Travel is expensive! And no wonder with the price of gas what it is, when you get it, if you get it! (Did you get it?) When I go on an adventure, I do my best to cut costs, and that usually involves taking the bus! My favorite choice is MEGABUS, but even with the fantastic rate of $1 between LA and San Francisco, spending the night on the bus isn’t always pretty! Luckily for you, I’ve assembled 5 tips for sleeping on MEGABUS to make your trip as pleasant as beaverly possible!

1. The Early Beaver Gets the Seat

The earlier you show up, the better your selection of seats! Since MEGABUS can hold over 60 passengers and loads them individually by number, your best option is to get there at least an hour early, but the earlier the better. Get your number, have a snack, and relax!

2. Room without a View

Windows are great! During the day, they give glimpses of the world passing by, and at night, they give you a nice nook to cozy up! Lots of people run to the top and front of the bus, thinking there will be a great view at night, but the regulars know that leg room is king! For this reason, you should try and get the back bench or a downstairs table! The bench is a gamble, because you’ll be squished on a full bus but super comfy on a partly empty bus! The downstairs tables give you the choice of reclining your seat or resting your head on the table, so they’re very accommodating for different sleep preferences!

3. Bundle up

MEGABUS presets the air conditioning temperatures, which is lovely on an afternoon trip to Vegas but can be darn chilly at night! What’s more, the driver can’t adjust it! My fur keeps me pretty warm, but I’ve seen some people pack a backpacking sleeping bag! These portable sleeping bag tuck into tiny stuff pouches that are easy to transport and provide all sorts of warmth! Honestly, it’s great to have one in general, especially if there’s any risk of car breakdown!

4. Sensory Shutdown

Not everybody sleeps on MEGABUS! In fact, some people sitting behind you have loud conversations on their phones long into the night! Some eat aromatic foods, and others just snore. There’s also the matter of middle-of-the-night rest stops where the lights and loudspeaker suddenly come on! Ear plugs and eye covers can be super helpful, and if you were quick enough to get a window seat, you won’t have to move for your bench mate who has to use the restroom at 3:00 in the morning!

5. Keep Your Sense of Humor

If you’ve missed out on the first four pieces of advice, then fear not! You’re all in this together! Find someone you don’t mind resting with/against, make a friend, grumble together in the morning, and enjoy the fact that you’ve reached your destination with plenty of pennies saved!