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I've taken the bus across the country. It was one of the least pleasant experiences of my life. This was because I was unprepared. Had I had foreknowledge of the things I would encounter on the bus trip, I would have done things differently. If you are prepared for the bus journey, you will have a better chance surviving and using the bus as a method of travel.
Why Ride the Bus?
There are a lot of good reasons to take the bus across country. My trip cost less than 200 dollars. I didn't even book in advance. A plane ticket would have cost me at least 400 dollars. That's a savings of half. The bus has inexpensiveness on its side. The bus is also better for the environment than the plane. It's a great way to lower your carbon footprint.
What Hurts the Bus?
Perhaps my bus journey was just one of those bizarre alternate universe experiences that happen once in a million years, but it seems like everyone I know has a bus horror story. Reports of theft and bullying are common. Buses are kind of dangerous. People sneak drugs and alcohol onto the bus and do them in the bathroom. Passengers will shout and laugh all night. It's a long, long trip across the country. Here are some tips.
- Remain Quiet
People will say things that you probably don't agree with. Keep quiet. Keep your nose clean. Don't get involved. I realize that many of you are passionate about your beliefs. You will hear plenty of far-fetched and wrongheaded ideas on the bus. That's great that you know those ideas are ignorant, but the bus is not the time to get into an argument. Save your battles for a less contained area. - Decline Drugs Politely
People did drugs on the bus. Many of the passengers illegally brought alcohol and other narcotics onto the vehicle. You could smell smoke from cigarettes and marijuana floating out of the bathroom. If you sit next to people doing drugs, they will probably offer you drugs. Say no without being preachy. "I'm allergic to that" or "drinking while in motion makes me sick." Sound like high school? It is kind of like high school. - The Bus Driver is Not A Cop
The bus driver cannot help you. He/she is not a cop. I've seen bus drivers get in arguments with passengers and lose. Drivers often turned a blind eye to nefarious goings-on for fear of their own safety. They're just trying to get through their day and get back to their families. - Pack Some Real Food
The bus drivers will give you the option to eat at a gas station or a fast-food restaurant. That's it. Those are your choices. Pack some good eats. This is for your gastronomical safety. - Strength in Numbers
Bring a few people on the trip with you. Misery loves company, and the cross-country bus is full of company. Pack a few friends. Your clique will be left alone by the other bus-riding cliques. Nobody will mess with a group. - Travel Lightly and Sleep with Gear in Hand
Travel with one bag. Keep that bag close. In your hands if possible. More than one person has gotten their luggage stolen on the bus. Clutch your luggage tight. Take your valuables to the bathroom. - Bring a Blanket
Wrap yourself in a blanket. This will give you and your bag some cover.
- Bonus: Don't sit near the bathroom
Sit up front. The nearer to the door the better.
It's Not as Bad as It Seems
I got through my bus trip fine with all my possessions and bones unbroken. Friends of mine haven't been so lucky, but no one I know has been injured. Most people, even the more bizarre bus denizens , will be nice to you if you smile, nod and remember their names.
But if I wrote a post about riding the bus across country and left out the safety issues, I feel it would be a disservice. That's why I address them specifically. Two people traveling by bus across the country will do just fine and probably wouldn't be a target of the criminal element that often accompanies bus travel.
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