dangerous bus travel

The Safest Transport Modes, Ranked by Statistics From 10 Years of Data

By turbli , on 10 January 2022

10 years of US transport safety data

The analysis is done for the US only, using the data provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) . Since transportation safety changes over time, we selected the most recent 10 years with available data: 2010-2019.

The vehicles analyzed are presented below:

Other means of transport such as freight boats, recreational boats, light rail, etc. are not included due to the lack of data to perform an adequate analysis.

For interested readers, all the assumptions made when data was missing have been places in an Appendix at the end of the article.

The fatalities presented here only include the occupants of the vehicles . Deaths from pedestrians, cyclists, trespassers, etc are not included. To improve the visualization, the figures are shown in logarithmic scale , meaning that the bars change size with by factors of 10 rather linearly.

Looking at the fatalities alone, we can clearly see that land vehicles accumulate the largest share. Train, planes and ferryboat have much lower numbers in comparison. Private planes have a striking difference with commercial or commuter planes, reaching 100 times more fatalities.

The fact that only 16 people have died in commercial aviation already shows how safe this transport is. Between this period, there have been more than 100 million plane departures in the US.

Normalizing the data

The total number of fatalities is not a good measure to determine if one means of transport is safer than another. This is because those used more often can accumulate more fatalities than those used less. By dividing (normalizing) the number of fatalities by different factors, a better comparison can be achieved.

In this article we will show the fatalities data normalized by passenger miles and passenger hours.

Fatalities by passenger miles

A common normalization factor for transport are the vehicle miles. That is, the sum of all miles traveled by all the vehicles of a specific means of transport over a period of time.

Vehicles miles = Sum of all miles traveled by all vehicles

While this factor gives as an idea of how much each transport type is used, it does not take into account that some vehicles carry many more passengers than others . This should be taken into account since, to transport 1000 people from point A to point B, many car trips would be needed, increasing the risk compared to train or planes. This leads to the normalizing factor of passenger miles .

Passenger miles = Vehicle miles x Passengers per vehicle

If you were to travel a given distance from point A to B, the fatalities per passenger miles shows which transport is the safest.

Looking at the data, we can see that motorcycles are by far the most dangerous transport. Bus, train and ferryboats appear much safer. Flying has long been considered as very safe too, but here we can see that not all flight modes are equal. Flights done with private owned planes are 10 times more dangerous than cars!

Despite having only 16 deaths over the past 10 years, commuter flights also show a high fatality rate. This is due to their low passenger miles, meaning that this transport is not as used as the larger commercial flights.

If you don’t take commuter flights and don't own a private plane, then I have good news for you: commercial flights are the safest means of transport! They are 1,700 times safer than car , and 100,000 times safer than motorcycle.

Fatalities by passenger hours

Another useful metric is the passenger hours . That is, the sum of all hours traveled by all vehicles of a transportation means.

Passenger hours = Vehicle hours x Passengers per vehicle

This factor can be used to compare how risky it is to sit a fix number of hours in different transports. For example, 5 hours in a motorcycle vs 5 hours in a plane. Of course, the plane will take you for a longer distance than the motorcycle, but it’s still a useful metric to compare the safety of one situation to another .

The results are similar to those from passenger miles. Motorcycle maintains the position as least safe transport, whereas bus, train and ferryboat continue with low numbers

Are commuter flights as risky as cars?

The fatality rates for commuter planes seem very high. But are these estimates accurate? The problem is that these planes don’t accumulate many passenger miles, meaning that we don’t have much data to get a good estimate.

Cars accumulate the highest value of passenger miles. Combined with the relatively high risk of cars, this leads to a very stable and predictable number fatalities each year. Commuter planes are used much less, resulting in an intermittent number of fatalities per year: 1 death in 2015 and 8 in 2016. This is an increase of 800 %!

Therefore, even if we take the average of 10 years to compute the fatality rate of commuter planes, the result can be affected by an isolated event with high fatalities, not representative of the actual safety. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we would simply need a higher use of this transport.

Despite having a low sample size to determine how risky commuter flights are, the current set suggests that they might be more risky than larger commercial flights . To put it in perspective, we would need 1,500 more deaths per year in commercial flights to reach a fatality rate similar to commuter planes. This is about 40 full plane crashes in a decade, and in 2010-2019 there were zero.

The reason for the higher risk of commuter flights is not clear for us . Since this category includes small cargo flights, it could be that the fatalities are due to handling of the cargo. A larger usage of this transport would be needed to get better conclusions.

The safest transport: commercial flights

The data on commercial flights has similar issues than commuter flights. The probability of a fatality is so low that, despite accumulating such enormous amount of flight hours, many more would be needed to obtain a more acculturate value. An added problem is that a single crash of a plane generates a large spike in the fatalities, whereas a motorcycle crash leads to a small increase of just one or two.

In any case, even if an accurate value is hard to obtain, commercial flights remain as the safest transport .

This can be seen in the data from 2000-2009 , where the fatalities per passenger miles were 0.07. This is higher than the current 0.002 value, but still much lower than cars . The reason for the higher values of the previous decade were two full crashes which occurred in 2001, killing about 500 people. Still, the fact that having these two crashes led to such low fatality rate of 0.07 (100 times lower than car), highlights how safe commercial planes are.

Quick lines on commercial flights safety

Private flights are risky.

Contrary to commuter or commercial flights, the fatality rate on private planes is expected to have a low statistical error due to the observed stability in the number of deaths each year. Therefore, private planes should actually be 10 times more dangerous than cars.

The reason for the higher risk is attributed to the lower preparation and less strict regulations than in commercial flights. Just as a reference, a pilot for a commercial airline needs a training of 3 years, whereas a private pilot license can be obtained in 6 months. On top of that, maintenance of the planes is much more regulated in the commercial airlines.

Recreational boating also showed a very high number of fatalities compared to passenger boats or freight ships. Unfortunately, the fatality rate of these was not added due to the lack of data on the passenger miles.

Conclusions

Commercial flights are the safest transport mode. In the past decade, there hasn’t been a single full plane crash in the US. The fatalities rate during this past decade so low that even if you fly your during your entire life, you only have 1 out of 1,500 chances of dying.

On the other hand, private flights are about 10 times more dangerous than car. Train and bus are similarly safe as commercial flights. As train can cover large distances, it can be an alternative for people who fear flying.

The points below show the assumptions done when data on fatalities, passenger miles or passenger hours wasn’t available.

Land vehicles : There is no data on passenger hours for land vehicles. Therefore, the average speed given in the Journal of Transport Statistics was used in combination with the passenger miles to obtain them: car 34.4 mph, light vehicle 31.8 mph, motorcycle 38.4 mph, heavy truck 33.6 mph, bus 21 mph.

Bus : fatalities data missing from 2019 is carried over from 2018.

Train : There is no data on passenger hours for trains. The average speed of commuter trains is available at BTS, about 32 mph. The average speed of Amtrak is assumed to be 84 mph, based on data from the Northeast Corridor . These two speeds are combined to make an average speed of trains.

Flights : Data on passenger miles is not available. An average number of passengers per plane was assumed for each to obtain it. Commercial flights were taken as 100. Commuter flights 9, which would be the maximum number of people allowed in this category, therefore giving a lower estimate on the fatality rate. For private flights, data on passenger miles available at BTS until 2001 is used to estimate an average number of passengers of 3.5 and an average speed of 135 mph, needed to get the passenger hours. For all flights, data missing in 2011 is taken from 2010.

Ferryboat : The number of fatalities is not taken from BTS since this one aggregates from other transportation such as inclined plane and cableway. Data is aggregated from the Federal Transit Administration . To get the passenger hours, the average speed available at BTS of 8.5 mph is used.

US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. National Transportation Statistics .

US Federal Transit Administration. Annual National Transit Summaries and Trends .

Savage I., 2013. Comparing the fatality risks in United States transportation across modes and over time . Research in Transportation Economics, 43, 9-22.

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Here's why you might still want to wear masks on public transport

Maria Godoy

Travelers sit in a waiting area at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence, R.I., on April 19. A federal judge's decision to strike down the federal mask mandate has left travelers to assess the risks of public transit on their own. David Goldman/AP hide caption

Travelers sit in a waiting area at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence, R.I., on April 19. A federal judge's decision to strike down the federal mask mandate has left travelers to assess the risks of public transit on their own.

Just how likely are you to pick up a case of COVID-19 on that upcoming flight, bus commute or train ride?

This is what many Americans are trying to gauge after a Florida judge's ruling halted the federal requirement to wear a mask on most forms of public transit.

The Biden administration is appealing the court's decision, but for now masking has become entirely optional for U.S. travelers — leaving them to decide how risky travel is for themselves.

"This was a legal decision — not a scientific decision," says Joshua Santarpia , a microbiologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center who studies aerosol transmission of disease. "People should not take this as a sign that something has magically changed overnight."

Shots - Health News

The judge who tossed mask mandate misunderstood public health law, legal experts say.

Infectious disease experts tell NPR they generally plan to keep covering their faces regardless of what the rules are. It's not as though all public transit poses the same risk, though. Scientists say certain forms of transportation are more worrisome than others, and different legs of a journey can also present different risks.

"It's very important to distinguish travel as a continuum," says Dr. David Freedman , president-elect of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Wherever you go, pay attention to how many passengers there are, how close together they are, and how well the air is moving through the space. Understanding these differences can guide your own personal decisions about what risks you can and cannot afford to take.

Airplanes can be safe spaces, but there's a catch

It may seem counterintuitive, but flying in a small, enclosed metal tube can actually be safer from a COVID standpoint than many other indoor activities like eating in restaurants, or going to stores.

"It's considerably better than those spaces," says Santarpia. In fact, the air gets exchanged every few minutes in airplane cabins like those of the Boeing 767s and 777s — even putting them ahead of the standards for operating rooms.

This means that tiny respiratory particles, or aerosols, that can carry the virus get sucked away quite quickly. Santarpia has actually studied this by sampling air while a plane is in flight.

"The particles are not dispersed widely in the cabin, so your exposure level to people, even in your immediate area by aerosols alone, is not particularly high," he says.

If a passenger is infected with the coronavirus and not wearing a mask, people sitting within two to three rows of them are at higher risk of infection. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

If a passenger is infected with the coronavirus and not wearing a mask, people sitting within two to three rows of them are at higher risk of infection.

This finding is supported by other research, including a review of the evidence undertaken by Canada's health agency and updated in November 2021, which concluded that "the risk of infection during a flight is low."

Freedman, who also reviewed the evidence of in-flight transmission in late 2020, says major outbreaks are "relatively uncommon" and that they tended to happen on the flights without masking requirements.

"The number of flights with larger outbreaks did seem to go down once there was universal masking," says Freedman; however, he notes it's hard to truly quantify the risk because these studies are challenging to do.

Still, this lines up with an assessment by Harvard researchers that also found, when people wear masks, flying can be safer than going to the grocery store.

Danger areas when flying

Air travel would be fairly safe if passengers were magically transported into their seats mid-flight, wore a well-fitted mask and stayed put during the entire flight.

Of course, we all know this is a fantasy.

"It's not just the airplane — airports are a nightmare," says Freedman. "Airports have done very little to change any of their procedures at all."

There are innumerable opportunities to catch the virus while hauling your luggage from the curb through security and onto the plane, among a crowd of other travelers.

And even once you're onboard, the risk can be higher while the plane is taxiing or sitting on the runway, because the ventilation systems may not be fully running, says Freedman.

Boeing says its guidance to airlines is to keep the air flow system turned on with HEPA filters and air circulating at all times while passengers are on board, but several experts have pointed out this doesn't always happen.

Even on the flight, you can still be at risk if you're seated close to someone who's infected and unmasked. Research generally shows that people seated within two to three rows from an infected person are at the highest risk of catching the virus, says Freedman. But even people seated farther away can be infected according to some studies.

Given all of this, Santarpia recommends continuing to wear a high-quality respirator, like an N95 or K95, when flying and while in the airport.

Even if cases are generally low where you live, air travel could expose you to people from other regions where more virus might be circulating. And remember: the longer the flight, the greater the risk.

Buses and subways: Risk for you and those around you

Data from the subway systems in New York City and San Francisco show they have good ventilation, says Linsey Marr, an airborne disease transmission researcher at Virginia Tech.

But even that isn't enough to prevent transmission in a situation where riders are packed tightly together in each other's faces.

A woman wearing a protective mask enters a city bus on April 23, 2020 in New York City. New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a benefits program for workers who die of COVID-19-related causes. Jeenah Moon/Getty Images hide caption

A woman wearing a protective mask enters a city bus on April 23, 2020 in New York City. New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a benefits program for workers who die of COVID-19-related causes.

Marr says if a subway car is crowded, she's keeping her mask on. But if there's "fewer than 10 people on a train, I probably wouldn't."

Several experts said ventilation is more of a concern on city buses, where "you're really breathing in what almost everyone else is breathing out," says Jesse Capecelatro , an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan who studies the flow physics of particles and droplets.

Capecelatro has researched how air flow affects disease transmission on urban buses . "What we found was if the windows are closed, due to the recirculation of the air in the bus, whatever someone breathes out, in about 45 seconds, everyone in the bus is breathing in a portion of that," he says.

He and his colleagues published models, using data from earlier in the pandemic, that showed when everyone on a bus is wearing a high-quality mask — assuming they're wearing it without big gaps around the nose and mouth — that dramatically reduces transmission risks. If no one was wearing a mask, and there was a highly contagious person on board, the modelling found that under certain conditions, about half the passengers on the bus could potentially get infected within 15 minutes.

He says opening windows on a bus can make a big difference, but that's not always possible.

The fact that buses tend to have less ventilation than other means of public transportation raises real equity concerns, says Neil Sehgal , an assistant professor of health policy at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

" Hispanic and Black people are more than twice as likely to take public transit than white people, and people with lower incomes are also disproportionately more likely to take public transit than people with higher incomes," he says.

Seghal says the end of mask mandates on buses means that people with fewer options for safer travel are now facing increased risk – including people who are medically vulnerable. For instance, people with cancer might need to ride a bus to their chemotherapy or oncology appointments.

"We've increased the level of risk for these people without consideration that their risk tolerance may not be the same as ours," he says.

Cabs and ride-sharing: Get some air in there

If you've ever been in a passenger car with a smoker, you know that the cabin will quickly fill up with smoke when the windows are up. (Some people call this hotboxing, with cigarettes and ahem, other substances.) Infectious aerosols behave like smoke, so in an enclosed car, they're also going to build up quickly.

When you consider the fact that ride-share drivers are picking up different passengers all day long, it's hard to predict what kinds of viral particles you might be breathing.

Taxis and ride-sharing vehicles can be risky, given that you're sitting in close quarters with the driver and you don't know who else breathed in the space moments before. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

Taxis and ride-sharing vehicles can be risky, given that you're sitting in close quarters with the driver and you don't know who else breathed in the space moments before.

So if you're in a cab or ride-sharing vehicle, research has found that your best bet to is to open the windows all the way to clear the air and lower your risk of transmission. If you're cruising along at a good clip, "partially open windows also do a lot more than you might think," says Varghese Mathai , an assistant professor of physics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who has studied aerosol transmission in passenger car cabins.

His research has found that when you're stuck in traffic , in addition to opening windows, turning the AC on at full blast will allow for more air circulation.

And remember, shorter rides are better. "The longer the time you spend [in the car], the more aerosols you risk inhaling," Mathai notes.

Mathai says his research was inspired in part by his own use of ride-sharing services, and he plans to keep on masking.

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Night Bus Travel: 11 Tips for Safety, Survival and Sleep

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Tips

Updated On: January 17, 2021

Taking an overnight bus while traveling is often a great option. Not only can you cover a lot of ground without losing time, but you can also save money on a flight or hotel room.

The journey itself, however, can be challenging—especially your first time.

After taking numerous overnight buses over the years, I’ve come up with a list of tips that will hopefully make your experience easier and safer —and one during which you can sleep easy.

Bus Travel – SAFETY

1. make sure the route is safe..

Check local travel advisories and be sure the bus route is not one where robberies and/or accidents are common at night.

If you see warnings about this, you might want to opt for a day bus.

2. Splurge on the first-class bus.

Think long and hard before buying a ticket for the cheaper or cheapest overnight bus.

Does it look safe and decently maintained (eg, are tires bald)? Can you imagine being in one of the seats all night?

Will there be two drivers, taking turns—or just one for the entire night?

If you’re unsure and/or have a bad gut feeling, then it might be best to take more expensive, higher quality overnight bus.

3. Choose your seat carefully.

There are several things to consider when picking your seat:

• Window or Aisle? Some people feel they’ll sleep better near the window; it means more ways to create a makeshift pillow. Others (like me) prefer the aisle because there’s more space and a way to stretch out.
• Near a man or woman? You should sit where you feel most comfortable. I tend to sit next to a woman or a teenager. The few times I’ve sat near a man (whether seats were pre-assigned or not), I had some unpleasant encounters. If you’re a male traveler, then the choice might be easier. My advice is to state your preference when you buy the ticket if seats are assigned in advance.
• Front, back or middle? The further back you sit, the bumpier (and possibly weirder) the ride may be. Sit too close to the front and you might see things you don’t want to see—the road in front of you, that is, and the scary way in which the driver is taking the hairpin turns. Of course, if you like rollercoasters, then you might enjoy a seat up front.

Middle of Bus is the Safest Place

According to safety experts, the middle is generally safer. If an accident occurred, the chance of serious injury would be minimized since most accidents involve head-on collisions or rear-ending.

For this reason, and those discussed above, I tend to sit in the middle.

4. Hide your money/other valuables in more than one place.

It’s not ideal to keep all of your money and credit cards together.

In the event of a robbery, the thief would get everything. Try to split up your valuables.

I prefer to use a slash-proof waist pack (which has a ‘trick lock’ on it) and to hide some money in my shoes.

Read: Top Scams to Watch out for in India

Bus Travel – SURVIVAL

Moving beyond basic safety, there’s ‘survival’—that is, making the journey more comfortable and bearable.

5. Pack as if you’re flying.

You’ll probably have to stow your larger bag underneath the bus (if there’s no room for it above you).

If so, then make sure your daypack has what you need (eg, medication)—as if you’re going to be on a plane.

6. Pack an energy drink (to avoid needing to use the bathroom).

Buy a Gatorade or another beverage that replenishes electrolytes. Or pack small packets of powder drinks to make your own.

This will hopefully keep your thirst quenched and your bladder, empty—meaning that you won’t have to use the bathroom as often.

That’s a good thing since there may or may not be one (if there is, it’ll probably be unpleasant) on the bus and those at rest stops may be atrocious.

7. BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks).

Most often, there will be a stop or two at roadside restaurants; in some cases, the food is quite good.

But there are no guarantees. I once ate at a low-quality place in Indonesia and got sick the next day.

If I’d had snacks, I might have skipped that meal. You should always have something (eg, nuts, fruit or an energy bar if possible) just in case.

8. Use noise-canceling headphones and entertain yourself.

Night bus rides last from 6 to 12 or more hours.

During this time, you will encounter many unpleasant sounds: a loud TV, staticky music, someone snoring and/or other conversations. Use good headphones (noise-canceling would be best) to block those sounds and to listen to your own music.

If you want to read, be sure to have a reading light because chances are the overhead light won’t work.

Check out 10 Things that will Ruin your Sleep in India

SLEEP on the Night Bus

9. use earplugs plus an eye mask..

When it’s time to sleep, you’ll want to drown out the noise.

I recommend earplugs, which you can buy at an electronics store. (See Tip # 6.)

An eye mask is also important. It helps block out light from inside the bus at night and in the morning, when the sun coming in through the windows can make you feel like a vampire.

10. Use a neck pillow.

If you travel with a suitcase, then you might want to purchase a neck pillow.

If you’re a backpacker, you won’t want the extra bulk of a pillow in your bag, so you should consider getting a blow-up neck pillow.

It will make you feel more comfortable whether you’re reading or resting.

11. Take meds if you need to (but nothing too strong).

It’s not always easy to sleep on these buses, so you might need some help.

Taking medication (check with your doctor first) could be a solution. I use a combination of antihistamine and Xanax.

You want to sleep, but you don’t want to be so knocked out that you can’t wake up and react quickly if you need to.

Your Thoughts/Ideas?

Have you ever taken an overnight bus? If so, have you used any of the tips above or do you have any to share/add? If so, please comment below.

About Lisa:

Lisa Egle is the author of Magic Carpet Seduction , a collection of off-the-beaten-path travel tales set in China, Latin America, Turkey and the Middle East. She also runs the travel blog, Chicky Bus , which takes readers/’riders’ to unique destinations around the world via photos, videos and stories. Her writing has been published on BlogHer and Matador Network, and one of her stories was featured in an article on the Oprah.com blog. Follow Lisa on Twitter .

Photo credit: All photos are @L Egle/ChickyBus, except for one of the snacks. Thanks to  Liza , a photographer whose work can be found on Flickr.

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15 thoughts on “Night Bus Travel: 11 Tips for Safety, Survival and Sleep”

Thanks I’ve never rode on bus before. I’m planning a night trip but theirs like 6 stop because I’m going to a small country town. Thanks for your tips.

Additional note, get high before the ride

Wonderful and useful tips. I agree with you.

Id rather get robbed than wear a fanny pack lol!!!

This is my personal tip- loop the straps of your purse or bag around your arm or ankle while you sleep, so no one can grab it without waking you up. Many people may get on and off between where you get on and your final destination, and there are some shady characters who hop on and off of inter-city buses! If you get off the bus to buy a snack or use the facilities at any point, take your stuff with you (always!)

Great Tip! Thanks for sharing Macy. I agree, I always loop things around my feet.

Oh man, always always pay for the best you can get. Sleeper buses in Asia were an adventure, but I hope to never repeat the experience! My own tips are here: http://nzmuse.com/2013/07/how-to-survive-sleeper-buses-in-asia/

Thanks for the tips. We agree when it comes to ground transportation, we try to pay for 1st or 2nd class. Most of the time it isn’t that much more expensive by Western Standards, but the difference is unbelievable.

The energy drink tip is interesting! I’m trying that next time, because I’m always torn about drinking water: long bus trips make me really dehydrated, but there’s nothing worse than having to pee and waiting an hour or more for the next rest stop.

Oh man, that’s the worst. That’s why I never drink, I always have to pee!

These are helpful tips for any kind of travel. I employ many of these on planes too! Didn’t know that about Gatorade, though. Will be adding that to my repertoire!

Hi, Heather. True re: planes. The tips definitely work well there, too–and also on overnight trains. Glad that you’ll be trying out the Gatorade (the tip, I mean). 🙂

Great tip for sure!

Great tips!

Thanks, Andi!

If you think catching a bus during these Covid-19 pandemic times is fraught with dangers, then think again. While the developed world benefits from comparatively state-of-the-art public transport, the developing world has to make do with whatever they can get hold of. The world’s most dangerous bus routes are not for the faint-hearted. 

In the most remote regions of the world people still need to get from A to B. Economic needs motivate people to make perilous journeys through narrow rocky mountain paths, cross fast flowing rivers or navigate rickety wooden bridges.

The world’s most dangerous bus routes pale into insignificance compared to the London Underground. I would rather much be in a remote part of the world sitting on top of a clapped-out bus while it navigates a narrow mountain path than take a ride on London’s Underground.

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Is it safe to take public transit? Risks to consider and how to prepare

Public transit systems around the world have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic . Some, like the New York City subway system, have changed their hours of operation to allow for extra sanitization , other systems have reduced the number of passengers allowed in cars — and many have required masks be worn.

Car services like taxi cabs, Ubers and Lyfts have also changed, requiring riders and drivers both to wear masks and distance from each other as best as possible.

However, as the country begins to reopen and people begin to return to offices and other workplaces, more people are using public transit than they have in previous months. Is it safe to ride public transit during the pandemic? TODAY spoke with two health experts about just how you can use the transportation systems while still keeping yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy.

What should you bring?

A mask is a the most important thing to take on the trip. Wearing masks is as critical on public transportation as it is in other public spaces.

"You have to wear a mask," said Shan Soe-Lin, Ph.D., a lecturer in global affairs at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and a trained immunologist. "It's the best thing you can do."

"The number one, two and three most important things are to wear a mask, to wear a mask and to wear a mask," Dr. Anne Liu, an infectious disease physician at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California, told TODAY. "Of the things that we recommend — social distancing, hand washing (and) mask wearing — in a public transportation setting, the most important thing is mask wearing."

Riders should also bring supplies like hand sanitizer to clean their hands after using a ticket machine or touching parts of the vehicle. It can also help to bring sanitizing wipes so you can wipe down any high-touch surfaces before using them.

In some cases, disposable gloves can also be helpful , but Soe-Lin cautioned that they should only be worn in extreme circumstances.

Health & Wellness Going back to work? Here’s what commuting on public transit will look like

"Touching your face with a dirty gloved hand and touching your face with a dirty ungloved hand is the same," she said. "You can wear gloves, take them off if you need to and then put them back on, but that's pretty extreme."

How can you best analyze the COVID-19 risks?

While there haven't been any major outbreaks tied to mass transit systems, which Liu suggests is the result of effective masking, it's still important to know your risk factors and understand what chances you may have to take before getting on the bus, train or subway.

"We’re moving to a new phase where we have to manage risk as best as we can," said Soe-Lin. "If you have to go to work and you have to take the subway, you have to do what you have to do and do it as safely as you can, but people should be minimizing trips and exposures as much as possible as well."

First, make sure that the trip you're making is truly essential — and make sure that you're getting there in the safest way possible. If it's feasible to walk or ride a bike, that may be safer than using public transit. If you do have to take a vehicle, hailing a taxi is likely safer than getting on the subway.

Once you've determined where you're going and how you'll get there, make sure that you're going at an off-peak time if possible. Try to avoid busy cars and stations. Make sure that you're also following the best precautions possible depending on what type of transportation you're using.

Trains and buses

Trains and public buses may not have windows that can be opened, but if they do, it's a good idea to open them, since the increased ventilation can help lower the risk of transmission.

"Opening windows helps with getting good circulation, which will probably reduce the risk of the number of events of transmission," Liu said. "It may not necessarily reduce the risk of transmission if somebody (with coronavirus) is sitting right next to you, but it may reduce the risk for everybody else."

Do your best to avoid sitting next to other riders , especially if they aren't wearing masks.

"If you are sitting near somebody on a train who is infected and not wearing a mask, it's not a huge risk, but it's a pretty significant risk," Liu said. "That can put you in the 3 to 5% range of being infected, which is pretty significant, especially if you're near enough to people and you do it enough times over the course of a workweek."

If you're in the station, try avoiding high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and ticket machines . Use a contactless option wherever possible — and always make sure that you're wearing a mask or other face covering.

"All of these measures to reduce contact and to go contactless will incrementally help. I don't think any one of them will win the battle, but they will all incrementally help," Liu said.

Much like with buses and trains, do what you can to increase the airflow. Soe-Lin said that there isn't much data on whether opening windows on an underground subway versus on an aboveground bus or train changes the risk at all, but any airflow can help reduce the transmission of the virus.

Again, continue to do your best to avoid people who aren't wearing masks. Be sure to wear your own mask properly for the entire journey. Try to avoid crowded cars, and if you can, build some extra time into your commute.

"Try waiting for the next train," Soe-Lin said. "More people are heading back to work, and while I don't think (transit use) is going to reach the levels that it was when everything was normal, your car won't be just 10% full anymore either."

You can also try moving between cars, if possible, but be sure to do that safely — never pass between cars while a subway is in motion.

Hired cars like taxis, Lyfts and Ubers may be safer than buses or subways, because fewer people are in the vehicle, but the same precautions should be taken. Roll down the windows if you safely can, be sure to wear a mask and sit as far from the driver as possible — consider sitting in the back seat instead of in the front and limit the number of people in the car.

Drivers should consider using dividers or plastic shields to separate the front and back seats of the car, which can help protect them from prolonged contact with unknown riders.

If you are a passenger in a car with that arrangement, roll down the windows in the backseat.

"I would still roll things down in the back because someone was still sitting there," Soe-Lin said, pointing out that the virus can be airborne and aerosolized particles can linger for several hours.

Kerry Breen is a reporter and associate editor for  TODAY.com , where she reports on health news, pop culture and more. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from New York University. 

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Expert Commentary

Transportation safety over time: Cars, planes, trains, walking, cycling

2013 study by Northwestern University on the relative fatality risk of a broad range of motorized and non-motorized transportation modes in the United States.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

by Leighton Walter Kille, The Journalist's Resource October 5, 2014

This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/economics/comparing-fatality-risks-united-states-transportation-across-modes-time/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">

In May 2013 the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration released estimates of U.S. traffic fatalities for 2012, and the results were troubling: 34,080 people died in motor-vehicles crashes that year, an increase of 5.3% over 2011’s total and a reversal of the long-term downward trends. The meaning of the one-year shift is unclear and there is a great deal of nuance within all the numbers, but the litany of deaths remains sobering — an average of more than 93 every day.

The lowest year in recent history was 2011, when 32,367 people died on U.S. roads and highways. As horrifying as that number is, it actually constitutes progress: In 1994, 40,716 died on the roads — 26% more, and nearly 112 deaths per day. Beyond the absolute numbers, progress has been made in overall mortality rates : 1.1 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled in 2011 (it rose to 1.16 in 2012). Much of this is due to advances in vehicle safety — air bags, anti-lock brakes and increased crashworthiness. But technology can have its drawbacks as well: Since 1980 the average horsepower of U.S. cars more than doubled , and speed limits have risen significantly, greatly increasing the potential for damage, loss of life and injuries. Motorcycling is also on the rise, and fatality rates have increased in lockstep with its popularity and inherent riskiness.

A 2013 study in Research in Transportation Economics , “Comparing the Fatality Risks in United States Transportation Across Modes and Over Time,” looks at the historical trends to paint a fuller picture of where this all stands. The researcher, Ian Savage of Northwestern University, prefaces his findings with an important caveat on measures of “safety”:

The focus on fatalities is primarily motivated by a greater confidence that this measure of safety is reported more consistently and accurately across modes and time. In general, cross-sectional and time-series comparisons in fatalities are also indicative of differences in non-fatal injuries, illnesses, and property damage. Albeit that the correlation is not perfect. In particular, fatalities are a poor measure of some of the environmental risks associated with the transportation of oil products and hazardous materials. In addition many of the advances in safety in recent decades have focused on “crashworthiness” whereby design changes have been made to increase the survivability of crashes and mitigate the severity of injuries. Consequently it is possible that a reduction in fatalities may be partly compensated for by an increase in the number of injuries.

Savage’s analysis involved two datasets: The first involved the relative risk of different travel modes — cars, buses, planes, trains, and more — from 2000 to 2009; the second was a time-series analysis for each mode from 1975 to 2010. The findings of the study include:

• Between 2000 and 2009, on average 43,239 people in the United States died each year in transportation-related incidents. Based on the average number of U.S. residents over that period, the annual risk of dying in a transportation-related accident is 1 in 6,800.
• Transportation-related fatalities constituted just under 2% of the 2.43 million deaths per year from all causes in the United States, or 1 in 56. Transportation was the biggest source of all “unintentional injury deaths” (38%) — those not caused by old age, disease, suicide or homicide.
• Whatever the vehicle, highways are by far the most common place of transportation fatalities in the United States: 94%. If deaths that take place at rail-highway grade crossings are included, the total is even higher, at just over 95%.
• Despite significant fatality rates for highway travel, overall transportation is becoming less dangerous: “The rate in 2010 is just one-third of that in 1975 (1.11 versus 3.35 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles). The 1980s and early 1990s were the era of the greatest rate of improvement.”

Cars, trucks and SUVs

• Nearly three-quarters of people who died in highway crashes (74%) were occupants of automobiles and light trucks. More than half (55%) occurred in single-vehicle incidents without a prior collision, including roll-overs; vehicles striking fixed objects, animals or debris; or catching fire.
• The proportion of fatal single-vehicle crashes is much higher for light trucks (66%) than it is for automobiles (47%). Light trucks — including minivans, pickups and SUVs — often have a relatively higher center of gravity and thus a greater propensity to roll over.
• Drivers or passengers in cars or light trucks faced a fatality risk of 7.3 per billion passenger-miles: “A person who was in a motor vehicle for 30 miles every day for a year faced a fatality risk of about 1 in 12,500. Relative to mainline trains, buses and commercial aviation the risk was 17, 67, and 112 times greater, respectively.”
• Because private individuals operate the vast majority of motor vehicles, their risk is highly dependent on personal behavior: “Unlike the commercial modes where passengers are victimized randomly, the risk to individual highway users varies considerably depending on age, alcohol consumption and the type of road used.” (See highway risk factors below.)
• “One might argue that transportation equipment, and in particular the motor vehicle, must be the most dangerous machines that we interact with on a daily basis,” the researcher states. “The annual toll in motor vehicle crashes exceeds the deaths resulting from the next most dangerous mechanical device, firearms, by about 40%.”

Motorcycles

• Nearly 10% of all highway fatalities — one in ten — were motorcyclists: “When a motorcycle is involved in a collision with another vehicle, the motorcyclist invariably receives more serious injuries. The ratio of fatalities in two-vehicle collisions was 70 motorcyclist fatalities for each fatal injury sustained by the occupant of the other vehicle.”
• Over the period studied, motorcycles became increasingly popular, with use rising as much as 75%. As a consequence, fatalities have increased proportionally. This trend has been exacerbated by the “general rollback in the number of states requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets.” ( Earlier research has indicated that when a state repeals or weakens a helmet-use law, motorcyclist fatalities typically rise nearly 40%.)
• Motorcycles had a fatality rate of 212 per billion passenger miles, by far the highest of all modes: “A motorcyclist who traveled 15 miles every day for a year, had an astonishing 1 in 860 chance of dying — 29 times the risk for automobiles and light trucks.”

Highway risk factors

• Urban roads are far safer than those in rural areas: “Based on data from 2009, highways in rural areas have a fatality risk that is 2.7 times greater than that in urban areas. In general the lower average speeds, greater provision of lighting, greater deployment of traffic control devices and fewer curves in urban areas more than compensate for factors such as the greater number of intersections and the presence of pedestrians.”
• Gender and youth play are significant factors in fatality risk: Males are three times more likely to die in a road accident than females, while people between the ages of 18 and 29 are at a 50% to 90% greater risk.
• Seat-belt use is a significant factor: Half of vehicle occupants who die in automobiles and light truck incidents (49%) were not wearing seat belts or using child safety seats.
• Alcohol played a role in approximately a third of all highway fatalities, with at least one of the involved parties having a blood-alcohol level above 0.8 grams per deciliter.
• Related research has shown that drivers using cell phones show greater impairment than drunk drivers, and hands-free systems offered no improvement over handheld devices. Cell-phone conversations have a more profound effect on driver performance than other forms of in-car distraction, including talking to passengers and listening to the radio.
• Mainline railroads claimed an average of 876 lives a year, the majority of which occur during collisions with highway users and pedestrians. The largest number of deaths, 490, involve people and vehicles not at grade crossings, and a significant portion of those deaths, approximately 85 to 110, were possibly suicides.
• The balance of rail-related deaths involve motorists at grade crossings (281), pedestrians at grade crossings (68) employees and contractors working on the tracks (26). Per year on average, only seven passengers traveling on mainline trains die.
• The overall fatality rate for long-haul train service is 0.43 per billion passenger miles. Excluding pedestrians and others not on trains — 64% of total fatalities assigned to railroads — the fatality rate is approximately 0.15 per billion passenger miles.
• Vehicles with a capacity of 10 passengers or more represented just 0.1% of the total fatalities. On average, there were approximately 40 fatalities per year, with drivers and other bus-company employees representing 25% of lives lost.
• Scheduled and charter service accounted for 44% of total bus fatalities . The balance of deaths occurred with school buses (23%), urban transit (11%) and a variety of private shuttles, church buses and other services (22%).
• The fatality rate per billion passenger-miles for buses is relatively low, 0.11. However, this is still 65% greater than that for aviation, and doesn’t include victims of crime. (Also, see statistics on “curbside” bus services. )
• The majority of aviation fatalities that occur each year (85%) involved private aircraft (known as “general aviation”). On average, 549 people die each year in activities such as recreational flying (41% of flight hours), business travel (24%), and instruction (17%).
• Excluding acts of suicide and terrorism, commercial aviation was the safest mode of travel in the United States, with 0.07 fatalities per billion passenger miles: “A person who took a 500-mile flight every single day for a year, would have a fatality risk of 1 in 85,000.” (One variable to note: Takeoffs and landings are where the risk is, not in the number of miles flown, so risk-per-flight calculations are higher.)

Walking, bicycling

• Between 2000 and 2009, on average 6,067 pedestrians and bicyclists died on U.S. highways and in collisions with other modes of transport. Of these, 4,930 died when hit by cars and trucks operated by private users, 545 deaths resulted from collisions with commercial carriers, and 592 from commercial users not on highways.
• In all, fatalities of pedestrians and bicyclists make up nearly 15% of annual average highway fatalities. More than 90% of pedestrian fatalities occurred when the victims were hit by automobiles and light trucks.
• A related study on risk factors for on-road cycling commuters indicated that prior to car-bicycle accidents, 89% of cyclists were traveled in a safe and legal manner. In addition, vehicle drivers were at fault in 87% of the events.

A related 2013 study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine , “Safety in Numbers: Are Major Cities the Safest Places in the United States?” examined the overall injury risk in urban areas compared with suburban and rural areas. Among the conclusions: Rural counties demonstrated significantly higher death rates than urban counties — 1.22 times greater for the most rural compared with the most urban. The majority of the difference was in unintentional incidents such as accidents, but some increase in suicide risk was also seen in rural areas. Overall, the study finds, “U.S. urban counties were safer than their rural counterparts, and injury death risk increased steadily as counties became more rural.”

Also of interest is a 2013 report by the World Health Organization. “Global Status Report on Road Safety 2013: Supporting a Decade of Action.” The study was based on country-level data and included information on newer risk factors such as cell phone use while driving. Among the findings, the report states that more than 1.24 million people die every year as a result of road traffic injuries, making it the eighth leading cause of death globally, and the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29. Based on anticipated trends, by 2030 road accidents are projected to be the fifth leading cause of death globally.

Keywords: cars, trains, Amtrak, Northeast Corridor, planes, airlines, pedestrians, bicycling, safety, distracted driving, alcohol , multitasking, driving

About The Author

Leighton Walter Kille

Calmer Travel

7 Easy Steps to Stay Safe on Greyhound Buses

Greyhound Lines Inc. offers one of the cheapest ways to travel across North America, but they have developed a reputation for being unsafe. Many people also interpret the lower fares to mean some compromises, including passenger safety. However, this reputation isn’t necessarily deserved.

We wanted to answer the question, are Greyhound buses safe?

Generally, Greyhound buses are both a safe and affordable means of long-distance travel between cities and states. While the company has made the news every now and then for the wrong reasons, those were isolated incidents, and most passenger reviews indicate that their trips were safe and uneventful.

In this article, I’ll show you why you don’t need to worry about your safety when taking a trip on a Greyhound bus. And for your peace of mind and preparation, I’ll cover some steps you can take to make sure you survive your Greyhound adventure. So be sure to keep reading!

Are Greyhound Buses Safe at Night?

Greyhound buses are just as safe at night as they are during the day. Complaints and untoward incidents are seldom filed or reported. The bus drivers, the principal authorities on Greyhound buses, are usually able to keep things under control.

But with the cover of the dark, those with malevolent intentions do tend to be more daring. So as a precaution, being extra vigilant on a Greyhound bus trip at night is also advised.

Greyhound Lines Inc. Safety

The security protocols observed at Greyhound bus stations do not hold a candle to those implemented at airports where inspections are far more rigorous. 

However, the omission of these measures at bus stations has not given way to any catastrophic incidents. 

In their limited capacity, Greyhound Lines Inc.’s employees are able to effectively keep the peace and maintain the safety of their passengers. They achieve this by simple means.

For instance, according to Greyhound’s website, the following items are absolutely not allowed on the bus, including under-the-bus baggage: 

Moreover, they have zero tolerance for unruly behavior. And while it’s not explicitly mentioned on the website, countless passengers have attested to witnessing troublemakers being rightfully ejected by the bus driver.

That being said, traveling by Greyhound bus is not more or less safe than taking a different bus line or going by rail. 

How To Prepare for Your Greyhound Bus Trip

Here are 7 steps you can follow to further minimize the risk of encountering any trouble when opting for a Greyhound bus as your means of transport.

1. Dress Down

We all want to look good in those travel selfies. But for practical safety reasons, I recommend dressing down to avoid attracting attention. 

• Don’t wear flashy or expensive jewelry. 
• Dress in simple but decent attire.
• Apply minimalist makeup. 

This is especially useful advice for people who are members of marginalized groups and those traveling alone. 

A modest appearance will keep you from attracting unwanted attention or catching the eye of a no-good passenger.

2. Get a Seat Towards the Front of the Bus

The driver is the Greyhound bus’s foremost authority. The closer you’re seated to them, the smaller the target on you. 

Few, if any, would take the risk of trying anything inappropriate when the driver can easily spot this with a quick glance at their mirror. 

However, note that while you can book tickets for a Greyhound bus, you can’t reserve seats. So do your best to be at the bus station with time to spare before boarding and aim to get a seat as close to the driver as possible.

3. If Possible, Don’t Use the Restroom

Greyhound buses have onboard restrooms. But as much as possible, I would advise against using them. It has less to do with sanitation and more with safety.

If you can hold it, hold it. A lot can happen in those couple of minutes when you step inside the onboard restroom to relieve yourself. 

These areas are much smaller than the cubicles at bus stops and bus stations that have adequate room for you to fit in your carry-on while you go about your business.

And it goes without saying that you should always have a view of your belongings. But you’ll find it difficult and unsanitary to squeeze your bag into the onboard restroom. 

So if humanly possible, wait until the next stop to void your bladder or bowels because, at the very least, your presence will discourage passengers with itchy fingers from attempting anything.

4. Be Cautious With Strangers

Though you may be traveling alone, you are likely going to be physically near someone else while on the bus. More than likely, a stranger will be seated beside you for the duration of your ride. 

The hours have a way of loosening the tongue and making one friendlier and chattier. It’s only natural then for the conversation to flow. And it’s imperative that you guard that flow.

You never know who it really is you’re speaking with so exercise the utmost caution in your conversations with your seatmate and do not divulge any personal details. I would even recommend using an alias on such trips.

5. Follow Driver’s Instructions at Stops and Transfers

Greyhound bus drivers are usually assigned the same route. After driving back and forth down those roads over and over again, they know them better than anyone. So it would be sensible to listen to them and follow their instructions. 

The specifics could include:

• Where to grab a bite to eat.
• What food and drink you can bring back with you.
• Where to have a smoke.
• Where to relieve yourself.
• How much time they allot for all these.

Follow their instructions to a tee and you’ll be sure to have a smooth journey.

6. Stay Inside the Bus Station

Chances of any harm befalling you are slim. But should any such incident occur, it’s more than likely that it would take place outside the bus station. 

For your safety, you are advised to stay inside the bus station while waiting to board on the first leg of your journey or during layovers along the way. 

The bus station is the safest place you can be as it is well-lit, and Greyhound employees and other passengers are nearby if you need any assistance.

7. Have a Ride Waiting

If it’s available to you, the safest option is to have someone ready to pick you up at the end of the Greyhound bus portion of your trip. Ideally, they should already be there waiting for you by the time you arrive.

You and your contact can easily facilitate this through the BusTracker feature on the Greyhound website or app that offers real-time tracking and provides an estimated arrival time, as well as directions to the Greyhound bus station.

Final Thoughts

Greyhound buses are an affordable and decent option for getting across North America. Still, many, especially first-time passengers, are hesitant to travel by this means of transport, with concern for safety being the primary issue. 

However, these fears are largely unfounded, with the only notable incidents involving Greyhound buses being isolated ones. 

There are additional measures one can take to better prepare for a trip on a Greyhound bus and get ahead of any potential incidents they may encounter. By following these, you can be assured of a safe and uneventful bus ride.

• Greyhound: Your rights & rules on board
• YouTube: Frugal Travel Guru: 10 BAD Things That WILL Happen on the GREYHOUND BUS
• Southern Living: 9 Greyhound Bus Tips You Need to Know Before You Travel
• HubPages: Is the Greyhound Bus Safe for Women Traveling Alone?
• HWY.co: Is Riding a Greyhound Bus Dangerous?
• Traveller’s Point: Greyhound USA, safe or suicide?
• Quora: How safe is overnight traveling in Greyhound bus for women?

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20+ Things to Know Before You Travel By Bus in the USA

February 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 10 Comments

I have many talents, but driving is not one of them. I’ve never been given a driver’s license, so I’ve been forced to travel by bus in the USA. Although it’s maybe not “cool” to travel by buses around the United States, taking Greyhound buses and Megabus is often a good cheap way to travel around the USA.

Keep reading for my recommendations for the bus companies in the United States, reviews of different bus companies in the US, what to know about bus travel in the United States, and what to bring on long bus trips in the United States.

• 1 Should you travel by bus in the US?
• 2.1 Greyhound
• 2.2 Megabus
• 2.3 BoltBus
• 2.4.1 Other Bus companies in the United States
• 3.0.1 The bus stations…
• 3.0.2 Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!
• 3.0.3 You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere
• 3.0.4 Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night
• 3.0.5 Book in advance to get the best times and prices
• 3.0.6 Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs
• 3.0.7 You need identification and often your bus ticket printed
• 3.0.8 Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time
• 3.0.9.1 Don’t drink too many liquids
• 3.0.10.1 Set an alarm
• 3.0.10.2 One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.
• 3.0.11 Be early for the bus!
• 4.0.1 Be sure to bring antibacterial gel
• 4.0.2 Travel Pillow.
• 4.0.3 Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.
• 4.0.4 Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.
• 4.0.5 Snacks.
• 4.0.6 Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.
• 4.0.7 A good book and a reading light.
• 4.0.8 External Phone Battery Charger

Should you travel by bus in the US?

Yes, and no. If your trip around the United States is focused on city hopping, especially within one region (e.g. East Coast), traveling by bus in the United States is a good choice.. It’s often cheaper and easier not to have a car in big cities in the United States as parking can add up.  However, it depends a lot on the city as some cities have great public transportation system while others have terrible public transportation systems.

If you’re planning on focusing on the beautiful National Parks, you’re going to have difficulty getting around more rural areas of the US without a lot of money spent on taxis.  Some National Parks have better infrastructure in terms of getting there without a car (e.g. Yosemite), but many parks are quite rural and require extra time/money to get there without a car.  It might make sense to take a bus for some legs of your journey and do tours once you’re within a city.  This will be cheaper than all-inclusive options.

Bus travel in the United States is far more sustainable than traveling by car around the United States.  People love to write about road trips, but bus travel is way more eco-friendly!  Similarly, not everyone can afford a car or it doesn’t make sense to drive into another big city.

As a result, I think that travel by bus around the US can be a great option for those on a budget, anyone who’s into sustainable travel, and for those who don’t want to have to bother with driving in big American cities.

Bus travel in the United States is often not as advertised online in terms of wifi and on-board entertainment. Although many bus companies are interested in creating more premium experiences and improving the average bus experience, my experiences traveling by bus in the United States has been gritty and unglamorous. This has been the case for my husband too. ( What did you think you were getting when you paid $25 for a 8 hour bus across the country?)

Photo from Chicago, which was a 14+ hour bus ride

National bus companies in the United States

You’ll encounter a lot of bus companies in the United States although many are regional bus lines that I haven’t personally encountered. Most of the time, unless it’s a major American holiday, bus travel doesn’t require significant planning beyond a day or two in advance.  American buses tend to be cheaper if you book way in advance with a major company (e.g. Greyhound or Megabus) while regional bus rates tend to rise less closer to the dates.

Greyhound is the most ubiquitous bus company in the United States.  Among the bus companies, the opinions about Greyhound buses online  tends to be more favorable although most people I know who regularly take Greyhounds aren’t their biggest cheerleaders.  The coverage of Greyhound buses is good across the country and you can get across the United States on a Greyhound on the drop of a hat.

However, you will probably have numerous stop-offs in various cities, which can add some time.  However, it’s possible to get to Yosemite with a Greyhound, which is why if you’re traveling in the United States without a car.  It’s often best to buy Greyhound tickets at least two weeks in advance and they have special deals if you buy online.

It’s basically very hard to get a $1 fare on Megabus at this point, but you can get some good deals on Megabus if you book ahead.  I started taking Megabus when it got started.  At this point, Megabus tends to be standard and their concept is getting you there.  The demographic for Megabus is considerably younger than Greyhound and you’ll find a lot of students taking Megabus.

Megabus tend to be stricter about bag sizes although they more uniformly have working outlets on their buses.  Coverage for Megabus is best on the East Coast, Midwest, and between college towns in the United States. They also have some coverage on the West Coast.

My husband has sworn off Megabus after the wheels almost caught on fire and the driver told the passengers it wasn’t safe to continue.  He was forced to wait in the middle of nowhere waiting for a new bus to come pick them up.  A couple of other friends have similar stories although I generally take Megabus given the choice as I find people are a bit more considerate.

BoltBus is a “premium” bus company that runs on the East and West coast.  Their buses tend to be much newer and nicer than others that I’ve taken, however the routes are more limited to major cities on the coasts.  Their plugs tend to work much more reliably and recently, they started including movies in the price of the bus.

I’ve generally liked BoltBus and I wish that they would expand to more cities.  It’s my go-to choice for traveling from New York City to Washington DC.

Trailways Transportation System

Trailways is a network of 70+ regional bus companies in the United States that compromises the oldest bus network in the United States.  Their network crosses the United States and I’ve taken Trailways quite a few times.  I find their buses not as uniform as you’re likely to be switching companies as you switch state lines.  Most of my experience taking Trailways meant that I had long layovers in rural Pennsylvania at one particular transfer point.

For smaller cities with less coverage on the big names, I find that Trailways is more reliable in helping you find a route although it might add time to your journey.  It depends on the bus journey, however I find that Trailway buses tend to stop off a lot more although it makes the journey through the United States far more scenic as you’re often taking non-highway routes.

Other Bus companies in the United States

Photo by Denis Rozhnovsky/Bigstockphoto

There’s a ton more bus companies in the United States, including Vonlane (Texas), Fullington Trailways (New York/Pennsylvania), Utah Trailways (Utah), Burlington Trailways (Vermont), Jefferson Lines, Bieber Tours (Pennsylvania/New York), Barons Bus Lines (East Coast),  Adirondack Trailways (Canada/New York), RedCoach (Florida; premium bus), Capital Trailways (South/Alabama), Hoosier Transportation (Midwest/Iowa/Michigan/Kentucky), Indian Trails (Michigan), Peter Pan (East Coast), Orange Belt (California), etc. There’s a ton more.  If you’re not seeing a route to where you’re going, I recommend stopping by the bus station to see if there’s a bus heading that way on a regional line.

On the east coast and the west coast, you’ll also find Chinese bus companies that run between the Chinatowns or downtowns of major cities on the East Coast/West Coast.  The Chinese bus companies are often the cheapest option if you’re traveling to/from New York City or LA to a nearby major city.

Due to price, I often took the Chinese bus companies.  These bus rides went by without incident for me, but my cousin was stranded in the middle of nowhere after a bus broke down and the bus company wasn’t helpful at all.

Things to know about bus travel in the United States

The bus stations….

With the creation of the interstate highway system, buses in the United States stopped being as popular as they were before.  The bus infrastructure has suffered as a result.  Most bus stations tend to be on the dingier side and do not require a ticket to enter the bus station, so it’s best to be aware of your belongings.  Most bus stations in the United States tend to be located in the city center, which aren’t always in the best neighborhoods.

In the case of many of the “newer” bus lines (e.g. Megabus), their business model is about cutting out the bus station to pass on savings to consumers.  This means that their bus station may be a Walmart parking lot or simply a curb on a sidewalk.  As a result, you might be forced to wait outside for the bus and/or there may be no bus station for you to wait inside at.  Bring an umbrella if you think this might be the case.

Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!

Often, bus terminals for Greyhound and other regional bus stations are well-established terminals in the city center.  However, for some of the newer bus companies, they have their buses designated in a large area.  You’re going to need an extra twenty minutes at minimum if you’re taking Megabus to find your bus if it’s departing from most major cities.

In New York, I’ve found that I need the extra time to walk past all the buses waiting to find the correct departure point. Similarly, when I took BoltBus out of DC, I had to spend a while searching for the one departing for NYC as there were more than five buses departing around the same time.

You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere

Modern-day America has been built for cars.  For most major cities, you’ll be dropped of at the bus terminal, which can be far from the non-downtown parts of a city. I used to often take one route and the bus terminal was over three miles from the main downtown area, which can be tricky if you don’t have a car.

In one case, I was forced to take a taxi as it wasn’t possible to get from the bus terminal to my final destination (the airport) without it.  It’s good to check where the bus stop will be as you don’t want to need to take a taxi to get there.  Google Maps in my go-to source.

Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night

Trust me on this one. A lot of cities have poor transportation after a certain hour (often eleven at night), and often bus terminals are in the heart of the city center.  Unlike European cities, many American city centers aren’t uniformly safe and I recommend using some caution if you’ll be walking around with all your valuables late at night.  Crime in America is an issue.

Book in advance to get the best times and prices

Many bus companies, especially Boltbus and Megabus, advertise low rates if you book as far in advance as possible.  I often take Megabus and wait to see when the tickets go on sale, so I can get one of the first tickets, which is typically less than $5.  If you wait too long, especially for holiday weekends, the prices will go up considerably.  That said, you’ll find a bus to your destination within a day or two if you simply head to the bus station on short notice.

Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs

A good playlist is always a good idea. Photo by VadimGuzhva/bigstockphoto

Although many bus companies advertise that buses have wifi, the wifi on the bus is ridiculously slow, throttled for video, and unreliable.  I’ve been on countless buses where the wifi never worked because it didn’t have wifi, the wifi was broken, or there were too many people on it at once.

It’s become trendy to have outlets, but often, the outlets are somewhere really inconvenient or they don’t work.  A lot of people think initially that they’ll work on the bus, but I find that it’s not a conducive environment for working as the seat-tray makes it hard to fit a laptop in many cases.

This becomes especially true when others decide to lean their chair back.  I’ve been on buses where the outlets were above you in the “ceiling”, so unless you spend the whole bus ride holding your plug in the outlet, you will not be charging your electronics.  Some of the newer buses have improved upon this design and have easy-to-access plugs/usb ports.

You need identification and often your bus ticket printed

Typically, any photo identification will do, however the name needs to match the ticket. That means that you typically can’t use your friend’s ticket. If you’re a foreigner, I recommend having your passport on you.

Not all bus companies allow e-tickets, so I always print my ticket ahead as finding a good place to print my ticket isn’t always easy near the bus station.  Some bus companies are better about accepting e-tickets, so check the terms to see if it’s enough to have a ticket on your phone.

The real reason that I always print my ticket?  I need to have my phone charged enough for when I arrive.  As a result, I recommend having it printed, so you don’t need to worry about having your phone charged up for the next transfer or for when I arrive at the destination, particularly if it’s a long bus ride.  I often find myself playing on my phone, which can kill the battery.

Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time

Unless you pay extra for a refundable ticket, you’re often getting one for a specific time. Don’t miss your bus! Some bus companies allow you to change the ticket for the difference in ticket price in addition to a fee, but I’ve actually bought a ticket in most of those cases as it was cheaper than the change fee.

Oh, the people you’ll meet!

Dr. Seuss must have taken buses around the United States. While most of my bus trips have gone by without incidence, both my husband and I have some  memorable  bus travel stories as do most of my friends. Most people sleep, stare out the window, talk to friends on the phone, or chat with friends on the bus. Let’s be clear that most people you’ll encounter on the buses will be non-offensive, but as I have regularly taken regional buses through rural areas, you’re bound to meet some characters.

This following story is from my husband who took a twenty-four hour Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania to Kentucky via Ohio…

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, many students choose to take Greyhound home because it is so cheap.  You’re  not supposed to bring alcohol on the bus, however some people do.  This student had smuggled a bottle of peach flavored vodka on the bus.  He was hell-bent on talking to every girl on the bus and switched seats countless times.  He was drinking the vodka and kept offering it to the girls.  After they all rejected it and him, he sitting up next to me. There was a girl nearby from Hawaii who was heading to a friend’s house in Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The girl and the guy hit it off and get very drunk on the bus.  They start having a big make-out session, so the whole bus was just eavesdropping while some were openly watching them.   The issue was that it was night-time and they were being loud while everyone else on the bus was trying to sleep. The first leg took us to Columbus, which is a big switching point for buses.  I was heading south from there as was the guy.  The girl was heading further west from there. We get to Columbus and they decide that they’re in love .  The girl invites him to come to Iowa with her to her friend’s house and the guy actually switches his ticket to go to Iowa.  Sure enough, they left for Iowa together to her friend’s parents house. Imagine her friend’s reaction when she shows up hungover with this random guy she met on a Greyhound.

Don’t drink too many liquids

This is a newbie bus mistake.  It’s good to stay hydrated and I typically bring at least one bottle of water for longer journeys, however I generally avoid bus bathrooms.  More importantly: Some buses, especially regional ones for shorter legs, don’t have a bathroom on the bus.  Be sure to use the bathroom at the bus terminal before you leave!

It’s not a guarantee that your bus will stop off at a bus station or rest stop long enough for you to go inside.

For longer trips, keep in mind that the bus will probably stop off at a rest stop as they’re not allowed to drive over a certain number of hours without stopping.  It’s not a guarantee for shorter journeys that the bus will stop off at a rest station long enough for you get something to eat, so bring your own food/drinks ahead.

If it looks like you’ll have fifteen minutes waiting at a station for passengers, be sure to tell the bus driver that you’ll be back to ensure that the bus doesn’t leave without you.  There’s often a line for the restroom at rest stops.

Set an alarm

On long bus rides, you might fall asleep. That’s fine, however if your destination isn’t the final destination, you’ll want to set an alarm on your phone before the time that your bus is supposed to arrive.  There might be traffic, but in general, it’s a safe move.

One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.

Remember that you’re NOT on a plane. Some bus companies are more lax about luggage, however if it’s a crowded bus or you’re traveling over major holiday, you might need to pay for an extra bag.  I also recommend avoiding having your stuff in bags if possible as I’ve seen people get rejected from boarding onto buses when carrying their belongings in plastic bags.

I tend to keep my valuables in my backpack rather than below the bus, especially if the bus has a lot of stop off points  I recommend labeling your bag clearly as it’s hard to find a black suitcase among 50 other black suitcases .  Weird size luggage might cause issues, so ask beforehand.

Typically at stops, people take their items from the hull, so unless you want your bag taken by mistake, it’s best to keep your valuables in your backpack with you on the bus.  I’ve never had a bag stolen or taken by mistake, but if it’s a long ride with a lot of stops, I recommend labeling your bag clearly and packing your backpack carefully.

Be early for the bus!

Although it hasn’t often happened, buses leave on time.  More often than not, they’ll wait a couple more minutes for passengers who are running a few minutes late, but I’ve seen so many people running after the bus without success.  You need time to get your luggage under the hold.  Certain bus companies, including Megabus, overbook their seats, so if you’re not there early and it’s a full bus, you might get rejected on the bus and need to wait for the next one.

What to bring on long bus trips in the United States

If you’re wondering what to pack for an overnight bus trip, I’m well-experienced in these long miserable journeys that I’ve done to save money.

Be sure to bring antibacterial gel

Some bus bathrooms are best avoided.  Similarly, the soap dispenser may not work. Be sure to have your own antibacterial gel to clean your hands with, especially if you plan on eating.

Travel Pillow.

This is the MOST important item that you’ll want to pack for an overnight bus trip as I struggle to sleep without a good travel pillow. I have this exact travel pillow and I love how small it folds up!

Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.

I recommend looking for a carry-on friendly sized backpack that can fit your backpack as well as most of your valuables, so that they’re close to you.

Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.

This is definitely not a necessity, but if you’re going to have a lot of long bus trips, I recommend bringing an iPad , so you can watch movies on the bus.  Download your shows before you leave wifi!

I recommend not buying your snacks at the bus station if possible as the prices tend to be a lot higher and the selection isn’t as good as going to the supermarket! Avoid peanuts as some people are really allergic.   I really like to carry granola bars with me as they’re hard to smoosh and non-messy.

Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.

You never know when the bus will be too warm or too cold, so I always try to bring a sweatshirt to put on over my clothes in case I get cold! I recommend dressing comfy and you’ll be sitting for many hours.

A good book and a reading light.

For night buses, the driver typically shuts off the lights after a certain time. Although there’s a reading light from above, I’m often very conscious of it annoying the people around me.  Instead, I usually bring my own reading light as well as a good book.  For a good read, I recommend Night Film (which will take you many hours to finish), the Power , or On the Road for some American travel inspiration.

External Phone Battery Charger

You never know when there won’t be a working charger on the bus and you might need to make a phone call. Don’t let your phone die and carry an external phone battery charger .

Have you traveled by bus in the United States? Anything you’d add?

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About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

February 24, 2018 at 12:47 am

Wow, I live in the US and I have never even considered bus travel (excluding taking the Megabus very occasionally from San Francisco to LA). That’s such a cool way to travel the country, and I will definitely have to consider it in the future! Thanks for sharing all these helpful tips.

February 24, 2018 at 3:12 am

The US is so spread out that it’s difficult to see a lot of it without access to a car. Bus is often the only option for many travelers. I’ve never traveled long distance by bus in the US, but I’ve heard they’re pretty unpleasant.

February 24, 2018 at 4:09 am

I haven’t been to the US of A but everyone has always told me that if you want to move around, you need a car. That is the only way to travel unless you consider flights which can get expensive. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the bus routes are usable.

February 24, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Super comprehensive and useful guide! I felt I’ve learned a lot about the buses in U.S just from this post. The reading light is a great suggestion – I’m gonna consider that the next time I fret over bringing a book on trips! Same like you, I feel conscious that the overhead light will be disturbing to my neighbour 😉

February 24, 2018 at 2:03 pm

I went to college in DC so def took the fung wa chinatown bus many times! I did have a greyhound driver once say (at a rest stop) “I dont count heads, I just count time” meaning he was rolling out at the designated time with or without you! I think now at age 40, I’ve graduated from Bus travel.

February 24, 2018 at 2:32 pm

I’ve only ever taken the bus between NY and Baltimore (China Bus). I’m laughing at the Dr. Suess comment and the need for hand santizer!!! LOL

September 17, 2018 at 5:18 pm

thanks so much, gonna do it now in advance! from the Uk to AmericaU here I come !!!

May 12, 2019 at 5:00 am

Don’t use Greyhound bus.. Many of the buses are unsafe, employees for the most part are rude worst of all is the huge amount of lost luggage. Its piled in s warehouse in Dallas I think, and you will never see it again. Mine was lost last summer and none will help me get it back. Travel Greyhound at your own risk.

May 20, 2019 at 2:37 pm

The buses are affordable but the catch is, IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP, ITS ‘ZERO’ REFUND! However, they can reschedule you at no cost. So, think well and be sure before you book!!

July 11, 2023 at 7:01 pm

Tip for sleeping on busses

If you are fortunate enough to have 2 seats to yourself push back your seat to the limit. Then leave the other seat in upright position. You can then test your Head on the other seatback. About as comfortable as it gets on a bus

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Death Road in Bolivia

The most dangerous bus rides in Central and South America

Travellers need extra strong nerves on these journeys – for example on the notorious Death Road in Bolivia.

These are some of the most dangerous bus rides in Central and South America, based on travellers’ experiences:

Known as the most dangerous road in the world, the North Yungas Road, often called ‘Death Road’, in Bolivia is extremely challenging for bus drivers. It winds along steep slopes with drops of over 600 metres, and is often hit by fog, rain and landslides.

The Panamericana in Costa Rica

The Panamericana, also known as the Interamericana, is notorious for its dangerous stretches, especially in Costa Rica . The winding route through the mountains is known for its sudden fog banks and heavy rains, which can significantly reduce visibility and see road conditions deteriorate.

The Trampoline of Death in Colombia

The Trampoline of Death, a narrow, winding road connecting Mocoa and Pasto in Colombia, is another challenge. It winds through the Andes and is often affected by fog and heavy rain, which causes landslides and makes the already dangerous journey even riskier.

The Guatemalan Ruta Nacional 14

In Guatemala, Ruta Nacional 14, which connects the cities of Escuintla and Chimaltenango, is particularly dangerous. It runs along the slopes of the active volcano Fuego, where deadly pyroclastic flows are frequent, especially during the rainy season when landslides are common.

The Carretera Federal 1 in Mexico

The Carretera Federal 1, which stretches across the entire Baja California in Mexico , is known for its sharp curves, narrow lanes and lack of lighting. In addition, fuel shortages and the remoteness of many sections can make the journey particularly dangerous.

The James Dalton Highway in Alaska

Although not located in Central or South America , the James Dalton Highway in Alaska deserves a special mention due to its extreme conditions and remoteness. This road, famous for its portrayal in the TV show Ice Road Truckers , is one of the loneliest roads in the world, with only three towns along its entire length of over 400 miles.

Despite the risks and challenges these roads present, they are vital transport routes for many people in these regions. They are a reminder that the simplest journey can become an adventure under certain conditions. It is always important to exercise the utmost caution on such journeys and to take into account local conditions and warnings.

London's 'most dangerous' bus routes where panic buttons are pressed more than anywhere else

MyLondon has obtained data on the number of panic button calls on each TfL bus route

• 18:55, 28 JUN 2023
• Updated 11:34, 29 JUN 2023

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Transport for London (TfL) last year shared data showing where panic buttons on buses are pressed the most across its whole network.

One corridor gets a very bad rap from the data - routes 29 , 329 and N29, forming a 24-hour service between Trafalgar Square, Camden , Finsbury Park, Wood Green and Enfield, racked up 446 calls in just a year. The 29 (Trafalgar Square-Wood Green) had the most calls among daytime routes, but the route with the highest amount overall was night bus N15 (Trafalgar Square-Romford).

While the data may tell a completely different story by the end of 2023, 2022 showed very clearly which routes it's best to avoid if you can. It also shows the 'safest' ones - which tend to be out in the furthest reaches of the city.

READ MORE: The new shortcut between Elizabeth line and Victoria line you won't find on the London Underground map

Top 10 most dangerous routes

We've launched a new email newsletter for London which will keep you up to date with any major crime incidents in your area, as well as give you a round-up of who has been in court recently. You can sign up below and it's completely free. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Top 10 least dangerous routes

Routes H2, H3, R5 and 359 also had zero 'community safety' panic button (police) calls but had up to 20 total calls, but all other routes had at least one in the year ending September 30. School routes and rail replacement routes have been excluded.

The chance of encountering a violent incident on London's bus network is still relatively low, considering that over 100 million bus journeys are made per year - you are more likely to have an injury or witness a serious incident as a pedestrian. Since 2015, the number of deaths on TfL buses has continued to decline.

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• COVID-19 travel advice

Considering travel during the pandemic? Take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 . But even if you're vaccinated, it's still a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, you're less likely to become seriously ill or spread COVID-19 . You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

• Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
• Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
• Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
• Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

• Get vaccinated.
• Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
• Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
• Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

• Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
• Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
• Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
• Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
• Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
• Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

• Enhanced cleaning procedures
• Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
• Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
• Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
• Vaccine recommendations for staff
• Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
• Contactless payment
• Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
• Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
• Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

• Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
• Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

• How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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How safe is Moscow for tourists?

Moscow is an enormous city. 12 million people live here and many others commute in from the Moscow Region for work each day. And although there is no particular danger for either tourists or locals, it is, as in any big city, always worth using common sense. We'll tell you how to avoid running into trouble and which areas you might want to avoid.

Is the city center safe?

“I was shocked to see people using their laptops in parks in the evening,” says Nicholas Font from Argentina, who visited Moscow in May. “Of course, I was careful with my belongings, but I wasn't afraid of wearing my bag in the city center.”

The city center (and it is a very big city center) is generally convenient and safe for walking around. Pedestrians enjoy wide sidewalks and relatively calm road traffic. There are tourist police (who speak English), not to mention the ordinary police. Of course, there is never any guarantee that you won’t encounter a thief, and so to stay on the safe side keep your documents and money in places that are inaccessible to others. Red Square, Nikolskaya Street and Arbat are the most touristy places, so it’s worth being a little more aware of pickpockets in these areas.

Remember that in Moscow the police can stop you to check your ID. But unless you have committed some kind of crime there is generally nothing to worry about: You just need to show your passport and visa. "I was asked to show my passport and visa three times. Once in St. Petersburg and twice in Moscow," says our reader Ghazali Khan from Dubai. "Police in Russia are polite and professional. Most of them don’t speak English, but they understand your gestures."

Can you walk around at night?

Have you heard the expression "Moscow never sleeps?" Well, this is very true. The city center is buzzing 24 hours a day, and even on the outskirts you are likely to see people out and about even late at night. On a Friday or Saturday night there are likely to be even more people out on the streets than in the daytime. Of course, when it is minus 20 degrees Celsius in the winter, it isn’t as much fun as in the summer, but the only time Moscow really feels deserted is on the morning of Jan. 1 . 

According to a recent poll conducted by The Economist , Moscow came in at 37 out of 60 big cities around the world in its Safe City Index. (Tokyo, Singapore and Osaka were at the top of the list). In other words, the Russian capital is pretty much average when it comes to safety.

Is it safe to go to the suburbs?

As a general rule, the police record more crimes in the city center than elsewhere. For instance, 2,846 crimes—mainly robberies and muggings—were recorded in 2018 in the Presnensky District between Arbat and Moscow City.  

At the same time, over the past year these numbers have gone down by 20 percent, according to the prosecutor's office. 

The city suburbs, with the exceptions of the Maryino and Perovo districts, are generally regarded as quite safe. So if you have a desire to see how ordinary Muscovites live, don't hesitate to hop on the metro and ride out to Vladykino, for example. Just work out your route in advance as you might not run into many people who speak English out there.

What about public transport and taxis?

When Russia hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2018, there were many stories of unscrupulous taxi drivers charging tourists astronomical amounts, sometimes as high as a thousand dollars, for a trip from the airport to the center. In order to avoid such unpleasant surprises, avoid airport taxis altogether and instead download Uber or Yandex Taxi on your phone and then pay by card rather than with cash. You will see the cost of the journey at the time of booking, and this won't change when you arrive at your destination. And if you have a strong desire to leave a tip, you can do so online. For your information, the cost of a journey from the airport to the city shouldn’t cost more than $30 (unless you order a luxury car, of course). While you can also find official taxis at the airport, these will be significantly more expensive than ordering one off Yandex Taxi or Uber.

Travelling around the city by metro, bus or trolleybus is generally quite convenient. The Moscow metro is one of the most reliable and safe (not to mention beautiful) underground transport systems in the world. The trains are new and run at short intervals. CCTVs are everywhere in the metro, and there are police at every station. Gabriel Infante Carrillo from Mexico City says that while riding the Moscow metro he had to put his backpack through an X-ray machine, but that the official was very polite with him. "I was not surprised at all, I knew beforehand that this could happen due to security reasons," he said. 

Aboveground transport by and large uses specially allocated lanes, and while waiting you can pass the time at "smart" bus stops that have Wi-Fi, electric sockets and an electronic bus schedule in Latin script.

Can young women travel alone in Moscow?

It is generally rare for anyone in Moscow to pester women in the street or catcall them, especially if they see that she is a foreign tourist. Russian men are usually restrained and, even if they like a girl VERY MUCH, it is usually sufficient to politely decline their advances. So Moscow is a perfectly safe city solo women.

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Is It Safe in Moscow?

Stanislav Solntsev / Getty Images

When you visit Moscow , Russia, you’re seeing one of the world’s largest, and most expensive, capital cities . While there is a history of violent crime against foreign journalists and aid personnel in Russia, a trip to Moscow is usually safe for mainstream travelers. Most tourists in Moscow only face potential issues with petty crime, though terrorism is also a concern. Visitors should stick to the principal tourist areas and abide by the local security advice.

Travel Advisories

• The U.S. Department of State urges travelers to avoid travel to Russia because of COVID-19 and to "exercise increased caution due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws."  
• Anyone exploring more of Russia should avoid "The North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to terrorism, kidnapping,   and   risk of civil unrest." Also, travelers should stay away from "Crimea due to Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory   and   abuses by its occupying authorities."  
• Canada states travelers should use a high degree of caution in Russia due to the threat of terrorism and crime.  

Is Moscow Dangerous?

The Moscow city center is typically safe. In general, the closer you are to the Kremlin , the better. Travelers mainly need to be aware of their surroundings and look out for petty crime. Be especially careful in tourist areas such as Arbat Street and crowded places like the Moscow Metro transit system. The suburbs are also generally fine, though it is advised to stay away from Maryino and Perovo districts.

Terrorism has occurred in the Moscow area, leading authorities to increase security measures. Be more careful at tourist and transportation hubs, places of worship, government buildings, schools, airports, crowds, open markets, and additional tourist sites.

Pickpockets and purse snatching happen often in Russia, perpetrated by groups of children and teenagers who distract tourists to get their wallets and credit cards. Beware of people asking you for help, who then trick you into their scheme. Don’t expect a backpack to be a safe bag bet; instead, invest in something that you can clutch close to your body or purchase a money belt . Always diversify, storing some money in a separate location so that if you are pickpocketed, you'll have cash elsewhere. Keep an eye out for thieves in public transportation, underground walkways, tourist spots, restaurants, hotel rooms and homes, restaurants, and markets.

Is Moscow Safe for Solo Travelers?

Large cities like Moscow in Russia are overall fairly safe if you are traveling alone, and the Moscow Metro public transit is a secure and easy way to get around. But it is still a good idea to follow basic precautions as in any destination. Avoid exploring alone at night, especially in bad areas. You may want to learn some basic Russian phrases or bring a dictionary, as many locals don't speak English. However, in case you need any help, there are tourist police that speak English. Also, exploring with other trusted travelers and locals or on professional tours is often a good way to feel safe.

Is Moscow Safe for Female Travelers?

Catcalling and street harassment are infrequent in Moscow and the rest of Russia and females traveling alone don't usually have problems. There are plenty of police officers on the streets as well. Still, it serves to stick to Moscow's well-lit, public areas, avoid solo night walks, and use your instincts. Women frequenting bars may take receive some friendly attention. Females can wear whatever they want, but those entering Orthodox churches will be required to cover up. Though women in Russia are independent, domestic violence and other inequality issues take place regularly.

Safety Tips for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Russia is not known as a gay-friendly country. However, Moscow is one of the more welcoming cities with a blooming LGBTQ+ community and many friendly restaurants, bars, clubs, and other venues. Hate crimes in Russia have increased since the 2013 anti-gay propaganda law. Openly LGBTQ+ tourists in this conservative country may experience homophobic remarks, discrimination, or even violence, especially if traveling with a partner. Also, while women hold hands or hug publicly—whether romantically involved or not—men should avoid public displays of affection to prevent being insulted or other issues.

Safety Tips for BIPOC Travelers

Moscow  and other big cities in Russia have sizable populations of various cultures, so discrimination against BIPOC travelers is rarer than in other parts of the country where it can become dangerous. Some people living in Russia who are Black, Asian, Jewish, and from other backgrounds have experienced racial discrimination and violence. Tourists won't usually experience overt racism but may be the recipients of some stares. If anyone should bother you, be polite and resist being taunted into physically defending yourself.

Safety Tips for Travelers

Travelers should consider the following general tips when visiting:

• It's best not to drink the tap water. If you do, boil it before drinking, though showering is safe and the amount used to brush teeth is generally not harmful. Mineral water is widely drunk, especially at restaurants, and if you prefer not to have it carbonated ask for “ voda byez gaz” (water without gas).
• If you need emergency assistance in case of fire, terrorism, medical issues, or more, dial 112 in Russia for bilingual operators.
• Be judicious about taking photographs, especially of police or officials. This can potentially bring unwanted attention to yourself by members of law enforcement who won’t mind asking to see your passport. Also avoid snapping photos of official-looking buildings, such as embassies and government headquarters.
• Carry your passport in as secure a manner as possible. If you get stopped for any reason by the police, they can fine or arrest you if you don't have the document with you. Also, keep photocopies of your passport, the page on which your travel visa appears, and any other documents that relate to your stay in Russia.
• Use official taxis only and steer clear of illegal taxi companies, especially at night. Ask your hotel to call a reputable taxi company.

U.S. Department of State. " Russia Travel Advisory ." August 6, 2020.

Government of Canada. " Official Global Travel Advisories ." November 19, 2020.

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