How To Survive A Long Bus Trip.
/As a motor coach driver for 20+ years, I have seen the things people have done to make themselves a little more comfortable on a long bus trip like from Toronto to New York City. A trip like that can take 10-11 hours to complete stops included. So here are some tips to help pass the time cooped up on the bus.
Most buses have wifi and power outlets and what better way to kill 10 hours than to surf the net till your hearts content.
Warm comfortable clothing is essential to being relaxed. A mini skirt and heels will leave you exposed and if your trip happens in the evening or over night all together, then your track suit and runners are looking pretty good right about now.
If your trip is an over night run then a thin 100% cotton blanket is perfect for those cold evenings that won’t get in the way of your seat mate yet still keep you warm.
Every bus trip needs a neck pillow. If you don’t want to be working out a kink for your entire trip then a neck pillow is a must to keeping you level headed.
This is one that many people overlook but earplugs and an eye mask can help you fall and stay asleep a little longer, which can be valuable rest depending on the time of day/night you are travelling.
Bring snacks and drinks…even though buses make stops along the way, you never know where or when those stops will occur. Not to mention rest stops can be pricey and unhealthy.
Wipes…no not because of the pandemic. Just in case you need to use the washroom on board, you may be happy that you have them. Trust in yourself and all will be as it should.
Read a book! You would be surprised at how much time you can lose by reading a good book. Try it on your next bus trip, it might surprise you at how much you enjoy it. It has become a lost art form.
If the situation permits, stretch your legs every so often to get the blood flowing throughout your body. It is surprising sometimes how good you feel after a good stretch.
Now these are just a few of the things you can do to help make a long bus trip a little more manageable in the future. All of the tips above are friendly in case you have a seat mate as we all have to respect our neighbours. Which brings me to the hot topic of reclining seats. Some people are like well I paid for my seat so I can recline my chair as I see fit. Others be like, this is my area and you cannot infringe on my area as I paid for it. Both are correct and for the sake of common sense and common decency for one another, a little give and take is warranted. So allowing the seat to recline a bit (like halfway) so both parties give a little and get a little will make a long journey go smoothly. If we just communicate our intentions instead of taking what we want, we all will survive a long cramped journey.
If you have any ideas of your own then by all means leave a comment below. Be sure to have a look at some of the bus trips from Toronto that TallPat Tours offers for after the pandemic is in our rear view.
Take care and Happy Easter To All!