5 Things You NEED to Survive an Overnight Bus in South America

5 Things You NEED to Survive an Overnight Bus in South America

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If you’re traveling through multiple cities in South America on a budget, chances are your travel plans at some point or another will include a long bus ride. And if you’re realllllllly on a budget (like us), your travel plans will probably include an overnight bus.

We’ve taken over a dozen buses through South America (the longest ride being 22 hours long!) and there’s a few different reasons we like taking them overnight:

  • you save $$ since you don’t need accommodations for the night
  • you don’t miss any sightseeing time during the day
  • less traffic at night = less total travel time

It’s definitely the most economical way to get around all over the continent. But in order to embark on the adventure that is an overnight bus, you’re gonna wanna be prepared. After thousands of miles traveled in overnight buses in South America, we’ve compiled a list of 5 things you need in order to survive these long journeys and make it to your next destination smoothly.

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#1) WATER

This should go without saying, but it’s important to remember because the bus operator more than likely does not have water for you on the bus. Even if they are feeding you a meal while onboard, the drinks they serve are usually juice or soda! It’s really important to stay hydrated while traveling so you’re at the top of your game everyday exploring new places, and juice and soda just won’t cut it! Grab a bottled water at the bus station or fill up a bottle you already have before you leave (if the water if filtered/potable). We always like to keep two kinds of reusable bottles with us when we travel because it’s more economical and environmentally friendly than buying bottled water everywhere. We have this little water pouch that folds flat when it’s empty, therefore not taking up any unnecessary room or weight (both important considerations while traveling). You can grab this one or these two on Amazon for less than $15! The other water bottle we always have with us is the LifeStraw bottle. Not only is it a sleek bottle, but the integrated straw also filters and removes 99.99% of Waterborne bacteria. It’s easy to get an upset stomach when you’re drinking water that isn’t up to your normal standards, so the Lifestraw can be a lifesaver in other countries!

Platypus flat water bottle

#2) SNACKS

Overnight buses can leave at all hours of the day (or night), but if you’re anything like us, snacks are always a necessity. And nothing is worse than being hungry while stuck in a moving vehicle for hours on end. Meals on overnight buses are more the exception than the rule, and you’ll probably have to be on the bus more than 16 hours to be offered a meal anyway. Sometimes the buses will stop at rest stops with restaurants or shops on the way, but it isn’t guaranteed. Before departing, we like to go to a local market or convenience store and buy some fruit, some trail mix or chips, and something sweet like cookies or candy. The latter aren’t the healthiest of options, but we try to make the long bus rides less miserable by thinking of them as road trips with our favorite snack food stocked. Snack food makes even the most awful ride a little bit better. So spring for the snacks that you’ll want to reach for when you get those hunger pangs right before you pass out asleep on the bus.

South America snacks

#3) WARM CLOTHES

This is a hard lesson to learn the first time around if you aren’t prepared. These buses can get COLDDDD! Like really cold. They pump that air conditioning out no matter the weather or time of year. So if you get on a bus in shorts, a tank, and flip flops, you might get frostbite. Yes, that is how cold it is. Your best bet is to enter the bus wearing a jacket or sweater over a shirt, comfy pants, and socks with tennis shoes (let’s face it, your feet always dictate how warm you are right?!). We’ve even seen some people go as far as to bring a blanket with them on the bus. Whatever it is that will keep you warm and cozy and will help you sleep the ride away, bring/wear that. Or lose an appendage to frostbite, your choice.

#4) ENTERTAINMENT

Really nice buses offer everyone their own personal TVs in the headrest like on a nice airplane. Decent buses have a TV playing at the front for everyone to watch together (more than likely, a movie in Spanish). And the rest of the buses, have nothing at all. If the bus you’re going to be on is of the latter variety, or if watching a TV for hours on end just isn’t your thing, you’re probably going to want something else to do for the hours you aren’t sleeping. This can include a book or magazine, podcasts, games on your phone, notebook for writing, a coloring book, offline downloaded Netflix shows, etc. Basically anything that can keep you occupied that you can do while stationary and won’t need WiFi for. So if you need to download any books, podcasts, shows, etc, be prepared and make sure to do so before your bus ride!

 

#5) External Battery

Some buses have USB ports to charge electronics, but this is reserved for only the nicest buses. And even if you are lucky enough to come across a USB port on your bus, no guarantees it actually works (we’ve been let down many times by a USB port that didn’t offer even 1% of a charge). So if you plan to use your electronics as entertainment while on the bus, it’s a good idea to have to back-up external battery with you, so once you get to your destination, you can still use it to navigate your new city, view your reservation information, and have it on your for emergency purposes. We have this small Insignia brand external battery that is capable of charging three electronics via USB port at the same time, so we are never without our devices. Just make sure its fully charged before departing!

The bus systems in South America are an amazingly simple and economical way of getting from Point A to Point B, albeit taking more time than a flight normally would. As long as you come prepared for your overnight bus with all the necessities it takes to survive one, you should have an easy and enjoyable ride. And you can treat yourself to a delicious postre once arriving in your destination since you saved so much dough on your transportation 😉 

Have any questions about taking an overnight bus in South America? Let us know in the comments!


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Photo by Galeria de Fan Bus, difusión y prensa

*Based off overnight bus experiences in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina

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Ashly
Ashly

Ashly is the founder of reversible travel clothing brand, SPLICE clothing, and half of the budget travel couple, Happy Nomad Couple. She is from Las Vegas, USA and has been to 32 countries on 6 continents. She’s the mastermind behind this blog and does most of the traveling planning and dreaming for her & Carlos.

Find me on: Web | Instagram | Facebook

6 Comments

  1. June 15, 2017 / 2:10 am

    I remember many cold and uncomfortable nights on South American buses! I’m not sure I would do this sort of travel again but these are very useful tips!

    • Ashly
      Author
      June 15, 2017 / 9:32 pm

      So you understand the struggle!! It’s not the most luxurious but it gets the job done!

  2. June 15, 2017 / 6:48 am

    All I hear about is people seeing South America on a motorbikes and dont get me wrong I would love to go it but I have no idea how to ride a motorbike 😀 I dont even have a licence for a car so taking a bus seems like a great idea! I dont mind this long distances as long as it takes me to a wonderful places 🙂 Those are great tips! Ill save it just in case if I decided to see SA that way!

    • Ashly
      Author
      June 15, 2017 / 9:28 pm

      That’s so interesting! I don’t think we’ve seen anybody traveling through South America on motorbike. A lot of the roads here are so wind-y and there are a lot of mountains, valleys, jungles, so I’d be too afraid to take a motorbike! But the buses are really easy and efficient. Totally recommend it!

  3. Kim & Joel, Wanderlearners
    June 29, 2017 / 10:24 am

    Happy Nomad Couple, this is a great post! Thank you for the lovely tips, and we enjoyed the writing style. I definitely get cold the quickest, a small fleece blanket is a sure bet on my packing list! Joel calls me the ‘boiled eggs queen’ — I’m always making boiled eggs and sandwhiches to take with us on our day trips and travel days here on the European leg of our year-long journey. Can’t wait for the next post, love keeping up with you both. Best of luck!

    • Ashly
      Author
      June 30, 2017 / 10:04 am

      Thank you guys so much!! How are you guys getting around Europe? All Eurail or do you have some buses and other trains too? Hope you guys are having a blast and I hear you on the packing sandwiches!! We’ve eaten soooo many lol!

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