OurBus Baggage Policy: Allowances, Size Limits, and Under-Bus Rules
The OurBus baggage policy includes one free under-bus hold bag up to 50 lbs (22.7 kg) and 62 linear inches, plus one small personal item to carry onboard. Standard rolling suitcases generally do not fit inside motorcoach overhead racks and must be stowed below in the cargo bay. Extra bags require prior clearance or an additional fee depending on route availability.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
Every ticket includes one personal item in the passenger cabin and one full-sized bag in the under-bus cargo hold. Extra baggage is subject to available cargo bay space and driver discretion.
What can change: Trips are run by licensed charter coach partners, so vehicle overhead shelf sizes, cargo bay limits, and excess baggage availability vary by departure and route operator.
Official Source Verification
Baggage rules can vary by route, operating carrier, traveler demand, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.
How the OurBus Travel Model Affects Your Luggage
OurBus is a technology platform and transportation broker rather than a direct owner of bus fleets. Instead of running a single coach style, OurBus partners with licensed, professional motorcoach companies (operating vehicles like Van Hool, Prevost, and MCI buses) to provide intercity routes across the United States.
Because different partner companies run these trips, the bus you board might have open overhead parcel racks, enclosed airplane-style bins, or slightly different cargo bay depths.
Most OurBus pickups also take place at curbside stops, park-and-ride lots, or university campuses rather than full-service bus depots. There are no terminal weighing counters or baggage check-in desks. You hand your large luggage directly to the driver at the side of the bus before boarding.
Onboard Cabin Baggage Rules
Every passenger is allowed one personal item to bring into the passenger seating area. This item travels with you free of charge.
Storage Locations Inside the Bus
Space inside a motorcoach cabin is tight. Your onboard item must fit in one of two places:
- Under the seat directly in front of you: This is the most reliable place for commuter packs, briefcases, and tote bags.
- In the overhead parcel rack: These shelves run along the ceiling above the seats. On many charter buses, these racks are shallow, open-faced shelves designed for jackets, small purses, or soft duffels.
Aisles must stay completely clear at all times to comply with federal safety regulations. You cannot place bags in the center aisle or let them extend past your seat into your neighbor's foot room.
Why Standard Rolling Suitcases Belong in the Hold
Travelers often wonder about carry-on vs personal item dimensions when boarding an intercity coach.
On an airplane, overhead compartments are built to swallow 22-inch rolling bags. On a bus, the overhead parcel racks are much narrower and rarely fit hard-shell rollaboards. If you bring a standard wheeled suitcase, the driver will ask you to place it underneath the bus in the baggage bay before you step on.
Reviewing what counts as a personal item will help you select the right piece for the coach cabin. If you are carrying a daypack, checking does a backpack count as a personal item can help ensure your pack fits comfortably beneath the seat ahead.
Under-Bus Hold Luggage: Dimensions, Weight, and Stowing
Each ticket includes one free piece of stowed luggage placed in the lower cargo bays of the motorcoach.
| Hold Luggage Parameter | Standard Limit | Enforcement Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Included Quantity | 1 piece per passenger | Included in the ticket price ($0) |
| Maximum Weight | 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | Lifted manually by drivers; strict health and safety cap |
| Maximum Dimensions | 62 linear inches (157 cm) | Calculated as Length + Width + Height |
| Location | Exterior luggage bay | Loaded from the curb prior to boarding |
Calculating 62 Linear Inches
OurBus relies on a total linear inch standard rather than fixed single-dimension maximums. To verify your bag fits the 62-inch threshold:
$$\text{Linear Inches} = \text{Length} + \text{Width} + \text{Height}$$
Measure the outside of your suitcase, including the wheels, grab handles, and outside pockets when fully packed. A standard large check-in suitcase (typically 27 to 28 inches tall) generally meets this 62-inch limit. Huge footlockers, massive trunks, or oversized moving boxes will often exceed this measurement and may be refused by the driver.
Curbside Loading Protocol
When the bus arrives at your stop:
- Walk to the side cargo bays with your hold luggage while leaving your small cabin item on your shoulder.
- Tell the driver your final destination so they can place your suitcase in the correct cargo bay door. On multi-stop routes, luggage is organized by drop-off city to keep intermediate stops quick.
- Make sure your bag has an exterior luggage tag with your name, phone number, and destination.
Extra Bags and Excess Luggage
If you need to travel with more than one under-bus suitcase, extra luggage is handled on a space-available basis.
Because motorcoaches have physical weight limits and finite cargo volume, passenger luggage cannot overcrowd the hold.
- Booking Additional Pieces: Depending on your route, you may see an option to add an extra bag during the online checkout process. If the option is not displayed, hold capacity on that specific departure may be restricted.
- Curbside Standby Risks: Arriving at the curb with unreserved second or third bags is risky. If the bus is full-especially during peak travel windows like college breaks, Thanksgiving, or summer weekends-the driver has the right to refuse excess bags.
- Pricing Variability: OurBus does not have a single published nationwide flat fee for excess bags. Partner carriers set limits based on route distance and cargo capacity. Always contact OurBus customer support via their app or website before travel if you plan to bring extra items.
Bicycles, Sports Gear, and Musical Instruments
Specialty gear is subject to cargo hold limits and partner coach regulations.
Traveling with a Bicycle
Bicycles can travel on select OurBus routes under specific conditions:
- Space Permitting: Priority in the undercarriage always goes to standard luggage. Bicycles are loaded only if enough empty space remains.
- Protection Requirements: Standard bicycles must usually be disassembled and packed in a sturdy box or padded bike case. This prevents pedals and handlebars from tearing other travelers' suitcases or catching on safety latch mechanisms.
- Folding Bikes: Compact folding bicycles that fold into their own protective carrying bag are much easier to accommodate and count as your single under-bus hold item.
Musical Instruments
- Small Instruments (Violins, Flutes, Clarinets): Can be brought into the cabin as your one personal item, provided the case fits in the overhead parcel rack or across your lap without encroaching on neighboring seats.
- Large Instruments (Guitars, Cellos): Guitars in hard cases can go into the under-bus hold as your included bag. If you do not want to stow an expensive instrument in the luggage bay, you must purchase an additional full-fare passenger seat next to you to secure it inside the cabin.
Skis, Snowboards, and Sporting Bags
Golf bags, snowboards, and ski equipment are generally accepted in place of your primary under-bus bag if the physical cargo bay on that motorcoach model has enough clearance. Equipment bags must be fully zipped and within the 50 lb weight limit.
Prohibited Items, Valuables, and Liability
Under-bus cargo bays are neither climate-controlled nor cushioned against road bumps. Plan your packing carefully to protect yourself and others.
Items You Must Keep in Your Cabin Bag
- Prescriptions and essential medical supplies
- Laptops, tablets, cameras, and portable power banks
- Passports, IDs, and wallets
- Fragile glass, jewelry, and irreplaceable family items
Prohibited Cargo Items
To comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety codes, the following items are barred from both the hold and the cabin:
- Flammable liquids, camping fuels, and lighter fluid
- Fireworks, road flares, and explosives
- Hazardous chemicals, corrosives, and poisons
- Unsecured vehicle batteries
- Firearms and weapons (except where strictly permitted by federal/state laws and carrier-specific check-in protocols)
Luggage Liability and Handling
Intercity bus liability for lost or damaged luggage is limited under state and federal carrier rules. OurBus and its operating partners are not responsible for normal wear and tear on suitcases, including broken zippers, scuffed fabric, or snapped pull handles caused by standard transit shifting.
If an item is missing after your trip, message OurBus customer support immediately through the app with your reservation code, departure point, drop-off location, and luggage description.
OurBus Luggage Packing and Boarding Checklist
Follow this checklist before heading to your pickup stop to ensure a smooth boarding process.
- Weigh your under-bus suitcase at home. Keep the total weight at or below 50 lbs (22.7 kg) so the driver can lift and stow it without issue.
- Measure all three sides of your large bag. Confirm that the combined length, width, and height do not exceed 62 linear inches.
- Tag every piece with your current contact information. Include your full name, cell phone number, and arrival city on an exterior tag.
- Move all electronics and medications into your cabin bag. The cargo bay gets cold, hot, and jostled during transit, so keep your valuables with you.
- Select a soft backpack or tote for your seat item. Stiff rolling bags will not fit in coach overhead racks and must be stowed below.
- Arrive at the curbside stop 15 to 20 minutes early. Drivers load undercarriage bays quickly and cannot hold traffic at curbside locations for late arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags can you take on OurBus for free?
Each ticketed passenger can bring one small personal item onboard inside the bus cabin and one large bag stowed in the under-bus luggage bay at no extra cost.
Can I bring a rolling carry-on suitcase inside the bus cabin?
Usually no. Most motorcoach overhead parcel racks are too shallow to fit standard rolling carry-on bags. Wheeled suitcases must be placed in the undercarriage hold before boarding.
What is the weight limit for an OurBus hold bag?
The maximum weight for your stowed luggage piece is 50 lbs (22.7 kg). Drivers handle bags manually, and overweight bags can be refused for safety reasons.
Can I bring an extra bag on OurBus?
Extra bags are accepted on a space-available basis depending on the specific route and departure. You can check for extra luggage add-ons during online booking or contact OurBus support ahead of time.
Can you bring a bicycle on an OurBus trip?
Bicycles are carried only if there is sufficient room in the cargo hold after all passengers have loaded their bags. The bike must generally be folded or boxed in a protective container.
What counts as an onboard personal item on OurBus?
A small backpack, tote bag, laptop briefcase, or purse that fits underneath the seat in front of you or on the overhead parcel rack qualifies as a personal item.
How do I report lost luggage on OurBus?
Open the OurBus mobile app or go to their official website to message customer support. Provide your booking confirmation number, the travel date, pickup location, drop-off point, and a photo or detailed description of your bag.
Baggage rules, cargo space, and enforcement can vary based on the specific route, booking channel, and contracted motorcoach carrier operating your departure. The official rules, tariffs, and terms of service of the operating bus company prevail at the time of boarding.
