Preparing for a Greyhound Bus Adventure
Careful Planning, Constant Vigilance Lead to Positive Experience
Traveling by Greyhound is more of an adventure than travel by train or plane. Having and maintaining a positive attitude will go a long way with so many variables and excuses to become frustrated. The driver operates the bus, but there are ways to put yourself in the driver's seat of your overall experience. Staying alert and informed will give you a better sense of control when you've handed so many responsibilities to various employees of a bus company.
Properly preparing your luggage is a big first step toward a hassle-free journey. You'll want to be certain all your bags are in order before leaving for the station. Overweight and over-sized luggage will incur an extra charge and slow you down at check-in. If your carry-on is too large or you have too many, you will be asked to check them. Rules for baggage and the list of prohibited items may change from time to time, so check before packing.
If you do not have permanent identification tags on your baggage, be sure to pick up tags at the check-in counter for all carry-on and checked items. This includes purses and any items you will be carrying separately. It is important to have identification inside each item where it will be easy to find, as well as on the outside. I keep a sheet of notebook paper in the pocket at the back of my luggage with the same information I would put on the outside tag. I also keep one folded up in my backpack in an inside zippered pocket.
Carefully choose the personal information you want to provide on tags and have it ready before you leave. Using a business address is fine, but there needs to be someone always available that is willing and able to assist you in recovering your luggage quickly or contacting family or friends in the event of an accident. If you are carrying a cell phone on your journey, you'll definitely want someone to have the number if you lose your luggage, but if your cell phone was in a lost purse, this isn't going to be much help to you. Three phone numbers and two carefully chosen addresses should suffice in the case of unforeseen events.
Before embarking on your journey, you'll want to know some information about the stations you will be visiting. Bus station hours of operation are based on bus route schedules. Call ahead to the actual station you are departing from and ask for hours of operation for the day of your departure. Do not rely on information provided by representatives of the toll-free number unless you have no other options. Find, confirm, and keep with you a copy of phone numbers for stations at each stop. You probably won't need them, but better to be prepared. It is reassuring to know that if you realize you left your purse in the restroom at the last stop, you can quickly call an employee who may be just seconds from picking it up for you and finding a way to return it.
When deciding on bus travel, you know where you are and where you want to be. Thankfully there are stops along the way. It may be just to drop off and pick up, but is also for refueling, cleaning and maintenance and occasionally to change drivers. At some stops you will not be able to leave the bus. When allowed to step off it may be just long enough to use the restroom or grab a snack. Some breaks allow plenty of time to do everything you've been longing for, such as eat a decent meal without moving, brush your teeth and charge your cell phone.
With the itinerary handy you can plan ahead for breaks. You can also become aware of changes in the schedule en-route, due to issues that the driver has not announced. It is important not to assume a break will be for the duration listed. When it is safe, ask the driver questions about upcoming stops. Don't assume anything. You are leaving the driving to Greyhound, but do not hand off responsibility for your well-being and safety.
If you do not buy your ticket online, I highly suggest visiting the site to print your complete itinerary. Proceed as if buying a ticket. Enter your departure and arrival cities with the correct day and time of day. Confirm the four digit route number and click on the itinerary. A separate window should pop up providing you with a complete schedule.
Arrive at the bus station more than the recommended hour ahead of time and promptly take your place in line at the counter. While you are checking in, ask if the bus is expected to depart on-time or near on-time. If you are in need of special assistance, offer this information and ask how Greyhound can accommodate your particular situation. After receiving your ticket, confirm it matches your itinerary before walking away from the counter. You'll want to have the printed list of stops on the route from the website ready. If you cannot check this within a few seconds while the representative waits, kindly move to the side to allow the next customer in line. Do not walk away.
Ask about the nature of changes. There may be simple alterations, such as a minor stop being eliminated or added. It may also mean that a mistake was made or that for any number of reasons you were transferred to a similar but different route. In the case of unavoidable changes, there may have been several options and one was chosen for you. You should be aware of this so that you can choose the route that you want when the original is not available.
Note that a ticket rarely will list all stops. If there is a real concern about whether you are on your intended route, or if there have been unavoidable changes, you'll want to ask for a print-out of the complete list of stops to compare to the one you had printed from the website. Chances are good that someone from the office will have to assist you. Do not assume a hesitant response as a "no"; ask the right questions with courtesy and persistence.
When all else fails, be prepared to take dictation as someone reads you the information. Traveling with a small notebook and plenty of writing implements can come in quite handy. You may have to ask the driver if you can see their schedule. A last resort is to call customer service and ask the representative to read off the complete itinerary for you. Remember, you have the right to know everywhere you are going.
Bus routes are often overbooked and although there is a chance that there is a bus and a driver available for overflow, this is not a guarantee. If the situation permits, park your bags neatly several feet from the loading door at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Do not wait for a verbal call. You'll want to follow suit of other travelers and be aware of the level of security. At most bus stations there are benches near the doors and passengers will form a line with luggage but sit where they can keep an eye on their belongings. I only leave in line larger luggage with obvious locks on the zippers. Most stations require you to carry your own bags to the bus. If you are going to need assistance for any reason, you must call the toll-free number several days in advance and let them know what your needs are.
Ladies be prepared to have your purses thoroughly searched. This isn't lax stadium security, it's more akin to a government building. Be sure to check the Greyhound Web site on a regular basis and shortly before leaving to keep up to date on any changes in prohibited items. The level of security will change from station to station and even from day to day. A cursory inspection of your carry on items may be performed one day and you may be asked to empty the contents of a bag on your next stop through the same station.
Your ticket is for an adventure on the way to your destination. A positive attitude, tolerance, vigilance, and preparedness will allow for a better experience, even when Murphy's Law decides to come along for the ride.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Traveling by Greyhound is more of an adventure than travel by train or plane. Having and maintaining a positive attitude will go a long way with so many variables and excuses to become frustrated. The driver operates the bus, but there are ways to put yourself in the driver's seat of your overall experience. Staying alert and informed will give you a better sense of control when you've handed so many responsibilities to various employees of a bus company.
Properly preparing your luggage is a big first step toward a hassle-free journey. You'll want to be certain all your bags are in order before leaving for the station. Overweight and over-sized luggage will incur an extra charge and slow you down at check-in. If your carry-on is too large or you have too many, you will be asked to check them. Rules for baggage and the list of prohibited items may change from time to time, so check before packing.
If you do not have permanent identification tags on your baggage, be sure to pick up tags at the check-in counter for all carry-on and checked items. This includes purses and any items you will be carrying separately. It is important to have identification inside each item where it will be easy to find, as well as on the outside. I keep a sheet of notebook paper in the pocket at the back of my luggage with the same information I would put on the outside tag. I also keep one folded up in my backpack in an inside zippered pocket.
Carefully choose the personal information you want to provide on tags and have it ready before you leave. Using a business address is fine, but there needs to be someone always available that is willing and able to assist you in recovering your luggage quickly or contacting family or friends in the event of an accident. If you are carrying a cell phone on your journey, you'll definitely want someone to have the number if you lose your luggage, but if your cell phone was in a lost purse, this isn't going to be much help to you. Three phone numbers and two carefully chosen addresses should suffice in the case of unforeseen events.
Before embarking on your journey, you'll want to know some information about the stations you will be visiting. Bus station hours of operation are based on bus route schedules. Call ahead to the actual station you are departing from and ask for hours of operation for the day of your departure. Do not rely on information provided by representatives of the toll-free number unless you have no other options. Find, confirm, and keep with you a copy of phone numbers for stations at each stop. You probably won't need them, but better to be prepared. It is reassuring to know that if you realize you left your purse in the restroom at the last stop, you can quickly call an employee who may be just seconds from picking it up for you and finding a way to return it.
When deciding on bus travel, you know where you are and where you want to be. Thankfully there are stops along the way. It may be just to drop off and pick up, but is also for refueling, cleaning and maintenance and occasionally to change drivers. At some stops you will not be able to leave the bus. When allowed to step off it may be just long enough to use the restroom or grab a snack. Some breaks allow plenty of time to do everything you've been longing for, such as eat a decent meal without moving, brush your teeth and charge your cell phone.
With the itinerary handy you can plan ahead for breaks. You can also become aware of changes in the schedule en-route, due to issues that the driver has not announced. It is important not to assume a break will be for the duration listed. When it is safe, ask the driver questions about upcoming stops. Don't assume anything. You are leaving the driving to Greyhound, but do not hand off responsibility for your well-being and safety.
If you do not buy your ticket online, I highly suggest visiting the site to print your complete itinerary. Proceed as if buying a ticket. Enter your departure and arrival cities with the correct day and time of day. Confirm the four digit route number and click on the itinerary. A separate window should pop up providing you with a complete schedule.
Arrive at the bus station more than the recommended hour ahead of time and promptly take your place in line at the counter. While you are checking in, ask if the bus is expected to depart on-time or near on-time. If you are in need of special assistance, offer this information and ask how Greyhound can accommodate your particular situation. After receiving your ticket, confirm it matches your itinerary before walking away from the counter. You'll want to have the printed list of stops on the route from the website ready. If you cannot check this within a few seconds while the representative waits, kindly move to the side to allow the next customer in line. Do not walk away.
Ask about the nature of changes. There may be simple alterations, such as a minor stop being eliminated or added. It may also mean that a mistake was made or that for any number of reasons you were transferred to a similar but different route. In the case of unavoidable changes, there may have been several options and one was chosen for you. You should be aware of this so that you can choose the route that you want when the original is not available.
Note that a ticket rarely will list all stops. If there is a real concern about whether you are on your intended route, or if there have been unavoidable changes, you'll want to ask for a print-out of the complete list of stops to compare to the one you had printed from the website. Chances are good that someone from the office will have to assist you. Do not assume a hesitant response as a "no"; ask the right questions with courtesy and persistence.
When all else fails, be prepared to take dictation as someone reads you the information. Traveling with a small notebook and plenty of writing implements can come in quite handy. You may have to ask the driver if you can see their schedule. A last resort is to call customer service and ask the representative to read off the complete itinerary for you. Remember, you have the right to know everywhere you are going.
Bus routes are often overbooked and although there is a chance that there is a bus and a driver available for overflow, this is not a guarantee. If the situation permits, park your bags neatly several feet from the loading door at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Do not wait for a verbal call. You'll want to follow suit of other travelers and be aware of the level of security. At most bus stations there are benches near the doors and passengers will form a line with luggage but sit where they can keep an eye on their belongings. I only leave in line larger luggage with obvious locks on the zippers. Most stations require you to carry your own bags to the bus. If you are going to need assistance for any reason, you must call the toll-free number several days in advance and let them know what your needs are.
Ladies be prepared to have your purses thoroughly searched. This isn't lax stadium security, it's more akin to a government building. Be sure to check the Greyhound Web site on a regular basis and shortly before leaving to keep up to date on any changes in prohibited items. The level of security will change from station to station and even from day to day. A cursory inspection of your carry on items may be performed one day and you may be asked to empty the contents of a bag on your next stop through the same station.
Your ticket is for an adventure on the way to your destination. A positive attitude, tolerance, vigilance, and preparedness will allow for a better experience, even when Murphy's Law decides to come along for the ride.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.