I've never ridden on a Greyhound Bus before, and I'll be going from Fargo to Minneapolis, Any advice?

Question

What kinds of things should I expect? How early should I wait for a choice seat? What can a 20 year old girl do to make sure she isnt bothered by creepy people? Do they check your baggage at all? What size would be most appropriate for a carry-on bag? Does anyone have any good or bad stories of what this was like for them? It's only 4 1/2 hours, but I'm worried since I've never taken this before.

Answer 1

There's nothing to it. Before you board, make sure you have your carry-on bag in front of your body so you don't slug the people seated on either side of the aisle. There are no assigned seats and you may find that 75% of the people on before you have appropriated the seat next to them so if you have some certain place you'd like to sit (back, front, middle, window seat or aisle seat) you'll need to silently intimidate them into moving their stuff. Just stop and look meaningfully at them. If they clear the seat, thank them and sit down. If they indicate they won't move, find another seat, and let the driver take it up with them.
Most people on the bus prefer to be left alone. Sleeping, listening to music through headphones, reading and staring out the window is standard behavior. No one really bothers 20 year olds but if for any reason, someone makes you uncomfortable, simply raise your voice and attract attention. It's my experience that other men on the bus intimidate the creep into leaving you alone.
You have to carry your own suitcases out to be loaded onto the bus (they usually have people to put it in the bay). It's a good idea to linger and make sure it gets loaded on before you board, and of course have it tagged and properly IDed.
I have ridden Greyhound from Milwaukee to Miami, and from Charleston to Salt Lake City, and met some wonderful people.
Oh, and one more word of caution...if you have long legs or wish to put something in your lap, beware, because the seats do recline and the person in front of you will do that at the most unexpected times.( I was bruised and doused with my Coke once.)

Answer 2

Be sure to bring a small carry on bag "Just incase". Definately something to read. Don't be one of those girls yapping away on her cell the whole trip as it annoys pretty much everyone. Don't bother the driver unless important. They get kinda grouchy. 4 1/2 hrs isn't too bad for a bus trip. Few places will have you open your bag to check for weapons or what not, but that's rare. Make sure you have tags on your luggage going under the bus before they put it there. (usually they make sure) I've taken the bus a few LONG rides and I usually try to sit near the driver. Less bothering by the odd ones.... Make sure you hit the restroom before boarding. The ones on the bus are kind of..... Gross..... lol

Good luck!

Answer 3

not much to worry about. I took the bus alone from Fargo to VC and Jamestown from when I was about 6-7 yrs old till moved away at 12.

don't take a bag on thats bigger than you can lift over your head and fit in the overhead shelf (similar to on a plane)
if light crowd go for seat alone. if heavier crowd, try to pick who sits by you. strategically placing a bag can help.
definitely have a book, and something soft you can rumple up like a small pillow. if you're buried in a book or look asleep, nobody but the worst drunks/psychos will bother you.

nothing really horrible ever happened, except an important bag stolen in Chicago. once somebody smelled bad. couple times people bored me w/lot of talk.
couple times I made friends that kept in touch on email..

Answer 4

Take something to read; take a snack if you want to. If they make a rest stop, go to the bathroom even if you don't think you need to; bathrooms in buses are not the cleanest in the world. If you sit close to the front and avoid eye contact, you're much less likely to be bothered by oddballs, but most people are just travelers like you. Your carry-on should be about the same as it would be for an airline flight.

Answer 5

try to keep to yourself. i was on a bus once, and when we got off I went to use the phone. while i was on it this crazy woman walked up to me frantic, eyes all buggedd out and clutching her purse, saying she was carring needles and was going to stick me with them. she also told me the FBI was looking for me and that she needed to help them. at the time i was like 18, and that memory has been with me ever since.

as for the bag, take one big enough so you can sit it in the seat next to you (so hopefully no one will sit next to you), but not too big that youll have to stow it under neath the bus.

good luck.....