Seven Tips for Staying Sane on Long Bus Journeys

If you want to get from A to B cheaply, travelling by bus can certainly make a lot of sense. Unfortunately however, sitting for long periods of time on a bus isn’t exactly relaxing. And at times, it can be downright infuriating.

The good news is that with a little bit of care and planning, it is possible to survive a ten or twenty hour bus ride without tearing your hair out. Here are seven simple tips for doing just that.

Photo by Party Lin

Choose Your Route

The first step towards a peaceful bus journey is to choose that journey wisely. Regardless of where you are going, there is likely to be more than one bus company that can take you there. Pay close attention to the following factors.

• Is there wi-fi on board? Wi-fi is now incredibly common on buses but there are still a few companies that don’t yet provide it.
• How many rest stops are made? If you are travelling for ten hours or more, regular stops are absolutely essential.
• Is it possible to travel by night? Nobody likes spending an entire day on a bus. If at all possible, travel by night. You can cut the journey in half by getting some sleep onboard. You can also save yourself the cost of a nights accommodation.

Arrive Early

Most bus companies don’t allow passengers to reserve specific seats. Getting on early is therefore essential. Window seats are not only easier to sleep in, they provide you with something to look at other than the seat in front of you.

Stay Hydrated

Never board a long distance bus without a bottle of water. Don’t underestimate how dehydrated bus travel can make you. And unlike planes and trains, buses don’t come with onboard snack carts.

Make Yourself Comfortable

If you want to maximise the chances of you getting some sleep onboard, ear plugs are essential. The constant sound of a buses engine is not exactly relaxing. Should you be worried about your ability to grab a window seat, a travel pillow is also well worth purchasing.

Keep Yourself Occupied

If you want to avoid maddening levels of boredom, it’s important to pack something to keep you occupied. A good book can go a long way but if you’ve managed to find a bus with onboard wi-fi, a device that will allow you to surf the net is a much better choice. Just don’t forget to charge it before you get on board.

Watch Out for Theft

Regardless of how friendly and innocent the other passengers seem, always keep an eye out for thieves and pickpockets. If you are going to be travelling with any carry on luggage, keep it locked. And if you want to keep any valuables in your pockets, choose the pockets that you’ll be sitting on.

Take Full Advantage of Stops

Finally, don’t forget to take full advantage of any rest stops that are made along the way. Regardless of whether or not you want to eat or smoke, it’s important to take full advantage of any chance you get to stretch your legs. It’s likely to be hours before you get another one.

Barbara Woodberry, the author of this article works as an editor for a website called magazinesubscriptions.com. They help to provide their customers with the subscription of their favorite magazine at a very cheap rate.

Tags: bus companies, bus company, bus journey, bus ride, bus travel, buses, ear plugs, little bit, long distance bus, long periods of time, nights accommodation, planes and trains, possible travel, rest stops, sleep, snack, travel pillow, travelling by bus, wi fi, window seat

Category: Travel Tips