For those of us in the United States, the Greyhound bus system is one of the cheapest travel options around. When you don’t have a car and aren’t going far enough to fly, traveling by Greyhound bus is perfect. At prices as low as $20 to go a state over, you can’t get a much better deal.
At the same time, however, this cost-effective option has one major drawback: it’s not very fat-friendly at all. As a plus-sized individual who has had my fair share of travels on the Greyhound, I consider myself something of an expert—and my expertise says the Greyhound is uncomfortable. This article is dedicated to helping you make the most of a Greyhound trip no matter the circumstance, saving you unnecessary stress in the process.
Booking
First things first, you have to book yourself a ride if you plan to travel the continental U.S. with Greyhound. Understanding the booking process is an outstanding way to maximize your comfort on the bus.
Why Greyhound, Anyway?
I’ve already spoiled the surprise for you regarding Greyhound comfort, or its tendency to lack it for plus-sized folks. With that in mind, you’re probably wondering why you should even bother traveling Greyhound.
The Greyhound is a popular option for a lot of reasons. I’m not joking when I say you can leave the state for $20! It’s a cheap alternative to flying, using your own gas, or otherwise getting around, whether you’re going from your city to the next one over or heading from California to New York. This cost-effectiveness can be a big help when it comes to cutting back on spending, giving you more money to spend on enjoying your trip.
Beyond that, Greyhound isn’t that bad; it has its drawbacks, but most of the buses offer some great amenities—including power outlets, free Wi Fi, air conditioning, overhead lights, and reclining seats. As a bigger person trying to navigate Greyhound, you’ll have unique struggles, but it’s not all for nothing.
So if you’re considering Greyhound and willing to put up with moderate discomfort for a good price and a decent on-board experience, Greyhound is an alright solution for travel!
Your Guide to Booking
If you’ve decided on going Greyhound, there are a few things that you should know about booking. When you go on Greyhound’s website—the only place I recommend buying tickets from, by the way—you’ll be prompted to pick two locations, dates, number of passengers, and more. You should mark your departure location and where you want to arrive; Greyhound offers stations and stops in all major cities and a surprising number of minor ones. Indicate whether you’re going round trip, have friends coming along, and when you want to leave as well.
This is where it gets a little tricky. When you go to the next menu, despite the fact that you may have clicked “two passengers,” it shows the price for one. Don’t be fooled—you’ll have to double the cost to budget correctly. Beyond that, Greyhound may let you pick your seat positions. That’s also a trick, because on-board, the seating chart isn’t usually honored—I’ll talk about this more in a second.
“But wait,” you’re asking, “do I need one seat or two? Can I even book two seats?” Here’s the thing: the Greyhound seats are kind of small. I’m not one to book two seats because I usually fit in one, but on the Greyhound, the seats are small. If one airplane seat isn’t enough room for you—or is just barely enough room—you might want a second seat.
Like I said, the seating chart isn’t honored very well, but if you book two seats, the Greyhound driver will ensure you get two seats side by side (as the Greyhound bus seats only come in two by two configuration). It’s proper etiquette to find your correct seat, but if someone has already taken it, the unspoken rule is to find an accommodating, free space, even if that means claiming a row to yourself somewhere else on the bus.
After you’ve selected everything, you can check out. Make sure you get the Greyhound app for easy ticket scanning; it’s all paperless now, which is super convenient. You will also need a photo ID for boarding in most locations.
Note: You can have a printed ticket alongside your mobile app if that's more comfortable.
The Big Day: Travel Time
On the day of the trip, make sure you get to your bus station 15-30 minutes early. I’ve had buses be as much as 20 minutes early or three hours late, so make sure to be at the Greyhound stations on time. Always, always, always use the bathroom before boarding—the bathrooms on the bus hardly fit someone who is underweight, much less us plus-sized people.
Boarding and Unboarding Tips
For longer trips, you’re going to transfer between buses quite often. Unlike on an airplane, I actually recommend that you hustle a bit when it comes to boarding and unboarding, as well as moving through the bus station. Seats fill up fast, and while being overweight can cause you to move slower, no one is going to hold the bus behind schedule at the bus stations to allow for extra time to board. That said, try to move as quickly as possible during transfers, lining up, and more.
During the Ride
On the ride itself, you’re going to deal with the brunt of the discomfort. The good news is that you’ll only be on the bus for two or three hours at a time without breaks, which is manageable.
Some of the tips I’ve accumulated for riding Greyhound with comfort include:
- You’re allowed one carry-on bag, but I don’t recommend having one unless you truly need it. Carry-on bags can take up space in your lap or leg area if the overhead compartments are full, and according to the rules, you have to be able to fit it in your leg space in those instances.
- Whether you have one seat or two, those seatbelt buckles stick upright and they hurt. I highly recommend bringing a blanket or small cushion to pad the buckle area.
- Don’t wear clothing that is tight, but also don’t wear clothing that can catch from being too loose and flowy. While walking through the aisles, there are so many places clothing can get caught!
- Recline your seat a little to give yourself more room, but be mindful of the person behind you.
- If you’re sitting in the aisle row and only have one seat, you can stretch your legs into the aisle while the bus is moving. Just watch out for passengers walking around to get to the restroom.
- Oh, and don’t try to use the restroom. It’s both tiny and kind of unsanitary on Greyhound—a recipe for disaster if you’re plus-sized. Wait until the pit stops if possible!
- If you have two seats, sit as close to the aisle as possible until the bus is moving; otherwise, someone might try to squeeze into your extra space and force you to move over.
Be sure to be courteous and respectful of everyone on board, and they will extend that kindness to you. The Greyhound is a bit more unpredictable than any other method of transport, but with those tips, you can be as comfortable as possible.
Pit Stops
Especially for longer trips, the bus stops periodically, usually at gas stations and convenience stores. If you’re allowed off the bus during these breaks, get off. You will have the chance to stretch, use the restroom, and buy food or drinks during these times. However, you need to make sure you’re back in time for the bus to leave; if the driver says it’s a 15 minute break, be back in 10. Always get off and stretch, use the restroom, etc. during these stops for maximum comfort.
Don’t Forget Your Luggage!
Greyhound buses are kind of an “every man for himself” scenario in that you have to load and unload your luggage yourself. Don’t forget that you have luggage under the bus (if you do) as you board and unboard, especially at your final destination.
Conclusion
While the Greyhound may not be the most comfortable way to ride, it’s a great option if you’d rather tough it out and spend your money enjoying the vacation rather than the journey there. With the right strategies in mind, you can be as comfortable on Greyhound as anyone else! Remember to have a positive mindset and plan ahead for the best experience… and don’t forget to enjoy your trip!
