Motion sickness occurs when the eyes and the inner ear send conflicting signals about movement to the brain. It is impossible to completely prevent it, but a few simple steps often help to reduce the symptoms.
Choose a more stable seat
On many buses, there is less rocking towards the front and in the middle of the coach, further away from the rear axle. Look straight ahead or at a distant, stationary landmark outside the window. Prolonged reading and looking at small text on your mobile phone can make the symptoms worse.
Before setting off
- get a good night’s sleep;
- don’t travel on an empty stomach;
- choose a light meal without too much fat;
- avoid alcohol;
- pack some water and a bag in case you feel sick.
During the journey
Keep your head steady by resting it against the headrest, ensure a supply of cool air if possible, and breathe evenly. At authorised rest stops, a short walk can help. If you feel the first symptoms, it’s best to put your phone away, close your eyes or look towards the horizon, rather than waiting for the nausea to get worse.
Medication — only if contraindications are taken into account
Motion sickness medicines can cause drowsiness and interact with other medicines. Do not take them for the first time without reading the instructions, and if you have any chronic conditions, are pregnant or are giving them to a child, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not pass your medication on to another passenger.
When it’s more than just travel sickness
Chest pain, slurred speech, a severe or unusual headache, loss of consciousness or weakness on one side of the body require urgent medical assessment. Inform the driver and call the emergency services. General advice is no substitute for a medical diagnosis.
Choose your seat when you book
If a seating plan is available, choose a seat closer to the front or the middle of the bus. The motion is often felt less there than in the rear rows. It’s easier to look at the horizon from a window seat, but not everyone copes well with the movement seen through the window — if you find it easier to focus on a fixed point inside the coach, choose your seat based on your own experience.
Eating before the journey
Both hunger and a full stomach can make you feel unwell. A light breakfast or snack beforehand is usually more comfortable than fatty foods, too many sweets or alcohol. Drink water in small sips. If you’ve felt unwell whilst travelling before, don’t start your journey with strong coffee or energy drinks.
What to do in the first few minutes of discomfort
Put your phone and book aside, look straight ahead or at the horizon, rest your head against the headrest and breathe slowly. If possible, make sure you have some cool air. Don’t wait until the symptoms become severe: taking a break from reading or looking at a screen early on often yields better results.
A child on the bus
It is particularly important for a child to have water, a light snack, sick bags and a change of clothes within easy reach. Explain in advance what they should tell an adult at the first signs of nausea. Only use any medication for the child in accordance with their age, the instructions and the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
Medication and safety
Some anti-nausea medicines cause drowsiness or affect concentration. Do not combine them with alcohol, do not share medicines and do not exceed the recommended dose. If you have a chronic condition, are taking other medicines, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, advice from a healthcare professional is more important than general online recommendations.
Plan for your next journey
After your journey, make a note of which places and actions worked best. This will help you choose the best option next time. If your symptoms are frequent, severe or occur outside of transport, consult a doctor to assess the causes.
Before departure: a 10-minute check
The day before, open your ticket and double-check the date, local time, boarding address, passenger name and permitted luggage allowance. Save the ticket on your phone and take a screenshot in case of network issues. Charge your phone and power bank, and make a note of the carrier’s support number and the address of your destination. If you’re travelling internationally, keep your passport, medication and valuables in your hand luggage rather than in your suitcase.
Do not rely on outdated advice from social media as your sole source of information. Timetables, platforms, baggage rules, border requirements and available services are subject to change. Check important information against your ticket, the carrier’s official website and the pages of the destination country’s government authorities. A few hours before departure, check your email and messages: there may be a change to the stop or boarding time.
During the journey: comfort and consideration for others
Take the seat specified on your ticket, keep the aisles clear and follow the driver’s instructions at stops and during checks. Use headphones, do not leave your belongings unattended and do not hand your passport to strangers. If you encounter a problem — feeling unwell, a dispute over a seat, a lost item or an announcement you don’t understand — contact the driver or a station member of staff immediately. A clear report at an early stage almost always helps more quickly than trying to resolve the situation yourself.
On arrival: a final check
Before leaving the coach, check the seat pocket, the overhead rack and the luggage compartment. Only then should you head for your next mode of transport or accommodation. If your plans have changed, let your loved ones know where you are, and keep your ticket until the end of your journey: you may need it to contact the transport operator.