Express tours offer a great opportunity to visit places in a short time frame that you otherwise might not get to see. But they can be demanding given the long rides and ambitious itineraries they follow. Here are 10 tips to help you survive an express tour:
- Read about the destination before you depart. This will enhance your travel experience and prepare you to stake out what interests you.
- Nap and shower before the tour. You’ll feel refreshed and increase your energy level throughout the tour.
- Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes or slipper. Dressing in layers provides flexibility on and off the bus.
- Bring a neck pillow and light blanket. It’s hard to regulate the temperature on express buses. A blanket will help regulate your body temperature and provide comfort. A neck pillow gives extra cushion for your head and helps prevent neck aches.
- Bring snacks. Some express tours have late lunch breaks. Sandwiches, trail mix, granola bars, fruit and chips are all good snack foods. Don’t bring greasy, smelly food that can anger bus drivers and offend other passengers.
- Bring a bottle of water. Long bus trips can be dehydrating, and water is the best thirst quencher.
- Bring entertainment. Books, games, and movies can help make a long, monotonous bus ride enjoyable. If the entertainment involves sound, bring headphone so you don’t disturb others on the bus.
- Be patient and considerate. Remember, you’re spending long hours with about 40 people, most of whom you don’t know. Like you, these folks are on the tour to enjoy themselves. Most express tours are fully booked, so if you’re a single traveler, you may be sharing a seat with someone.
- Be positive and expect the unexpected. Go with the flow and understand that anything can happen, from traffic jams and poor weather conditions to lost travelers and crowded rest stops.
- Listen to the tour guide and bus driver. They are the professionals and it’s their jobs to make your tour enjoyable and memorable. If you have a problem or request, talk to the tour guide.
Common safety guidelines for flight, train & bus travelers
Social distancing is still the most effective way to prevent coronavirus. You may have heard that airlines, trains and buses have mandated that they will not be filled to full capacity and rows will be left vacant.
And we have to be extra responsible and ensure that this social distancing is maintained throughout our commute.
What can you do? Form an orderly queue before boarding your flight, train or bus and make sure there is sufficient distance between you and the other passengers.
Do not crowd around the exits when it is time to disembark. In a train or bus, do not forcefully occupy seats that are left empty for the sake of social distancing.
At all times, be at least 6 feet away from everyone.
Another crucial preventive measure is to sanitize your hands multiple times while commuting.
You will be touching handrails, overhead baggage compartments and washroom doorknobs. As we know, coronavirus can linger on these surfaces for 72 hours.
Using an alcohol-based sanitizer will kill the virus if it is present on your hands. Avoid eating while travelling back and forth from work.
If it is a long interstate journey, make sure your hands are washed or sanitized thoroughly before consuming food. Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth with your hands unnecessarily.
Make sure your children don’t do that either. Sanitize your hands again after you get off your flight, train or bus.
According to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, all airports, railway stations and bus terminals will be stocked with soaps and sanitizers so use them.
Once you reach your office or home, clean your hands with soap and water for a minute.
Wear a protective mask at all times, from the moment you step out to when you reach home.
It offers the first line of defense against transmission.
To eliminate the risk of the coronavirus surviving on your clothes, suitcase or work bag, you need to disinfect them when you come home after your journey by flight, train or bus.
Wash your clothes and suitcase or bags.
The center has requested states to make arrangements for thermal screening at airports, railway stations and bus terminals.
Please undergo the screening. It is for your own good and the safety of our country.
If you are exhibiting any sign of coronavirus, refrain from travelling altogether as you will risk the health of others.
It is natural to be apprehensive about opting for public modes of transport in the present scenario.
But life cannot remain on hold forever. Follow basic hygiene guidelines while travelling and cooperate with the transport authorities.
If we are all cautious, together we can defeat the COVID-19 menace.