How to Survive an Overnight Bus in Asia

Adhering to a few tips for taking night buses in Asia could mean the difference between an interminable ride and a restful journey. Sometimes getting the right seat on the right bus is simply luck of the draw, but there are some variables you can control.

All night buses share one thing in common: They save you a night of accommodation and a day of your trip otherwise lost to transportation. If your time is tight or your budget tighter, using an overnight bus is the way to go. However, there’s a catch: getting quality sleep on a night bus can be a challenge—you may be dragging a bit the next day.

What to Expect on Sleeper Buses in Asia

Night buses in Asia can vary widely depending on the country and the transportation company that sourced the buses. The terms “night bus,” “overnight bus,” and “sleeper bus” are often used interchangeably.

Some overnight buses have regular seats that recline back a little farther (like in Thailand), while others have stacked bunks permanently positioned horizontally (as seen in China and Vietnam). Consequently, every variation can be found plying the roads in Asia.

The overnight buses in Burma are surprisingly luxurious, equipped with streaming music channels and full-size headphones, especially when compared to the antiquated-yet-charming trains. In contrast, many night buses in Vietnam and China feature awkward seats fixed in horizontal positions. The night buses in India, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia present a mixed bag that can range from enjoyable to nightmarish.

Bunk sizes are often too short for taller passengers to fully stretch out, and your options for walking around or stretching are limited to quick breaks.

Prepare Your Luggage

Regardless of the type of bus you’ll be taking, your luggage could potentially end up soaked, abused, or filthy. Bags are frequently tossed from buses or compressed beneath hundreds of pounds of other luggage as attendants hurry to stay on schedule: pack accordingly!

Bus companies may make a loose effort to cover luggage transported atop of buses with tarps, but a heavy shower will inevitably soak everything. Additionally, internal luggage holds are sometimes wet and grimy. Use a waterproof cover for backpacks. For suitcases, line the inside with a large garbage bag and wrap everything securely before closing.

Theft on Night Buses

Unfortunately, overnight buses can be conducive to petty theft. These incidents occur throughout Southeast Asia, and in Nepal, items are sometimes stolen from luggage stored atop buses. In Thailand, personnel may even rifle through bags while the bus is in motion!

When the bus stops, you’ll often find yourself at a busy transportation hub with pushy drivers and hotel touts around. You probably won’t have time to take inventory of your belongings, as most travelers only realize small items are missing days or weeks later.

Here are a few strategies to lower your risk of becoming a target:

• Know the details of your bus: Record the name or number of your bus, its license plate (a quick photo is easy and can be deleted later), and phone numbers for the company (check your ticket or the side of the bus). While local police may not be helpful, it is advisable to report missing items to the company and the authorities—remaining silent doesn’t contribute to a solution.
• Make your stored belongings as inconvenient as possible: Cover backpacks with a rain cover, use locks on suitcases, and pack dirty laundry on top. With numerous bags to choose from, a thief may simply move on after closing yours.
• Keep valuable items with you: It’s wise to carry money, your passport, jewelry, and electronics in your small bag at your seat; however, be aware that thieves target smaller items as well.

Commonly targeted items by bus personnel include:

• Flashlights and headlamps
• Pocket knives
• Travel alarm clocks
• USB chargers, portable power banks, and USB memory sticks
• Batteries
• Replacement razor blades and electric shavers
• Sunscreen (it can be pricey in tropical Asian countries)

These items often go unnoticed for a while and can easily be resold in markets to travelers later.

If using your smartphone for music, be cautious about dozing off with it in your lap; travelers have woken up to find only a dangling wire where their headphones once were.

Rig Your Luggage

Crafty travelers have devised sneaky ways to determine if their bags have been opened. For backpacks, only draw the internal string halfway. If it’s fully closed later, someone has likely looked inside. Suitcase zippers can be secured together with string or a cable tie that must be broken.

Choosing the Best Seats on Night Buses

If seating isn’t assigned, you’ll have a brief moment to pick your seat—your bed for the night—as you board. Choose wisely!

• Seats directly in front of screens (assuming they work) can be noisy and distracting when movies come on. Moreover, movies can often be unexpectedly violent or disturbing in some regions.
• Sitting directly beneath speakers and air-conditioning vents can also be troublesome.
• Some seats on older buses are broken and locked upright; therefore, ensure yours works at once so you can quickly relocate if needed.
• For a smoother ride, aim for seats in the middle of the bus. The seats above the rear axle are always the bumpiest. Sitting above this axle can mean getting launched into the air as the driver navigates bumpy roads.
• The seats at the very front of double-decker night buses provide the most legroom, and they offer the luxury of not having someone recline a seat in front of you.

The Toilet Situation

If your bus has a toilet, it could be a cramped, bumpy affair. Squat toilets are common on many night buses in Asia.

Toilet breaks may be rare on some journeys, as your driver may be eager to push through the night to finish the trip. A single, 15-minute stop on an eight-hour ride is typical.

If you are dealing with gastrointestinal issues, you should make alternative arrangements or consider taking loperamide, which is not ordinarily a recommended solution.

Taking Breaks

Passengers are often relieved when a break finally arrives. Roadside rest areas catering to tourist buses can get frenzied as everyone rushes to use the bathroom and grab food or snacks.

Food options can vary from unidentifiable local snacks (including fried insects in certain areas) to extensive buffets. However, one constant is that you won’t have much time to eat. Don’t linger; another bus may arrive right behind yours, adding to your wait time for food.

It’s crucial to keep your personal belongings with you at all times when stepping off for a break.

Don’t Get Left Behind!

In bustling rest areas, nearly identical buses may surround yours. Therefore, have a good idea of where your bus is parked and look for other passengers you recognize. Drivers typically sound the horn a few times before departing, but it’s ultimately your responsibility to ensure you don’t get left behind!

Passengers sometimes do get left behind, so remain vigilant. If you’re eating, find a location where you can see the bus or the driver.

Other Tips for Taking Night Buses

Air conditioning is often set to frigid levels on many night buses in Asia. Thus, it’s a good idea to carry a fleece, sarong, or something warm to cover up—you may find the provided blankets lacking in cleanliness.

The term “VIP” is frequently overused, as basically every bus could be considered a “VIP” bus in some sense. Avoid paying an agent extra for an upgraded VIP bus; you’ll likely end up on a standard night bus anyway, but after paying more than other travelers.

Follow the locals’ example: bring plenty of snacks! They’re great for morale and help pass the time.