{"id":2170,"date":"2018-07-12T13:14:20","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T13:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogocharters.com\/blog\/?p=2170"},"modified":"2024-08-14T15:27:49","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T15:27:49","slug":"long-charter-bus-rides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogocharters.com\/blog\/long-charter-bus-rides\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Long Charter Bus Rides"},"content":{"rendered":"

The idea of long road trips may be exhilarating for some travelers yet daunting to others. This can especially be the case when organizing a large group trip, which includes many moving parts and a good bit of planning.<\/p>\n

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From finding the perfect type of rental bus<\/a><\/u> to making sure everyone is entertained and comfortable, there’s plenty to think about before hitting the road. What is there to do for hours upon hours? What should be brought on the trip?<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry! We\u2019ve put together a survival guide for inexperienced and veteran bus riders alike.<\/p>\n

Quick Navigation<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Bus Essentials<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Stay Comfortable<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Get Some Rest<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Enjoy the Ride<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Be Courteous<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Mentally Prepare<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Start with the Essentials<\/h2>\n

    \"Layout<\/p>\n

    Whether you\u2019re traveling for a school trip<\/a><\/u>, business trip<\/a><\/u>, sports event<\/a><\/u>, or just for personal leisure, everyone can benefit from packing a handful of travel essentials for a long bus ride. Depending on the bus you choose, luggage storage will be available in-cabin or underneath the bus. It\u2019s always a good idea to err on the side of caution and pack a carry-on bag, either a relatively small backpack or purse, full of essentials you may need during the bus ride.<\/p>\n

    We recommend packing:<\/p>\n

    1. A Pillow and Blanket<\/h3>\n

    Catching up on some sleep is always a good idea during a long trip, especially for early morning or late night departures. A small blanket and a travel-sized neck pillow are good options for tired travelers. The interior of bus cabins can also get quite cold, depending on the bus, so these are also good for travelers looking to stay cozy.<\/p>\n

    2. Snacks!<\/h3>\n

    Some long-distance trips do include planned stops along the way, but having your own rations allows you more food choices past the standard highway fare. Food items like granola bars, pretzels, trail mix, and fresh or dried fruit, are healthy options to hold you over for parts of the ride. Be sure to snag water or your favorite refreshing drink to bring on board as well. Staying hydrated is important but don\u2019t overdo it too much, as rest stops may be limited.<\/p>\n

    3. Electronics<\/h3>\n

    Most of the charter buses and minibuses we charter include WiFi and power outlets for travelers who want to surf the web for pleasure or catch up on work. If you decide to bring a laptop, tablet or use your cell phone on your trip, be sure to bring headphones and power cords on board as well.<\/p>\n

    4. Reading and Writing Material<\/h3>\n

    For travelers who prefer hard copy material versus digital format, bringing a book or notepad can be useful if traveling motivates you to write, read, or draw.<\/p>\n

    5. Toiletries<\/h3>\n

    Tissues, hand sanitizer, napkins, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, and necessary medications are just a few items that people may overlook when packing. Keep in mind, most bus bathrooms are relatively small and limited, especially on long or delayed trips. Bringing along these items will make the hassle of using the bathroom on the road that much easier.<\/p>\n

    For those who are prone to headaches or dreaded full-blown motion sickness, be proactive and pack ibuprofen or Dramamine, or explore some holistic options<\/a><\/u> before hitting the highway.<\/p>\n

    Stay Comfortable<\/h2>\n

    Comfort is one of the most important parts of traveling long distances. The full-size bus rentals<\/a> we charter have ample legroom, modern climate-controlled interiors, and cushioned, reclining seats, but dressing appropriately for travel adds to an overall more comfortable trip.<\/p>\n

    Relatively loose clothing is always a safe bet, while stretchy shorts, leggings or athletic wear are suitable options as well.\u00a0 If bringing a blanket on board isn\u2019t an option, bringing a light jacket is a good alternative. Travelers that are going to a business or sports event may want to pack business attire and uniforms in a overhead luggage, rather than wearing them on the trip.<\/p>\n

    Get Some Rest<\/h2>\n

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    Dressing comfortably is one of many factors that influences getting good rest during a lengthy trip. Choosing the proper seat and bringing along sleep aids are also important when you\u2019re looking to get some shut-eye on the road. Reclining seats on charter buses are comfortable and convenient but you may need to take an extra step to ensure a peaceful nap. Selecting a window seat will allow for more built-in comfort for travelers looking to snooze along the way.<\/p>\n

    Silicone or foam earplugs are a valuable travel addition to sleeping on a charter bus. Headphones or earbuds can be used as well to drown out any pesky noise on the bus. Noise-canceling headphones like the Bose QuietComfort series<\/a><\/u> and Bose sleepbuds<\/a><\/u> were designed for effortlessly tuning out unwanted background noise.<\/p>\n

    These headphones can be pricey but are renowned for their superb features. Sony<\/a><\/u> and Audio Technica<\/a><\/u> offer budget-friendly options for travelers searching for quality headphones that won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n

    Be sure to bring along a travel pillow that suits your sleeping needs the best. U-shaped pillows <\/a><\/u>and wrap around travel pillows<\/a><\/u> provide overall neck and head support while chin-supporting pillows<\/a><\/u> are perfect for travelers who struggle to get comfortable. For those who prefer a traditional rectangular pillow, compressible and inflatable options<\/a><\/u> are available.<\/p>\n

    Enjoy the Journey<\/h2>\n

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    There are plenty of group and individual activities that can be done to pass the time on a long trip. The beauty of renting a private charter bus<\/a><\/u> is having the freedom to stretch out and relax during the ride or take the time to have fun with your group. Getting there should be half the fun!<\/p>\n

    Traditional road trip games like \u201cI Spy\u201d may seem a bit dated to some travelers. We\u2019ve found a few updated versions of road trip games that are perfect for groups. We\u2019ve compiled lists of road trips games to entertain groups of various sizes.<\/p>\n

    A few offbeat favorites that you should try include:<\/p>\n

    \u00a01.\u00a0Explain a Film Plot Badly (Thrillist<\/a><\/u>)<\/h3>\n

    This game became a viral trend on social media and translates well into a game. Each person in the group takes a turn explaining a well-known movie plot in a vague or obscure manner, then the rest of the group must guess the film title. It\u2019s best to not give away too much detail about the film and there also shouldn\u2019t be any lies given about the plot.<\/p>\n

    \u00a02.\u00a0Did You Hear That\u2026? (Buzzfeed<\/a><\/u>)<\/h3>\n

    The intention of this game is to fool your opponents and test their knowledge of current events. You can make up fictitious current events or use a few ridiculous-but-true news stories to trick your opponents. Try teaming up in smaller groups of four or five to come up with some wild stories for your opponents.<\/p>\n

    \u00a03.\u00a0Six Degrees of Separation (The News Wheel<\/a><\/u>)<\/h3>\n

    Six Degrees can get complex and is ideal for a group of film or television fanatics. The first player must name two different actors and the remaining players must figure out how these two actors are connected. These two actors should not directly have starred in the same movie but should be connected through their shared screen time with other actors. This could definitely take some group work and collaboration to figure out the connections.<\/p>\n

    \u00a04.\u00a0The Alphabet Categories (Buzzfeed<\/a><\/u>)<\/h3>\n

    This is a pretty simple one that is great for kids and adults alike. The game starts with someone picking a category, you can choose whoever is the oldest or youngest to make the first category choice. Once the category is chosen everyone on the bus must name an object or person in that category in alphabetical order. Good luck getting through your whole group without one fumble!<\/p>\n

    \u00a05.\u00a0Heads Up!<\/h3>\n

    Heads Up!<\/a><\/u> and HedBandz<\/a><\/u> are similar games that can be played with a digital application or with a physical card game. If you don\u2019t want to spend money on purchasing either version, your group can DIY it! Bring along sticky notes to make your own version of the game. Each player will write something on the sticky note and place it on their seat neighbor\u2019s forehead. This can be a person, household object, food, animal, or anything really. The player must then figure out what the sticky note on their forehead says by asking questions to the rest of the group. The group can only answer \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d to these questions.<\/p>\n

    Among other entertainment options, most charter buses come with television monitors which can be used for ambitious gamers during a long trip. Bringing a laptop and HDMI cable on board can transform the bus ride into a gaming competition. Jackbox Games<\/a><\/u> is one of many companies that offers quiz-based party games that are made for group entertainment. This does require more of a setup than traditional road trip games, but it\u2019s an excellent way to pass time and enjoy the company of your group.<\/p>\n

    If your group isn\u2019t in the mood for games or interactive activities, bringing DVDs along for the trip are an easy means of entertainment. Your group can take a pre-trip poll about what movies they\u2019d like to see on the trip. Including new releases as options when asking provides a better opportunity for travelers to see a movie they\u2019ve had on their mind. DVDs can be rented through services like Redbox<\/a><\/u> and can conveniently be returned at any RedBox kiosk, regardless of your travel location.<\/p>\n

    If group activities aren\u2019t your thing, find a few podcasts or discover new music playlists to pass the time, such as:<\/p>\n