How To Survive A Long Bus Journey
Need to travel a long distance? Looking to save as much money as possible? A long-haul bus is likely to be the cheapest solution. However, spending 24 hours + on a coach is likely to be an intimidating prospect. How will you stay sane? This post offers some advice for those who are thinking of attempting a long bus journey
Charge up your devices
Having some electronic devices to occupy you is recommended. Just make sure that you don’t board the bus with only 5% battery left on your phone. Fully charge up your devices before you leave so that they’re likely to last a few hours. If you’re lucky, the bus will have electrical outlets, allowing you to charge your devices throughout the journey. Another solution is to bring a portable power bank (just make sure to charge this up before you set off).
Pack some drinks/snacks
While some buses allow you to buy drinks and snacks on board, it’s generally a much safer option to pack some food and drinks before you go. If it’s likely to be a hot bus ride without air con, consider packing lots of water and avoid foods that will spoil or melt. Strong-smelling and messy foods are best avoided too.
Dress comfortably
You’re going to be sitting there for a long time, so make sure to choose an outfit that’s snug and that you can easily sleep in. Tracksuit bottoms could be a better choice than jeans. In case it gets cold on the bus, pack a hoodie or jacket (even if you’re travelling in the tropics, there’s a chance it may get cold at night or that the air con may be a little chilly).
Bring these essentials to help you sleep
Not everyone can easily sleep on a coach. If you’re going to be travelling overnight, a few of these items could be useful to pack:
A blanket
Ear plugs
An eye mask
Choose the right seat
Think carefully about where to sit when boarding the bus. The back of buses are popular for groups and may be louder than the middle and the front. A window seat will allow you to take in the views, however an aisle seat could have more legroom.
Take advantage of wi-fi
Some coaches have wi-fi. Connecting to this wi-fi could allow you to stream music, scroll through social media or catch up on TV shows. You could even play games online like chess or complete online crosswords. Alternatively, you could try planning activities for when you arrive at your destination, looking for accommodation or even learning some of the local lingo (if you’re travelling abroad).
Consider these offline activities
Staring at a screen the whole journey could get tiresome. Fortunately, there are many other activities you can consider (although you’ll need to plan them in advance). This could include:
Reading a book
Looking at a physical map
Writing a diary
Solving word puzzles
Talking to other people on the bus (providing someone else is willing to chat)
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