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Here's where you can take the bus to see the solar eclipse

No need to book expensive, last-minute airfare to be in the path of totality

Is it too late to buy plane tickets to see April 8’s total solar eclipse —or out of your budget? Either way, don’t give up hope. You can still find a way to the path of totality to increase your chances of a beautiful view of the sun completely blocked by the moon, only its fringe of corona visible, an experience that won’t come again for 20 years… by taking the bus. A long-distance bus is an affordable way to get there—and we can only imagine a good party atmosphere if you get a group of friends together to do it with you. Busbud has pulled together a list of regions where you can easily take the bus to the path of totality: all of them for less than $49.

For instance, if you’re based in Chicago, you can take the bus for 5.5 hours to Toledo for your solar eclipse experience for around $27. Or hop on for a shorter ride of three hours to Indianapolis for a little more than $29.

If you’re in Texas but not in the right swath of visibility , there are several options to get you there. From the Houston area, you can head to San Antonio (2.5 hours, $29), Austin (3 hours, $23), Dallas (3 hours, $25) or Fort Worth (3 hours, $25). Abilene folks can also get to Fort Worth for $34 with a ride that lasts 2.5 hours.

Are you based in New York State ? From Albany, you can ride to Saranac Lake for $49 on a 3.5-hour ride to catch your eclipse. If you’re in Ithaca, head to Syracuse, an hour and a half away, for just $21.

There are many more options for astrotourists living near St. Louis, Columbus, Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, and various Canadian cities as well. So don’t fret about plane reservations!

• Erika Mailman USA contributor

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Welcome To Solar Tours & Travel

Solar Tours & Travel came into the travel industry as a small company with a diffident start-up thirty-four years ago, offering only outbound travel. Within one year in operation, the two-people operation had thrived into a full service, IATA Certified Travel Company.

OUR DESTINATION

Solar Tours & Travel is a full service, IATA-certified travel company in Saint Lucia, and combines creativity, local knowledge and connection to create amazing events and provide DMC services to Incentive Buyers and Tour Operators worldwide.

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A Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming This April. These Tour Operators Will Plan Your Trip for You.

If you’re not one of the more than 30 million americans living inside the path of totality, consider a solar eclipse getaway with these tour operators..

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The April 2024 solar eclipse will be visible throughout many parts of North America.

Courtesy of Pixabay

The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is going to be a big deal, expecting to draw anywhere from 1 to 4 million people to the path of totality for the event. The profound experience is not one to underestimate—AFAR contributor Jeff Greenwald describes the spectacle : “For some, it’s a scientific epiphany; for others, a spiritual catharsis. But nobody who’s seen one ever forgets the experience.”

With this year’s total solar eclipse being the last visible from the contiguous USA until August 2044, hotel rooms along the eclipse’s path in cities like San Antonio, Texas, and Niagara Falls are already filling up. But if you’re not one of the 31 million Americans living inside the path of totality, tour operators across the continent are offering customized experiences for those eager to see it.

Ready to go all out for the celestial event? Here are four tour operators that will plan your ultimate solar eclipse getaway.

(All listed prices are based on double occupancy.)

1. Intrepid’s 16-day tour of New Mexico and Texas

• Dates : March 26, 2024 – April 10, 2024
• Notable locations: Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Alpine, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio, Texas
• Length: 16 days
• Price : From $8,790 per person
• Book now: USA Total Solar Eclipse 2024

If you want to spend a couple of weeks immersed in the natural skies and landscapes of New Mexico and Texas, consider this 16-day trip by Intrepid Travel . The adventure starts in Albuquerque, where visitors tour through New Mexico’s Museum of Natural History and Science (the museum’s planetarium will of course be a stop) and visit an astronomical radio observatory. Stops in Santa Fe, Alamogordo, and Las Cruces whisk travelers away from the big city to darker skies, including those of White Sands National Park.

The trip concludes in San Antonio, where you’ll be able to see the eclipse. For any space questions that inevitably arise: U.K.-based astronomy lecturer Dr. John Mason, who has more than 30 years of experience leading overseas expeditions to observe phenomena like annular and total solar eclipses, will accompany the tour the whole time.

Hot Springs National Park covers more than 5,000 acres.

Photo by Bram Reusen/Shutterstock

2. Arkansas total solar eclipse tour by Sunrise Tours

• Dates: April 6–10, 2024
• Notable locations: Atlus, Hot Springs National Park, and Fort Smith, Arkansas
• Length: 5 days
• Price: From $1,389 per person
• Book now: Arkansas Total Solar Eclipse

The 2024 eclipse’s path of totality includes part of the Ozarks, and Missouri-based Sunrise Tours offers the opportunity to learn about the region through its Total Solar Eclipse tour in Arkansas. The five-day trip includes a stop at Ozark Folk Center State Park , which spotlights Ozark artists by featuring a craft village full of pottery, copper jewelry, and other handmade goods. Tour participants will also get to take a dip in Hot Springs National Park.

The main event takes place by the Ozark Mountains in Atlus, Arkansas—with totality lasting about 3 minutes—followed by two days exploring Fort Smith, a town bordering Oklahoma that was a major military post during the country’s frontier era.

The eclipse sailing will be aboard the Koningsdam, which can accommodate 2,650 guests.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

3. Holland America’s 22-Day Solar Eclipse Cruise

• Dates: April 5–27, 2024
• Notable locations: San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Honolulu, Hawai‘i; British Columbia, Canada
• Length: 22 days
• Price : From $1,499 per person
• Book now: 22-Day Solar Eclipse & Circle Hawai’i

Areas along the path of totality are expected to get crowded come April 8—that is, if you’re on land. Holland America’s 22-day cruise offers the rare opportunity to witness a solar eclipse at sea, all while sailing waters near the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Departing from Cabo San Lucas, the 2,650-person Koningsdam cruise ship takes passengers off the coast of Mexico to see the solar eclipse. But that’s just day four. The itinerary packs in stops in Mexico and Hawai‘i before ending in British Columbia, where passengers disembark in Vancouver . Plus, guests will have the opportunity to attend special lectures by University of California San Diego astronomy and astrophysics professor Adam Burgasser to better understand the eclipse and create their own eclipse viewers (special eyewear that lets you directly view the sun without damaging your eyes).

Holland America is offering another 2024 solar eclipse cruise, a 14-day itinerary aboard the 1,432-passenger Zaandam that will take passengers round-trip from San Diego with eight stops in Mexico. The particular cruise is currently sold out, but cabins may become available later if there are cancellations.

A full trip on the Chepe Express covers more than 200 miles.

Photo by dba duplessis/Shutterstock

4. Mexico’s Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse Tour from TravelQuest International

• Dates: March 29 – April 9, 2024
• Notable locations: Copper Canyon, Chihuahua, and Torreón, Coahuilan
• Length: 12 days
• Price: From $6,980 per person
• Book now: Mexico’s Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse

This tour by TravelQuest International emphasizes the natural beauty found in northwestern Mexico, packing in an excursion to Mexico’s coast as well as time exploring Indigenous culture through small community visits. Unique to this journey is a six-hour scenic train ride on the Chepe Express from El Fuerté to Divisadero, among the forested peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental range.

When it comes to the April 8 eclipse, the trip has one of the best places to catch totality. Participants will watch the eclipse in the Torreón, an economic hub in the Mexican state of Coahuilan, where there will be an estimated 4 minutes and 4 seconds of totality during eclipse time—due to the glorious fact that the viewing point is less than 50 miles from the point of greatest eclipse near Nazas.

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• USA Total Solar Eclipse 2024 with Dr John Mason (16 day tour)

Witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles on a stellar USA adventure through New Mexico and Texas.

On this once-in-a-lifetime trip you’ll go stargazing in an official International Dark Sky Park, deepen your understanding of the universe at astronomical observatories and space-themed museum exhibits and experience the otherworldly landscapes of White Sands National Park – all before settling in for the big event: a rare total eclipse of the sun. You will be joined by renowned astronomer Dr John Mason, who will share invaluable expertise and celestial insights along the way.

Start:  Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Finish:  San Antonio, Texas, USA Days: 16 Style: Comfort Ages: 16 Price:  Deposit $750 USD per person | 2 people sharing: $8790 USD pp | Single supplement: $2080 USD

Places are limited. Call us on   1-855-394-3021  to speak to a travel specialist today or email us your enquiry .

If you want a shorter tour, ask us about our 8-day and 10-day options. 

Email us your enquiry

Who is Dr John? 

Dr John Mason (MBE) is the principal astronomy lecturer at South Downs Planetarium in the UK and a well-known ‘eclipse chaser’, who has gained a reputation for his tremendous enthusiasm and inspirational lecturing style.  

For over 30 years he has been leading overseas expeditions to observe and record natural phenomena such as annular and total solar eclipses, the polar aurora and major meteor showers in destinations all over the world.  

His 'living planetarium' shows, where he uses the real night sky as an outdoor star theater, have been enjoyed by audiences everywhere from the deserts of the Middle East and islands in the Pacific to the Australian outback and African safari parks. 

Day 1: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Date: 26 March 2024 

Welcome to Albuquerque! Your adventure begins at 6:30 pm where you’ll meet your group and local leader for a welcome meeting before getting to know your fellow travelers over an included welcome dinner. 

If you arrive early, there’s plenty to explore. Downtown is in the midst of an ongoing multimillion-dollar revitalization, and is now home to bustling restaurants, trendy shops, art galleries and a lively entertainment district. Swing by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science to take a journey through New Mexico’s past, from the formation of the universe to the present, and visit the museum’s planetarium.  

Accommodation: The Clyde Hotel or similar 

Meals Included:  

Welcome Dinner 

Day 2: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Date: 27 March 2024 

Today starts with a guided tour of the Very Large Array, one of the world's premier astronomical radio observatories. It consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin, 80 km (50 miles) west of Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. 

Later, take a ride on the Sunset Sandia Peak Tram. Rising from the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque, you’ll ascend one of America’s most stunning urban peaks, reaching the 3163-meter crest of the Sandia Mountains where a panoramic view awaits. 

Please note that you will reach a high elevation on the tram ride.                       

Included Activities: 

Very Large Array Tour 

Sunset Sandia Peak Tram Ride 

Day 3: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Date: 28 March 2024 

Today you will leave Albuquerque and start the journey to Santa Fe. 

This evening you’ll spend some time stargazing. The preserve boasts some of the darkest night skies in the world and was declared an official International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2021. 

Accommodation: Governor’s Inn Hotel or similar 

Stargazing activity  

Santa Fe City Tour, options include: Walking Architecture & Wine Tasting Tour, Churches of the Royal City Walking Tour, Bandelier Hiking Tour, Georgia O’Keefe Museum & Studio Tour (The plan is to allow travelers to choose desired tour option and group splits into smaller tours for the afternoon, before meeting for group dinner and heading to stargazing).  

Day 4: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Date: 29 March 2024 

This morning we’ll head north through the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountains to reach Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo (formerly known as the San Juan Pueblo) – the first Spanish capital of New Mexico.  

You’ll visit the home of Puebloans Norma and Hutch Naranjo, where you’ll embark on a culinary adventure. Learn to bake traditional Native American Horno bread, kneading the dough and stuffing it with locally-sourced prune and cherry filling while Norma shares the rich history of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, “the place of strong people,” and their efforts to preserve their culture. Later, Hutch will show you how to load up the special beehive-shaped adobe ovens with bread, pastries, and gourmet surprises and teach you about their history.  

After a locally-sourced lunch made with seasonal ingredients, this afternoon you will travel just a few miles north to the Los Luceros Historical Site which borders the Rio Grande River. Long home to indigenous peoples, this area was settled by the Luceros and Ortiz families in the 1700s before socialite-turned-farmer, Mary Cabot Wheelwright, took ownership of the ranch in the early 1900s and hosted shamans, artists and writers.  

You will have the chance to explore the grounds and historic buildings on your own – from acres of fruit orchards and groves of Cottonwood trees to a restored capilla (19th-century chapel) and Victorian guest house. Just want to relax? Take in rare views of the Jemez mountains and decompress on the pristine banks of the Rio Grande.                                         

Hands-on Horno Baking in a Puebloan Home 

Day 5: Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

Date: 30 March 2024 

Today you’ll drive south to Alamogordo, stopping along the way for rest breaks and lunch. This evening share dinner with the group before a stargazing session at White Sands National Park. You’ll return to explore the park further on Day 7. 

Accommodation: Hotel or similar 

White Sands National Park 

Day 6: Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

Date: 31 March 2024 

A full day of exciting activities today. Visit New Mexico’s Museum of Space History and Sunspot Solar System Observatory. 

Start the day with a visit to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which is devoted to the history, science and technology of space travel. See authentic ‘moon rock’ and rare replicas of the first man-made satellites, Sputnik and Explorer, and wander the International Space Hall of Fame, which recognizes accomplishments of people around the world who have contributed to the quest for space. 

Next, drive through Cloudcroft and Lincoln National Forest towards Sunspot Solar Observatory. The route will take you along the largest solar system model west of the Mississippi. Set at a scale of 1:250 million, the distance from Cloudcroft, NM to the Visitor Center in Sunspot is scaled to correspond to the distance between the sun and the dwarf planet Pluto. The other planets are placed along the way to scale with their distance from the sun. Driving at 35 mph on NM Route 6563, to scale, you are moving approximately 10 times faster than the speed of light!  

Located at an altitude of 2804 m (9200 ft) in the scenic Lincoln National Forest, Sunspot Solar Observatory is home to gorgeous vistas, historical landmarks, and one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world. The Dunn Solar Telescope, built in 1969, remains to date one of the best ground-based solar observatories in the world.   

Finishing the day by visiting Apache Point Observatory. The  Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation , or  APOLLO , is a project at the Apache Point Observatory. It is an extension and advancement of previous Lunar Laser Ranging experiments, which use retroreflectors on the Moon to track changes in lunar orbital distance and motion.                                             

Accommodation: Hotel or similar  

New Mexico’s Museum of Space History 

Sunspot Solar System Observatory 

• Apache Point Observatory

Day 7: Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

Date: 1 April 2024 

Today, journey from Alamogordo to Las Cruces where you will revisit White Sands National Park. Nestled between the Tularosa Basin between the Sacramento and San Andres Mountain ranges of southern New Mexico, the glistening white dunes of White Sands National Park are incredible to see.  

Stop by the visitor center to learn more about the rich ecosystem around you before taking a scenic 45-minute drive, stopping for walks on the sand, photography and the chance to hear more about the park’s natural and cultural history.         

Accommodation: Hotel Encanto or similar  

Day 8: Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

Date: 2 April 2024 

After breakfast, it is time to head to Spaceport America, near the curiously named town of Truth or Consequences. Take a tour of the world’s first purpose built commercial spaceport before heading on to Las Cruces.                                                                                                                   

Space port America Tour 

Day 9: Alpine, Texas, USA

Depart Las Cruces and cross state lines to reach Alpine, Texas, stopping in Marfa en route if time allows. Later you’ll visit the McDonald Observatory for a special viewing of the night sky using their powerful telescopes. 

Accommodation: Hampton Inn or similar  

McDonald Observatory 

Day 10: Fredericksburg, Texas, USA

Date: 4 April 2024 

Today’s drive is quite long but Dr John Mason will keep you entertained with a short talk whilst you are in the vehicle. You’ll also stop for plenty of breaks en route to Fredericksburg. 

Founded by German settlers in 1846, the town’s roots are evident today in its charming historic Main Street, which offers some 150 shops, art galleries, museums, bakeries and restaurants in a walkable setting. 

Accommodation: Hampton Inn or similar 

Day 11: Fredericksburg, USA 

Date: 5 April 2024 

Make your way along Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 and pass by 22 award-winning wineries. Today is a longer travel day, but we may find time to stop for a winery visit. Upon arrival in Johnson City, you’ll take a tour of LBJ Ranch and the former home of Lyndon B Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, known as the ‘Texas White House’.  

For lunch, chow down on some classic Texan food and local wine at the iconic Salt Lick BBQ & Salt Lick Cellars. Travel on to Austin, where you could explore the city on an optional tour and experience Texas-style street food at Austin’s abundant food trucks.                

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park 

Iconic Texas Restaurant: Salt Lick BBQ & Salt Lick Cellars 

Day 12: San Antonio, USA

Date: 6 April 2024 

The main event is just around the corner, so today you’ll make your way to San Antonio. Once you’ve settled in, venture out for a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed San Antonio Missions. Explore the grounds at Mission Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada; view original frescos at Mission Concepcion – the oldest unrestored stone church in the nation; learn about life at the missions at Mission San Jose, the Queen of the Missions; and spot birds and wildlife along the new Mission Reach Hike and Bike Trail.           

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Hill Country or similar   

San Antonio Mission UNESCO World Heritage Tour 

Day 13: San Antonio, USA

Date: 7 April 2024 

The day before the solar eclipse, you will visit the Curtis Vaughan Jr.Observatory, home to a research grade 16" Meade LX200 Advanced Coma Free telescope that was donated to UTSA for scientific research for physics and astronomy students. Currently, it is being used in tracking asteroids and minor orbiting bodies within our solar system for orbital tracking.                                                     

At 5 pm, you will attend a short eclipse briefing to hear how the next 24 hours will go. 

Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory 

Eclipse Briefing 

Hors D’Oeuvres/Light Dinner 

Food Trucks 

Day 14: San Antonio, USA – Solar Eclipse Day with Dr John Mason

Date: 8 April 2024 

Today is the big day! Eclipse site details will be released closer to departure – however Dr John Mason will ensure that you find the perfect ranch location from which to witness the eclipse. Refreshments and snacks will be provided throughout this exciting day. 

Full eclipse day with lecture given by Dr John Mason 

Please note that 3 groups will be meeting at the eclipse site with a maximum number of 120 people gathered to watch the total solar eclipse with Dr John Mason. 

Day 15: San Antonio, USA

Date: 9 April 2024 

Today is a day for you to relax or explore at your leisure. In the evening you are welcome to attend a post-eclipse event where Dr John Mason will speak about the momentous occasion that you all experienced together the previous evening. 

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Hill Country or similar  

Eclipse feedback event 

Day 16: San Antonio, USA

Date: 10 April 2024 

Your trip comes to an and today. After breakfast, you are free to start your journey home or continue your own adventures. 

Terms and conditions

• Prices do not include international flights
• Minimum number of people traveling for the tour to be guaranteed: 30 people
• The group will be accompanied by an Intrepid leader
• The nature of this type of travel requires considerable flexibility and you should allow for alternatives. The itinerary provided is representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration, however we will always communicate why we are making the required changes.
• While we endeavour to operate all trips as described we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary. 
• Final balance is required 90 days before departure.
• Cancellation prior to 90 days; loss of deposit.  
• Cancellation within 90 days to travel will incur 100% cancellation fees.
• No shows will be treated as cancellations and will incur 100% cost.
• Cancellation is in line with those detailed in the standard Intrepid booking conditions in clause 8.

Call us on  1-855-394-3021  to speak to a travel specialist today or email us your enquiry .

Road trip! See April's total solar eclipse from one of these awesome North American routes

Make the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 something to remember by making it into a road trip.

1. Stargazing in Arkansas and Missouri

2. the dark side of the wabash, 3. skiing and stargazing in quebec, 4. space exploration, 5. houston, we have a problem, 6. mexico by bus.

If you're after a unique way to experience the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 , then consider a road trip. 

On that day, a path of totality 115 miles wide (185 kilometers) will stretch across parts of three Mexican states, 15 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. Only within this path will people experience darkness in the middle of the day and will be able to see the sun's corona.

It will be an exciting space event not to be missed but it's also an excellent opportunity to explore. Whether you're a stargazer, history buff, or space enthusiast, here are six road trip options to make the total solar eclipse a memorable experience. 

Related: Total solar eclipse April 8, 2024, live updates  

Duration: 7 days

Start and finish: Little Rock, Arkansas

Recommended eclipse viewing location: somewhere rural

Not all eclipse-chasers are stargazers, but if you fall into both camps, consider visiting some of the dark spots within the path of totality. Five regions with excellent dark skies within the path are Texas Hill Country, the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, southeast Missouri, northeast New York and northern Maine. 

Campgrounds in two Dark Sky Parks of Texas — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and South Llano River State Park — are booked up while clouds are likely in the northeast, so destinations that make the most sense are Missouri and Arkansas. Try the Mark Twain National Forest on the northern limit or Rocky Creek Conservation Area in Missouri. In Arkansas, the Ozark Francis National Forest , Buffalo National River and Ouachita National Forest are dark — and likely away from crowds. As a bonus, you'll also get a dark sky during totality.  

Related: The best places in the US to experience totality during the April 2024 solar eclipse

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Duration: 4 days

Start and finish: Indianapolis, Indiana

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Vincennes, Indiana

The Wabash River is the state line between southern Indiana and southern Illinois. It also cuts through the path of totality on April 8. 

A focal point for exploring the area and for watching the eclipse has to be historic Vincennes on the centerline of the path of totality, where a documentary on the eclipse is being filmed. The Dark Side of the Wabash is a four-day festival of science, arts and music events on the Rendezvous Grounds (site of an annual Revolutionary War reenactment), the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park , Historic Riverfront Pavilion and Main Street. Expect floating parades on the Wabash River, Think Floyd (a Pink Floyd Tribute Band) and musicians all playing "The Final Countdown" on eclipse day. You'll also get over 4 minutes of totality. 

On either side of the eclipse, you could brush up on the story of the 1806 total solar eclipse , visit the historic former utopian colony New Harmony , see the Sugar Loaf Mound and Pyramid Mound and explore the large Amish communities nearby, particularly in Loogootee . 

Start and finish: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Recommended eclipse viewing location: ASTROLab, Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve

Though its vast Parc Jean-Drapeau will get over a minute of totality and is planning a huge event, Montreal is on the northern edge of the path of totality, so not ideally placed for observing the eclipse. 

However, it's perfect as a hub for an itinerary, including skiing and stargazing in Quebec, which is getting organized for the eclipse . About 90 miles northwest of Montreal — outside the path of totality — in the Laurentian Mountains is Parc National du Mont-Tremblant , which was recently certified as Canada's third International Dark Sky Park. Come back into the path to go skiing at Quebec's Mont-Orford Ski Resort or Mont Sutton before heading to the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve to stargaze and observe the eclipse at ASTROLab , the astronomy capital of Quebec. 

Related: The best places in Canada to see the 2024 total solar eclipse

Duration: 5 days

Start and finish: Cincinnati to Cleveland, Ohio

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland

According to eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler at GreatAmericanEclispe.com , there are five NASA spacecraft in museums within the path of totality. It's not practical to visit all of them in one road trip, but four reside in Indiana and Ohio. 

Where you begin and end is up to you — everything here is in the path — but be sure to see Gemini 3 at the Grissom Memorial of Spring Mill State Park near Mitchell, Indiana, the Apollo 15 Command Module at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, Gemini 8 at the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum , Wapakoneta, Ohio, and the Great Lakes Science Center, home to both the Skylab 3 space capsule and, on April 8, Total Eclipse Fest 2024 .  

Start and finish: Houston, Texas

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Corsicana, Mexia or Ennis

Another space-themed road trip around the eclipse could hang on a visit to Space Center Houston to see Mission Control, Rocket Park (home to a Saturn V rocket) and the Apollo 17 command module. Then, take a trip to the path of totality. Don't make the mistake of taking Interstate 10 west to join the crowds headed into the Texas Hill Country from San Antonio. Instead, consider going north on Interstate 45 towards Dallas and experiencing totality at Corsicana , Mexia or Ennis . 

Waco's massive Eclipse Over Texas 2024 observing event could also be an option. After the eclipse, head east from the path, avoiding traffic to/from Houston and Dallas to visit Lufkin in Texas Forest Country and explore the huge Lake Sam Rayburn. 

Start and finish: Mexico City, Mexico

Recommended eclipse viewing location: Mazatlán Malecon  

Eclispe-chasers who plan their trips years in advance have long known that the highest chance of clear sky on April 8 is in north-central Mexico, especially the cities of Mazatlán, Durango and Torreón. 

Organized tours have long sold out, and getting a flight into any of those cities is very expensive. So take the bus! Buses in Mexico are nothing like those in the U.S. or Europe. They have comfortable, business-class-style seats and free food. Consider flying to Mexico City — something that can be done cheaply — and taking an overnight bus to your destination for about $70 to $110. Find your bus on busbud .

Related: The best places in Mexico to see the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Jamie is an experienced science, technology and travel journalist and stargazer who writes about exploring the night sky, solar and lunar eclipses, moon-gazing, astro-travel, astronomy and space exploration. He is the editor of  WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com  and author of  A Stargazing Program For Beginners , and is a senior contributor at Forbes. His special skill is turning tech-babble into plain English.

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Scheduled Trips

Upcoming tours.

Sirius Travel specializes in solar eclipse tours and tours based on other astronomical or scientific events. We have arranged expeditions to almost every Total Solar Eclipse since 1999 and our careful planning and extensive experience allows us to offer the best chances of viewing success with interesting travel experiences along the way. The trips featured here are the ones that we are currently offering or are in the planning stages.

Total Eclipse | Mazatlan Mexico

April 6-10, 2024

Easter Island | Chile

May 26 – June 1, 2024

Northern Lights | Iceland

Oct 3-8, 2024

September 25-30, 2025

Total Eclipse | Iceland or Spain

August, 2026

Total Eclipse | Luxor, Egypt

July 28 – August 5, 2027

July 30 – August 8, 2027

We have enjoyed eclipse viewing success around the world over the past 20 years. Below are some of our completed tours with their detailed itineraries.

Total Eclipse | Western Australia

PAST : 2023

PAST : 2022

PAST : 2021

Total Eclipse | Argentina

PAST : 2020

Total Eclipse | Chile

PAST : 2019

Day Trip to Wyoming

PAST : 2017

Americana Tour

Svalbard, Norway

PAST : 2015

Sydney, Australia

PAST : 2012

Easter Island, Chile

PAST : 2010

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Eclipse Tour #53 “Total Solar Eclipse”- Mexico (Cruise)

Eclipse tour #53 “total solar eclipse”- mexico (land).

“Aurora Viewing During Solar Maximum Activity” Tour # 27 – Alaska

Eclipse Tour #54 “Ring Solar Eclipse”- Easter Island

“aurora viewing during solar maximum activity” tour # 28 – alaska.

“Aurora Viewing During Solar Maximum Activity” Tour # 29 – Alaska

Eclipse tour #55 “total solar eclipse”- spain.

About Ring of Fire Expeditions

Ring of Fire Expeditions (ROFE) is the longest consecutive astronomical tour organization in the United States. ROFE specializes in astro-tourism since 1970 with expeditions organized and led by Paul D. Maley of the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society and arranged by Direct Travel, Inc.

These include tours to observe such events as Halley’s Comet, the Leonid meteor shower, transits of Venus and Mercury across the Sun, spacecraft reentries, Northern Lights, solar eclipses, grazing…. 

About Paul D. Maley

Primary organizer and tour leader for RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS, he is a veteran of 70 solar eclipses.

Formerly worked at the NASA Johnson Space Center supporting Apollo, Skylab, Shuttle, and International Space Station programs for the Mission Operations Directorate. He holds degrees in astronomy and mathematics, physical science and business and designed RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS as a public outreach arm of the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society in Houston, Texas USA…. 

Partial Solar Eclipse in Cyprus

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Partial Solar Eclipse in Chile

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"The Great [North] American Eclipse" Part 2

  please send us an email ( [email protected] ). Additional accommodations have now been secured --- reservations are again being accepted!!  

On Monday, April 8th, 2024, the next installment of "The Great American Eclipse" — the northern version — will take place — following a path from southwestern Texas, across the Midwestern U.S., through the northeast, and on into Quebec, Canada...

Join Twilight Tours, as we again take up the pursuit of the lunar umbra, or shadow, as it makes its way amidst the arid plains of southwest Texas.

This will be our 17th tour to observe and capture the most incomparable sight in amateur astronomy — a total eclipse of our sun.

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk , conveniently located in San Antonio's bustling tourist center. --> Our accommodations are at Omni La Mansion del Rio , conveniently located in San Antonio's bustling tourist center.

A specially selected observing site — using permanent premises with bathrooms, rooms for relief from the heat, a well-developed observing area — with onsite security provided for equipment set up the day prior to the eclipse, and complimentary cold refreshments and snacks on eclipse day — has been secured. Our site will see some 4 minutes, 17 seconds of glorious totality, with the sun situated some 68° above the horizon.

Weather prospects, similar to the "Great American Eclipse" of August 21, 2017, are projected to be some of the most favorable across the initial portion of the eclipse track — which includes our site located in southwest Texas.

The tour cost includes: 3 nights' accommodation, daily breakfast during the tour, transportation to/from our reserved observing site (located < 20 miles from the eclipse centerline), a celebration banquet following the eclipse event, and Twilight Tours' expert logistical/technical guidance and support that have been a hallmark of our trips for 37 years.

Space is limited on this tour and is expected to fill quickly, so submit your registration form without delay.

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Solar Eclipse Tours

Did you miss the Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017? Perhaps you’re tired of listening to your friends rave about totality. Maybe you’ve seen a few partial solar eclipses and have decided that it’s time to see the “real deal.” Whatever the reason, you’ve looked at maps of future total solar eclipses, noticed that one crosses a country you’ve always wanted to visit, and have decided that it’s time to experience totality.

But how? If you’re a novice eclipse chaser, you might be unsure about how to reach the path of totality. Perhaps you’re an experienced traveler who knows that while non-group travel has its benefits, sometimes letting somebody else organize everything—hotels, meals, and a great eclipse-viewing site—is the way to go. So, if you’re thinking of joining a travel group to see an eclipse, welcome to TravelQuest.

Explore this and other types of eclipse travel

Atacama desert & easter island annular eclipse, baja california whale watching & stargazing adventure, 2026 greenland & iceland total solar eclipse cruise, 2026 spain total solar eclipse tour – northbound.

A Feast for the Senses

2026 Spain Total Solar Eclipse Tour

2026 iceland total solar eclipse, 2027 egypt total solar eclipse tour, an experienced travel company.

Since its founding in 1996, TravelQuest has planned and fulfilled some 250 solar eclipse tours and astronomy-themed excursions to all seven continents. A few of our more unusual eclipse-viewing locations include an icebreaker near the North Pole, the Gobi and Libyan Deserts, Easter Island, Chaco Canyon, Svalbard, and onboard aircraft flying over the Antarctic and the North Atlantic. Of course, we also see totality from more traditional sites, including several eclipse excursions on the luxurious m/s Paul Gauguin sailing out of Tahiti. We do this because finding the best places to view an eclipse of the Sun invariably takes us to the extremities of our planet—from polar latitudes to remote, seldom visited places, and even to bustling metropolises, all depending on the path of totality .

This is our craft; designing and executing eclipse travel packages that provide our clients with the opportunity to experience the wonders of our planet and stand in the shadow of the Moon. In so doing, TravelQuest has developed a loyal following—on most tours at least half of our guests have traveled with us before. Our experienced trip leaders are among the best in the eclipse travel industry, and our local guides and contacts open doors to sights and events that are often inaccessible to independent travelers.

The icebreaker chartered by TravelQuest pauses at the North Pole before heading south to intercept the path of totality. (Photo by Paul Deans/TQ)

At the edge of the Gobi Desert in China, TravelQuest tour participants begin setting up before the start of a solar eclipse. (Photo by Paul Deans/TQ)

Touring to Totality

Joining a TravelQuest eclipse trip means a worry-free travel experience, because we look after all the research, planning, and logistics. For each destination, we find the perfect balance of high-quality accommodations, great meals, and comfortable transport. This requires extensive long-range planning, particularly if the totality passes over a remote region of our planet where the amenities are limited.

Several years prior to the eclipse, TravelQuest scouts potential viewing sites along the path, reserves nearby hotel rooms, and arranges local transportation. In doing so, we lock in many of the core costs of the tour. Regrettably, local establishments have been known to dramatically hike prices for everything from hotel rooms to meals and car rentals once it is realized that being in (or near) the path of totality will result in a sudden influx of eclipse chasers. As a member of our eclipse tour, you’re protected from price gouging.

Another consideration is the weather—the sky must be clear during totality. Since we can’t magically part any clouds that appear on eclipse day, we work closely with long-time eclipse meteorologist Jay Anderson. He determines the weather prospects for our potential eclipse-viewing sites, monitors the weather constantly prior to totality, and can recommend an alternate site if weather at our prime viewing location doesn’t look ideal. Jay has created eclipse-weather forecasts since 1979, and he has been involved with TravelQuest since its inception. Thanks to his expertise, we have an unparalleled record of success when it comes to seeing totality.

Whether the presentation is by our tour astronomer or our local guides, all talks are at a level that can be enjoyed by all. (Photo by Paul Deans/TQ)

No matter if there are 30 or 300 participants in a TravelQuest tour, we try to ensure that the talks include something for everyone. (Photo by Paul Deans/TQ)

New Knowledge

You don’t need to be an eclipse or astronomy expert to enjoy the trip. All TravelQuest solar eclipse tours have an experienced astronomer as one of the trip leaders. Each astronomer has seen numerous eclipses, will describe what to expect (very useful if this is your first totality), and how to photograph the event. Our astronomer trip leader is with us for the entire trip to answer your eclipse-related questions and, depending on the itinerary, lead some night-sky observing sessions.

In addition to our eclipse expert, we hire knowledgeable local guides who have fascinating tales to tell about the region we’re traveling through and the people who live there. Guide books can tell you only so much. It’s the personal touch and knowledge of our local guides that makes our journey to totality really come alive.

A beautiful diamond ring marks either the start or the finish of the total phase of a solar eclipse. (Photo by Paul Deans/TQ)

An Unforgettable Experience

Totality is an immersive experience. For mere moments, it engenders a sense of wonder and awe in all who view it. Those who have seen totality will travel thousands of miles to see another and relive this emotional celestial spectacle. Participating in a TravelQuest eclipse tour connects like-minded folks who share this passion. During the trip, many friendships are forged, friendships that are rekindled when participants meet again sometimes many years later, during another TravelQuest solar eclipse tour.

It’s often said that seeing totality is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case. There is a total eclipse somewhere on Earth once every 18 months or so. You’ll find TravelQuest at each one, perfectly positioned somewhere along the centerline of totality. So join us, and share in the wonder as we stand in the shadow of the Moon.

Learn More About Solar Eclipse Tours

Header image by Paul Deans/TQ

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Amazing solar, detachable-bike tour bus would immerse tourists in cities

Tourist buses don't usually have good reputations with the locals. Take Seattle's duck boat tour (that also drives on land) that blares music as tourists singalong or Washington D.C.'s Tourmobile that has a monopoly on guided tourism on the National Mall .

But there might be one tourist transportation concept that even the locals could get behind.

Kukil Han, a designer from Seoul, has a come up with the amazing solar-powered tour bus where tourists sit on a bike. When tourists arrive at their destination the bikes detach from the bus and the tourists are free to explore the area. A GPS system is on handle bars to help tourists navigate the destination. It's public transportation meets bike-share. Check out the video:

BIKE GUIDE from Kukil Han on Vimeo .

Not only does this design keep tourists from polluting the city, but it helps to integrate tourists into the community and neighborhoods where on a traditional tour bus they would just gawk like they're at the zoo. Tourists can more naturally immerse themselves into the fabric of the city they're visiting and have a more rich exploration of the city when they're on a bike. Plus, with a GPS unit built in the bikes there's no lost, confused tourists biking around the city (you can dream, right?).

[Via Treehugger ]

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

How much tech can I get from Temu for $100 (and is it any good)?

Need a new phone here were the world's 10 hottest sellers in q1 2024, the best macbook accessories you can buy: expert tested.

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Hail a Ride on Overhead Solar Transit Op-Ed Explainer

By Buff Furman and Ron Swenson April 3, 2023

Fig. 1. Solar-powered automated transit would be above the ground-floor level. (Credit: Arturo Millan/RODZ+)

We are designing a solar powered, grade-separated, automated transportation network system we call the Spartan Superway. Several cities overseas are lining up to install such networks to meet their transportation needs (Figure 1). Is your city ready for the transportation solar revolution?

The transportation sector is charging ahead toward electrification, with more electric vehicles hitting the roadways and charging infrastructure being built out all over the country. This is a welcome development, given the fact that the transportation sector in the United States accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (29%) and passenger automobiles account for 70% of that share. 1

With renewable energy sources increasing in the electrical generation mix, won’t we all be able to just ride off into the sunset in our EVs to a happy fossil fuel-free electrical-transportation future? It’s not that simple. According to Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary-general, “I have a special message for fossil fuel producers and their enablers scrambling to expand production and raking in monster profits: If you cannot set a credible course for net-zero, with 2025 and 2030 targets covering all your operations, you should not be in business.”

Vehicle electrification helps in the reduction of GHGs only to the degree to which the electrical-grid energy mix comes from renewable sources. In some parts of the United States, it would be worse to drive an EV than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. 2,3

In an equitable world, people would share mobility infrastructure and the private car would be reserved for special purposes. According to the architect Christopher Alexander, “Cars give people wonderful freedom and increase their opportunities. But they also destroy the environment to an extent so drastic that they kill all social life.” 4

Safe by Design

An inherent design flaw in our transportation system is that unprotected humans (pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers, dog walkers, etc.) must compete with multi-ton vehicles for the same space on our streets.

The outcome of this collocation is horrific, with over 40,000 people killed and 1.5 million people injured every year on U.S. roadways (Figure 2). 5 Let those numbers sink in for a moment.

The prevailing rationalization for these tragedies is that “human error and lack of responsible driving behavior account for the most fatalities on the road,” the editor Shelby Simon wrote in Forbes. 6 However, this is a system-design failure, the responsibility of engineers, not drivers.

If human life is indeed valuable, then we demand that engineers and developers come up with intrinsically safe ways to transport people!

Spartan Superway to the Rescue

Motivated by the serious shortfalls outlined above, our solar-powered, grade-separated ATN system leverages solar energy and is inherently safe.

Figures 3a and 3b depict the general concept for SSW. 7 The system consists of a network of elevated guideways below which a fleet of autonomous vehicles are suspended and above which a canopy of solar panels along the guideway collect the energy needed to power the system.

Figure 3b shows the guideway without the solar canopy so that the guideway tracks can be more clearly seen. Unlike corridor-based transportation modes such as a train or light rail that stop at intermediate stations, SSW uses a network of guideways with stations located on offline track sections so that passengers can travel nonstop from origin to destination, much like a taxi.

The idea for a network of guideways restricted to specialized automated vehicles and offline stations is not new, 8 but the incorporation of solar PV above an elevated guideway was introduced to the American Solar Energy Society in 2007. 9 After many years of R&D, projects are under negotiation with cities in several countries.

With grid-tied and locally-provided energy storage, SSW can operate 24/7 and provide a way to directly tie renewable solar energy to urban transportation. With its elevated guideways networked throughout a city, SSW physically separates lethal machinery from vulnerable living creatures and solves the safety issues that we currently suffer at street level.

Figure 4 shows a SSW vehicle at a station berth. The vehicles are envisioned to carry four to eight people in two separated, ADA-compliant compartments that can comfortably accommodate pets and luggage as well as personal mobility devices.

In some developing countries, policy makers are choosing to abandon auto-centric design and implement solar automated transportation. The potential is transformative. After decades of congestion and pollution, city leaders are embracing our lowest-cost, energy-independent system designed to serve entire communities, not just dense urban corridors.

During 2019-2021, our team of engineers, architects, product designers and urban planners in California, Illinois, Sweden and Mexico took on the challenge to answer two questions to establish that SSW is feasible and desirable:

• Can solar deliver the energy that a solar transportation system like SSW needs?
• How can available immersive, dynamic computer-modeling approaches be leveraged to help stakeholders who are saturated in current paradigms understand and buy into radically new approaches?

A research project sponsored by the Mineta Transportation Institute resulted in promising findings. 10

The team used a test case for exploring the application of an SSW network connecting the north and south campuses of San José State University and containing three stations. Ridership data was available for a diesel shuttle bus fleet (Park & Ride) operated by the university, so its performance could be compared to a solar-powered alternative.

The network also presented realistic siting challenges for the guideway. One was how to traverse a major state highway that cut across a hoped-for direct route between the campuses. Figure 5 shows the final routing of the guideway and location of the stations.

The multi-modal transit-simulation package Simulation of Urban MObility with the Python extension SUMOPy and the university shuttle data were used to quantify the energy demand for reasonably realistic passenger demand over 24 hours.

Custom-written software was used to size the solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage the system needed to achieve net-zero performance. The PV canopies are eight modules wide for dual-direction guideways and six modules wide for single-direction guideways. Combined with PV canopies at the stations, the system will operate 24/7 with net supply to the grid.

The resulting energy system had a PV rated output of 6.2 MW, a battery capacity of 9.8 MWh, and an estimated cost of $11.4 million. Figure 6 summarizes the results of the energy analysis. The left vertical axis plots the annual energy sourced from or sent to the grid. The right vertical axis plots the energy-system cost (PV plus storage) and the horizontal axis plots the capacity of the energy-storage system.

The energy cost per passenger-mile was found to be $0.15 compared to $0.21 for the current shuttle operation. In addition to expanded 24/7 service and lower energy cost to operate, the solar ATN had vastly better greenhouse gas (0.03 lb CO2/passenger mile vs. 1.46 lb CO2/passenger mile) and particulate emissions (2.3 mg PM2.5 compared to 109.3 mg PM2.5).

So we can see that from an energy and emissions standpoint, yes, grid-tied solar PV with local energy storage is feasible and up to the task of powering an urban transportation system.

For the second research question in the MTI project, the team used ArcGIS extensively to map, study and document the proposed guideway route. Route planning followed a few principles to minimize the impact of installing the guideway structure on existing rights of way. These included:

• Avoiding guideway placement that would take away car-traffic lanes.
• Avoiding conflict with street trees.
• Avoiding areas with dense electric cables and poles.
• Identifying a vacant space for potential station sites every 400-500 meters along the route.
• Preventing overlap between guideways.

All three stations were located in areas of high use and thoughtfully designed to make use of air space to minimize the impact on vehicle traffic and parking (Figures 7, 8 and 9).

Figure 10 shows the basic concept that would allow the guideway to cross Highway 280, a major freeway that divides the city of San Jose. We used Google Maps and onsite investigation to identify five overpasses beneath which the guideway could be located. We found that it made the most sense to route two one-way guideways underneath the 3rd and 4th St. overpasses (see Figures 5 and 10).

As shown above, SSW can be retrofitted into urban areas by placing vertical supports every 12-24 meters (39’-79’) along and rising above existing roadways. The relatively small at-grade footprint of the guideway structure would minimize disruption during construction. Guideways can also strike out over open land to connect remote communities into the regional transportation infrastructure.

Moving on to Meet Global Needs for Sustainable, Safe Transportation

We would like to see cities in the United States warm up to our transformational approach and join forces with cities in several countries that are establishing SSW networks to achieve climate equity and desperately needed economical, reliable mobility for all.

SSW is affordable even for impoverished settlements where streets are improvised, energy outages are persistent, and marginal areas may even experience frequent flooding (Figure 11).

Our system with a post in the ground every 50-100 feet is straightforward in comparison to ordinary roads, light rail, monorails, subways and even bus rapid transit that displace people and create barriers to social interaction – and are hopelessly expensive.

SSW rises above those challenges. The cost of land acquisition is negligible and construction disruption is minimal. Unsubsidized pricing becomes feasible through intensely focused cost-informed design and public-private-partnership funding (Figure 12).

A Call to Action

It has been said that there are three kinds of people in the world: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happened. The bold approach of SSW can achieve a decarbonized-transportation future that promotes human flourishing.

If we have sparked your imagination, read our full report, watch the videos and share them. They are available online at https://tinyurl.com/bd5ueh9w . You can also visit SolarSkyways.com to see our work on the commercialization of SSW.

We challenge you to come up with an even better 100%-solar solution or join us to make SSW happen!

• https://tinyurl.com/yc36ye39
• https://tinyurl.com/bdf7m535
• https://tinyurl.com/96j2jx2z
• https://tinyurl.com/8mm9tpjd
• https://tinyurl.com/4a9vcvp2
• https://tinyurl.com/2nufy5v9
• https://tinyurl.com/bd5ueh9w
• https://tinyurl.com/ybkpmtxy
• https://tinyurl.com/4kt248a6
• https://tinyurl.com/53vcfw8x
• https://tinyurl.com/4hbpcp2p

About the Authors

Buff Furman is a professor of mechanical engineering at San José State University and a research associate at the Mineta Transportation Institute. He led studies on automated transportation networks in 2014 and 2021. He has been working intensely with interdisciplinary groups of students and industry sponsors to develop solar automated transportation networks.

Ron Swenson built a solar tricycle in 1981 and led the Solar Transportation Division of the American Solar Energy Society while mentoring the first Mexican solar-race-car team in the 1996 World Solar Challenge. Inspired by solar-car racing, he co-founded Spartan Superway in 2012 to support flourishing, human-centered cities based on solar energy.

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The world’s first solar-powered transit system offering rides and tours both on land and water. Come ride with them this summer.

Solar-powered, licensed pedal bus pub tours & solar-powered, licensed harbour boat cruises starting at $39!

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