One buckaroo. That’s it folks. Earlier this year, BoltBus launched its East Coast bus service offering riders more legroom, wi-fi and low, low fares. Now Greyhound Canada and Adirondack Trailways are following suit with their own juiced up bus line NeOn, whose inaugural 9.5-hour route launching May 22 rolls passengers between New York and Toronto in coaches with extra leg room, free wireless Internet access and in-seat power outlets.

But back to the $1 part, because that’s the best feature (that and the free wi-fi), if you ask me. $1 tickets (each way, plus booking fee) go on sale today and are available through either Adirondack Trailways or Greyhound. Only a few $1 fares are available for each trip, so booking early is key. After the cheapest seats are gone, the fares increase incrementally from there.

After hunting for some of the $1 fares this morning (which I found available on plenty of days this summer), here are some tips for finding them quickly:

- Book via Greyhound. The interface is much easier to use, and, as of today, Adirondack Trailways didn’t seem to have the new route listed yet.

- Select New York Penn Station and Toronto Royal York Hotel from the drop-down list as your points of departure and arrival.

- If you select round trip when you search, the lowest fares will appear as $2. The booking fee for the reservations I tested was $3.

- Note that Greyhound does not identify these routes as part of the new NeOn service.

- If you want to purchase the cheapest fares online, you’ll have to book at least 10 mailing days in advance. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy tickets in person at a Greyhound terminal or agency.

Through Thursday, you can get some decent deals on AirTran fares with its all-destination fare sale. To score the best fares, you’ll need to:

1. Purchase your ticket directly through AirTran (800-AIR-TRAN).

2. Purchase tickets at least 10 days before your departure date.

3. Travel on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday.

4. Complete travel by Nov. 5, 2008

Happy hunting!

This week had almost too many good deals to choose just five, but somehow I managed. Here we go… in no particular order:

Ireland Summer Vacation & Air from $899 (Aer Lingus)
Seen on Frommer’s
You’ll save hundreds off booking this trip separately. This includes a flight to Shannon, and return from Dublin, a night at the swank Ritz-Carlton, and six nights at the Blarney Golf Resort. If you get tired of playing golf, you can tour the countryside in a full-size car (also included in the price).

$199 — NYC 4-Diamond Westin in Times Square (Westin New York)
Seen on Travelzoo
This hotel is really top-notch, even for New York. You’ll save over $100 on select stays through summer, and can even get discounts on upgrades to suites, spa, and club rooms.

Fly to London from $339, Stay 2 Nights FREE (British Airways)
Seen on Kayak
You might have seen this… it’s being advertised all over the place. You’ll get discounted flights through the peak season and get two nights at deluxe hotels in London for free. I’ve flown BA, and I can attest they treat their passengers right.

Escorted Tour of Peru from $1,069 - includes Air (Gate 1 Travel)
Seen on BookingBuddy
Just flying to Peru can cost as much as this entire package. You’ll see Lima and Cuzco, and this deal includes flights between cities, some meats. tours in a motor coach, and a lot more.

3- and 4-night Mexico Summer Cruises from $219 (Cruise Value Center)
Seen on Travel Ticker
If you’ve never taken a cruise, this is the perfect opportunity as these short sailing are enough to evaluate whether you’ll like it. They are also on Royal Caribbean ships that have great reputations. Some of these cruises also depart on Fridays, so you don’t even have to take a lot of time off work.

With sky-high gas prices nearing – and in some states exceeding – $4/gallon and the summer family travel season just around the corner, many North America hotels are offering travelers special incentives and deals to offset hefty fuel costs.

In recent years, gas cards have been the major perk of packages inspired by rising fuel costs – but this year, we’re happy to report that some hotels are sweetening the deal with free or discounted parking, too. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to help you stretch your vacation dollars. (And remember, to book these packages, you’ll have to make reservations directly through the hotel and mention the promotion at the time of booking. Be sure to ask about any other special restrictions while you’re at it):

Heading to Santa Barbara? Through June 30, 2008, the Hotel Mar Monte’s Tanks for the Memories package includes free valet parking and a $25 Chevron gas card for each night of your stay. Stay three consecutive nights, and the hotel will throw in an additional $10 card per night, which brings the total amount you’ll receive in gas cards to an impressive $105.

(more…)

With airline travel becoming less and less attractive as 2008 drags on, would-be summer vacationers are looking for ways to get from point A to point B without taking to the skies. This information has not been lost on Amtrak.

The train line just launched a summer promotion that will no doubt be attractive to families with Florida on their minds. For each full-fare paying adult, Amtrak will allow two children to ride free on its Lorton, Va to Sanford, Fla Auto Train, an overnight route specifically for passengers with vehicles. The train features sleeper cars and allows passengers to bring their cars, motorcycles, trailers and small boats along for the trip. My guess is that this could easily end up costing a family of four less than flying to and from Florida and renting a car or paying for transport upon arrival.

For a week-long trip July 9-16, I came up with a total fare of $1,134 to transport two adults, two children ages 2 to 15 and one regular-size vehicle from Lorton to Sanford in an overnight family bedroom sleeper car. That breaks down to about $284 per passenger for the 17-hour trip. Yes, it’ll take longer than flying, but you’ll have your car once you arrive - and taking the train overnight with the whole family can be a really cool experience for kids - and it’s much easier for them to move around in a sleeper car than it is on a plane.

Book on the Amtrak Auto Train

If you’re looking for beach deals, this is the week for you. We have jaw-droppers to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Hawaii. Enough with the chit-chat… let’s round ‘em up:

Huge Hotel Sale: Save 20% on Your Next Stay (Orbitz.com)
Seen on BookingBuddy
If you’re thinking about planning a summer vacation, this is the deal for you. Just reserve a stay at a qualifying hotel through August and Orbitz will take an additional 20% OFF.

Bahamas Super-Inclusive Escape & Air from $559 (BookIt.com)
Seen on Kayak
You’ll save $300+ on trips to Cable Beach through May. All meals, drinks, and transfers are included in the price. Best of all - no blackout dates.

Prague, Vienna & Budapest Trip with Air from $909 (EuropeanDestinations.com)
Seen on IgoUgo
Hit up the lesser-seen Eastern Europe in May (more for summer, natch). These guys toss in an ICE high speed train between cities, so you can view the countryside of Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Top Waikiki Hotels up to 40% OFF - from $129 (Sheraton Hawaii)
Seen on TravelTicker
Even if you can’t find an affordable ticket to Hawaii with the current collapses of ATA and Aloha, this deal is worth it. In summer the prices skyrocket, so now might be a good time to go if you have the means.

All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation w/Air, 45% OFF (CheapCaribbean)
Seen on Travelzoo
For this price you’ll stay at your pick of two Dominican Republic resorts through June 20. This lead price is out of Miami or New York, but the prices from other cities like Baltimore (+$50), Chicago (+$60), or even West Coast cities like Los Angeles (+$100) make this a deal for people across the country.

This week was a little different in deals-land. With a lot of airlines canceling flights and some canceling business altogether, there didn’t seem to be as much that jumped out at me. Don’t worry - I found some interesting deals nonetheless.

In no particular order:

JetBlue Spring Sale from $39 One Way (JetBlue Airways)
Seen on BookingBuddy
Everyone loves JetBlue, mostly because their sales are dang good. Fly between cities from $39, or head coast to coast between clities like New York and San Diego from $159 each way.

$1500 - 3-Day Houseboat Rental (Save $1100) (Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas)
Seen on Travelzoo
Anytime you see something for close to 50% off, it’s time to do a double-take. This deal means you can rent a houseboat in Arizona during the summer for a fraction of the cost. These are big boats - 50+ feet and sleeps six comfortably.

$1598 - Luxury 8-Day French River Cruise at $750 OFF (Viking River Cruises)
Seen on Kayak.com
This is the way to see Europe… You’ll save up to $1500 per stateroom and sail from Paris to Calon during the peak summer season. It includes a river-view stateroom, seven guided tours, meals and more.

30% OFF 3+Night Stays at Las Vegas Condo Resort (Shell Vacations Hospitality)
Seen on IgoUgo
This deal is valid for spring stays at the Desert Rose Resort, a quick stroll off the Strip. You’ll get a condo suite with kitchens and living rooms. Unless you like sleeping above a casino, this is like staying in an upscale resort at a fraction of the cost.

Summer Cruise Sale - Save up to 70% (Vacation Outlet)
Seen on Sherman’s Travel
I know… another cruise deal. Well, with this downturn in the economy I think cruising is where it’s at. You get all your meals and entertainment paid for (as well as room). This deal give you bonuses like upgrades and savings booklets worth hundreds, all during the popular summer season.

I caught this sale and thought it was worth posting about, since Vegas seems like such an up-and-coming destination (cue sarcasm). Orbitz is offering $100 OFF trips to some of the hottest resorts on the famous Strip - stay at Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and others through summer. Just book a three-night hotel and air package and you’ll instantly get money back.

A little hint - try going midweek. Getting a dinner reservation is a snap, the shows are discounted, and you can actually get on a blackjack table. Unless you want to hit up a packed club or don’t have any vacation time, you’ll actually save quite a bit and still have a blast. Check out the package here.

Ah, Wednesdays… AKA travel newsletter day. I went through and pulled the best offers from the top deal providers in the space.

In no particular order…

Europe Spring Flights from $189 Each Way (British Airways)
Seen on multiple advertisers

I’ve flown BA a few times, and their economy class is more like business class. And spring is the time to visit, before the pesky summer crowds hit and all the hot summer sun makes you shed your trusty butt pack.

Hawaii Vacation Sale - 5 Nights w/Air from $499 (TravelbyJen)
Seen on SideStep
Flying to Hawaii costs more than this complete deal. You won’t be staying at a shoddy hotel in the bad part of town either, but a high-rise in Diamond Head only a three-minute stroll to Waikiki Beach. This is also for travel through May, or if you can’t leave that soon, in September-November.

Bellagio Las Vegas Getaway with Air from $431 (Travelocity)
Seen on Booking Buddy

Seems pricey for a midweek departure, right? Well, the Bellagio is arguably the more luxurious resort on the Strip, and midweek summer stays start at $199 per night, and can go as high as $300.

Barbados -7 Nights & Air from $329 (CheapCaribbean.com)
Seen on Frommers

I’m more a Hawaii guy myself, but if you’re looking for deals to the Caribbean, these guys are impossible to beat. For less than the price of an aniline ticket (which is included) you get seven nights hotel, daily breakfast, their Free Your Mind savings program, and discounts on attractions and car rental. Booyah!

$78 & up - Nationwide Fare Sale Through June 25, R/T (American Airlines)
Seen on Travelzoo

Looking to get away this spring? This sale offers great deals from coast-to-coast. Fly for less than $100 from San Jose to San Diego, Chicago to Nashville, Dallas to New Orleans, and Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Good timing to book a quick early summer trip!

Too bad I’m not going to be in Amsterdam on Friday, Aug. 16th, 2008, because I just found a *free room* available that night at the new Citizen M hotel. Scheduled to open on June 21, the Schipol airport hotel has gotten a lot of buzz for its marriage of pre-fab construction, pod-like rooms and hip design elements.

Earlier today, I received an email letting me know that the reservations system was finally live. As part of the launch, the hotel is offering 100 free nights scattered throughout its reservation calendar. You can hunt them down just like I did. Here’s hint: If you plan to stay multiple nights, only search for one night at a time. Free nights will only show up for one-night stays. But get on it, because I’m not thinking these are going to last long at all. Happy hunting.