| Maybe you do not feel like driving a few hundred | | | | (their website does talk about future plans in that |
| miles. Maybe you cannot afford the increasingly | | | | direction, however, so be sure to visit it before |
| expensive plane ticket that does not even come | | | | your trip for the most current information), but |
| with a meal these days. Maybe you just feel like | | | | there are plenty of ways to keep yourself |
| seeing the beautiful U.S.A. through your window. In | | | | entertained. Hand-held video games, MP3 players, |
| that case, taking the Greyhound bus may be for | | | | even a good old-fashioned book or magazine will |
| you. Here are some tips to make your first ride | | | | help stave off boredom. Books of crossword |
| go smoothly. | | | | puzzles can be fun for older people, while coloring |
| 1. Greyhound buses are often delayed and | | | | books can keep the younger crowd occupied. |
| rescheduled. Give yourself at least a few hours, | | | | 5. When you get to the station, line up in front of |
| preferably a day of leeway before you make | | | | your door as soon as possible. It is okay to leave |
| time-sensitive commitments or appointments. If | | | | an item of luggage to mark your spot, just do |
| someone is meeting you at your final destination, | | | | not leave anything too valuable, and be sure to |
| be sure to keep him or her updated, as your | | | | keep an eye on it. This will give you the best |
| arrival time is often later, and occasionally earlier, | | | | choice of seats when it is time to board. In |
| than scheduled. | | | | addition, they sometimes overbook buses, so if |
| 2. Make sure that your luggage is recognizable and | | | | they have to split the passengers onto a second |
| that you are taking as few items of luggage as | | | | bus, if you are in the front of the line, you have a |
| possible. The biggest risk of losing your luggage | | | | better chance of boarding the bus that you paid |
| comes when the bus driver puts luggage on other | | | | for originally. |
| buses that are headed to your ultimate | | | | 6. If you are boarding an empty bus, the very |
| destination. So having fewer items means that | | | | last row of seats adjacent to the toilet has three |
| there are fewer things to get lost. Try to take as | | | | seats, rather than two, meaning you can stretch |
| much carry-on as you can. Consider shipping | | | | out or keep your group close together, if you are |
| items ahead to your final destination, instead of | | | | riding with friends or family. Some people consider |
| bringing them with you. | | | | that row to be the best seat, but others do not |
| 3. Bring healthy snacks and bottled water. | | | | like sitting so close to the toilet. It is up to you. If |
| Greyhound stations sometimes offer cafeterias, | | | | you do not get that seat, though, try to sit closer |
| but sometimes only vending machines. They are | | | | to the front so that you do not have to smell the |
| usually located in unsavory parts of town, not | | | | toilet. Also, consider that rowdier people tend to |
| convenient to restaurants, and leaving the station | | | | sit toward the back of the bus, where the bus |
| and potentially missing your bus can be a hassle. | | | | driver cannot keep an eye on them. |
| Either way, if you come prepared, you will be able | | | | Using these six tips, you should be able to sit back |
| to save money compared to the station prices, | | | | and enjoy the ride! Try to keep a sense of |
| and control the ingredients if you have special | | | | humor, and remember that you are saving a lot |
| dietary needs, or are just trying to eat healthy. | | | | of money. When you finally get to your |
| 4. Bring some kind of entertainment. Most | | | | destination, you will also have a great story to tell |
| Greyhound buses and stations do not offer Wi-Fi | | | | about your ride on the Greyhound Bus. |