There is no denying that a bus ride is one of the most budget-friendly ways to get to your destination. Unfortunately, most buses are not known to provide plenty of comfort.
This is the reason exactly why you may fail to get a restful and restorative kind of sleep while waiting for the bus to arrive at your destination.
The good news is that some steps may be taken for you to be able to catch some Z’s capable of making you look as well as feel invigorated, so don’t stop reading now if you are about to embark on a long bus trip anytime soon!
So how can you sleep comfortably on a bus? First, make sure that you pack all the essentials, from a travel pillow to a pair of earplugs. Second, opt for a window seat so that you will have a place on which you may rest your head. Lastly, consider booking an early morning or late-night bus trip to increase your risk of having the entire row of seats to yourself.
Regardless if you are traveling by bus for business or pleasure, it is a good idea to spend some of your time snoring when boredom, stress, or fatigue strikes while seated on a moving bus.
What you pack in your bag, where you seat and which time of day you travel should all be taken into consideration if you would like to sleep comfortably.
Failure to prepare for the bus trip very well could easily lead to a lack of relaxing sleep, which is something that can leave you tired, moody, achy all over, and with eye bags just as massive as your luggage!
Keep on reading to know some of the most important things you need to know about being able to sleep on a bus comfortably.
Pack Well to Sleep Well
Contrary to popular belief, it is very much possible to get a good night’s sleep while sitting on a road trip. This only means that while on the bus, you can get a much-needed trip to dreamland, provided that you feel comfy.
It’s for this reason exactly why what you stash in your luggage before you head to the bus terminal is of utmost importance. With the right stuff that you may utilize when the warning signs of wanting some shut-eye to come into being, having a siesta that’s relaxing is very much a possibility!
Make sure that you have one or all of the following in your luggage before you leave:
- Sleep mask. Especially when the trip is during the daytime, putting on a sleep mask can save your peepers from bright lights and glare that can make it difficult to sleep.
- Earplugs. Aside from bright lights, noise can also keep you from getting some sleep, and that is why bringing with you a pair of earplugs is also a must.
- Earphones. Does listening to soothing tunes or podcasts make you fall asleep? Instead of earplugs, opt for earphones. A pair with noise-canceling feature is preferred by a lot of those who are traveling by car, bus, ship, or plane.
- Travel pillow. Whether it’s a regular but smaller pillow or cervical neck pillow that you prefer, just see to it that you have one with you. Go for an inflatable pillow as it’s a space-saver.
- Blanket. To protect yourself from low temperatures, remember to bring a small blanket. You may also take with you a massive scarf that can work as a fashion accessory, as well as a small blanket.
- Socks. Taking your shoes off can help you sleep more comfortably on a bus, but it can leave your toes feeling cold. The solution: stash a pair of cotton or wool socks in your luggage.
Ensure that you have the things as mentioned earlier, and taking a trip to dreamland while sitting on a bus can be so much easier! Can you think of other sleep essentials to bring on a long-haul bus ride? Feel free to mention them in the comments section below!
Surviving an Overnight Bus Ride
A lot of people dread an overnight bus ride. If you have no choice but to take one, worry not because it’s not the end of the world for you.
Aside from packing all of the items mentioned above, there are additional ones that you may take, especially if you cannot stand a bus ride that extends from the evening to the morning time.
Check that you don’t forget to bring the following:
- Bottled water. Whether you are taking a daytime or overnight bus ride, staying hydrated is important!
- Snacks. Hunger can make an overnight bus ride harder to bear.
- A book. Having a reading material within your easy reach can help to keep boredom at bay.
- Puzzles. Time flies when you’re having fun, so take with you your favorite puzzle book.
- Movies. See to it that your phone or tablet has movies that can keep you entertained.
- Audio files. Switch to music or podcast listening each time your eyes get tired from movie watching.
- Toiletries. Nothing can make for a comfortable bus ride more than feeling clean and fresh always.
Take the Best Seat on a Bus
Other than making sure that your bag has everything you will need anytime you wish to sleep while on the way to your destination, there is another very important matter to take into account: deciding where on the bus you will sit. You can choose between an aisle seat and a window seat.
Some people prefer to sit right next to the aisle, while others choose to sit right next to a window. Well, basically, it’s all about one’s personal preference.
But if getting some sleep while on the bus is your top priority, we highly suggest for you to go for a window seat rather an aisle seat. Here are some of the reasons why being seated next to a window is highly recommended for anyone who would like to sleep comfortably on a bus:
- None of the passengers going to the bathroom will nudge against you
- You may lean your head against the window whenever you feel the urge to have some Z’s
- The armrest next to the window is completely yours
- When you get bored, you can marvel at the view outside
Just because a window seat allows for a comfy sleep doesn’t necessarily mean that an aisle seat no longer comes with a bunch of perks. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of picking a seat next to the aisle:
- The aisle can serve as extra legroom
- You can easily go to the bathroom
- Getting off the bus during stopovers is hassle-free
- When you get to your destination, you can exit the bus first
If you are about to take the Megabus, check out my blog post “Best Seat on Megabus”.
So, have you already decided on which seat on the bus suits you more? To make sure that you will get that preferred seat of yours, you may head to the bus terminal earlier than everybody else or reserve that seat online a few days before you partake in your travel.
Sleeping on a School Bus
A school bus is just like any other bus, except of course the fact that your co-passengers are noisy and restless students. Of all the tips and tricks mentioned above, perhaps nothing can be more helpful than putting on a pair of earplugs or earphones.
You know that you have already won half the battle if you are able to get rid of much of the noise that is associated with a school bus ride.
Here are some more things that you may do to enjoy sleeping comfortably while taking a school bus ride:
- Avoid snacks or beverages that contain lots of sugar in them
- Soda and coffee are a no-no as well because of their caffeine content
- Momentarily avoid thinking about quizzes and projects that can leave you stressed
- Take a seat right next to a student who is not as rowdy as the rest
- Hug your backpack, and then bend your knees and place your feet on the seat beside you
You may follow these tips as well as the ones discussed earlier if you would like to sleep on any other type of bus.
Related Questions
Which side of the bus is best for sleeping? To avoid direct sunlight, sit on the left side if you are headed north in the morning. If you are headed south in the morning, sit on the right side of the bus.
Where on the bus is it safer to sit? If thinking about your safety during an accident is keeping you from falling asleep, pick an aisle seat in the middle of the bus.
Is it okay to recline my bus seat? Feel free to do so, but bear in mind that you may irk the passenger behind you. By the way, most of the time, last-row bus seats do not recline.
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
