Traveling on a Greyhound Bus with a Mobile Concentrator

Tips for Traveling on a Greyhound Bus with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

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Traveling on a Greyhound bus has its benefits; it’s cheaper than an airline ticket, you can enjoy the scenery along the way, and you can enjoy comfortable reclining seats while you travel. And another benefit for people who where supplemental oxygen is that Greyhound makes it easy to bring your portable oxygen concentrator (POC).

But like traveling on cruise ships, trains, and airplanes, it will take some preparation beforehand to ensure stress-free traveling.

Tips for Bringing Your POC on a Greyhound Bus

Greyhound doesn’t provide specific requirements for POCs you can bring on the bus. However, planning your trip will still take some preparation.

Here are some tips to help you plan your trip:

  • Visit your doctor beforehand to ensure you’re healthy enough for travel.
  • Although Greyhound allows oxygen tanks on their buses, it’s much easier to travel with a POC. You can rent a POC if you don’t already have one.
  • Call Greyhound at 1-800-752-4841 at least 48 hours before your trip, letting them know you’re bringing portable oxygen.
  • Bring enough battery power to get you through the trip.
  • Make sure it’s comfortable to carry your POC. Bring a comfortable carrying bag, backpack, or rolling cart.

Tips From a Greyhound Traveler

Ben O. has first-hand experience traveling with his POC on a Greyhound bus. He’s shared some tips to help your travel go as smoothly as possible.

Visit Your Doctor a Week in Advance
I always go to the doctor a week or so before my trip just to make sure I’m alright enough to travel so far from home. This might not be totally necessary for everyone, but I have severe COPD, and I still get out of breath quite frequently. My doctor does a physical and checks my blood oxygen level. You also have to call them 48 hours before taking your trip so that they can make any necessary accommodations. They don’t need a physician’s note, as is the case with many airlines if you fly.

Get a Portable Oxygen Concentrator
I’ve traveled with Greyhound only once before with oxygen tanks, and this was a bit more of a pain, more than with a portable oxygen concentrator, anyway. They allow you to bring as many as four cylinders with you, but I could only keep 2 of them with me. The other two had to go in cargo and checked as baggage. Not really a big deal.
I did end up getting a portable oxygen concentrator because I liked the idea of only needing to carry along extra batteries instead of extra oxygen cylinders. This was much more convenient and easier. I even got a battery package, so I could get all the extra batteries I would need. You just have to make sure you charge them up all the way before you leave, since you won’t be able to plug in your portable concentrator anywhere on the bus.

Bring a Good Mobile Cart, Carrying Bag, or Backpack
A good mobile cart, carry bag, or backpack to carry your POC in is also essential. You should hopefully already have one if you own a portable oxygen concentrator because it sure beats carrying it around by hand everywhere you go. The mobile cart handle pushes down, and you can push it down all the way while you’re in your seat. It also pulls back up really easily when you need to get off the bus. An accessory bag would be necessary for carrying your batteries unless you can fit them in your bag.

Tips for Traveling on a Greyhound Bus with a Mobile Concentrator

Related Information

Updated: July 28, 2023
Published: October 24, 2014

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

4 thoughts on “Tips for Traveling on a Greyhound Bus with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

    • Thank you for your inquiry, Cynthia. Yes, many of our patients have used an oxygen concentrator onboard a bus. However, always be sure to inquire with the company prior to your oxygen use as each company has different rules and requirements regarding medical equipment.

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