Wanderu
This website is a great travel search engine. It has a few of the other bus companies I listed below. Train and mixed mode as well if you change the search settings on it as well. Sometimes the times are a bit off but I found with Peter Pan Bus that is their fault not Wanderu’s, so double check with Peter Pan Bus.
https://www.wanderu.com/en-us/
Travel is a very important part of acting. Does production pay for travel? Is it common background or extra work which large companies do not pay for travel? Are you featured, and can you ask for a bump, a stipend for travel? Always ask if you think they might cover it.
Philadelphia to New York City
Chinatown Bus
http://www.gotobus.com/
Known for being super cheap, the Chinatown buses are actually a great way to get to and from NYC, Baltimore-NYC and DC. Buying your ticket in cash round-trip is great because you can just get on any bus that is available. They leave almost every hour and start near 7am till 11pm last bus out in Philly and NYC (on weekends late night only after covid).
Bicycles are allowed without an additional fee.
Ourbus
https://www.ourbus.com/
I have had a great experience with Ourbus, bicycles are allowed with no extra fee, you get a free water when they have them on the bus in the first seat as you get on too. The drivers are on time and dive safely. The prices can be good or bad depending and they on;y go 4-5 times a day to and from NYC so it’s a fill in and not a squeeze right on time to a call time for acting.
Flix Bus (Greyhound Owned)
https://www.flixbus.com/
This is a good bus company operated under the greyhound umbrella. The bus is super clean, wifi, power, and isn’t too expensive. While a bit out from the center of each city, transportation is available, and sometimes good to mix with other buses to get to your call time quickly.
Bicycles sometimes can be snuck on for free, and sometimes they try to gouge you for $10.99 in 2023. Be careful with this company.
There is a $4 service fee to buy a ticket, keep that in mind when looking at prices.
Greyhound
https://www.greyhound.com/
Greyhound is excellent, but the drivers treat it like it is a military bus. Quiet, clean, on time, no rushing, no standing, really just sit still. No music, either. The price tag is a bit higher, but totally worth it as they go to and from Philly and NYC at weird late hours. Once in a while, greyhound is a valuable treat to the meager actor making it from city to city.
It has always been a struggle to get a bicycle on the bus without them complaining. Sometimes they quote $30 for the fee, other times they do not. Since it is random how they approach it, it is quite suspect.