The "New" Travel Trend That Gen Z Is Loving Right Now

As air travel becomes more expensive — and at least in perception — less safe, some younger travelers are re-embracing bus ridership as an alternative.

©Southwest Airlines

As a slew of price increases, baggage policy changes, and high-profile accidents have caused bad press for the aviation industry over the last couple of years, numbers have steadily risen for commercial bus transportation. According to a spokesperson for FlixBus (the parent company of Greyhound), “ridership across the Greyhound and FlixBus network grew by a double-digit percentage year-over-year” in 2024. This is “compared to 2023, continuing an upward trend.”

According to Kai Boysan, the CEO of FlixBus, ”Intercity bus ridership has been steadily rising as more long-distance travelers reconsider their options, recognizing buses as a natural alternative to flying or driving. Fear of flying is nothing new, and many travelers have always preferred to stay grounded for a variety of reasons, whether it’s personal comfort or more control over their journey.”

While it may be true that fear of flying is nothing “new”, there seemingly several specific reasons for the increase. The most press-worth is likely the string of crashes and other incidents that have plagued the industry in the early months of 2025.

©Greyhound

Despite the fact that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation according to statistics, the coverage of incidents like a small plane crash in Philadelphia, a plane rollover in Toronto, and several cataloged near misses on airport runways has led to a climate of paranoia. According to Google Trends, searches for the phrase “Is it safe to fly?” surged in the month of February.

However, these safety concerns are not the only reason that bus travel has gained favor. Other major factors include costs of flights, as well as airline’s ever-changing (some would say nickel & dimeing) baggage policies, such as Southwest’s reversal of their longtime “bags fly free” policy.

In addition to the financial issues, bus travel cuts out many of the hassles that hinder flying for many. There are no cumbersome security lines wait in or baggage carousels to loiter by, and most major (and many minor) U.S. cities have direct bus routes between them.

©Greyhound

Another major reason for the increase in bus travel, especially among younger travelers, may be environmental. According to a 2023 study from Wanderu, Intercity buses are the “most sustainable mode of transportation in the U.S.” The report claims that buses are 550% more fuel efficient than cars on a per-passenger basis, and that “taking the bus instead of flying can decrease your carbon footprint by up to 77.5%.”

Finally, the amount of modern amenities offered on commercial buses has grown considerably. According to Boysan, “Traveling via bus is much different than the past and has evolved into a modern, tech-driven experience, offering free Wi-Fi, power outlets and spacious seating that make long trips more comfortable and convenient.”

He added, “When you compare bus fares to rising airfare costs, especially for last-minute bookings, it’s clear why more travelers are seeing intercity buses as a practical option. People want more control over their travel experiences, and intercity buses are stepping up to meet this demand.”

©Greyhound

As dissatisfaction with air travel continues to fester among many US travelers, bus ridership continues to grow. Stay tuned to DFB for more travel industry updates!

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Have you ever traveled the U.S. by intercity bus? Let us know in the comments below.