Planning

Before you go, it's a good idea to have someone you trust retrieve your mail, newspaper, feed your pets, etc. You should also inform your landlord/neighbors of your plans; when you're leaving, when you expect to be back, and a phone number you can be reached at while you're gone.

Packing

Next, consider how long you'll be on the bus. If you'll be on there for a few days, there's definately some things you'll want to bring with you. For entertainment purposes, you'll want to bring a good book or two, a portable stereo with headphones or walkman comes in handy. Headphones are necessary, so you don't disturb other passengers who may not share you're taste in music. You should also bring a few changes of clothes with you on the bus, along with some moist towelettes, soap, deodorant, and other personal hygiene materials. Anyone who has sat by someone who's been wearing the same clothes for 3 days knows what I'm talking about. Keep in mind the different climates you'll be travelling through. If possible, get the forecast for your route ahead of time. A good place to check out is the Weather Channel.

There is a toilet in rear of the bus, but there's no running water there. I suggest planning on taking a shower at a truck stop on the way (if time allows), or simply taking a sponge bath in the public restroom at one of the stations along route.

You'll definately want to bring a camera or journal to help document part of your trip. Some sights are not to be missed. You'll see gorgeous, towering peaks in the Montana Rockies, and sunsets on the Arizona desert where you can't tell where Earth ends and Heaven begins. There's plenty of wildlife to see also; coyotes, buffalo, and elk to name a few. Who knows? You might even see a tornado on the Texas prarie, or a beauiful, Southern mansion in Mississippi.

Starting Out

After you've made sure your home is secure, and you're all packed, make sure to be at the bus station at least an hour before departure time to get your bags checked and tagged. This is important even if you're in a small town. Sometimes the bus will be there early, so you'll want to be ready just in case. Pack a large amount of patience, too, because sometimes they're late. A flat tire, accident, breakdown, or just general traffic can delay abus.

Along the Way

I can't emphasise this enough...keep your ticket with you at all times! You never know when you may need it. The drivers give several breaks along the way, and they're typically pretty good about letting you when you can get off, when you should stay on the bus, and how long you have. There'll be some 5 minute "smoke breaks" as smoking is forbidden on all Greyhound busses. There will also be longer breaks; maybe 10 minutes at a convenience store, and meal breaks of 30-45 minutes. For the most part, it's okay to leave your things on your seat during these times, but just be watchful. It's normally a good idea during breaks to get off, get your food/groceries and get back to the bus as quick as possible. If you're not ready to get back on just yet, at least stay near the bus. I've seen people who thought "Oh, the driver knows I'm not on, he won't leave me". They thought wrong. If you're not back on the bus when it's ready to roll, it rolls with or without you. Also, you may want to remember the number of the bus you're on. Sometimes more than one Greyhound will be at the same place at the same time. Instead of heading to Minneapolis, you may find yourself on the way back to Fargo!

After a long haul, you'll pull into a larger station where you'll change drivers. At these locations, you'll be asked to get off the bus while they clean, fuel, and service it. Unless you have to change busses, you'll be given a reboarding pass which will allow you to board the bus and reclaim your seat before the passengers starting at the stop get on. A lot of people will mark theer seats with their bags, etc. Usually this is okay, but there are a few stations that I wouldn't advise this. I suggest marking your seat with a newspaper, magazine, or some other item that you won't care about if it gets stolen, and take your valuables with you. Sometimes, there'll be a restaurant or cafe near by, just be sure you're back at the station in planty of time. Your reboarding pass will have a number on it like 166 or 394, listen for this number to be called so you can reclaim your seat and be on your way.

Arriving

Finally!! Cheers erupt through out the bus! You're there, at last! All you can think of is a looooong shower, fresh clothes, and a decent meal, but there's a few things to deal with before that. First, check all around where you're sitting as you enter the terminal. Make sure you have all your belongings with you. Check your seat, and the overhead rack before you get off the bus. The driver will let you know if you can claim your bags at the side of the bus, or in the terminal. It is possbile that your bags may even be on a different bus, which means they'll be coming in on a later bus. If this happens, check with the ticket agent at your destination to find out when the next busses are due in which may have your luggage.

Safety

Normally, it's about 1% of the people who spoil it for the other 99%. Just be on your guard, and you can maybe avoid becoming a victim. The key here is good old-fashioned common sense. Don't carry a lot of cash, take traveller's checks. These can be replaced if they're stolen. Most of the time, this will happen in a place you're not familiar with. Before you leave, make sure you know where you need to change busses, exactly how long you have, and find out as much as you can about the city before you leave home. Talk to people you know who've lived or been there. Ask them what to see, what to avoid, how to get around, etc. It seems obvious, but don't go off with someone you don't know. If you need help, go directly to customer service or the ticket agent. If someone is bothering you, alert the driver if you're still on the bus, or start yelling "Help! Police!" or something to call attention and hopefully scare off you're pest.

Courtesy

A little of this goes a long ways. Just remember the Golden Rule; Treat others the way you'd want to be treated.