Cheap Flights in the USA vs. The Best Bus Route for Scenic Travel

Let’s discover the top options for scenic sightseeing trips from the comfort of a bus instead of cheap flights in the USA. Many people who love exploring natural wonders in America prefer to drive, travel by plane across the country, or explore in an RV. If you’d like to travel at your own pace, save money, and enjoy amazing scenery, consider taking the bus. Taking the bus is a fantastic way to see America; it offers incredible views and allows you to visit places that local Americans may not have explored yet.

Getting a great deal on a budget vacation and beautiful landscapes without booking in peak travel times? This guide is for you. Here, we’ll discover the country’s prettiest bus route and how to combine it with affordable Amtrak routes with views for a budget-friendly adventure.

Why Choose a Bus Over Cheap Flights USA?

Before making plans, let’s find out why you choose bus trips over cheap flights in the USA?

• Affordable: Bus tickets save you money even when you get to the USA cheap flights.
• Landscapes: Buses go through many beautiful landscapes and scenery, and planes fly straight over them. You don’t arrive at nice sights; you watch them come to life.
• Flexibility: The numerous options mean you can change your travel plan to suit your needs.
• Eco-Friendly Factor: Buses emit less pollution per person carried than air transport does.

Most Picturesque Traveling

One of the most picturesque trips is from Los Angeles to Denver via Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. This isn’t only about getting from one place to another. There’s a bit of everything in the Western America: cities, arid landscapes, and towering mountains. Covering almost 1,100 miles and taking about two days, you’ll see some of America’s most famous scenery.

Major Stops:

• Los Angeles, California
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City
• Grand Junction in Colorado
• Denver, USA

Let’s take a look at it one by one.

1.       Los Angeles to Las Vegas

You will set off in Los Angeles, where you’ll find glitz, beaches, and palm trees along many roads. You leave Los Angeles, and the bus moves into the Mojave Desert. You’ll find that the area here is wide and beautiful, presenting windmills, sharp rock formations, and far-off mountain ranges.

The closer you get to Las Vegas, the scenery changes. Sand is replaced by neon. Though many people take cheap flights to Las Vegas, taking a bus through the desert adds something special.

LA to Las Vegas, Credit: Roadtripping California

2.       Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

Once you’re done with Vegas, the bus moves through a region of interesting geology. You can enjoy red canyons, sandstone layers, and wide stretches of desert throughout the area.

This section of road borders Zion National Park and a few other notable southern Utah landmarks. Travelling at either time of day will show off the natural sky colours against the clear blue sky. If you skip the cheap flights in the USA, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the country.

Las Vegas to Salt Lake City, Credit: Travel2Next

After a while, you’ll get to Salt Lake City, which is set against the Wasatch Mountains and is famous for its special culture, history, and beautiful Great Salt Lake views.

3.       Salt Lake City to Grand Junction

The area transitions from a desert landscape to an alpine environment. Travelling east by bus, the route climbs steadily in elevation, which is not seen in flights. Snow-covered mountains can often be seen in the distance. There are more rivers along the way, forests fill the view, and everything around you is more interesting. Many of the stunning views along this route are shared with the California Zephyr, making it a favourite among scenic rail journeys. However, travelling by bus allows you to experience the landscape from the ground level, with the flexibility to stop as needed.

Salt Lake City to Grand Junction, Credit: Waiting in Wanderlust

4.       Grand Junction to Denver

This is where the scenery moves from beautiful to extra special. Last but not least, the region is mainly defined by the Rocky Mountains. You might cross mountain passes, follow rivers, and pass through snow, even during seasons other than winter.

Greyhound and other companies put large-window buses on this line for those who want to enjoy the sights. In Denver, you’ll find a city offering exciting outdoor activities and an upscale city lifestyle. You can also find cheap flights in the USA if you’re heading to another destination.

Grand Junction to Denver, Credit: Visit Grand Junction

Why is This Route Unique?

• Landscapes: The landscapes of these routes vary from oceans, deserts, and canyons to snow-covered mountains.
• LA is famous for its pop culture.
• Las Vegas is famous for its dazzle
• Salt Lake is known for its peacefulness
• Denver is famous for its trendiness.
• Picture Spots: Every tour stop offers you the best pictures and views for your Instagram feed.

The Best Bus Companies for Your Travel

Greyhound

It is the best choice for cross-country and long-distance journeys. Most journeys include WiFi, restrooms, and occasional narration about the scenery. The travel from LA to Denver is dependable and beautiful.

FlixBus

Nowadays, buses are often modern, chic, and less expensive than Greyhound. People who care about saving money and enjoying great views will love seeing the country this way, especially when comparing trips with cheap flights in the USA.

Megabus

Occasionally, journeys on this route are famous for their very economical fares. Check bookings when you want to stay, particularly on holidays or over the weekend.

Tips for Planning: Rely on Buses with Cheap Flights, USA

Although the bus from LA to Denver is wonderful, you can combine it with cheap flights in the USA to visit more of the country. Here is the best way to do it:

1.      You should fly to a less expensive city.

If you don’t want to fly directly to LA, you can choose Ontario, CA, or Long Beach. Cheap flights from the USA can often be found at big airports.

2.      Finish Your Trip in a Major Airport

One of the nation’s biggest and busiest airports, Denver International Airport, has plenty of cheap USA flights to both coasts, the Midwest and Hawaii.

3.      Use Buses to Fill Gaps

Travel by bus is a better option than flying from one city to another. Buses from Vegas to LA are less expensive than flying.

Enjoy Affordable Amtrak Routes with Views: Try Something New for Your Journey

Even though we’re mainly looking at buses, trains can be added to your journey for a change. You can enjoy some of the nicest and most relaxed train rides anywhere on Amtrak. These budget-friendly Amtrak routes give you beautiful views, making them well worth a ride.

1.      The California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco, via Denver)

Part of this line, which connects the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada, is also used by buses. It is regularly considered one of the most picturesque train routes anywhere.

2.      Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles)

Streams flow beside huge cliffs, expansive forests, and coastal communities. This itinerary starts in Seattle, goes by train to Los Angeles, and ends with you busing from Los Angeles to Denver.

3.      The Southwest Chief

Loved by desert fans, this way takes you on a historic trek through Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas. Perfect for making your way when regional buses are available.

If you want a long trip, you can find panoramic lounges and comfortable sleepers on each route.

Prepare Yourself for a Long Bus Trip

Getting around by bus may need more effort than taking cheap flights in the USA, but it can be gratifying.

What Should You Pack:

• A small pillow and blanket
• Water bottles
• Meals and snacks
• Power banks–help you keep your devices charged.
• Offline and Traditional Entertainment (books, podcasts)

Dress

Dress yourself in layers, so you have several wearable layers. The weather is greatly different in different cities, mainly when they are near mountains or deserts.

Download Maps

A bus sometimes passes by signal-free zones. Offline access to your map, tickets, and travel plans is helpful.

Final Thoughts: Cheap Flights in the USA vs. Bus Routes for Scenic Travel

While most people take cheap flights to jump swiftly between popular spots, the bus ride from Los Angeles to Denver helps you connect with America’s land, meet different people, and discover hidden sides of the country.

If you combine low-cost Amtrak journeys with ocean views, you’ll enjoy a journey that looks fantastic, won’t break the bank, and helps the environment.

Whether you travel with a backpack, are a college student, live as a digital nomad, or just an explorer who wants to get to know the country, this route shows you can get great views here by bus rather than cheap flights in the USA. Once in a while, they appear right beside you on the bus.