Vacation Reviews

Round the World Travel Guide – Going Greyhound

Buses exist everywhere in the world, and you will probably find yourself traveling on them far more than any other form of transportation. Like trains, buses vary widely in their looks, construction and degrees of comfort. While traveling across Turkey, I rode in one of the nicest buses I have seen anywhere in the world, equipped with LCD TVs and free soft drinks. A 28-hour ride down Baja California in a Mexican bus was much more comfortable than many bus trips in the US.

Bus trips in the Third World have their ups and downs. I have many memories of very cramped bus rides in nearly every corner of the world. The only thing I can say about these experiences is that they are a good way to meet the local people, and get to know them intimately.

Buses rarely require advance ticket purchasing, but it is a good idea to ask if there is a holiday coming up when everyone will be traveling to and from home.

In most countries, there are buses between major cities on a regular basis, but there might only be one a day, or week, to smaller outlying communities.

Third World buses are much different than those in Europe or North America, where all the passengers sit silently with blank looks fixated upon empty windows. To take a bus in most parts of the South is to go to a party: everyone is made to feel welcome. Instead of people staring at you and then glancing away quickly, they stare at you and then greet you with a warm smile when they catch your eye.

A good way to visit a new city is to play Pick and Cruise. Pick a bus at random and sit yourself by a window. Get on another one and ride around until you reach the end.

Bring along a map, and try to keep track of your location as you meander through the city streets. When you get tired of riding, get off the bus and walk back to your hotel.

This is one of my favorite ways to get to know a city. I get on bus early in the morning, and ride it for about an hour and a half. Then I get off and find a small cafe, have breakfast, and look over my map.

After breakfast, I set out on foot and try to find my way back to where I am staying without having to look at my map again. If I think I am lost, I just ask for directions. This way, I not only familiarize myself with the locals and their city, but I am able to work on my language skills, and sense of orientation.

Often when you take a bus in the Third World, you will have to put your bags on the roof, especially if you have a large backpack. If possible, lock your bags. Make sure you take out all your valuables and put them in a daypack, keeping it securely in your lap during the trip.

In most parts of the Third World, especially in Africa, cargo trucks will take on passengers. It is not surprising to see a truck laden with tons of sacks, and then two dozen or more people hanging onto ropes on top! If you choose this form of transportation, carefully weigh all risks. Being enough food and water for the journey.

Have your student card handy anytime you buy a bus or train ticket, anywhere in the world.  There are not always discounts, but you won’t know if you don’t ask. In Pakistan, students get 25 percent discount on all train fares. Tourists get a 25 percent discount as well, just for being a foreigner. So if you are a student and a foreigner, then you get 50 percent off all fares.