What To Do On Long Bus or Train Rides

The brutal budget long bus rides are one of the many things we learn to just deal with. It may be a dodgy 30 hour bus ride with no AC in the middle of summer with a driver whom is picking up every possible local from the side of the road for some extra cash. If you’re lucky enough it’ll be a sleeper bus, that way you can attempt to sleep although the roads (If there are any) will send you flying off the bed. As a backpacker, you learn to adapt to your surroundings and make the best out of the journey.

Train whistle blowin' by thejonoakley

Here are some things you can do to help ease the pain of the ride:

• Read a book! As long as you don’t get car sick and it’s not too bumpy.
• Cancel out all the noise and listen to music.
• Watch a movie on your iPod.
• If you are with some friends, you can play a game to pass time just as quickly.
• Play any card game or even invent one.
• Talking with a local can be fun and you’ll learn a lot about their culture. You can attempt to talk. You’ll be amazed what you can do with hand signals.
• And of course, sleep!
• Then there’s the ever so popular backpacker Valium.

What are some of your favorite things to do on long bus rides to pass time?