Travel Guide: Traveling by bus can be one of the cheapest and easiest ways to visit new places. Finding a cheap bus without having to sacrifice comfort can be the trickiest part of planning. Thankfully, there are ways to plan and find help you find a comfortable and cost-effective journey. Below are seven tricks that can help you find cheap bus tickets while still guaranteeing comfort.
When it comes to bus travel, costs often scale up the closer you get to your travel date. If you wish to find the cheapest rates for travel on a bus, book even months ahead of your travel date. Many bus operators offer early bird discounts which is why booking hassle-free is recommended.
If you can help it, avoid weekends, holidays, and rush hours for your travel as ticket prices are typically elevated, or they are the second cheapest next to peak travel. Choose at the earliest travel time or the latest bus time, as they are usually cheapest and least crowded, offering more comfort.
Different bus companies offer different prices and other amenities. Some are worse than others, while some are a lot more costly than their competitors. Make use of online booking systems that let you search and compare fares, seat quality, and services on each bus operator. Websites like RedBus, Wanderu, and FlixBus can find some of the best bundled deals out there, no matter where you want to go.
Check if there are discount codes or cashback offers when booking a bus ticket from your desired bus platform. Many companies will have loyalty programs or have seasonal promotions depending on the time of year. Some companies will also have discounts for students or first-time users. Just make sure to check if any of these promotions save you money on your ticket.
Instead of choosing the cheapest option available, consider a sleeper bus or semi-luxury bus that offers reclining seats, air conditioning, and extra leg space. A sleeper or luxury bus can offer you better value for money than a normal bus would offer.
Sometimes it may be cheaper to book a bus from either an adjacent city or a bus station that is not a major bus hub. Check to see other routes that offer you lower fares without sacrificing convenience.
Even the cheapest buses lease afforded comforts if you bring along some travel essentials, like a neck pillow, a blanket, noise cancelling headphones, and your own snacks. If you can prepare ahead of time you will have a better journey without having to spend tons of money.
Also Read: Top 7 ways to save money when booking IRCTC train ticket
There are many ways to find a bus that is both cheap and comfortable with the right planning and itinerary research. Booking accommodation early, travelling off peak and utilising discounts means you can have an affordable trip hassle free.