Bus

Understand

thumb|Long-distance bus stations like this are typical in large cities. Different coloured buses belong to different companies

Contrary to rail, which is usually organized at the national level, it is often easy for anyone to start a bus company. Where regulation is absent or moderate, there will thus be many independent firms, not always coordinating very well. You often have to check the connections locally.

In the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, long-distance buses are usually referred to as "coaches".

There may also be a few dominating companies. National monopolies or cartels are rare, but in some countries government regulation sets (usually rather low) prices and/or pays subsidies, thus establishing a quite stable market. Still competition often varies from route to route. You will not have much trouble finding a company that goes from Washington DC to New York City, but a trip from Herzogenaurach to Regensburg may only be offered by a single company or none at all as a direct route.

Where there is a need for public transport, but no economically viable market, there may be heavily subsidized taxis or minibuses for the target audience, still taking outsiders as passengers – to find these you may have to get local advice even in places where most timetables are on the net. School buses sometimes belong to this category (and you might be able to go in the reverse direction as well).

Some main categories of buses are: Public transportation: Part of the nat…

Sleep

thumb|A few overnight buses have reclining seats, like this one from Vietnam thumb|A few buses even have actual bunks on board!

Sleeping restfully on buses can be difficult – it's easy to end up exhausted after an overnight bus from one city to another. But if you can master it, it's a way to both save money on lodging for a night and also use your waking hours to enjoy your destination instead of spending them on transportation. A few recommendations:

Sleeping is easier on a route without too many stops. If the bus is stopping in lots of towns along the way, you'll likely be woken up by lights turning on, people moving around, and the bus starting and stopping when it gets close to a station. Some buses have seats that recline very far to make for a more comfortable place to sleep; others just recline a little or not at all. When you buy your ticket, the company may let you choose a seat that reclines further and has more legroom, for a higher price of course. A few buses even have actual bunks on board! Neck pillows. Some people swear by them; others can't find a way to make themselves comfortable with one. It's worth trying one out to see if you like it. Neck pillow connoisseurs say the material makes a big difference—you'll have to decide for yourself. Of course a real pillow is an option too; it's awfully bulky, but you'll see people using one on some overnight buses. You might consider a sleep mask and earplugs to avoid being woken up by movement or lights turning on.…

Stay safe

In general, buses are less safe and more prone to accidents than trains, although safer than cars. Buckle up where seat belts are available. They may be mandatory.

City buses are a high-risk area for pickpockets, who can take advantage of packed crowds, noise, and travellers' confusion. Long-distance buses tend to be safer in this regard, as they are usually less packed and fewer people wander on and off the bus in a short time, but still keep an eye on your luggage.

Night buses are likely to be less safe than day buses. City night buses in particular can harbour some very unwanted and unprovoked drama or violence. Sleeping on long-distance buses still makes you vulnerable to theft and other misfortune.