Free Travel and Vacation Information

Planning a trip to a major city and you really don't want to spend the money and time driving yourself? Then you might want to consider taking the bus. There are some advantages for travel in a bus that includes the amount of money you will spend and the variety of locations that they go to. But there are a few things you should know in order for you to enjoy your bus trip and get to you final destination in a safe manner.

When you are ready to board the bus, it is very important that you have your ticket in your hand. If you happen to not have it ready for the person checking the ticket, they may make you go to the back of the line or step to the side while you look for your ticket. They are not going to wait for you to find it and hold up the line behind you.

You will more than likely be allowed to take one bag on the bus with you, no different than on a plane because they also have compartments overhead. But, if you happen to have several bags to take with you make sure you keep a close eye on the bags that you have checked in. When you are waiting in line to board the bus keep an eye on when they are packing the bags on the side of the bus. Try and make sure that you see your bags. They often can get mixed up when they are on the luggage racks and get put on a different bus. Also make sure that your tags match your ticket when you get to your destination as well.

It's probably a better idea to go to the bathroom at the different rest stops that the bus makes. Buses generally will try to make rest stops every twenty to fifty miles. So if you can hold it while traveling it will probably better. The reason for this is that the bathrooms on buses are not always the cleanest.

Even though most buses claim that you can't eat or drink while you travel in the bus, these rules are hardly ever enforced by the bus driver. It does depend upon the driver but generally they won't say a thing about it so consider bringing your own snacks and beverages with you, just don't make a mess. This will save you a lot of money when it comes to eating at the rest stops.

The most important thing you should remember is once you are at a rest stop pay close attention to the time and the time the bus driver has indicated that the bus will be leaving. It is vitally important that you return to the bus on time. A lot of drivers simply will not wait for you and will leave you behind. This happens often. Even if you are right outside of the bus when it's time for the bus to leave he actually has no obligation to let you back on the bus. So always make sure that you consider returning to the bus about five minutes before it's departure time.

If your bus trip is going to be a long one it's a good idea to bring yourself some sort of entertainment. Have some sort of music to listen to and if you have a portable DVD player make sure to bring that with you. This will definitely help pass the hours since travel in a bus can seem endless sometimes.

If you don't want to get into any legal problems while riding the bus, whatever you do don't bring any king of drugs or alcohol onto the bus. If you have been drinking and the driver can smell it or suspects you have by your behavior, they have the right to tell you to get off the bus.

Make sure to keep your purse or wallet with you always. Never let them out of your sight, in fact make sure that you can feel it at all times. With all the different people getting on and off the bus at various different stops you are exposing yourself to the easy possibility of theft. So be smart and make sure your money is close to you at all times.  

If you plan to take holidays to anywhere around the world there is always the chance that something could happen to your luggage. There generally is plenty of security while your luggage is in the airline terminal but it's up to you after that to take care of your luggage. There are a few ways that you can ensure the safety of your luggage.

When you are in the airport for even more security if at all possible don't check in your bags. But if you find out that there is no way to do this the most important thing that you can do is to remove anything you consider of value with you in your carry on bag. This will protect your valuables in case the suitcase is lost during travel.

It is a good idea to buy luggage that has some sort of unusual pattern or color from the ordinary luggage you would see. If your luggage is unusual looking the likelihood of them getting mixed up or taken by someone else by accident will be cut down immensely.

Instead of using the normal luggage tags for your name and address. Instead you should take a permanent marker like a Sharpie and write your name and address in large letters on your suitcases. If your suitcase is of a dark nature you should use a silver or gold one so it can be more visible.

Combination locks are also a nice feature you can purchase. Make sure that they come with a cord that is thick. This cord can then be looped around something that is immoveable like a bed frame or other piece of heavy furniture.

Always make sure that you are suspicious of anyone who tries to offer you any kind of help or even taxi service if they can't give you some sort of official identification to prove who they are. This is a very popular way for thieves to get a way to rip you off.

When you check into the hotel you might be staying at it is a very good idea not to let the bell hop take your bags up a head of you to your room. If you want the help from someone then make sure that they give you this help when you are all walking up to the room together.

You should make an inventory and take photos of all of your items that you have in your luggage. Even though the chances that you may not get all of your lost and stolen items back it is better to do this than not be prepared. If you take care of reporting a loss or theft then you will definitely be helping yourself and the authorities if you have this information to give them.