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Greyhound in British Columbia, CanadaJun 13 '07 (Updated Jul 11 '07) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line For really long distances in a short time (i.e. a week), take the train. For lingering trips that allow you to explore at your leisure, take the bus. As a thrifty traveller, I love taking the bus and staying at hostels whenever possible. For the past two summers, I've gone to British Columbia for vacation and had good experiences on Greyhound. For the price, it's a great way for students and other thrifty travellers to see a beautiful province without renting a car. Sure, it's not as convenient as a car but unless you are planning on doing an extended road trip staying one night a town, Greyhound is the way to go. Why not the train or plane? Well, the train is more comfortable so if you are planning to go from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island in a couple of weeks, the train is probably the best option. However, if you just want to explore one or two provinces for two weeks, the bus is cheaper and more flexible in terms of routes and where you can possibly go. As for the plane, it's just too expensive if you want to see 4 or 5 towns. Safety seems to be a big issue when one thinks about taking the bus. It did not seem to be an issue while I was travelling. Even senior citizens take the bus in Canada! There is no reason to be afraid. As for places south of the border, I cannot really say. However, I have taken the bus from Toronto to Boston several times and never had a problem on that particular route. For more on that: http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-7585-909C2D3-38DFC4BC-prod3 Some people say that the bus smells. Yes, it can stink but not all planes smell like roses either. Usually that is not a problem. Pets are not allowed so that takes away one possible stink source. If you are really sensitive to smells, sit closer to the front of the bus, away from the bathroom at the back. If you travel like a princess, the bus is definitely not for you. Luggage is limited to 2 large suitcases so you might have to leave a few things at home. On a bus with fewer passengers, you can probably get a away with taking an extra "carry-on". One of the best experiences I had on the bus in BC was the trip from Vancouver to Kamloops in 2005. The driver was a funny guy and kept cracking jokes whenever he had to make those standard announcements! It was such a fun ride. When we got to Kamloops, I made a point of personally thanking the driver and telling him what a fun trip it was. It must be a Canadian thing because I have never heard an American driver even try to make the ride entertaining. Ok, the best tips I can give you about travelling on a bus are: 1. For trips longer than 4 hours, bring a light blanket and one of those neck pillows that you inflate yourself. For overnight trips, this is essential! 2. Sometimes the air conditioner is a little too strong for some people. The bus driver cannot please everyone so bring a sweater if you get cold easily. 3. Use bathrooms at rest stops if possible. 4. If you are travelling in Canada, get your coffee at Tim Horton's! It's the Canadian thing to do. :) 5. Since you're not driving, take the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery if you are travelling on the west coast of Canada. 6. If you're American, try not to laugh too hard when the bus driver keeps saying "eh?" Yes, Canadians really do say that! 7. Buy your tickets in advance if possible so you won't be late getting on the bus. In some cases you can get a discount. Hostel memberships also get you a discount so remember to show that.  |
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