The pros and cons of booking transportation online. Don’t get stuck at the station. Try these online booking tips for buses, trains and ferries.
OK, play along.
Come up with a list of your favorite things about traveling.
Is arranging transportation on there?
Didn’t think so.
When planning your travels, you’re more likely to envision sipping from a fresh coconut on a beach, wandering a city or challenging your body with a hike.
Even booking your accommodation can be fun as you sort through luxury resorts, boutique hotels or comfortable homestays.
But transportation? Who actually enjoys figuring out those logistics, especially if they’re complicated? People who have found the right platforms and technology to solve all their transport woes — that’s who!
Technology makes travel easier
Google Maps has revolutionized the way we travel. Within seconds, we can find out how to get from Point A to B. However, its functionality is still limited.
Google doesn’t always tell you where to book your tickets or, most of the time, how much they cost. That’s where online transportation booking platforms step in.
Book transport stress-free
With Bookaway, for example, you can search and compare bus, train, and ferry tickets in 128 countries worldwide. Their website offers over 80,000 travel routes, so you’re likely to find what you need.
You can also see the price, duration, pick-up/drop-off locations and even photos of what the transport will be like — things you probably want to know when booking a 12-hour bus journey.
Arranging transportation for your travels doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
Booking online vs. booking in person
Being able to book bus, train and ferry tickets online has made traveler’s lives so much easier.
Yet some travelers still argue it’s better to book in person, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of booking transportation online.
Pros of booking transportation online
You can organize and book your transport before you even get to the country.
You don’t have to spend time and money getting to and from the booking office or station to get your tickets.
You can avoid language barrier struggles.
There’s often 24-hour customer service if you need help with your booking.
Cons of booking transportation online
There may be more transportation routes and times available than what are shown online.
Some routes might be more expensive than booking in person.
You get to practice your foreign language skills when booking tickets in real life.
Travel Hacks for Happy Trips
By this point, you’ve hopefully realized there’s no need to dread organizing your transport.
The next step is to figure out how to make the journey a more enjoyable experience. Believe it or not, equipped with the right tools, a 12-hour bus trek or six-hour ferry can actually be pleasant.
Best tips and tricks to make travel days easier
Have everything organized beforehand. Know where you’re leaving from, have tickets printed out if needed and give yourself plenty of time.
Download podcasts, movies and TV shows. Save your data. A book is also great if you don’t get motion sick.
To continue enjoying the above, ensure you have a portable charger. Running out of battery on your phone is stressful and not fun. Especially since, for most of us, our phones are also our cameras.
Bring a sweatshirt or sweater just in case the air conditioning is blasting. At times, it might be welcomed; at others, it might feel like the Arctic.
Come equipped with plenty of snacks and water. Being hungry and bored is a horrible combination.
Organizing transport doesn’t have to suck
Go back to that list of your favorite things about traveling. After reading this, we hope booking your transportation can be added to it.
After all, planning is half the fun of travel! –Kate Woodley
