Looooong bus ride which seat would you choose?

[a311]

I've found myself in the position where I'm going to be on a bus from NW England to the Alps. Journey is around 1031 miles each way. I seldom use buses, when I was 4 I went to Spain on bus other than that I've never been back on a bus for more than a few hours.

I have the benefit of being the first on the bus so I can choose my seat.

Things to consider:

The bus will be full of school kids

I don't get travel sickness

sitting nearer to the back is bumpier as you're closer to the rear axle?

I'm 6'4" so will go for a aisle seat

I have a little over a week to prepare/buy esentials. I'm used to travelling long haul on planes so I've got the usual gadgets to help pass the time, kindle, laptop, tablet, travel pillow.

Any advice from seasoned coach travellers?
I'll be sat next to my bet mate who I can quite happily talk bks to for many hours

[condor]

I'm not a regular coach traveller but I would have thought the best place would be the middle of the back seat as then you'd get plenty of leg room.

[a311]

condor said:

I'm not a regular coach traveller but I would have thought the best place would be the middle of the back seat as then you'd get plenty of leg room.

This was my initial thought. But don't kids gravitate toward the back too? i.e. we may hold the back seat but will be surrounded by noisy teenagers? A taser may come in handy. There's two of us getting on then first then it will be a good 2 hours until anyone else gets on so I could quiz the driver.

Looking at the manifest thesere 12 seats free on the 52 seater and won't be any more additions at this late date so will be some empty seats.

[supertouring]

I would prefer to sit at the front on the row not behind the driver.

Let the noise all go on behind you and you get a great view of the road ahead & scenery etc.

[Gargamel]

The one next to the French Mistress ?

[mybrainhurts]

condor said:

I'm not a regular coach traveller but I would have thought the best place would be the middle of the back seat as then you'd get plenty of leg room.

Yes, but everybody would see him scratching his nuts...

[V8mate]

supertouring said:

I would prefer to sit at the front on the row not behind the driver.

Let the noise all go on behind you and you get a great view of the road ahead & scenery etc.

Seconded. Aisle seat.

[mybrainhurts]

Gargamel said:

The one next to same one as the French Mistress ?

Fixed that for you...

[Rotaree]

Can't help with which seat I'm afraid but if you don't already have them I'd suggest some noise cancelling headphones. I've got some nice Bose ones and, plugged into the laptop/iPad with a decent film, they really do isolate you from the world (in a good way!).

[mybrainhurts]

Don't forget...

Wait until there's a Prius on your tail before you flush the toilet...

[a311]

Rotaree said:

Can't help with which seat I'm afraid but if you don't already have them I'd suggest some noise cancelling headphones. I've got some nice Bose ones and, plugged into the laptop/iPad with a decent film, they really do isolate you from the world (in a good way!).

Nice indeed with a price to match, I only really listen to music radio etc when running so not sure I could justify spending upwards of 200 notes but might look at cheaper and probably inferior alternatives.

Front and to the side of the driver it is, only draw back is probably a head on collision.....

[V8mate]

a311 said:

Rotaree said:

Can't help with which seat I'm afraid but if you don't already have them I'd suggest some noise cancelling headphones. I've got some nice Bose ones and, plugged into the laptop/iPad with a decent film, they really do isolate you from the world (in a good way!).

Nice indeed with a price to match, I only really listen to music radio etc when running so not sure I could justify spending upwards of 200 notes but might look at cheaper and probably inferior alternatives.

Not at all inferior...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-II-Precision-Is...

[srobBNaB]

I've done quite a few long bus trips (longest in one hit was 26 hours across Brazil!) and I always prefer to be near the front.

Not entirely sure why, but it always feels nicer if you can see what's going on out the front too. Ideally I'd always go for the row behind the driver, but that's probably just because I'm nosey

[Spitfire2]

Another vote for front row. nearside more likely to have good view as driver side may have blinds etc

[Cheib]

Big dilemma if you are 6' 4". Normally you would be all over an aisle seat but on a journey that length being next to the window so you can kip leaning against the window is a massive plus....well it would be for me.

I'd be going right at the front in the seats that are above the steps....they normally have a little extra leg room and go for the window seat.

Back seat is a total disaster I reckon....quite often there are toilets nearby.....

[srobBNaB]

Another thing, buy one of those inflatable ring things that go round your neck. You'll feel a tit wearing it, but they're bloody marvelous!

[Hugo a Gogo]

middle between axles should be smoothest - but often the toilet is there

back has the engine, and all the bad lads mooning out the window

very front, nearside, best view, that's what I'd go for

[Engineer1]

Up at the front by the window then you have reduced your chances of having to do the sick bucket or kid control runs to the back. Assuming you are on this trip as a responsible adult, saying that if you are there may be a seating plan for where they want the adults.

[Mr Gearchange]

This sounds like purgatory.

Have a lovely time

[Engineer1]

Up at the front by the window then you have reduced your chances of having to do the sick bucket or kid control runs to the back. Assuming you are on this trip as a responsible adult, saying that if you are there may be a seating plan for where they want the adults.