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🎶 Ch-ch-ch-changes 🎶
People change, places change, and yeah, plans definitely change.
That’s why it’s good to know whether your travel plans can be changed even after you book a ticket. Whether you’re traveling to see fall change to winter in a new city or to see Thanksgiving change into a political debate, you can rest assured that in most cases, you’ll be able to change or even cancel your bus trip if need be.
You already know that Wanderu can help you score the best deals on bus and train tickets. And now we’re here to break down how to change or cancel your bus ticket, including the specific policies for some of the most popular carriers on Wanderu.
How to Change a Bus Ticket
In general, most bus companies allow you to reschedule your bus ticket to a different date or time, so long as you request your change before the bus’ scheduled departure. Some bus companies allow additional changes, such as the passenger name or arrival and departure cities.
If you need to change your ticket, contact the carrier to request the changes as soon as possible. Because some carriers have only a certain window for rescheduling, it’s always safer to reach out sooner. When you book on Wanderu, your reservation is completed directly with the carrier you choose to travel with, which means only the carrier (not Wanderu) can make changes to your ticket.
Remember that the exact change policies are different for every bus company. See below for a full breakdown.
How to Cancel a Bus Ticket
Most bus companies’ tickets cannot be canceled, so you would not receive a refund or credit if you decide not to travel.
However, there are some notable exceptions. Carriers like OurBus, BestBus, and FlixBus US offer credits or vouchers for canceled tickets. GoBuses tickets are refundable for a specific window, and RedCoach tickets are partially refundable. To see which carriers have the most flexible policies, check out our ranking of bus and train companies’ policies by flexibility.
For bus tickets that can be canceled, contact the carrier to request your cancellation. Like with rescheduling, it’s always better to cancel sooner; in some cases, it even means you’ll receive a higher amount of the ticket price refunded!
Cancellation policies vary by bus carrier, which is why we’ve listed them out individually below.
Popular Bus Carriers' Cancellation and Change Policies
BestBus
Changes: BestBus tickets can be rescheduled to a different date up until 24 hours before the bus departs. To change your ticket, contact BestBus or use their online reservation manager tool.
Cancellations: Although BestBus tickets are non-refundable, you can place your reservation “on hold” and receive a travel credit for a future trip. Reservations must be put on hold at least 24 hours before the bus’ scheduled departure. To place your reservation on hold, contact BestBus or use their online reservation manager tool.
FlixBus US
Changes: FlixBus tickets cannot be rescheduled, but you can cancel your ticket and use the credit to rebook a new ticket.
Cancellations: You can cancel a FlixBus ticket up to 15 minutes before the trip’s departure time for a partial credit with FlixBus. A cancellation fee of $1 to $5 will be withheld from your credit. To cancel your ticket, contact FlixBus or cancel via FlixBus’ website.
GoBuses
Changes: GoBuses tickets cannot be rescheduled, but you can cancel your ticket for a refund and book a new ticket.
Cancellations: You can cancel a GoBuses ticket for a refund up to 48 hours before the trip’s departure time. A cancellation fee of $2.50 is withheld from your refund. Remember that GoBuses tickets cannot be canceled or rescheduled less than 48 hours before the bus departs. To cancel your ticket, contact GoBuses or cancel via My Trips on the Wanderu app.
Greyhound
Changes: You can change your Greyhound ticket’s date or time up until the bus departs. A ticket exchange fee of $20 applies. To change your ticket, contact Greyhound.
Cancellations: Greyhound tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
Indian Trails
Changes: Indian Trails tickets cannot be changed or rescheduled. To ask for an exception, please contact Indian Trails.
Cancellations: Indian Trails tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
Miller Transportation
Changes: You can change the date and/or time of your Miller Transportation ticket up until the bus departs. A ticket exchange fee of $15 applies. To change your ticket, contact Miller Transportation.
Cancellations: Miller Transportation tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
New York Trailways & Adirondack Trailways
Changes: You can change the date or time of your Trailways ticket up until the bus departs. A ticket exchange fee of up to $20 applies. To change your ticket, speak with the carrier’s staff at the station (since ticket exchanges must be made in person).
Cancellations: Trailways tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
PandaNY Bus
Changes: You can change the date or time of your PandaNY Bus ticket up until 2 hours before the bus departs. A change fee may apply. To change your ticket, contact PandaNY Bus.
Cancellations: PandaNY Bus tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
Peter Pan
Changes: You can change your Peter Pan ticket’s date, time, or passenger name up until 2 hours before the bus departs. A ticket exchange fee of $5 to $10 applies. To change your ticket, contact Peter Pan.
Cancellations: Peter Pan tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
RedCoach
Changes: You can reschedule your RedCoach ticket to a different date up until 2 hours before the bus departs. A service fee may apply, depending on your ticket’s fare type. To change your ticket, contact RedCoach.
Cancellations: You can cancel a RedCoach ticket for a partial refund up to 2 hours before the bus departs. A cancellation fee of up to 50% of your ticket price may apply. To cancel your ticket, contact RedCoach or cancel via RedCoach’s online refunds tool.
OurBus
Changes: OurBus tickets cannot be rescheduled, but you can cancel your ticket and use the credit to book a new ticket.
Cancellations: You can cancel an OurBus ticket up to 30 minutes before the trip’s departure time for a full credit with OurBus. To cancel your ticket, contact OurBus or click “Cancel Ticket” in your ticket email.
Wanda Coach
Changes: You can change the date or time of your Wanda Coach ticket up until 2 hours before the bus departs. A change fee may apply. To change your ticket, contact Wanda Coach.
Cancellations: Wanda Coach tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled.
Read More: How to Cancel or Change an Amtrak Ticket
Read More: How to Cancel or Change a VIA Rail Ticket
Reimbursement with Trip Protection
If you noticed a lot of the word “non-refundable” up there, we get it. That’s not a fun word. How about “reimbursable?” It doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but we think you’ll like that word.
When you book a ticket on Wanderu, you have the option to add an affordable trip protection option offered by Allianz Global Protection. Adding the trip protection at check-out means you have coverage for your whole trip, including 24/7 assistance and coverage for things like medical emergencies or lost luggage.
Trip protection also makes your bus tickets reimbursable. If you end up having to change or cancel your trip due to a covered reason (like illness, extreme weather, or required work shifts), Allianz will provide reimbursement for any non-refundable expenses. This means you’ll get your money back for any change fees paid to the carrier or the cost of your ticket reimbursed if you could not cancel it.
Read More: Why Trip Protection on Bus and Train Travel Is Totally Worth It
Change is the only constant. Might as well embrace it and be prepared for whatever changes may occur in your travel plans.
Plus, now that you understand how to change your bus ticket and which carriers allow cancellations, you are well-informed to book your trip on Wanderu. In search results, you can compare all of these bus companies and more in one place.
And if you do end up changing your plans and would like a helping hand, hit up our customer service team via email or live chat. Cancellation and change policies are their expertise!
