Whether you’re using the bus (or coach if you’re from the UK) as your main mode of transport, or you’re just trying out long distance buses, at least once you asked yourself what were the best seats on a long distance bus ride. While there are no seats with all pros and no cons, I’ll give you a rundown analysis of all the seats, from the start to the back of the bus.
Are Front Seats The Best On The Bus?
Ah, the front seats. If it wasn’t for these, I’d probably never be here writing this now. In my highschool days when I traveled to school by bus, I’d sit here often and make conversation with the driver. If he wasn’t in the mood I’d just look through the windshield. All those conversations and fun times eventually led me to becoming a driver myself a few years later. Anyways, enough of the reminiscing and back to the topic.
Depending on the manufacturer, these seats may have much more legroom than the regular ones. Extra legroom and a beautiful view in the front is the main reason people sit here. Watching through the windshield also decreases motion sickness and is a good choice if you forgot to take your pill. You’ll also have a larger table in front of you which may be able to make it easier for you to do some work or hold on to your cup of coffee. Another pro is easy access to the door.
What about the cons?
Being a bus driver myself, I’ve had my fair share of good and bad experiences sitting in the front.
Somehow, most of the time the people who sat in the front (on public transport) were either the ones who would talk loudly on their phones or the ones who were sickly and coughing and sneezing the entire time. If you fall into any of those categories, please move behind.
There are also a few cons for the passengers. The first would be a lack of privacy, as the driver’s cabin is much more open and you’ll have everyone who’s entering the bus go past you.
The second would be the sensitivity of driver’s manouvers. You’d feel all the braking and speeding up much more than the passengers in the back, and to make it worse – you get to see all the endangering situations on the road, packing your long distance bus ride with stress and road rage.
Finally, if you do decide to sit on the front seats, I recommend sitting behind the door instead of behind the driver. In case you do sit behind the driver, please refrain from long phone calls, being ill or stretching your legs far in the front.
Axle Seats (Seats Above The Wheels)
The axle seats are located above the bus axles, ie the wheels. Whether you’re sitting above the front or rear axle, I’d avoid these seats on a long distance bus ride as there are no positives about them. You’ll feel every bump on the road and have the same view as everybody else.
When I traveled to highschool we had one or two buses where the axle seats would really be terrible as it also meant having less legroom due to the bus being low-floor. Sit on one of these seats by accident and it’s a long, painful ride home.
Middle Seats
The seats in the middle are the “normal” seats, they have their fair share of pros and cons.
The middle of the bus is halfway between axles, meaning you won’t feel much of the bumps as wheels pass over them. You’ll also have fast access to the rear door and perhaps most importantly, to the toilet (Which, by the way, is usually locked on Croatian Buses).
A con of being in the middle is that this is where most of the people sit, so if you want privacy forget it, as you’ll have to deal with people reclining their seat onto your knees, loud children and even louder pensioners. Nothing a pair of good earphones can’t solve though. The best seat in the middle is definitely behind the rear door. Here you’ll have extended legroom and very likely a large flat surface just like in the front.
Choosing a Window Seat or Aisle Seat on a Long Distance Bus Ride
Sitting next to the window or in the aisle is all up to your personal preference. When I was a child I’d always fight for the window seat on long distance bus rides as I loved to discover new places.
(Un)fortunately, as I grew older, I also got taller. Standing 6ft 3 (192 cm) tall, nowadays being stuck at a window seat with a stranger on a long distance bus ride is a nightmare to me, especially if it’s a night ride and I have to wake them up to exit at my stop. If you’re short, go for it, but if you’re tall and really want to look out the window, rather go for the front seat.
Aisle seats are much better for people with long legs and allow for quickly getting out of the bus, but only if you don’t mind everyone passing by you and brushing their huge, annoying backpack against your shoulder.
The Rear Seats
Finally, the rear seats. Encompassing the rear 5 seat bench and a few rows in front of it, the rear seats are great for those who want some privacy on their long distance bus ride. There’s usually less people sitting in the rear seats of the bus, except if you have tough luck and there’s a group of teenagers playing loud music from their speakers.
The other con in the rear part of the bus (but this one is unavoidable) are the engine sounds and vibrations as you’ll be sitting right above the engine. There is also a possibility that the seats on the bench will not be able to recline or will recline less than the other seats, so think about that if you’re considering to sit in the back.
Bored? Check this out:
You were definitely traveling on the highway with nothing interesting to see or you couldn’t enjoy the trip because of other passengers being too noisy.
This is when taking use of the free wifi and usb port on board would be of great use but unfortunately – there’s nothing to hold it in place. That is exactly what a universal phone holder is for.
Affordable and usable in many occasions, this durable phone holder is a life saver in long, lonely hours on the road. With this, even getting the worst seat won’t matter at all as the long journey will pass before you know it.*
For my readers in the UK, get it here!
*I do get a commission if you buy using my links, however every product in endorse is one I have used myself and believe in its value!
Now you know the best seats on a long distance bus ride! Enjoy your ride and I’ll see you next Monday!