Booking bus tickets online comes with great convenience. The process also has scope for errors that ruin your travel if not careful. This blog discusses key mistakes passengers commonly make for bus travel bookings and how to avoid them through prudent checks.
- Ignoring bus types
Bus operators have different bus types – regular, AC, sleeper, semi-sleeper, hybrid, etc. Each varies in comfort levels. Avoid blindly booking without checking bus specifications. Cross-verify onboard facilities – charging points, blankets, entertainment, etc. Budget regular buses lack many amenities reserved for premium buses. Reviews also help gauge feedback of types before deciding. Know your priority – cost or comfort – and pick bus type accordingly.
- Not comparing prices
Don’t book the first bus you see. Prices vary widely across operators and timings for the same route. Compare fares across 2-3 sites before freezing a bus. Avoid peak hours and holidays when rates rise. Scan for coupons, cashback, and early bird offers which lower effective ticket costs. Just a little research could save a lot while getting the best bus from kuala lumpur to genting too.
- Inaccurate details
Entering wrong details during ticket purchase like incorrect phone number, passenger name or age is inconvenient. Verify all details multiple times before payments. Accurate information is vital for ticket confirmation and a smooth journey. If booking for family or friends, cross-check details with them before proceeding. Rectifying errors later is cumbersome. Avoid assumptions while entering traveler particulars.
- Ignoring luggage policies
Overlooking baggage allowance and paying excess is unnecessary. Each bus type has size and quantity restrictions – like 2 bags of 15kg per passenger. Budget buses have tight constraints. Verify policies before travel to avoid penalties. Pack the bags as per the limits specified. Pay for extra luggage online where options exist for pre-booking. Juggle bags between co-passengers if required to avoid excess fees at boarding.
- Not downloading e-ticket
A common but crucial error is not downloading the bus ticket post-booking. Download tickets immediately on mobile and take printouts as backup. Ticket downloads might fail close to travel dates or payment failures could cancel bookings. Avoid hassles at boarding time by keeping a soft or hard copy handy always. Save the ticket offline to access it even without the internet later.
- Ignoring extra charges
Ticket fares shown upfront might just cover seat costs. Many operators exclude taxes, tolls, and service charges from the base price, which are added during payments. These extras can add 10-20% to the total ticket value. Confirm the total fare breakdown before the transaction. Having the right budget ensures your booking does not fail embarrassingly during the payment step due to the shortage of funds.
- Carrying hard copy essentials
While the ticket might be electronic, carrying hard copies of verification documents mentioned during booking is essential. Collector tickets typically need ID proof submissions like an Aadhaar Card or Voter ID in original format. Avoid last-minute fretting by keeping required hard copies packed. Though not needed for boarding, hard copies help authenticate identity if questioned.
- Not accounting delays
Ensure sufficient buffer between boarding time and actual departure time. Delays due to traffic, and route diversions are common, even when covering long distances. Avoid missing buses or getting anxiously stressed. Track the live status of your bus before the start of the trip to gauge realistic arrival at the pickup point. Counting delays allows you to reach well in time without rushing fearfully.