The US is one of the largest countries in the world, and as you can imagine, certain bus trips can take up to a day or two. Gear up for your adventure and read our tips and how you can make your bus ride as comfortable as possible!
What to do on a long bus ride
Even during a long bus ride, there are tons of fun activities to do to stay entertained, and most importantly, sane! Half the fun is the journey, not just the destination right? Here are a couple of ideas.
- Dive into a captivating book or listen to an audiobook so that you’re taken to another world.
- Catch up on your favorite podcasts or discover new ones that you have been meaning to check out.
- Create a personalized playlist ahead of time (and maybe some other ones for the trip itself!)
- It’s time to socialize. Why not engage in some irl conversations with fellow passengers and make new connections?
- Take advantage of the uninterrupted time to plan your itinerary, write in a journal, or brainstorm new ideas.
- Last, but definitely not least, use this time to relax and self-care. Stretch, meditate, or just gaze out the window and appreciate the passing scenery.
With a bit of creativity and mindfulness, a long bus ride can become an opportunity for personal growth, relaxation, and enjoyable experiences.
Take the overnight bus
If you don’t mind not seeing the landscapes and just want to get from point A to point B, we recommend you take the overnight bus. This helps you save time and you’ll wake up directly at your destination – which definitely gives new meaning to rise and shine!
Pack light
You’ll may need to transfer bus on a long trip, so pack light in order to not have to lift heavy baggage. Also, make sure that you know the baggage policy of bus companies like Greyhound and Megabus
Pack a blanket and neck pillow
A blanket and neck pillow can help you get cozy and help you sleep during your bus ride. Also, the blanket is a life safer, as it can get quite cold in the bus thanks to the air conditioning. Much like in an airplane, we recommend you bring additional layers of clothes to stay warm.
Use earplugs and an eye mask
Earplugs and an eye mask will help you stay undisturbed during your trip. Other passengers might get noisy or turn on and off their light. Also, you may wake up from passengers simply getting on or off the bus (or going to the washroom).
Bring tissues
Let’s admit it: Washrooms are gross no matter if on the airplane, on the train, or on the bus. Just wipe your hands with your disinfectant tissues and you’re fine for the rest of the trip.
Pack some snacks and drinks
Whereas buses usually make a few stops to refuel and let people buy something to eat, those eateries tend to be expensive. Pack some snacks and drinks – not only is this permitted on buses, but it’s also much cheaper.
Choose your seat carefully
The ride feels bumpier in the back, so choose a seat in the middle or front. Also, if you choose an aisle seat, the window seat beside you may be free and you’ll be lucky to have them both for yourself!
Take off your shoes
There are some really simple actions you can take to relax during long bus rides. One of them is taking off your shoes. Just try it out – it works wonders!
Take advantage of the Wi-Fi
The entertainment you can get using Wi-Fi makes time fly. So take advantage!
Bring a book with you
If you’re less of a techie, bring a book with you and read during your trip.
Stretch every now and then
Even if you brought your own snacks and drinks with you, take advantage of these breaks to get off the bus and stretch. This will help you feel less worn out once you arrive to your destination.
Drink Gatorade or other energy drinks instead of water
Having to use the washroom can often be an issue on any trip. You can prevent this by drinking Gatorade or other energy drinks to keep you hydrated.
Do you have any other tips on how to make long bus rides a breeze? Let us know in the comments section below!
Search and book your bus tickets to and from the United States directly on Busbud.com