15 Essentials: Long Bus Rides Made More Comfy

Wanna save money on transport? Most of the time, buses are the cheapest options to travel across the borders. Overnight bus rides are great ways to save accommodation costs too. The trade off? Putting up with bus journeys that sometimes last 9-10 hours long. Have these 15 items with you, put them in a smaller day pack instead of chucking everything in your bigger hiking bag or luggages. You can put the hiking bag or luggage in the luggage storage space below the bus.

1. Inflatable neck pillow

Save yourself some neck pain. Bring these inflatable neck pillows instead of those neck pillows that contain mini beads. The former is more portable and saves valuable space in your bag, while serving the same purpose. Goodbye neck ache!

2. Eye mask

Get a good eye-shut if you are sensitive to sleeping with the lights on. Even on overnight buses, bus drivers usually do not switch off all the lights, for the safety of the passengers.

3. A bottle of water

Important to stay hydrated! The water in the toilets of the bus are definitely not for drinking.

4. Snacks

Prepare some finger food, wraps, nuts, bread to keep your stomach happy. When I'm bored on the bus, my tummy becomes the most active. Avoid food that gets too messy and drips.

5. Chewing gum

Chew chew chew. Great substitute for unhealthy snacks and for tricking your tummy that you're eating something. Chewing gum is also handy when you need to freshen up your breath after an overnight bus ride.

6. Tissue / Wet wipes

Wet wipes are more effective in cleaning up after yourself.

7. Plastic bags

Bring with you some disposable plastic bags, they'll come in handy when you have to throw your food packaging or soiled wet wipes away. If you are prone to motion sickness, have some plastic bags tucked away in an easily accessible part of your bag.

8. Facial wipes

Oh gross. Long bus rides often cause my face to be greasy. Freshen up with facial wipes.

9. Some spare cash

Sometimes bus drivers stop for a lunch break, so you can get off the bus to grab a quick bite.

It is also essential to have some spare cash before you board the buses in Eastern Europe (especially in Serbia, the Balkan states). The bus driver will charge you about 1 euro for each bag that you are going to put in the luggage compartment. It came as a cultural shock to me because it never happened to me when I was in western and northern parts of Europe.

10. Ear plugs

Erk, snoring. Ear plugs are handy when you are staying in the hostel too. Take note of hygiene, you might want to bring a few, instead of just a pair, if you are using it often. Also, because they are really small, you might misplace them easily. Keep them in a ziplock bag.

11. Head phones

Sometimes the WiFi on the bus doesn't work, and it gets so boring. Have some music in your phone to keep yourself entertained.

12. Portable charger and cable

Oh yeah, bring a portable charger to charge your phone, and don't forget the cable as well! You can bring along your handphone charger and universal adapter, because there might be ports for you to charge your electronic devices.

13. A book / Kindle

Need more entertainment? Have a storybook or bring a Kindle with you to read. I downloaded some free iBooks in my phone, such as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Count of Monte Cristo (it's a book inspired by the Frioul Islands in southern France!), The Scarlet Letter, and more. If you have an exam coming up and want to read up some notes, you can save your lecture notes in PDF format in iBook too. Sleek.

14. Spectacles casing

I always change out of my contact lens if I know I am going to spend most of the time sleeping on the bus. The lenses get too dry and uncomfortable. I'll wear my glasses onboard, and store them in the casing and keep them in my bag, so that they don't get damaged. You can also have another one for your sunglasses.

15. Medicated Oil

Tiger Balm is my best buddy for keeping headaches and motion sickness away.

More tips?

Here are some other pointers:

Bus drivers do stop for breaks for about 15 - 30 minutes, depending on whether he/she is stopping for a toilet break or a meal break.

In Europe, the announcements are sometimes not in English, but in their native tongue. If unsure, you can always ask the other riders on the bus. Don't be afraid to ask ;)

Buses stop at different locations during the journey to drop and pick up other passengers. Always ask the driver or other commuters about the drop-off point, if you are unsure. You can also check Google Maps.

#Longbusrides