Charter Bus Packing Guide

One of the most advantageous attributes of charter transportation is luggage storage. When you take a charter bus trip, you can pack the luggage you need without worrying about all the restrictions that airline passengers face. The accommodating luggage storage areas underneath full-size motorcoaches house suitcases and even large items comfortably.

If you’re booking transportation for a group, it’s important to consider luggage storage. While buses have more room, you still need to pack wisely.

Packing Tips

When you’ve got a long bus ride ahead, you want to ensure everyone’s carry-on bag and luggage will fit. Otherwise, you’ll be in for one of the bus trip horror stories about too much baggage and not enough space. Here are some tips to ensure that bus travelers pack only the essentials.

1. Create a Checklist

Creating a checklist can ensure you only pack what’s needed. When making a checklist, consider the weather and itinerary. Cold destinations favor dressing in layers, and if rain is in the forecast for your trip, umbrellas and hats can be purchased on-site and save room in the suitcase. Determine whether you need to include formal dress on the list. Fashionistas suggest keeping to two basic colors and lots of separates to make mixing and matching easy.

Those luggage storage Tetris skills also come in handy — the better organized your suitcases, the easier it will be to locate and take advantage of each piece you bring. Employ tactics such as rolling, folding and layering. You can stuff socks or belts into shoes to save space.

2. Consider Bus Size

The type of bus you choose for overnight charter bus trips will have different storage capacities. Naturally, larger buses have more storage. When packing, it’s crucial to keep in mind that once your luggage is safely loaded into the storage compartment, it’ll be there until you reach your destination for the night. Any items you’ll need access to during the ride should be taken aboard in a carry-on.

In order to avoid any confusion, label your bag inside and out. This is just in case a fellow passenger mistakenly picks up the wrong suitcase (a colorful ribbon tied to the bag works as an easy indicator). The ultimate preparer will even make a list of all items in the suitcase in the event luggage is lost or stolen and a claim needs to be made.

3. Leave Out Unnecessary Items

While it may be tempting to pack for different scenarios, it’s unnecessary. Any items that you can replace at your destination aren’t necessary. Some unnecessary items are:

• Jewelry
• Valuables
• Extra toiletries
• Towels

4. Keep Toiletries Small

Taking a charter bus trip doesn’t have the same regulations as flying does, but maximizing space is essential. It’s still best to avoid large containers of shampoo and other toiletries in favor of travel-sized ones.

Carry-On Packing Tips

The overhead storage compartment for a charter bus trip is similar to that of an airplane. It can probably fit two small suitcases or duffel bags, but using a tote or backpack can save space. Here are some items you’ll want to include in your carry-on:

• Wallet: Your wallet must be accessible if you stop for food or souvenirs. Try to keep some cash in your wallet in case a location doesn’t accept a card.
• Prescriptions: You can’t go without your prescriptions, and taking them on time is crucial.
• Electronics: Think cell phones, laptops and music players. When you’re in for a long bus trip, you need a way to entertain yourself. Don’t forget to pack the chargers.
• Sunscreen: You always need sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Hand sanitizer: Dirt and germs are unavoidable, but you can quickly clean your hands with hand sanitizer.
• Printed tickets: Even if your tickets are accessible by your phone, it’s best to print any event tickets and bring them with you in case you can’t access the internet or your phone’s battery dies.
• Snacks: You may go a few hours in between meals, so you can pack a few snacks to hold you over.
• Chapstick: Chapstick is useful, no matter the weather.
• Jacket: Even if it’s summer, some buildings can be cold inside, so it’s a good idea to pack a jacket in your carry-on.
• Water: If you get thirsty during the bus ride, rehydrate with bottled water.
• Fragile items: Anything that’s breakable should go in your carry-on. The luggage in the storage compartment gets jostled around.

Short Bus Trip Packing Tips

If your destination is less than an hour away, you may only need to pack a little, depending on how long your stay is. You may even opt to only bring a carry-on. Either way, here are some tips when packing for a short trip:

1. Pack light snacks: Since your trip is short, only bring light snacks, such as dried fruit or trail mix.
2. Bring entertainment: With a short trip, you don’t have to worry too much about entertainment. A phone, book or puzzle book is all you need.
3. Keep your devices accessible: Use the pockets of your bag to keep your devices accessible.
4. Layer your clothing: To save space in your luggage, you can wear layers for the short bus trip.
5. Remember the essentials: No matter how long your trip is, you always want to remember the essentials. With all trips, this includes toiletries. Depending on your trip type, other essentials can vary.

Medium Bus Trip Packing Tips

Medium bus trips last for one to three hours. Generally, the charter buses used for medium trips have more amenities, like restrooms, entertainment and storage capacity. These packing tips can help make your medium bus trip more comfortable:

1. Pack a lunch: You’ll want more than just snacks for medium bus trips. Unless your group is stopping somewhere for lunch, it’s important to pack one.
2. Various forms of entertainment: It’s best to bring different forms of entertainment. You may get tired of listening to music and want to switch it up by reading.
3. Dress comfortably: Even if your destination is a conference, you want to be comfortable during the trip.

Long Bus Trip Packing Tips

You want to pack wisely to ensure your comfort during long bus trips. These trips last for a day or more, which can lead to restlessness during the bus ride. Here are some packing tips to avoid boredom and ensure you have everything you need during long bus trips:

1. Pack healthy food: Junk food won’t taste as good once it’s left on the bus for days. It’s also not filling. Packing healthier meals instead can save space and satisfy your hunger.
2. Consider entertainment: Because the trip lasts for a long time, you’ll need to pay more attention to entertainment. There may be areas where you can’t access cellular data, so you can bring a book or DVD player, or download videos and podcasts beforehand. You can also bring a laptop or plan to play games with your group members. If you have an e-reader, consider bringing that instead of books. It can store multiple books without weighing down your luggage.
3. Bring items for sleeping: You’re on the road for such a long time, so you should bring things so you can sleep comfortably. This includes a pillow, blanket, ear plugs and sleeping mask.
4. Bring chargers: With multi-day trips, you’ll need to charge your devices. You may also want to bring power banks.
5. Pack sunglasses: Just like in a car ride, sunglasses can help with the glare shining through the windows.

Charter a Bus With BusRates

Choosing the right bus company is imperative, no matter how long your trip is. If you want your charter bus rental to be as hassle-free as possible, BusRates can help. BusRates is a directory for bus companies across the United States and Canada. We put you in direct contact with the charter bus companies you’re interested in. Since we don’t act as a broker, we allow you to save time and money.

Request a quote for your trip today and find the bus you’re looking for.