Things to remember when traveling by bus.
Say goodbye to your personal space.
You ARE a tourist and have to accept that you won’t always get the personal space or local price you feel you may deserve. Placing your backpack on the side of you in a crowded van for more space makes you an asshole, arguing over 50 cents also just makes you seem like an asshole. Now of course it depends on where in the world you are and how much more they are trying to charge you, but be reasonable. I’ve come to discover most developing countries have 3 prices for bus fair. Local, backpacker, and regular tourist. Don’t feel like you're getting ripped off because you had to pay 50 cents more than the man sitting next to you- be grateful that you’re about to travel 3hrs across a new country for less than a happy meal.
Find out how to stop the local bus, many different countries don’t have designated bus stops but have different hand signals you use on the side of the road to stop the bus. Sometimes you wave, or put your hand downward, different hand signs can also show how far you need to go.
Have small change, if you only have large bills you might have to wait for your change while the attendant collects other bus fares until they have enough to give to you.
Get a window seat, multiple reasons on this one- You can watch your luggage and be certain the attendant put it below or on top of the bus. If bag is going on the roof- watch them tie it on. For long rides having the window means you won’t have to get up or move for incoming or departing passengers. The window for the view- enjoy that countryside, and last but not least for the smell. (When you’re in a van that legally seats 13 passengers and there's 21 souls crammed onboard, a window can keep you from passing out.
Always keep your valuables on you, money, passport, credit cards, phone, against your body not in your luggage that can be stolen.
The back of the bus is more bumpy if the roads are bad. Being in front has a better view and is more interesting to see the interactions of the people and the bus driver.
Buy those interesting looking nuts or cookies the young boy just jumped on the bus to sell.
Get off the bus at the bus stop and look around, make the effort to see where you are.
If taking a night bus, better to be in back for a quieter ride and less wind or cold from the door opening at each stop.
Other things that may interest you…
How to exchange money without getting screwed.
Check the exchange rate BEFORE departing for that country.
ATMs - at airports are the ones I use the most, first because they usually always have money in them (cant count the times I’ve been overseas and the one ATM in a small town is broken or out of cash.) Second because of…read more.
Things to remember before leaving for the airport.
Check flight is still on time. (no point in leaving the comfort of your home if your plane is a couple hours delayed.)
A B&W copy of your passport.
Cash truly IS king.
Credit Card, worse case scenario…read more.
