Traveling with the Family by Bus, a Good Idea!

Choosing to travel by bus is one of the most economical ways to travel. The journeys are certainly longer, but if you are used to traveling, this should not be a problem. In order to enjoy this low-cost mode of transport with children , we reveal some tips to apply on your next trip. Whether they are advantages or disadvantages, we will show you that bus travel still has a long life ahead of it and could well become the travel solution of choice in the future .

The advantages of traveling by bus with the family

All coach companies have different rules for traveling with children. The certainty is that you can go on a cheap family weekend in Europe , or just  spend a family weekend in Brittany near the Ocean.

Children’s discounts

Some bus companies offer very advantageous rates for very young children, others even offer free travel below a certain age. Generally, these advantages are for children under 2 years old. Completely free travel applies to babies and infants who do not occupy an individual seat.

When booking your bus trip , pay close attention to the different rates offered depending on the age of the passengers. At this point, you can indicate that you have children and benefit from discounts.

Bus travel with children

These numerous offers allow many families to go on vacation at a lower cost. Aside from the discounts that lower the overall vacation budget, you also have to think about organizing the trip itself.

As we know, bus journeys are longer than train or plane journeys. This means that it is better to plan something to keep your child occupied during the journey. We advise you to bring different activities to pass the time.

Younger children will enjoy coloring, board or card games, and reading. Older children will enjoy video games, movies on tablets (to download in advance to anticipate poor connection on the road), or even travel playlists .

If you are travelling by bus with a baby , remember to bring your booster seat or child seat to comply with the legislation. If this is too cumbersome, ask the bus company you are about to travel with if they have what you need on board the bus.

Traveling by bus with family

In addition to the advantages we have just seen above, traveling with your children also allows you to spend time with them, without having to stay focused on the road and safety.

This is especially convenient with young children and babies who require a lot of attention. In addition, unlike a car trip where it is not possible to stretch your legs while continuing to move forward, on a bus, your children can go back and forth in the central aisle of the bus. This is an opportunity for them to get to know other children their age on the bus, and why not play with each other.

It is also an opportunity to perfect their geography, their curiosity and their sensitivity to the environment. Through the different landscapes crossed, you can take the opportunity to explain to them the place where you are or are crossing and the specificities that cling to it.

The Disadvantages of Bus Travel with Children

Although there are many advantages to traveling by bus with your family , there are also some disadvantages that you should know about and anticipate. The first disadvantage that arises when traveling by bus with children is the proximity.

If your children are well-behaved, this should not be a problem. On the other hand, if your toddlers are distracted during the trip, or if you have trouble calming your youngest, this can quickly become problematic. Explain the rules to your children before the trip so that everyone can have a peaceful journey.

Bus journeys are often longer than train or plane journeys. That’s why your children can quickly complain about the travel time. To remedy this, plan suitable activities to do throughout the journey to prevent them from getting bored.

Long-term family bus travel

Apart from the advantages and disadvantages of a short-term bus trip, some families have decided to have their own bus, to travel and live on the bus as a family .

This is the case of the MYTAE family, who live in a bus with three young children. It was after 2 years of traveling in a caravan that the family decided to take it easy by investing in a 28m2 bus.

They travel with the whole tribe while teaching them and allowing them to discover new horizons every day. The bus lends itself perfectly to this alternative lifestyle. It is generally spacious, and with a little organization, it is quite possible to live comfortably there. Other families have made this choice, like the DACALUF, who went on a family road trip to South America and Africa.

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