Churches That Help With Greyhound Bus Tickets: How to Ask and Other Ways to Get Home

How church bus ticket help usually works

Many churches set aside a small amount of money, often called a benevolence or deacons’ fund, to help people in a crisis. Some of that money may go toward a bus ticket when someone is stranded, has lost housing, or has a safe place to stay in another city.

A few honest points before you start calling:

• Most churches help locally. They usually serve their members, their neighborhood, or people referred by a local agency. A church in another state is unlikely to buy a ticket for someone it has never met.
• Funds are small and run out. A church might help a few people a month. Asking early in the week or month can help.
• Help is usually a ticket, not cash. Churches often buy the ticket themselves, or meet you at the station, so the money goes to travel.
• Many churches pool resources. In some towns, churches send all requests to one shared ministry, food pantry, or Salvation Army office that handles travel help for everyone.

Finding churches that help with Greyhound bus tickets

Because help is local, the best search is local too. Try these in order:

1. Dial 211. 211 is free and confidential. Ask for “transportation assistance” or “bus tickets.” Specialists often know which churches and ministries have travel funds right now.
2. Call your own church first, if you have one, or a church where a family member is a member.
3. Ask large local congregations to tell you whether they have a benevolence fund or a ministry alliance that handles travel requests.
4. Contact faith-based charities such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, which run social service offices in many cities. See our guides to Salvation Army transportation assistance and Catholic Charities transportation assistance.
5. Ask a shelter caseworker. If you are staying in a shelter, staff often have relationships with churches that help residents get to family.

How to ask a church for travel help

Churches get many requests, and a clear, calm request is easier to say yes to. When you call or visit:

• Ask for the church office, the benevolence ministry, or the pastor who handles assistance.
• Explain briefly why you need to travel and where you are going.
• Give the name and phone number of the person or program you are going to.
• Say whether you can pay part of the fare yourself. Partial help is easier to approve.
• Ask whether they can check prices for you, or whether they prefer you to find the fare.
• If they cannot help, ask who else in town might.

Many churches hold office hours only on certain weekdays. Calling during the week usually works better than showing up on a Sunday morning.

What churches check before buying a ticket

To make sure the money truly helps, most churches and charities verify a few things. Expect some or all of these:

• Your destination. They may call the relative, friend, shelter, or employer you are going to, to confirm they expect you and have a place for you.
• Your identity. A photo ID helps. If you have lost your ID, explain what happened.
• Your situation. They may ask why you are stranded and whether you have other options.
• Past help. Some groups share records so the same person is not helped many times in a short period.

This can take a day or two. It is not meant to judge you; it is how churches stretch limited funds and make sure no one ends up stranded again at the other end.

Home Free for youth ages 12 to 21

If you are a young person away from home, this is the first call to make. Home Free is a program run with Greyhound by the National Runaway Safeline. According to the Safeline, the program helps young people ages 12 to 21 return to their families or another safe place, at no cost to the youth, with a free Greyhound ticket for those who qualify.

• How to ask: call 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). The Safeline also offers chat, email, and text.
• Who qualifies: youth who are away from home without a safe way back and are ready to reunite with family or a safe adult who agrees to help.
• How the destination is set: the young person and a Safeline team member decide together where to go and who they will stay with.
• Eligibility: decided case by case. Adults over 21 do not appear to qualify.

You do not have to be in trouble to call. The line is confidential, and staff can help you think through options even if you are not ready to go home.

Charities that may help with bus fare

Churches are only one source. Other groups that sometimes help with a bus ticket include:

• The Salvation Army. Many local corps help with emergency needs, and some help stranded travelers, depending on local funding. Use the Salvation Army location finder to call the nearest office.
• Travelers Aid. Travelers Aid International member agencies help people in transit. Its bus ticket program is limited: the network says participating programs may provide one-way bus tickets, subject to eligibility, only in the Washington, D.C., metro area, and its airport programs do not take part. If no member is near you, it suggests calling 211 or 311.
• Catholic Charities and other faith-based agencies, which sometimes have emergency funds for travel.
• Homeless outreach and shelters. Some cities run family reunification programs that pay for a ticket when a relative confirms they can provide housing.
• Veterans services through your local VA or veterans service organization, if you served.

For more on transportation for people without housing, see our guide to Greyhound bus tickets for homeless people.

Bus ticket help compared

Leaving an unsafe situation

If you need to travel to get away from abuse, you do not have to figure it out alone. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is free and confidential at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. Advocates can connect you with local domestic violence programs, some of which help with safe travel, shelter, and safety planning. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

What if every church says no?

It happens, especially when funds are low. Keep these options in mind:

• Ask the person you are traveling to whether they can buy the ticket online and send you the confirmation.
• Ask several people to each cover part of the fare.
• Call back at the start of the next month, when some funds reset.
• Look for shelter and meals locally while you wait, so you are safe in the meantime. Our guide to free gas cards for homeless people covers other travel options if someone can drive you.

Tips before you travel

• Confirm your arrival plan with the person meeting you, including the station and time.
• Keep your ticket confirmation, ID, and phone charger with you, not in checked bags.
• Pack food and water for long trips, and any medicines you need.
• Write down important phone numbers on paper in case your phone dies.
• Check the bus line’s rules on ID, luggage, and arrival time before you go.

Avoiding ticket scams

Real churches and charities do not charge a fee to help you. Be careful with social media posts or strangers offering free tickets in exchange for an upfront “processing fee,” your bank login, or gift cards. Never share passwords or card numbers with someone offering help. If a ticket is bought for you, check it on the bus company’s own website or at the station counter.

Getting a ticket, step by step

1. Dial 211 and ask who offers bus ticket help near you.
2. If you are 12 to 21, call 1-800-RUNAWAY about Home Free.
3. Call churches and charities during weekday office hours.
4. Have your destination contact ready so they can verify it.
5. Offer to pay part of the fare if you can.
6. Confirm your arrival plan before you board.

Related guides

• Churches that help with motel vouchers
• Salvation Army homeless shelter
• Grants for homeless people
• Churches that help with rent

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Church and charity help depends on local funds and rules. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with Greyhound, any church, or any government agency.