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If you have decided to take the journey of a lifetime around the United States, travelling by bus, then you’re probably keen to find ways to make the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
The great news is that buses offer a number of benefits compared to other forms of transportation. For one thing, they’re significantly cheaper than planes, taxis, or even your own car; for another thing, they offer an immersive travel experience that is also more environmentally friendly than getting around by other means.
Of course, buses do have a couple of downsides too – but with the aid of these helpful tips, you should be able to have a comfortable and thoroughly magical bus-based adventure, traversing the United States.
Book Your Tickets In Advance
While one of the benefits of bus travel is the flexibility it affords you to alter your journey as you see fit, where possible it’s actually a good idea to book your tickets in advance.
Arranging your tickets online in good time can help you secure the best deals, saving you plenty of dollars to put toward things like food or paying for unforgettable experiences along the way.
For instance, if you wanted to catch a bus to Las Vegas, choosing to order bus tickets from Wanderu will give you instant access to a host of cheaply priced tickets – not to mention a wide range of routes and bus carriers, so you can find the ideal low-cost bus trip to suit your needs.
Get To The Bus Station In Good Time
Unlike on airplanes, where your seat is assigned, when you travel by bus it’s a case of ‘first come, first served’. This means that, if you want to get your preferred seat – most likely by the window! – then it’s a good idea to arrive at the bus station early.
In fact, some passengers will arrive two hours before the bus is due to set off, to make sure they bag the best seats, so if you want plenty of choice then you may want to do the same!
Pack For All Kinds of Weather
If you’re planning to criss-cross the United States by bus, then you had better be prepared for a wide variety of climates and conditions – from the sultry sunshine of the Southern states, to the crisp, fresh Vermont air, and the strong winds blowing down off the Rocky Mountains.
Practice packing a capsule wardrobe that covers all bases. This means including light cotton clothing for hot weather, as well as some warmer, more protective gear for higher altitudes or stormy weather.
Stock Up On Snacks
Travelling is hungry work, so it’s a good idea to come prepared with an assortment of satisfying snacks and drinks to keep you fuelled up on your bus journeys. However, not just any snack will do – for instance, treats that are high in salt are best avoided, as they will make you thirsty, while snacks with too much sugar could cause an initial ‘rush’ followed by a sharp drop in blood sugar.
It’s best to opt for healthy filling snacks that will last well on long journeys, such as trail mix, which you can make yourself at home before your trip, as well as granola bars, veggie chips, and drinkable soups (look for soups which can be drunk directly from the bottle and don’t need to be refrigerated).
By opting for this nourishing snacks instead of salty chips or candy, you will help to keep your body healthy and energized on your bus trips.
Enjoy The View
Perhaps the greatest advantage of travelling across the USA by bus is that it allows you to immerse yourself in the rich and varied landscapes you will be passing through. Best of all, because you won’t be in charge of the vehicle, you will have plenty of time to soak up all those awe-inspiring sights that will be streaming past the windows!
The fact is, there is so much breath-taking scenery to experience as you traverse America, from verdant valleys to rolling plains, soaring mountain peaks, and dense forests that harbor a wide variety of bird and animal life.
Then, of course, there are the many world-famous cities that you can visit by bus, from Los Angeles and Las Vegas, to San Francisco and New York, which look awe-inspiring by day and truly magical by night.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt about it; when you opt to travel across the USA by bus, you will be opening yourself up to all kinds of unforgettable sights and experiences, not to mention new people.
While there may be a few hitches and hiccups along the way, with the help of these trusty bus travel tips, you should have the journey of a lifetime, experiencing the very best that America has to offer.
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