Looking for a cheap travel alternative on the NYC-Boston route? The Boston Globe's excellent travel blog, Globe-trotting, posted this morning about a discounted $49-each-way fare on LimoLiner, the luxury bus service. That's nearly half off the regular $80 fare, making this is a viable option for families. (If you've read our 20 recession travel rules, you know how keen we are on cheap shuttles and public transportation.)

Before you turn up your nose and reject bus travel out of hand, think about the plus side. It's not only cheaper than flying, but faster when you factor in the door-to-airport schlep. Best of all, you can look forward to leather seats, free wi-fi, food and beverage service, live satellite TV and radio, first-run movies, and "sparkling clean restrooms complete with fresh flowers." In other words, it sounds a helluva lot more comfortable than flying.

The $49 fare is available through January 31, 2009. Two conditions: (1) You can't travel on Fridays, Sundays, or holidays; and (2) you need to book two weeks in advance.