Traveling across a country via bus can be a lot of fun and can also be very painful. Choosing the best seat can make or break a 12-hour bus ride. Everyone has their preferences, but I will break down several factors to consider when boarding your next long-distance bus ride.
These insider tips on how to choose the best seat on a bus are geared towards bus rides over three hours in length in Mexico but can easily be applied to other countries.
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Things to consider before selecting a seat
- Do the windows open and close?
- Are there blinds?
- Do the seats recline?
- Is there a bathroom onboard?
- Are there movie screens, and where are they located?
- Are there assigned seats?
- Is there air conditioning?
See also: Safety Tips for Riding Buses in Ecuador
How to choose your seat on the bus
Aisle or Window Seat
Some people love the view, gazing out the window on a scenic mountain drive. Unfortunately, if someone sits down in the aisle seat next to you, you will need to have them move every time you need to get up. The window seat also has limited legroom. In the aisle seat, you have the space but not the view.
Access to the bathroom is easy, but you also get bumped by every person walking by. If you can stay seated for extended periods and don't mind limited space, the window seat is for you. For me, it's the aisle.
View of Movie Screen
If you know there are TVs onboard, pick a seat with a direct view. Killing time has never been easier than watching three movies straight in a different language.
Distance to Restroom
You never want to be directly next to the restroom because of the foul smell, but being somewhat close can be helpful.
If you know you'll need to use it a few times during the ride, a front-row seat isn't great because you bump into people every time you need to run to the toilet. About five to six rows from the back will work fine, reducing the smell but keeping you within a moment's reach.
Electronic Seat Selection
If you can choose your seat ahead of time, the best bet is to select an aisle seat in an empty row. No one wants to have to squeeze past a stranger to get to the window seat, leaving you with a good chance of having two places to yourself. If the bus is packed, your aisle seat may be helpful if the person beside you is larger than average.
Time of Day
After making this mistake a few times, I finally learned an important tip: Know where the sun will be during your journey! Sitting in the sun will only worsen things if you’re already feeling hot.
For a more comfortable trip, sit on the left side of the bus if you’re heading north in the morning, and on the right side if you’re heading south. Just remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Last-Minute Adjustments
Once the boarding begins, does it look like the bus will fill up? If not, jump over to an empty row before someone else takes advantage of it. The worst that can happen is that the person whose seat you stole jumps on board at the last minute, and you head back to your place.
If I were boarding an 8-10 hour bus in the morning heading south that had TVs, AC, seat selection, and a bathroom, I would sit five to six rows from the back in a right-hand aisle seat, praying no one sat next to me.
When the mom with the crying baby or sumo wrestler plop down next to you, at least you have the movies to stare at, right?
