Self-check-in can be convenient if the instructions are clear before you set off. It’s not a good idea to have to figure out a complicated access system with multiple codes for the first time at the door after a night-time bus journey.
What to think about in advance
Ask for the check-in procedure: the building’s address, the correct entrance, the floor, and how to collect the key. Check who will be available at the time of your arrival. Keep the codes private and do not share them in group chats or public notes containing your itinerary.
How to apply this when travelling
Check whether you can follow the instructions without a new app or mobile internet. If additional registration is required, sort this out in advance via the official booking channel. Do not send documents or payments to an unknown contact simply because they know the address of the flat.
Check before taking the next step
When choosing accommodation, check not only the location on the map, but also the actual entrance, how you’ll collect the key and whether you can leave your belongings there. Keep a record of the response from the landlord or management. After a long bus journey, it’s worth having a clear plan for your first step, one that doesn’t depend on your phone’s battery, the mood of a random passer-by or whether a café is open.
Useful information before your trip
Also check: what documents are required for a coach journey to Europe, how to prepare for a night-time coach journey, and the rules for carrying luggage on a coach. Find the latest coach services and route options on RedRay.
Photo sources: image 1 (CC BY-SA 4.0), image 2 (CC BY-SA 2.0).
Questions and answers
What emergency contact details are required?
A person or service that will actually be available upon your arrival and can help with access.
What sort of confirmation from the accommodation is actually useful?
A specific reply regarding the time, entry arrangements, keys and contact details of the person who will assist you if your arrival time changes.
When should you last check your route and stop?
Check your journey after booking, again 24 hours before departure, and once more before setting off for the bus stop. Save your journey number and the transport operator’s confirmation offline.
How much time should you allow before boarding the bus?
Follow the carrier’s advice and allow extra time for public transport, finding the platform and checking your documents. For international journeys, it’s better to arrive early than to plan a tight connection.