How to Plan a Long Bus Trip

While traveling long distances by bus has gotten some bad press as of late, there are a lot of reasons to check out this mode of travel. For one, it’s incredibly cheap, and may be the only way to travel certain distances and to certain destinations without your own car. Traveling by bus can be a scenic adventure, and it’s a great way to really experience a region—you don’t have to worry about the directions, or when you’ll need to stop for gas. You might not be as experienced at planning a long bus ride as you are at booking plane tickets, however. Check out these directions to ensure that you have a worry-free trip.

Choose Your Route

The first thing to decide is if you’re taking the bus because you want to be able to stop and see the sights along the way, or if you’re trying to get to your destination as quickly as possible. Greyhound, of course, is the largest carrier and goes nearly everywhere and thus, can probably get you to your destination the fastest. There are smaller carriers that can provide your trip with unique experiences and a different feel, but at a more meandering pace.

Buy Your Ticket

The further in advance you buy your ticket, the better deal you will get. When you’re booking your tickets, you will need to know if you plan to travel straight through on the bus, without spending the night in a motel, or if you would like to take breaks from riding.

Check out Greyhound’s deals and discounts page before you book, and consider buying something like Greyhound’s Discovery Pass, if you want the freedom to plan your route as you go and stop whenever you want. Depending on the route you’ve decided on, you may have the opportunity to book a seat on a new bus, equipped with WiFi, electrical outlets, and more leg room.

Pack Your Bags

While your larger luggage will be stowed under the bus, you want to make sure that you pack a carry on with all the necessary creature comforts. Especially if you’re traveling overnight, you’re going to be on the bus for a while. While most drivers stop at mealtimes, this is usually at a conveniently located fast food restaurant, so if this isn’t your idea of a nice lunch, pack something else. Bring earplugs, lots of reading material, music, a small pillow, and bottled water. Bring a blanket or layer your clothing—you never know how cold or warm your bus might be.

Don’t forget to bring along any important phone numbers or documents. If you have a Greyhound Discovery Pass for example, and decide to stop and stay the night in a random town, you’ll need to be able to contact a hotel. It pays to write down the 1-800 numbers for nationwide chains like Comfort Inn and Best Western; their national agent can tell you if they have a hotel in your particular town, and book your room.

Arrive Early

Most intercity bus tickets are first come, first serve, meaning that you don’t have a particular seat saved on the bus. Getting to the station 45 minutes to an hour before your departure will give you an adequate amount of time to find the bus bay and to line up; people at the back of the line aren’t guaranteed seating, and they may have to stand or wait an unknown amount of time for a second bus to arrive.

Be Flexible