I don't know about bus pricing. I am aware that Amtrak offers a discount for seniors. You don't have to book it in order to determine the cost. Make a couple of phone calls or check it out online.

If you belong to AAA (or if any family member does) that is a good place to start. They are very helpful. That is going to be a long trip and I would put comfort first on the list along with safety. It will be a good trip if you can arrive at your destination relaxed and ready to have some fun. Best of luck.
Satine

I think the bus trips coming and going to the Dakotas are a very long ride, more than 24 hours. I do believe the train is also long but certainly quicker. You'll want to check the length of time involved for both.

You might check with Amtrak, because there is limited service from Minot east--thru Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Fargo due to the fact they are redoing the tracks. The are busing people to Minot. Not sure if that would affect your trip to Chicago. What city are you leaving? What bus would you get out of Pierre? You might go to a local travel agency in your area to get some suggestions. As to going to Holland MI, that is near where my son lives--in Buchannan He has taken the train from there to Minot, but that was several years ago. Prices on the train are pricey, if you have to stay overnight. I just checked my train book from Amtrak and it does show it going from Chicago to Holland. You can also go on line to Amtrak and they will give you information. I am taking the train to CA from Minot in June, but going the Northern route. I have been told that the Greyhound bus in not too good. Don't know if there are other bus companies or now. I now live in Minot so let me know if I can help you more
Marie

I will have someone take me to Minot from Bismarck. When I had checked on Amtrak it didn't give any information to Holland from Chicago. I am seriously leaning more toward the train though. I know the bus takes a long time. I have never ridden the train. DH always wanted to take it out to the west coast, but we never have. I was just wondering if someone knew how to get cheaper tickets maybe.

Not sure if this helps-I did a quick check for you from Minot to Holland=couldn't find anything, but I did find from Minot to Chicago and from Chicago to Holland, on their website. SO, you might have to change trains in Chicago, or take the Amtrak bus from Chicago to Holland.
Still not sure of the condition of tracks between Minot and Chicago. You will have to check with Amtrak

Is air travel a possibility for you? If not, I'd prefer the train to the bus, at least for the longest portion. At least you can get up and move around a little.

I would take the train over the bus, but that is just me. It's a long ride from MN to MI, and a bus won't be nearly as comfortable. If cost is a consideration, the bus is probably less expensive.

I have taken the train many times from Chicago to Holland (for work) and it's a very comfortable, easy trip. That particular train is quite spacious, although it tends to be full with few seats to spare. If you decide to take the train, you shouldn't wait until the last minute to book, as the leg from Chicago to Holland is often sold out 7-10 days in advance.

If you fly, as someone else suggested, you would likely fly into Grand Rapids, or maybe to Muskegon, depending on flight availability. That time of the summer flights could be pretty expensive.

I did it After talking it over with DH we decided it would be just better for me to take 300,00 and fly to Grand Rapids. If I had taken the bus, it was more expensive then the train. It is too long for me to sit and way to many stops. and too long too. The train it would have cost me gas to get to Minot. The day before there were 2 and 1/2 hours of delays in ND and MN. So they could not have guaranteed me when I would be arriving in Chicago. I would have had to spend a night in Chicago and catch another train to Holland or GR. Or my DD and her family would have had to come down and get me. They have 2 small daughters and she is going to be 7 months pregnant by then. Since there was no guarantee when I would arrive, it would be hard for them to do it.
Then I think if it is at night we could hit a deer or something. I am leaving on the 3rd of July out of Sioux Falls SD and I had checked for prices at a later date and the prices were higher. I am satisfied with my decision, Thank you all for your help.

I think that's the very best decision. I'm sure your DD and the grandchildren will be glad to greet a less bedraggled mom and grandma!

TY
Chisue

Glad you were able to work things out.
Marie from ND

I am relieved for you that you made this decision. Train and bus with changes and waits seemed like so much work!

You made a smart decision. Unfortunately the Empire Builder Amtrak service is terrible right now--easily 7-9 hours late EVERY DAY due to the track situation. I'm in Saint Paul and we just had our beautiful Union Station remodeled. Amtrak relocated there last Wednesday and all the news stories said, great that it is back at Union Station but ridiculous to have to wait there hours and hours and hours for it to arrive!