Almost all tours from Voronezh for the May holidays are sold out, according to open data from communities providing the relevant services. On the long weekend, city residents plan to relax in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Makhachkala, Tula and even Elista. Increasingly, travelers prefer organized trips: having paid once, you don’t have to worry about anything else, since the tour already includes accommodation, guide services and even travel.
Organized groups, as a rule, go to their destination by bus: it is fast and quite cheap compared to other types of transport. However, a long journey, when you have to sit for hours, including at night, terrifies inexperienced travelers. Indeed, it can be difficult for an unprepared person to endure such a test, however, if you know some tricks, you can completely avoid turning the trip into hell.
Checking important trip details
Before the trip, be sure to contact the tour operator or accompanying person and ask if everything is in force and if there are any important changes. Unfortunately, some organizers change something on the last day, and this happens not only with irresponsible fly-by-night companies.
It is important to clearly know the time, place of group meeting, and bus numbers. Transport often picks up tourists in different points of the city: for example, on the right and left banks of Voronezh. Check with the operator who to call if you can’t find your bus or arrive on time, and whether you can get a refund if the trip had to be canceled due to objective circumstances. Be sure to write down the number of the accompanying person.
Seats on the bus
As a rule, they are seated on the bus in the order in which the tour was booked. However, if you have been warned that seating is random, make sure to arrive early. Otherwise, there is a risk of being separated from your family or friend in the cabin, and simply taking the most uncomfortable seats.
Often the tour operator provides seating information at the last minute. Pay attention to the bus diagram that will be sent to you. The seats to the right of the middle door and in the last row are the most uncomfortable: the seats in them cannot be reclined, which means you won’t be able to sleep properly. If you are traveling with a child or are simply not confident in your abilities, it may be worth switching with neighbors for an additional fee.
Medicines
As with any trip, you need to take a small first aid kit with you on the bus. It must contain medicines for the heart (even if you don’t have problems with it), colds, poisoning and allergies. Do not forget about dressings, individual medications and, if necessary, sunscreen. You will also need it in the mountains: it is very easy to get sunburned at altitude.
If you feel sick on the bus, you can try taking anti-motion sickness medications. There is no need to purchase special bracelets – a regular bandage tied to the wrists has exactly the same effect. Proven life hacks for lightheadedness include looking at the horizon, sucking on a mint, and getting out into the fresh air at every stop.
Money
Be sure to withdraw cash before your trip. Some of the gas stations you’ll stop at along the way still don’t have terminals. It is better to take small bills with you so that sellers at roadside cafes do not cheat you with change. Do not keep all your cash in one place, no matter how much you trust your travel companions: this way you will not be left without funds if part of the amount is stolen from you.
When traveling, you will need a lot of change to pay for the toilet at gas stations. In some places the service is free, in others it costs 10 – 30 rubles. Often tourists are greeted not by a live cashier, but by a coin acceptor, which is definitely not suitable for your situation. The most convenient way to pay is to use 10-ruble coins: stock up on them properly.
Cloth
Comfort on a long trip largely depends on what you wear. You should choose things made from natural fabrics with a loose fit. Be sure to take a warm jacket with you in case it gets cold. Girls are strictly forbidden to wear heels: the steps on the bus are too steep for stiletto heels, and your feet will certainly get tired and possibly swell.
Remember that you won’t be able to change clothes on a bus, unlike on a train: you are always in full view of numerous neighbors, so you need to put on comfortable clothes at home. Save beautiful outfits for excursions and evening promenades: on the bus no one will judge you for a sweater and slippers.
Pillow
Some people cannot imagine traveling at night without a travel pillow, while others can easily sleep without it. If you are going on a bus tour for the first time, choose a soft, non-orthopedic pillow. There should be an alternative option: for example, a soft blanket or fleece sweatshirt that can be rolled up and placed under your head.
Finally, a few more short tips for travelers:
- Don’t forget to take a power bank with you for your phone and other equipment.
- Wipe down folding tables before use: they can get very dirty.
- Don’t neglect stops. Go out at each one to stretch your legs and get a change of scenery.
- Take care of your leisure time: music, your favorite book, a movie you downloaded in advance, or a crossword puzzle.
- Warn your relatives that communication on the highway may be interrupted and you will be unavailable for some time.
