Travel - who does not love them? Such trips give an opportunity to get acquainted with other cultures, customs, broaden your horizons and have a great time. You can travel in various ways. Someone likes extreme hitchhiking , others prefer to save time by using the services of airlines, the third is the soul-hearted conversations with unfamiliar fellow travelers for tea in the train compartment . But there is also such an option as traveling on comfortable buses. This is an excellent alternative for those who suffer from "sea" disease, are afraid of air travel or can not normally rest under the clatter of the wheels of the train. Today almost all travel agencies include bus tours in the list of their products. And it's worth noting, they enjoy a lot of popularity.
Like any other type of travel, travel by bus has both undeniable advantages and obvious shortcomings. Let's try to understand.
Advantages of bus tours
- Lower cost . In some cases, the price of the whole bus tour is equal to the cost of one air ticket in the same direction, which can not but attract travelers. Why spend hard earned money to pay for the flight, if the savings can be used more rationally?
- A wide choice of routes and tourist destinations . If forty years ago bus tours were a unique phenomenon, today almost every city (even provincial) has agencies that provide services of this kind. You can choose any direction, be it Paris, Bilbao or Wuppertal.
- Excursion non-stop . From the very first minute after the departure of the bus, your journey gives you something new. There is no need to read a book or listen to music in order to pass the road, because behind the window one landscape is replaced by another. No dense clouds and endless sea distance!
- Numerous stops . They are necessary, first of all, for the driver, who needs rest. But passengers at this time have the opportunity to stretch their legs, get acquainted with the surrounding area, go to the toilet or snack without shaking in a cafe.
Disadvantages of bus tours
- Additional payments . A lower cost, which in reality may not be so attractive. And the fact is that not all tour operators, when buying a tour, inform clients that excursions, meals, and accommodation will have to be paid separately. This is a sin of little-known agencies, which began their activities only recently. All the nuances should be specified before buying the tour.
- Non-observance of the traffic schedule . Both the vehicle and the driver should take breaks in work so that fatigue does not affect the safety of passengers. But the operators want to save, so the time, which is intended for recreation, is used for excursions. If foreign law enforcement officers notice this, then the driver will have to stop the bus and have to rest. And the whole program will be in jeopardy.
- High probability of force majeure. Since the bus is a vehicle, breakages and technical malfunctions can occur at any time. Another nuance is customs clearance, which can last for hours.
- Relativity of comfort. Even in the most modern and comfortable bus the conditions for a full sleep are not created. If the trip is long, then fatigue can outshine all the impressions of the excursions. On the toilet and the soul and can not speak.
- Lack of food. Unfortunately, there is no food on the buses, so you'll have to take all your food supplies with you.
When going on a bus trip, discuss with the tour operators all the details of the upcoming trip so that the result is only bright and positive emotions.