We’ve all been there: you’re on some form of public transportation - a bus, plane, or subway - and the person next to you spreads their legs into your space or hogs the armrest. Or maybe they play their music loud enough to serenade the whole bus, even though they are wearing headphones. There goes your chance of a peaceful nap or much-needed quiet time to get some work done. These kind of people make traveling miserable because they don’t follow the unspoken rules of public transportation etiquette.

If you’re traveling this summer, particularly on a charter bus trip, you don’t want to be that person who breaks the rules of public transportation etiquette. On a charter trip in particular, you’re traveling with like-minded people, even friends, so you don’t want to make their experience and uncomfortable one - one that they might not forgive you for afterwards. In order to make the most of your journey on a charter bus, here are some do’s and don’ts for group travel:

• Be on time.

  Nothing is worse than getting to your bus on time, carefully selecting your seat, eagerly waiting to leave because you’re so excited for your destination and then finding that you have to wait for that one person who’s late. That person starts the entire journey off on the wrong foot for everyone, making a 2-hour drive feel like a 10-hour one. Don’t be that person. Be courteous of your travel companions, and be on time, or better yet, early, for your scheduled departures.

• Be courteous with on-board entertainment.

  Long bus drives call for personal entertainment, whether it’s an mp3 player to play music, a laptop to send emails or stream movies, or a couple of magazines to read. But be courteous of your seatmates and fellow companions with your entertainment choices. Don’t blast your music or movies so loud that they can be heard throughout the entire bus. Don’t choose movies where you’re apt to scream, laugh, or cry the entire time, irritating your seatmate. And don’t spread your magazines or newspapers across the entire seat or aisle, taking up other people’s personal space. Remember, personal entertainment should be just that, personal.

• Use your “inside voice.”

  While it’s probably best not to make a phone call at all while on board a charter bus, you might have to make one, or take a call at some point. If you do, consider the people around you and use what your elementary teacher called your “inside voice.” Not everyone wants to hear your phone conversation, just as you wouldn’t want to hear theirs. The same goes for chatting with a fellow traveler: speak loudly enough for them to hear, not for the whole bus to.

• Don’t overstep your personal space.

  As they say on amusement park rides, “keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.” In this case, keep your arms, legs, heads, cell phones, bags, magazines, jackets, and anything else you have carried on inside your seat area at all times. Don’t let it spread onto the seat next to you or into the aisle. Bus travel comes with limited space for everyone on board, so be respectful of that and stick to yours.

• Be considerate and courteous with your food and drinks.

  Obviously you should keep your snack or meal packages on your lap or tray table at all times and keep any litter off the floor. But you should also be aware of what you’re eating. Is it loud, messy, or does it have a strong smell that could irritate those around me? If so, it might not be the best food for bus travel. Stick to something simple, or better yet, eat before you board. Whether you have a snack, or a whole meal, always clean up after yourself.

• Don’t be rude to your driver.

  This is the person who will get you safely and efficiently from destination to destination. They are a trained professional with an important job, treat them as such. Say please and thank you, and mention how great an experience you had, if you feel it’s appropriate to do so. A little kindness goes a long way. And please remember, tipping is OK. Drivers are a member of the service industry and as such recognition of good service is never expected, but always appreciated.

Abiding by these rules of travel etiquette will make your charter bus experience and everyone else’s a pleasant one. Haven’t finalized all of your summer travel plans? Contact us to arrange a little getaway. Wherever you’re going this summer, ESCOT hopes you have fun, and don’t forget to be courteous!