The colour or the familiar name on the side of the bus does not always make it possible to identify the right service. At a large bus station, several buses from the same operator may be in service at the same time.
What to consider in advance
Check the destination, time, journey number and your stop. Confirm your boarding with a member of the crew before handing over your luggage. Don’t just follow the people around you: their route may be different, even if their tickets look similar.
How to apply this when travelling
If the crew are distributing passengers between buses, listen to the instructions right to the end and check what will happen to your luggage. Keep your ticket and ID to hand. It’s better to ask a quick question before boarding than to have to retrieve your suitcase from a compartment that’s already full.
Check before proceeding
Follow the crew’s instructions both on board and at bus stops. It is best to ask any practical questions before the bus sets off or during a safe stop; do not distract the driver from the road. If circumstances have changed, first check the current procedure and only then adjust your own plans.
Useful information before your journey
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
When should you check in for the bus?
Before checking in your luggage and boarding, by checking that your ticket details match the crew’s confirmation.
Should you rely on your experience from a previous journey?
No: a different bus, crew and route may have different conditions and a different organisation of stops.
What should you check the day before the bus departs?
Check the boarding time and address, your documents, your phone’s battery level, the weather forecast and any updates from the operator. Save your ticket and contact details offline.
How much time should you allow before boarding the bus?
Follow the carrier’s recommendations 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.