1. Bolt Bus
Painted in a hard-to-miss hue of bright orange, Bolt buses offer free Wi-Fi , electrical outlets and the convenience of non-stop travel between Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. Reserved seating means you can call dibs on that window seat, and if you make your travel plans early enough, you might even be able to snag a $1 ticket.
Make note that Bolt Bus tickets are non-refundable.
Philadelphia stops: JFK Blvd and N. 30th St and the Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey
Service to: Newark, New York City and Boston
Rates: One-way tickets to New York City start at $7More »
2. Greyhound
Founded in 1914 and considered the granddaddy of intercity bus travel, Greyhound has endeavored to keep their prices low in order to compete with discount bus lines.
Featured amenities include free Wi-Fi, electric outlets and reserved seating. Refundable tickets are another perk; just be sure to purchase the "refundable fare." Non-refundable tickets may be exchanged for another travel date, provided that the exchange request is made prior to the initial travel date.
Fun fact: Bolt Bus and Yo! Bus are both operating entities owned by Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Philadelphia stops: 1001 Filbert St., 2100 S. Broad St., 5608 N. Broad St., plus many suburban locations
Service to: If you're willing to make connections, Greyhound can get you almost anywhere in the country — 3,800 destinations to be exact.
Rate: One-way tickets to New York City start at $10.50More »
3. Megabus
Making claim to being "the first, low-cost, express bus service to offer city center-to-city center travel for as low as $1 via the Internet," Megabus has been in the bargain travel biz since 2006.
The company's fleet of standard and double-decker buses features free Wi-Fi, electric outlets, panoramic windows, reserved seating, and, like Bolt, offers $1 tickets if you purchase them early enough. Also similar to Bolt is the fact that Megabus does not offer refunds on tickets.
Philadelphia stops: 30th Street Station and Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market)
Service to: Washington DC, Baltimore, New York City, Boston and a spate of other cities farther north and south
Rate: One-way tickets to DC average between $13 and $20More »
4. YO!Bus
"Non-stop Chinatown bus service from New York to Boston and Philadelphia" is the selling point of Yo!Bus. These cherry-red buses offer free Wi-Fi and electric outlets for charging phones, laptops and tablets.
Double check those travel plans: Yo!Bus tickets are non-refundable, nor may they be exchanged for another travel date.
Philadelphia stop: Greyhound terminal, 1001 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (boards at Gate 14)
Service to: New York City
Rate: One-way tickets starting at $10More »
5. Focus Travel
If you're seeking no-frills transportation and don't mind the lack of amenities, this Chinatown bus might be the choice for you. Tickets may not be refunded nor exchanged.
Philadelphia stop: 55 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Service to: Washington DC and New York City
Rate: One-way tickets to NYC start at $12More »