Back on the Bus--Comfortably

Bus travel at its best can mean reclining in a luxurious seat and making new friends while exotic settings unfold. At its worst you can find yourself thumping down potholed roads in sweltering heat while you struggle to keep your sleepy head from slipping onto a stranger’s shoulder. Whether you choose to travel independently or with a group tour, here are some suggestions to make your journey more comfortable.

For long journeys in tropical climates the first thing to consider is which side of the bus the hot sun will shine on most of the time. If there is a ceiling vent, position yourself close to it.

If you suffer from motion sickness, try to sit close to the front and keep your eyes on the horizon. Avoid the seats over the wheels. They will be the most bumpy.

Items that you’ll likely find helpful include: bottled drinking water, an inflatable neck rest, eye shields for sleeping and earplugs to cut out the noise blasting from video machines.

Independent travel isn’t for everyone, so there are companies offering coach tours. Some of the companies also offer travelers the opportunity to camp, without having to supply anything more than their own sleeping bag.

Contiki Holidays, which runs tours in large luxury coaches in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, caters to travelers age 18 to 35. TrekAmerica runs camping/hotel tours in 13-passenger minibuses in Alaska, Canada, the United States and Mexico, for travelers age 18 to 38.

For information on TrekAmerica, or for copies of its brochure, call (800) 221-0596. For Contiki Holidays, call (714) 740-0808.