhound was going to comp me an Uber to get me home since I'd miss my next bus. So we get to Charlotte and my bag ends up missing. They took my number down. The uber came and picked me up and took me home about 70 miles away. 2 days later my bag was found and sent on the next bus home.
So, overall my experience was positive. Sure there were some sucky moments, but everything went ok and I made it home. I do want to say the Atlanta bus station and Charlotte bus stations were the most helpful. Some people give greyhound crap about stuff, but I had a good experience. However, I would prefer shorter trips next time.
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