5 Tips to Surviving Long Bus and Train Trips Abroad
Karachi, Pakistan: Edge of Space (flickr)
If you travel through developing regions of the globe, it’s likely you will gain a lot of experience in long distance bus and train travel. Sometimes these trips are fine–aboard comfortable buses and trains and across short distances. However, more often than not these trips can feel more like 15+ hour nightmares than an interesting journey through a strange new land.
Personally, I’ve been aboard enough cramped, sweaty, bone jarring, noisy, 15+ hour, buses and trains to know that special measures should be taken when traveling in this manner. However, it’s definitely a different kind of experience, and one that brings you closer to life as a local–a good thing.
Bus and train travel are also great ways to minimize expenses as a traveler, especially across international borders. For example, I recently took a buses from Quito, Ecuador to Lima, Peru. The trip was VERY long (around 36 hours), but cost me only $50–flying would have cost around $350-$400. Additionally I got to see tons of interesting things that I would have missed completely from the air.
Below are some common tips I use when traveling long distance by bus or train:
1. Pop a pill:
Obviously you don’t want to abuse this one, but taking a sleeping pill can transform a 15 hour nightmare into little more than a dream. I usually take one ibuprofen (which acts as a muscle relaxant) and one mild sedative (to sleep). I’m not the type of person that can sleep anywhere or under any conditions, so a pill really does wonders for me being able to sleep through the ride.
2. Choose your seat wisely:
If you buy your ticket in advance from the ticket office, it’s usually possible to choose your seat–DO THIS! Ask the person at the ticket counter to show you the seating arrangement (usually they have this if you ask), and pick a seat in a spacious area of the bus or train. If you are traveling by bus, the front seats are usually the best picks as they have more leg room and are less susceptible to poor shock absorption in the back of the bus. If traveling by train, it will depend on the train, but usually you can find an area that offers a little more room for passengers.
3. Cover your ears:
It seems there are always crying babies and loud snorers on buses and trains when I travel. In these situations, earplugs or headphones are a lifesaver. 15 hours of screaming babies will really wear on your nerves, so be prepared, and have some way of blocking out unwanted noise.
4. Travel at night:
Some people will disagree with me on this one, but I prefer traveling at night. Daytime bus and train travel does have it’s perks–pretty views and light for reading or other activities. However, in my experience, daytime is when more families tend to travel. This means lots of whining children, potty breaks, and other nuisances. Nighttime travel, on the other hand is mainly populated by single travelers, who keep quiet, go to sleep, and want to get there just as quickly as you do. Night buses also tend to make FAR fewer stops than day buses.
5. Choose your bus company wisely:
This tip is more pertinent to bus travel, as usually there is only one option for train travel. If traveling by bus, be careful when choosing the company you travel with. More than likely there are a number of different bus companies that travel to your final destination, so don’t just buy a ticket with the first one you see (or the first one that finds you). Ask other travelers or locals for recommendations, and find a reputable company, with comfortable buses, and the most direct services possible. If you don’t you could very well find yourself on a 40 year old bus, with hard metal seats, that stops every 15 minutes (often for no good reason at all). I have even found myself on buses where the driver pounded beers the whole way–so be careful and find a reputable company.
What are your opinions and tips on long distance bus and train travel?
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Rob, these are great tips. I’ve not tried taking pills to nod off, but swear by a combination of cough syrup and some alcohol for long-haul flights. It works!
My top tip is given the choice take a train over a bus (unless they takes days longer as in Cambodia) - the train may be a little slower - but is almost always more comfortable!
[…] Rob Meyer created an interesting post today on 5 Tips to Surviving Long Bus and Train Trips Abroad.Here’s a short outline:If traveling by bus, be careful when choosing the company you travel with. More than likely there are a number of different bus companies that travel to your final destination, so don’t just buy a ticket with the first one you see (or … […]
Thanks for the additional tips Jack and Lissie.
I agree Jack, a little booze can be great!
Lissie, no argument here. Trains are usually not too bad, plus they often pass through less developed parts of the country, providing you with great views
Train travel is also a great way to be eco-friendly while crossing countries and continents. It may be a little longer than hopping a budget flight, but you can take comfort in knowing you’re preserving the environment for the next generation of travelers!
Very good point, thanks Olivia. Brave New Traveler recently posted a link to an interesting article from globeandmail.com entitled Is flying akin to driving a Hummer. It’s an interesting read.
I read that article, very interesting indeed! (I do some writing for BNT and love their Green Section). www.seat61.com gives some great tips and tricks for getting around on train and ferry by a bloke who practically grew up on the rails. It’s a great resource and makes a wonderful case for hopping on a train or a boat in lieu of a Boeing. Like the slow-foods movement, slow travel is starting to make a comeback (and after reading Seat61, who DOESN’T want to travel on the Trans Siberian Railroad?). Hopefully we’ll see some price incentives come along with that as we move further towards sustainability.
[…] o trajeto ou acompanhar a paisagem, opte pelas viagens noturnas, que tendem a ser mais rápidas. Aqui você as dicas na íntegra. E você? Tem alguma idéia infalível para tornar longas viagens mais […]
Good post Rob - although I’m always a little wary of taking sleeping pills on public transport since it can open you up to getting stuff nicked whilst you are away in happy land - either that or you could well end up oversleeping, missing your stop and ending up 3 hours further down the line in some other random city/town/village/blue oyster bar. As for the rest of the post - wise words, man!
Great tips!
You’re absolutely right about the noise of the crying babies and all. Most of the time you just wish they’d get off soon, and most of those times it hardly happens. Anyway earplugs or some music does it just fine!
I agree with the trips at night, especially if you’ve already seen that region various times and arent interested in the scenery.
Great list - I definitely agree with travelling at night, and earplugs are a must. I’d also suggest a blow-up travel pillow. My biggest one is to make sure you have lots of layers with you - if your bag is under the bus then you can get very cold if the temperature drops.
We did a podcast about sleeping in vehicles, especially buses - it’s at http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/podcast/004-sleeping-in-vehicles/
We also have a competition going at the moment, you could win a Lonely Planet book - go to www.indietravelpodcast.com to enter.
Nice tips, Do you have idea about budget travel and cheap deal in Barcelona apartments in Spain? Thanks!!
No-one has mentioned car hire? It’s my business so apologies if this sounds like a sales pitch! However I have done my fair share of globetrotting and hiring a car can be a great alternative when roads are good. Simply team up with a few others going your way and share time at the wheel. This is particularly good for round trips - visa renewal or exploration to and from one spot. One way journeys often incur an extra fee but this is not always prohibitive, just remember to find out what it is prior to booking!
I would still prefer traveling by night. You can rest and sleep while on travel and stop-overs are minimal also. Day trips is so exhausting. You’ll be awake all day sight-seeing.
[…] 5 Tips for Surviving Long Train and Bus Rides […]
Great tips.
I live in London and travel across Europe frequently using the trains.
As a train enthusiast I just wanted to make you aware that www.traineurope.co.uk offers the most extensive range of train tickets throughout Europe, but you can plan your journey starting here in England.
Thanks,
Steve
Great Tips.
I live in London and travel across Europe frequently using the trains.
As a train enthusiast I just wanted to make you aware that www.raileurope.co.uk offers the most extensive range of train tickets throughout Europe, but you can plan your journey starting here in England.
Thanks,
Steve
Excellent tips for alternative travel. I know personally, I can’t stand young children and babies crying on airplanes, it’s worse on buses or trains. Totally agree with the night travel, have a few drinks before you hop on. But also, going along with #2 make sure you are comfortable, wear comfortable clothing, bring a pillow and blanket if it’s cold out.
Good stuff, thank you.