On long distance bus travel in Chile

A few tips for those of you contemplating a long distance (by which I mean over four hours) journey by bus.

1. Pay more for the most comfortable seat possible, the longer the journey the more you´ll appreciate it.

2. Choose a window seat, if nothing else you´ll have something to look at. Otherwise your neighbour will close the curtain because he/she has seen it all before, doesn´t like the sun and wants to sleep.

3. Sit as far away from the toilet as possible. The foot traffic up and down the aisle is quite remarkable, I sometimes think bus passengers are only allowed to travel if they can prove they have bladders the size of peas. The toilets are small and will start to smell after a couple of hours.

4. Get off the bus at every opportunity. The bus will stop at fairly regular intervals to let off and take on passengers. If this happens at a terminal take advantage of the fact and stretch your legs. The driver may well put a clockface in the front window telling you when the bus is setting off again, so you have a chance to go to the loo (much nicer in the terminal), buy some food or sweets or just generally shake the cramps away. Do not worry about the bus leaving you behind. The conductor does a headcount shortly after the bus departs and will notice your absence (not that I´d recommend trying this).

5. Take food with you. Yes, I know I said you could buy food at the terminal but do you really want to? The choice will be limited and expensive, and you don´t know just how long that cheese sandwich has been sitting there.

6. Take water with you. Sounds obvious doesn´t it? You´d be surprised at how many people take fizzy drinks and then wonder why they are so thirsty all the time.

7. Music is a must. My limited experience has suggested that Chilean bus drivers don´t play music and nothing helps to pass the time like listening to your favourite tunes - just don´t sing along.

8. If you can, read a book. I find the best type of book for these journeys is the one you´ve been meaning to read but have put off because it´s a bit daunting (thick, serious, etc.) If it´s the only thing you´ve got then you´ll read it and probably enjoy it.

9. Do Not use the time to think about life issues. You will just become frustrated and depressed (or maybe that´s just me).

10. Do not travel at night unless you can afford the best seats. Unlike Argentine semi-cama buses, Chilean have four seats across the bus and when the passenger in front reclines his seat, his head will be in your lap. If he has done this before you board, you won´t be able to use the leg rest and won´t be able to stretch your legs.