Surviving a Greyhound Bus Adventure

Over the past year I have been on four Greyhound adventures and spent over 200 hours on the road and in bus stations. With each journey I have acquired many useful tips either from personal experience, careful observation or informative conversations. I had many misconceptions about what bus travel was all about, and hope that others can take from my lessons learned.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is to know my own boundaries and to keep them without skimping on the smiles and light conversation. I am aware of my surroundings and listen carefully to what others are saying. It is important to remember you are in unfamiliar territory filled with weary and sometimes frustrated travelers. When approached or engaged in conversation I know what I'm willing to give up freely and what my strengths and weaknesses are coming to the table. Self-preservation is possible while appearing outwardly relaxed.

Develop a short term report with the driver and give them a face to remember. Ask thoughtful questions about the trip, the bus or the schedule. It may mean the difference between getting left behind at a short stop and having a driver that is in a hurry give a second glance for you in a crowded area. He or she may also be more accommodating later toward a simple request such as turning down the air conditioning or calling in to ask if the bus you are transferring to is running behind. It's best to ask brief and meaningful questions when boarding the bus or at another opportunity shortly before the bus is scheduled to depart.

I have seen the consequences of inappropriate behavior and have learned to steer clear of potential trouble makers. If you have any real desire to get to your destination, do not board a bus intoxicated or smelling like alcohol or drugs; do not yell over the bus driver or talk back; and do not board the bus with prohibited items. Bus drivers will not escalate an encounter, they will simply remove the problem. The bus driver is in charge. They are left up to their own good judgment when it comes to maintaining order and safety.

The front of the bus is a good place to sit for many reasons. One undeniable fact is that those adults who were once the children at the back of the school bus causing trouble will find their way to the back of the Greyhound like salmon up a stream. If you are looking for less activity, less loud talking, and less movement, find a seat as close as possible to the driver. When the facilities are not working properly, sitting close to the front has definite advantages. If you are tall it will behoove you to know that on some buses there are two seats with more leg room, on the left hand side behind the driver, three or four rows back. It's not much, but it may make for a more comfortable ride if you can claim one of these two seats.

Don't wear a lot of jewelry. It doesn't matter if it's cheap and just looks expensive, jewelry is jewelry. If you misplace it, you'll probably never see it again. There are also people that may be looking for an easy mark. Jewelry is any easy indicator that you may have a few dollars to spare.

Be aware of the rules for checked baggage. Oversized and overweight checked baggage will cost you. I weigh my bags ahead of time and allow a few pounds for discrepancies. Stepping out of line and finding two pounds in one bag to stuff into the other is not something I ever want to do again. Make sure your items are properly packed. Loose or odd shaped items may not be allowed or you may be asked to pay a package fee separate from your ticket. Trash bags and other flimsy items are not acceptable. I've seen arguments play out over this, of course while I was patiently waiting to check-in. Refer to website on a regular basis for updates on requirements and exclusions.

Currently Greyhound allows two checked bags. Other bus companies that work with Greyhound may allow more or have different rules. It is always the rules of the company at your original point of departure on a continuous journey that applies. For example if you start your trip on an Indian Trails bus you are allowed three checked items in the cost of your ticket. The ticket may have been purchased through Greyhound in some manner, but Indian Trails will tag your items that will then be allowed to continue with you without paying for that third bag once you board a Greyhound bus. An exception to this rule is prohibited items. If traveling with two different bus companies, be sure to check both of their prohibited item lists.

I prefer a medium sized backpack with several convenient inside and outside zippers as well as a partial divider on the inside. I pack carefully, thinking about what I will need and when. I keep an otherwise unused outside pocket for my ticket. The other outside pocket is used for the printout of the complete itinerary. I use a mint tin or mini zip bag with plenty of change and a few dollar bills. This is handy for those runs to the snack machine with little time to spare. I also use freezer or storage zip bags of differing sizes to group together items inside the backpack.

I don't bother doing this, but I've noticed that those who appear well traveled for day trips bring insulated collapsible coolers. If you don't mind carrying and keeping an eye on another item, this is handy for keeping an extra soda cool or grabbing a cold sandwich when the opportunity arises and keeping it fresh for when the choice meal breaks are few and far between.

I recommend bringing a sturdy water bottle that you are sure does not leak. There may be many reasons why you are not able to purchase something to drink for a long period of time. Better to have water than nothing at all. I have since purchased a stainless steel bottle with a screw top lid that has a clip attached. I keep it hanging from my backpack instead of attempting to squeeze yet another item into my bag. It gets banged around, but it's tough and can handle it. If I have a partially consumed plastic or glass bottle of anything I leave it on the bus when transferring. Towing luggage, carry-on items and a previously opened bottle of liquid is sure to spell disaster. Buy a fresh bottle of your favorite beverage and do not open it until you have loaded your luggage and boarded the bus.

I keep money and documents in several locations. I never store money in checked baggage. I keep a few dollars on my person for those quick stops so I can grab a soda or candy out of a vending machine. I keep enough money in my backpack to purchase a decent meal or stock up on snacks and other supplies at longer stops. The rest I keep split up and not easily accessible. After showing my identification at check-in I put my wallet in my pocketbook where it's not visible. I should not need to access it again until finished my travels. I never keep cash in my wallet. When traveling with important documents such as my Social Security card and birth certificate, I keep them somewhere besides my wallet, such as in a sealed envelope in my backpack. The goal is, if for some reason identification or valuables fall out of my bags while digging around for something, or someone manages to pick pocket any one item, I will not lose everything all at once.

Using the facilities is not something I think most of you need help with, but situations change when traveling long distances on the bus. Prepare for the unexpected by carrying items in your carry-on. In addition to any regular medication, if you bother carrying any over-the-counter medication on you it should be something maximum strength for nausea and diarrhea. Ladies, even if you are certain you won't need feminine products, bring enough with you, in a carry-on, for several days. Toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer are a must if you want to minimize inconveniences. If you are stuck on the road in the bus or at a bus station, these items likely will come in handy, if not for you, for a fellow traveler. Their comfort just may be your comfort as well in close quarters.

Make the best use out of every stop. Ask shortly before or immediately after stopping at breaks if the bus is on schedule and if there will be time to do whatever you need or anticipate being able to do at the next stop. Also ask about where food and other needs will be available. When the bus falls behind schedule short breaks will become even shorter, and the bus driver may decide to not let anyone off. Longer breaks may be something to look forward to, but what you need may not be there.

Bus travel is not always the quickest, nor the most comfortable way to get to your destination. It is easy to become frustrated if you have unrealistic expectations. Being prepared and doing your homework certainly helps. Summoning up a sense of adventure will provide opportunities to have better memories and perhaps learn a few life lessons.