Travel Tips

What to Bring on a Motorcoach Tour:
Items To Definitely Remember*

1. Travel Light – While traveling light is useful for most trips, it’s especially important when taking the bus.

2. Onboard – You are allowed to bring a SMALL personal item, such as a backpack or large tote and purse. Make sure to always store your valuables in this onboard bag.  Use packing cubes to keep your belongings organized. One suitcase is allowed per person to be stored underneath in the motorcoach luggage bay.

3. While Walking – Do not step on manhole covers, culverts, storm drain covers, or any other covers found on sidewalks, streets, garages, etc. This is the most frequent way people sustain twisted, sprained, or broken ankles and legs.

4. Large Scarf or Thin Blanket – The AC varies at times in different parts of the motorcoach making it chilly in places.  It’s nice to have something to cover up with. A sleeping bag liner or other thin travel blanket can be very useful.

5. Comfortable Shoes – Always bring shoes to walk in on a trip that are well-worn.  And bring an additional pair, equally well-worn to rotate daily.  New shoes will almost always create discomfort and possibly blisters.  You can choose to wear new shoes to wear on the motorcoach, of course.

6. Neck Pillow/Travel Pillow – Inflatable pillows are the most travel-friendly option but you can also use a compression sack as a makeshift pillow. A compression sack is a packing organizer where you store your clothing or other bulky items.

7. Comfortable Clothes – Wearing comfortable clothes makes it easy to change in cramped spaces, sleep, and go on whirlwind tours at your layover cities. Leggings, loose pants, and casual but comfortable tops are all highly recommended.

8. Healthy Snacks Care Package – We will take periodic breaks and meal breaks, but it may not be at your desired eating time. It is okay for passengers to eat on board, so bring healthy snacks and other easy-to-store foods.

9. Water Bottle – If you forget to bring a water bottle, you may get dehydrated between rest stops. Always bring water with you especially on “off-the-beaten path” journeys when you don’t know when you’ll get a chance to buy food and water. There is a toilet on board the motorcoach.

10. Entertainment – The motorcoach will be equipped with Wi-Fi.  So, plan on having the availability to watch your favorite movies or TV show on your phone, iPad, or laptop.  Just make sure to listen with your earphones.

11. Electronics – When planning what to bring on a motorcoach tour, it’s best to expect the worst and come prepared with headphones, eBooks, offline movies, or anything else that will help enjoy the trip.  Remember that the motorcoach electrical system can only handle light electronics.  Heavy draw electrical items can overload and shut down the electric system.

12. Chargers – Bring chargers onboard as the motorcoach will have outlets at each seat. You can also bring a portable power bank to charge small devices.

13. Personal Alarm – Bring two alarms in case one becomes dysfunctional or runs out of batteries.  Then you could set both of them each night.

14. Hidden Whistle – This is one of those things you’ll hopefully never need but isn’t a bad idea to have one.

15. A GPS App – Make sure to have a GPS or maps on your cell phone in case you get lost or disoriented.  On the motorcoach, you are welcome to follow your route on your GPS but keep the audio in your ears.  Do not turn on the speaker.  This is also a useful tool on the motorcoach because you can use it to figure out how much further to your next destination or break stop.

16. Sunglasses – Without sunglasses, there’s very little you can do about the glare shining through the windows. You can also nap wearing sunglasses instead of an eye mask.

17. Sleep Aids – What you take to help you sleep will depend a lot on your current sleep preferences but know that sleeping semi-upright in a moving vehicle with 50 other people is going to be a lot different from your own bedroom.  Many people bring sleep masks, ear plugs, lavender oil or lotion, and melatonin or another drowsy-inducing medication.

18. Tissue Packets – These are a must on any travel journey! Don’t ever count on toilet paper being readily available so having one or two of these tissue packets in your bag is essential.

19. Hand Sanitizer and/or Wipes – Stay healthy on the road by disinfecting your hands before and after eating. Wipes can also serve as a shower substitute if needed!

*All of these items are provided as a few reminders of what to bring and are by no means everything you will need.  Start making a list the week before as you think of items to take on the tour.

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