Night Bus Essentials: Your Complete Survival Kit
Especially in Vietnam, you're likely to do a lot of traveling by night bus. Now, these night buses are often super luxurious, but they can still be quite exhausting if you have to sit in them for 12 hours straight. So, here's a little survival kit for you.
Before I delve into the things you should bring along, let me first tell you what to do before the bus arrives. When backpacking, you often have your large backpack, a small day bag, and an even smaller handbag, preferably a Uniqlo bag (not sponsored, but definitely a super convenient bag for traveling). Your large backpack goes under the bus—don't put anything valuable in there. If something happens to that bag, it's annoying, but don't stash your camera or laptop in there. I heard a story about a guy who lost his GoPro like that in Cambodia. So, put your important stuff in your day bag or your small handbag.
Once you've booked a bus, make sure you're at the agreed-upon place on time.
Also, know where the bus arrives at the destination and mark it on your Google Maps so you know how far you have to walk or if you need to take a taxi.
Be on time so you can get on the bus as quickly as possible—you'll be at the front.
When the bus arrives, don't be too nice. I know, this isn't really what traveling is about, especially not backpacking. But if you're alone in a sleeper bus, you'd rather secure a good spot for yourself than end up in a lousy place where you can't sleep.
Make sure your shoes are already off or at least untied. You have to take off your shoes on the bus, and this way, you can get inside faster to claim a good spot.
The bottom bed is the most comfortable to lie on, and you can place your day bag in the aisle. Try to get a bed towards the front or in the middle. The back often has the bus's engine, and it gets really hot there.
Once you've found your spot on the bus, take out your day bag with the following items:
Eat, make sure you've eaten well beforehand or that you have some food with you. Bus rides are long, and even though it's the middle of the night, you'll get hungry. Even if you just bring a pack of Oreos. Along the way, you'll stop at a restaurant or a shop, but you never know when or what kind of place it'll be.
Wear long pants. It's often warm outside, I know, but the bus's air conditioning is usually set to Antarctica mode. Also, the seats or beds are often made of leather, and you'll often stick to them when you try to sleep, which isn't very comfortable.
Bring a sweater. Even if you don't wear it, a sweater is always nice to use as a pillow.
Inflatable neck pillow. We don't have much space in a backpack, so an inflatable neck pillow is a good option. You can also use it as a pillow if you're in a night bus. It doesn't take up much space and is super easy.
Sleep mask! This also applies if you want to sleep. It's not always dark on the bus, or there may be light coming in from outside. This way, you can still sleep in the dark.
Earplugs: noise-canceling earplugs for sleeping.
Earphones for music: I often found that I could sleep better when music was playing in my ears. Think AirPods, but also remember to bring earphones with a cord. If you're lying on your side with AirPods in, the music can often stop.
Power bank: for your electronic devices.
Small locks for your day bag: sometimes you have to go to the bathroom at night. The bus driver stops more often at night for people who need to pee. I always put a small lock on the zippers of my day bag. Nobody can open your bag afterward. And if it was a long stop, I took it with me.
Bike lock: Now you have a lock on your bag, but they can still take it. I used a large lock to attach my bag to a railing. That way, I didn't have to worry about someone taking my bag.
But now you might be thinking? But don't you have all your important stuff in that bag? Yes, I do. I made sure I was always quick to get off the bus when it stopped. That way, you're also the first one back on the bus. The driver will wait, don't worry. Then I asked the driver how long we would stop and if he would wait for me. I locked my bag, so nobody could take it. Then I had my REAL important stuff in my Uniqlo bag. Passport, money, phone, ticket, and my glasses because I can't see well. If something were to happen, I could always reach someone from the travel agency I booked the bus with, who could then call the driver again.
And now, an extra tip for free!! A night bus is really tough. At the beginning of your big trip, you won't find it as tough as at the end. But it's a shame to have a night bus and still arrive exhausted at your destination only to hear, "Yes, you can only check in at 2:00 p.m." Usually, the buses arrive around 8:00 in the morning. What are you going to do in the meantime? Usually not much because you have to recover from that day of travel. You can't really freshen up yet because you can often only shower in the room. The tip I'm going to give you now is not necessarily a budget option, but sometimes those few euros don't matter much when you're tired.
Book a hostel the night before!!
For example, if you arrive in the morning on the 8th. Pay for the night from the 7th to the 8th in advance. That way, you arrive at your hostel in the morning and can go straight to bed because you've already paid for that night. Let the hostel know you're arriving in the morning so they don't give your good bed to someone else.
Good luck travelers with the night buses! It's an experience, but with these tips, you'll go far!!
