The bus is the most widely used means of transportation in Canada. In fact, one of Canada’s longest bus excursions can last up to 4 days and 9 hours. This route connects the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.
Travelling by bus for 4 days can be both exhilarating and dreadful, depending on how you approach it. To make the most out of your long bus rides here are a few fun things you can do.
Personal and Group Bus Ride Essentials
Before we tell you what activities you can do to make your bus trip fun, here are a few essentials that you simply must bring along with you. When travelling by bus, you won’t be able to easily get off and get whatever you might have forgotten. You can’t even use a delivery service to have it delivered to you. That is why it is critical that you plan ahead of time and pack all of the necessary travel materials to ensure that you take your long trip in relative comfort.
– Travel Pillows and a Light Blanket
Bring compression sacks with you. These can be used as a temporary pillow if necessary. Compression sacks are small bags or containers that can be used to stuff smaller goods beneath larger ones. If you have a travel cushion, bring it with you to make napping and sleeping more pleasant.
Your ride will also be more comfortable if you bring a light blanket. It’s possible that the air conditioner is set too low, or that the weather outdoors isn’t perfect. A light blanket will ensure that your temperature remains at a comfortable level.
– Electronic Devices
Long hours of travel can be made more enjoyable by listening to music, watching movies, listening to podcasts, or listening to audiobooks. Music or movies can help bring people together if they’re travelling in a group. Make sure to include their chargers as well. Remember to get everyone’s opinion before downloading music playlists or movies so that everyone can have a great time on their journey.
– Snacks and Drinks
Multiple meal breaks are allowed during the day by bus drivers or travel managers, but they may be earlier or later than usual. Pack snacks and liquids that can be used to substitute some meals and snacks that you can have whenever you want. If you eat them inside the bus, make sure they don’t emit any odd odours, so you won’t bother other passengers. Also, bring drinks that are travel-proof so that they don’t spill during the ride or if the bus hits a bump.
– Medication
Make sure you have some important medicines on hand. If you have any current medical conditions, make sure to get a prescription refill before leaving, as some pharmacies may not have them on hand. Common maladies such as headaches, stomachaches, motion sickness, allergies, heartburns, and cough can all be treated with over-the-counter medications.
Bus-Related Activities
No matter how well we think we can prepare for a lengthy bus journey, there will always be something that makes us uncomfortable. You may occasionally find yourself caught in ancient or filthy buses. You may also encounter impolite and unresponsive bus drivers. While events like these are beyond our control, the rest of our journey does not have to be dismal. In fact, there are a slew of bus activities to choose from if you’re looking for a good time.
– Questions to Ask for More Meaningful Conversations on a Bus
If you’re travelling with coworkers, this long bus ride could be an opportunity to get to know and appreciate one another better. Make sure you’ve gotten the most out of the trip by having important interactions with them before it ends.
If you’re travelling alone, you might find yourself sitting next to someone you’d like to learn more about or vice versa. Here are some open-ended questions to ask others in order to have more productive interactions.
- If you could be in another country at this instant, where would you want to go?
This is an excellent question for a road trip. You’re already on your way there, and what better approach to learning about other people than to ask them where they’d like to be and why?
- What’s your pastime?
Perhaps you’ll realize that you share similar interests or that there’s something you’d like to learn. In either case, this question will allow the person you’re talking to discuss something he or she is passionate about.
- What movie would you want to star in?
It’s possible that you’ll be viewing movies on the bus. If you want to know about your travel-mate’s movie preferences and don’t want to ask directly, this is a terrific approach to get to know them and learn about the types of films they enjoy.
- If you could write a story about your life, what’s the title?
When this question is posed, you must pay close attention and exercise extreme caution. This is a fairly open question, and it necessitates a certain level of honesty on both of your parts. The title alone says a lot about a person’s life.
- What was your best meal?
It’s always a good idea to ask about favourite foods to keep the discussion going. It’s a safe and intriguing subject. It’s universal, and it makes it simple for individuals to connect when they learn about each other’s desires.
- Do you prefer knife-fork meals or eating with your hands?
If you intend to have future meals together, now is the time to ask and get a sense of where your next dinner might be so that everyone can have a wonderful time.
Make sure you ask open-ended questions so that the dialogue is engaging on both sides to promote a meaningful and enjoyable encounter.
- Games You Can Play on a Bus
A meaningful conversation will always come to an end, no matter how fantastic it is. Then you’re left to consider alternative enjoyable pastimes. Fortunately, we’ve put up a list of simple and enjoyable things that you can do on your next long ride with your friends, colleagues, or even strangers if they’re up to it.
- Naming that Tune
You’ll be playing some tunes instead of the traditional trivia game of answering questions. You can create a pre-made playlist that can be accessed at any time. Alternatively, if your bus has a built-in microphone or sound system, you can utilize it to ensure that no one’s throats are strained. This game can allow you to discover new and interesting songs, as well as get to know your companion’s musical preferences.
The game can go on for a long time, but you must know when to stop so that the others do not lose interest.
- The Chain Game
This game is as entertaining as they come. People are also encouraged to think quickly on their feet. You only need to pick a category and begin with one individual. He or she will pick anything from that category, and the next person will use the last letter of the first person’s answer to name something.
- The Would You Rather Game
This game gets more fun the harder it gets for people to decide. Questions such as “Would you rather do summer activities in London, Ontario, or winter activities in Orilla Ontario?” are some of the things you can ask. However, it all depends on the people you’re with and how familiar you are with them.
- Secret Keeper
Choose one individual who has the ability to keep a secret. After then, establish a time restriction for the others to ask the secret keeper questions. If no one else can figure out what the secret is, the secret holder wins.
– Reading Books, Listening to Audiobooks, Podcasts, or Music
The games have been completed, and everyone must be fatigued from the excitement. Now is the time to unwind a little and save some energy for the remainder of the journey. You can now unwind by watching a movie, listening to music, or listening to a podcast. Make sure to prepare ahead of time by downloading various playlists and free audiobooks online in case you run into any dead spots in some towns.
– Scenic Photography
The more you pass by new towns, cities, and villages, you might as well be taking some pictures. If you enjoy photography, be sure to bring your camera and accessories with you so that you can take pictures while on the bus.
After you’ve finalized your itinerary, it’s time to think about the fun things to do. Of course, you and your travel companions may have various needs and wants, so make sure that your activities accommodate everyone’s preferences. Check to see if you have everything you require. Check the nearest bus stops. If you’re travelling with a group, consider their ideas and opinions so that everyone has a good time.
If you’re looking to book your next bus trip, give Parkinson Coach Lines a call. We provide bus tours and buses for rent. Contact us at 905-451-4776, 1-866-550-6800, or info@parkinsoncoach.com for your next bus journey.