Pack distractions for the trip. Bring along light healthy snacks, books, a music player, video games -- or anything else that will keep you occupied on the trip. Avoid bringing along any bulky items, including gadgets, and heavy snacks that will lead to motion sickness or frequent trips to the bathroom. Bring hand sanitizers, tissues and other emergency toiletries as well.
Arrive at least one hour early. This will give you time to head to the bathroom, check-in and find a good seat on the bus.
Choose an aisle seat that is near the front of the bus. Avoid the back seats, as these are near the lavatory and you will encounter more foot traffic. Pick the aisle seat to discourage others from sitting next to you, if the bus is not busy. Otherwise, sit near the window, if you want to enjoy the scenery; but do not plan on leaving your seat often.
Befriend the people sitting around you. Strike up conversations and watch the scenery together.
Grab your bags during scheduled maintenance or gas station stops. This will ensure the bag is not damaged or stolen when the bus is cleaned. During these stops, stretch your legs, visit the bathroom and replenish your snacks.
Count the money you saved by traveling by bus before dozing off. Traveling by bus does not require expensive airline fees, gas money and allows you to enjoy the ride and scenery without the need to focus on driving.
