7 Tips for Long Bus Rides

1. Bring snacks.
We took an overnight bus ride. We left at 4:30 in the afternoon. And we didn’t reach our destination until about 11:00 the following morning. So, we ate “dinner” and “breakfast” on the bus. So. Snacks? They’re a must.
2. BYOTP
“Bring your own toilet paper.” You never know if the rest stops will have tp. And the toilet on the bus might not have any in the stall either. So come prepared.
3. Drink lots of water.
I said this for the airplane as well. But it’s true for the bus as well. Staying hydrated is key.
4. Get up and move a little bit.
I didn’t do this, and I kinda regret it. I was really stiff when we finally got to our hostel. So. Move a little. It’ll help.
5. Make the most of who your seat buddy is.
If you’re sitting next to someone you don’t know on your squad, try to take a little bit of time to get to know them a little better. Being intentional is hard–especially on an overnight bus when generally people just want to sleep. So. Go as the Spirit leads.
6. Enjoy the scenery.
I got to see a lot of the Thai countryside as we were driving. And it was BEAUTIFUL!
7. Make sure you have some stuff to do.
Whether it’s your Bible, your computer, iPod, etc., make sure it’s accessible. You’ll want it.

All in all, the overnight bus wasn’t terrible. I slept quite a bit–it was the sway of the bus that rocked me right to sleep.