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.

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1) Alpbach

Atmosphere is the name of the game at Alpbach, and boasts absolutely gorgeous scenery for beginners and pros alike. While Alpbach is more tailored for those new to the sport, good snow conditions will pose a challenge for skill sets of all levels. A nursery slope is a mere five minutes away from the main ski area, perfect for practicing snowploughs after a tough lesson, so bring the kids!

A view from Alpbach ski resort, Austria by mapryan

2) St Anton

There are a few reasons why St Anton is one of the top 3 ski resorts in all of Europe, but don’t be lured in by the beauty of this place. St Anton is primarily for serious skiers, and is not recommended for those new to the sport. However, there are a few resorts for the less-serious just a short bus ride away, so don’t let that stop you from encouraging a few of your beginner friends to tag along.

Skiing in St Anton, Austria by vuorikari

3) Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is known primarily for its beauty and charm. While the annual Hahnenkamm — one of the toughest downhill courses in all of Europe — is held here, what Kitzbühel is really known for is its charm. Warmly welcoming skiers of all skill levels, Kitzbühel is both gorgeous and family-friendly. Even the non-skiers will enjoy their stay here, as the streets are lined with quaint boutiques, luxury hotels, and other trappings that rarely show up at an Austrian ski resort.

Skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria by Mahmut

4) Ischgl

Ischgl is for all you party people out there that love the nightlife just as much as your pair of skis. While Ischgl is not the cheapest of ski resorts, the atmosphere from late afternoon into the early morning hours is electric. Jovial and amicable people dance around every corner, making Ischgl party-central as far as Austrian ski resorts go with some great Austrian ski chalets that you can stay in and recover after the nights activities.

Ski slope in Ischgl, Austria by Leo-setä

5) Obergurgl

Last on the list is the family-friendly Obergurgl, the best Austrian ski resort to take the little ones to. At an extremely high elevation of 1,930m, Obergurgl guarantees snow for a longer season that most ski resorts you’ll find in Austria. While the ski area is somewhat small which will likely irritate experienced skiers, this cozy resort will always have your children within eyesight.

Skiing in Obergurgl, Austria by BeardyRob

There you have it! The five best Austrian ski holiday resorts — now get out there and hit the slopes!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Göran (Kartläsarn)

Travelling and Getting Around

There are two international airports located in the vicinity of Hisingen Island. The larger of the two is Landvetter Airport, which offers international flights around the world and is a short thirty minute bus ride into the heart of the island. The second and significantly smaller airport is the Gothenburg City Airport. This airport primarily offers budget flights around Europe but is closer to the city centre than Landvetter. Although cars are certainly permitted in the area, they are far from necessary. Opt to use public transport in the form of buses, trams, trains and ferries for very reasonable prices instead.

Volvo Museum

The car maker Volvo is one of the most important and historically significant companies in all of Sweden. The company has recently opened an exciting museum on Hisingen Island that is a truly must visit destination for car and transport enthusiasts. You can view some of the earliest car models created by Volvo as well as try out simulators designed for learning how to drive the largest vehicles and trucks. Children will love the actual cars that they are allowed to steer and pretend to drive. Admission is 60 SEK for adults and 25 SEK for children. Discounts are available for groups and students attending together.

Ostindiefararen Götheborg

With so many harbours on Hisingen Island, it is clear to even a first time visitor that the region must have a significant maritime history. Perhaps what the area is best known for is the Ostindiefararen Götheborg, a ship built in the eighteenth century but sunk after a series of long voyages to China. Some twenty years ago private citizens built a replica of the ship and resumed the worldwide voyages. Today the eighteenth century replica is located at one of the larger harbours on Hisingen Island. Although the magnificent wooden ship does set sail for regional journeys on certain dates, visitors also have the opportunity to see the ship docked right in Hisingen and even step onboard to tour the vessel.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Karin Jonsson

Ramberget Hill

This landmark on Hisingen Island stands at a height of nearly three hundred feet above sea level and is the tallest spot in all of Gothenburg. The short walk up to Ramberget Hill winds through the beautiful public space of Keiller’s Park. This park is a popular hangout for university students and families who want to relax in the sunshine, enjoy street vendors and local foods or just chat with friends.

Accommodations on Hisingen Island

As a popular travel destination and home to a large university, there is no shortage of accommodation options in the area. Some holiday ideas might include staying in a private apartment in order to save money and get a feel for local life in the area. Of course, there are also some boutique hotels, international hotel chains and even some traditional guesthouses and inns. Those who want a truly luxurious holiday might consider Swedish villas on the island instead.

View A Visitor’s Guide to Hisingen Island, Sweden in a larger map

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