Bus travel remains one of the most affordable ways to get from point A to point B in the United States. You would think that people would flock to bus stations in order to take budget trips across the country, but that isn’t the case.

There are many reasons why travelers tend to skip the bus route, including long time of arrival, limited amenities, lack of convenience, frequent delays, and not a lot of comfort. But while these are all valid, there is a way to make traveling the US by bus a great experience. You just need to follow some tips.

Travel Light

One of the worst things you can do on a bus travel is to bring a large suitcase. You will have to carry it around and transfer it from one bus to another. Additionally, bus stations might not be close to your accommodation or preferred destination, giving you an added headache. On top of that, you won’t pay large luggage fees and will minimize the risk of something being lost or stolen.

Minimize the Layovers

Bus companies in the US take a loose approach to their predetermined schedule. This means delays and even cancelations are frequent. In order to avoid this from ruining your trip, try to minimize the layovers or always have a backup option for each layover.

Pick a Seat Far from a Toilet

This might seem like a benign thing, but it can do wonders for your comfort during long-distance bus trips. The toilets can eventually get so smelly that the bad odor reaches surrounding seats. Additionally, they are noisy, so you will lose a lot of sleep with people constantly opening and closing the door.

Dress Comfortably and Secure Entertainment and Food/Drinks

Wear comfy clothes and put on several layers that you can take off or put back on depending on the temperature. Also, make sure to secure yourself with entertainment and bring plenty of food, drinks, and snacks because that is rarely offered on board, and you don’t know where you’ll make your next stop.