Does megabus hold luggage

Quick recommendation: Plan for one checked piece placed in the cargo bay and one small bag kept at your seat. Keep valuables, medications and travel papers in the small bag; extra pieces or oversized items can be refused or assessed a fee.

Practical size and weight guidance: Target a main case no larger than 62 linear inches (158 cm total of length + width + height). Choose a personal item approximately 16 × 12 × 6 in (40 × 30 × 15 cm) that fits under the seat or on your lap. For easier handling, keep checked bags under ~50 lb (23 kg); very heavy or oddly shaped items may require advance approval.

Operational tips: Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure to hand over checked pieces and receive any loading instructions. Label each bag with name and phone, photograph the exterior before drop-off, secure zippers with a lock, and remove fragile or time-sensitive items from checked baggage. For bicycles, skis, instruments or more than one large bag, contact the carrier ahead to confirm acceptance and fees.

Practical rules for transporting bags on intercity coach services

Recommendation: keep all valuables and fragile electronics with you in a padded daypack carried onboard; stow a single small bag under the seat or in an overhead rack and arrange for any large suitcase to be placed in the underfloor bay at the terminal before boarding.

Timing and queueing: arrive 30–45 minutes early at busy depots to declare oversized trunks or odd-shaped items; bay space is limited and allocated by arrival order, so late check-ins risk refusal or delay. Always request a baggage tag and retain the stub.

Packing and protection

Use soft-sided duffels for bay storage (they compress and fit better than rigid suitcases). Wrap delicate kit in padded inserts or clothing; photograph contents before handing over. Keep cameras on your person in a shockproof case – for compact, budget-friendly bodies see best digital camera for 250 pounds.

Wet gear and odd items

Collapse umbrellas and nets, seal wet items in plastic, and stow them inside your carry bag to avoid dripping in shared compartments. For compact nets and outdoor shade options that pack well, compare these picks: best umbrella net for minnows and best outdoor cantilever umbrella wayside.

Label every external piece with name and phone, secure handles with luggage straps, and keep boarding confirmation until you reclaim your case; if an item goes missing, submit a report at the terminal immediately and keep photo proof for claims.

Carry-on size limits, permitted items and onboard storage policy

Keep cabin bag under 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and carry one small personal item that fits beneath the seat.

Size & placement

• Standard cabin bag: maximum external dimensions 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm). Most operators do not publish a strict weight limit; recommended handling weight is ≤11 kg / 25 lb.
• Personal item: examples – purse, small backpack or laptop sleeve that fits under the seat (approx. 16 x 12 x 8 in / 40 x 30 x 20 cm).
• Overhead shelf space is limited; choose soft-sided bags when possible to compress into available space.
• Large or bulky items that cannot be stowed in the cabin are placed in under-vehicle compartments and may require a fee or advance notice.
• Mobility aids and collapsible strollers: notify staff at boarding; most operators store these free of charge in dedicated areas.

Permitted and prohibited items

• Permitted in cabin: prescription medicines, essential medical devices, laptops/phones, cameras, passports and documents, unopened retail liquids. Liquid containers must follow the 3.4 fl oz / 100 ml rule inside one clear quart-sized bag for carry-on.
• Small personal food items and baby formula are allowed; keep them accessible for inspection.
• Sharp items and tools: sheathed or securely packed small grooming tools are allowed; large blades, axes and heavy tools belong in checked compartments if transport is allowed.
• Prohibited items: explosives, flammable liquids and gases (fuel, propane, lighter fluid), corrosives, oxidizers, fireworks and other hazardous chemicals. These must not be carried in cabin or checked areas.
• Firearms and ammunition: generally not permitted in the cabin; follow operator-specific rules and local law for transport in checked compartments, which often require declaration, locking and special packaging.
• Live animals: only properly certified service animals are allowed in the cabin without prior arrangement; pets usually require booking and specific carriers or containers.

• Keep passports, wallets, electronics and medications in your personal item or on your person at all times.
• Label checked bags with name and phone number and use soft-sided bags to maximize under-vehicle fit.
• Pack liquids in a separate clear bag for quick inspection at boarding checks.
• Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure when you plan to use under-vehicle storage to ensure space and avoid delays.

Checked baggage options: availability, fees and weight/size limits

Purchase a checked bag during booking if you intend to store a suitcase in the under-coach compartment; same-day drop-off is limited and typically more expensive.

• Availability
  • Checked-bag service varies by route and coach type: some runs allow under-coach storage for booked checked bags, others only accept carry-on items. Availability is shown at checkout or on the ticket page.
  • Limited space: once the compartment is full, extra checked items may be refused or placed on a later trip.
  • Stations with staffed ticket counters are more likely to accept checked items than curbside-only stops.
• Fees (typical ranges)
  • Pre-purchased at booking: $5–$15 per checked bag (common promotional pricing on many routes).
  • At the station or gate: $10–$25 per bag if space remains.
  • Oversize or overweight surcharges: $15–$50 extra depending on how much the bag exceeds limits.
  • Group, advance-purchase and loyalty discounts can reduce per-bag cost; fees are nonrefundable in most cases.
• Weight and size limits
  • Standard maximum weight: 50 lb (23 kg) per checked bag is commonly enforced.
  • Standard maximum dimensions: 62 linear inches / 158 cm (length + width + height) for a single checked item.
  • Bags over 50 lb or exceeding 62 linear inches usually trigger an overweight/oversize fee or may be refused for safety reasons.
  • Soft-sided bags may be more flexible for tight compartment space than hard-shell suitcases.
• Prohibited or discouraged items for checked storage
  • Keep cash, passports, medications, fragile items, and high-value electronics with you; carriers commonly refuse liability for these if checked.
  • Perishables, lithium batteries (loose), and hazardous materials are restricted and often not accepted for checked storage.
• Practical recommendations
  1. Weigh and measure each bag before travel; trim contents or split items across bags to avoid overweight fees.
  2. Buy checked-bag allowance during online booking to lock in lower fees and guarantee space.
  3. Label bags with name, phone and destination; add an interior note with contact details.
  4. Arrive 30–45 minutes before departure at staffed terminals (longer for busy holidays) to check items smoothly.
  5. If transporting specialized equipment (sports gear, instruments), call the operator in advance to confirm acceptance and fees.

How to load, tag and claim large suitcases at stops

Tag each large suitcase with a printed reservation number, full name, contact phone, destination city and boarding time; attach one tag to the outside handle, place an identical paper inside the bag, and take a close-up photo of the external tag and bag before handing it over.

Use a weatherproof tag sleeve or wrap tags in clear packing tape. Add a brightly colored strap or ribbon for instant visual identification; write information in bold, block letters or use a printed label to avoid smudging.

Before arrival at the stop: close spills, lock zippers with a TSA-approved lock, remove detachable items, tuck straps, and pad fragile contents with clothing. Keep passports, electronics, medication and cash in a cabin bag you keep with you.

At loading: hand the suitcase to the driver or loader by the handle, show the external tag and your reservation confirmation, then watch the loader place it into an undercarriage bay or luggage area. Note the bay side (left/right) and approximate compartment (front/mid/rear) by taking a quick photo of the open bay and the bus identification number.

If you receive a baggage stub or claim check: keep it on your person until you reclaim the case; photograph the stub as a backup. If no stub is issued, photograph the bus license/ID and the location where your bag was stored.

On arrival: present the baggage stub or show the external tag and reservation on your phone, plus a government ID that matches the tag name. Inspect the suitcase for missing items, wetness or damage before leaving the stop; if damage or loss is evident, request a written incident report from staff and photograph all issues on site.

For transfers: confirm at every change of vehicle which bus will carry your checked case, repeat the tagging/showing step when loading onto the next vehicle, and retain every intermediate stub or receipt until final reclaim.

If the case is misplaced or damaged after you leave the stop: file a report with customer service immediately and send photos, the tag number, reservation code, boarding time and a detailed inventory of contents. Keep all receipts for repairs or replacement; submit them with your claim.

Arrival timing and crowding tip: arrive 20–30 minutes before scheduled departure on busy routes, avoid peak loading rush by placing heavier or bulkier items into the bay first, and request the loader confirm visually where the bag is stored before the bus pulls away.

Transporting sports equipment, musical instruments and strollers

Use hard or well-padded cases for fragile instruments and high-impact sports gear; fold strollers, bag them, and tag visibly to speed processing at the boarding area.

Musical instruments

Keep small instruments as a carry-on if they fit the overhead area or between seats; for larger pieces, secure a rigid case with internal foam, tape loose hardware, and fasten the neck and bridge. Photograph condition before travel and add an external durable tag with name and phone. For instruments with removable electronics or lithium batteries, remove batteries and store them in carry-on where allowed; declare batteries when booking or at check-in.

For valuable instruments consider overnight courier or specialized freight if the case will be placed in under-vehicle storage–insure for full value and obtain a signed receipt at drop-off.

Strollers and child equipment

Fold strollers flat, cover with a lightweight stroller bag, and secure with a strap or cord to prevent unfolding. Keep diaper bag or car seat accessories with you on board. Label the stroller prominently and arrive at the stop 20–30 minutes early to hand it off to staff; collect at the same exterior location stated by the carrier and verify the tag number before leaving.

When baggage is denied, lost or damaged: filing a claim and next steps

Report the problem to the driver or station agent immediately and obtain a written incident report or reference number; record the vehicle number, departure/arrival stop, date, time and staff name on that document.

Documentation to collect: keep your ticket/receipt, claim check or bag tag, photos of damage or missing contents, original purchase receipts or replacement estimates, serial numbers, and a short inventory with approximate values. If theft is suspected, file a police report and include the case number.

How to submit a claim: use the carrier’s official claims form or email address listed on your ticket or operator website; attach scans/photos of all documents and a clear itemized list. In the message subject include the trip date, ticket number and incident reference. Keep records of every call, email and mailed package (date, time, person spoken to).

Time limits and expected response

Check the operator’s written policy for deadlines; when no deadline is visible, submit a written claim within two weeks of the trip for missing items and within seven days for visible damage. If you do not receive an acknowledgment within 14 calendar days, send a follow-up via registered mail or a tracked email and cite your original submission date.

If a claim is denied or ignored

If the carrier refuses or fails to respond within a reasonable window, escalate: 1) file a complaint with the relevant transportation regulator (for U.S. interstate trips use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration/DOT complaint portal), 2) open a chargeback with your credit card issuer if payment was recent and terms justify it, 3) submit a claim with your travel insurer if covered, and 4) consider small-claims court using your documented evidence. Do not dispose of damaged items until the claim is resolved; insurers and courts often require inspection of originals.

Final operational tips: keep digital and physical copies of everything, label follow-up communications with claim reference numbers, and accept any settlement only with a written release that specifies compensation and waives further claims.

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