9 Great Reasons to Hop on a Tour Bus
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Alamy
It’s an Efficient Way to Get Around
With two days in London, say, you’ll be hard-pressed to see the major sites by foot, “tube” or car. But hop on a bus and you’ll check off all the destinations on your must-see list — and be back for tea. Jump off the bus and spend an hour watching the Changing of the Guard. Then give Big Ben a (regal) wave as you roll past.
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Alamy
It’s More Scenic — and Less Stressful
There’s no denying it: Traveling via subway is less than scenic. And if you’re driving in a strange city, you’re focused on either traffic signs and signals or the GPS. Tour bus drivers fight the traffic for you, and sitting well above ground will give you the lay of the land.
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Alamy
It’s Often Safer
There’s less chance of light fingers lifting your wallet on a tour bus than on a crowded commuter train, and you don’t risk a wrong turn down a sketchy alley. Also, traveling on a bus at night lets you see, say, the sights of Paris, without feeling nervous about being out on unknown streets after dark.
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Alamy
It Frees You Up to Plan the Important Stuff
Plotting out your day is one of the most time-consuming and stressful aspects of travel. When you’re on a bus tour, navigating from Point A to B is done for you, leaving you more time to figure out what you want to see at your destination.
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It's Less Tiring
Of course you want to see it all, but can your feet or hips take it? Walking from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Roman Colosseum takes about an hour. A sightseeing bus will get you there in half the time. So spend your energy on what you came for — exploring those historic landmarks, not schlepping around town.
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Alamy
You May Meet Interesting People
You won’t encounter a lot of locals on a tour bus, but you’ll likely be in good company. Chat up the like-minded tourist next to you and you may learn something compelling about another part of the world — not to mention where you might grab dinner later in the evening.
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Alamy
There’s Onboard Entertainment
You’re not just buying a ride on a bus, you’re buying a cultural tour with a live guide. These narrators, some of whom are natural comics, offer fascinating tidbits about what you’re seeing along the way.
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Alamy
You Can Wear Your Finest
Comfortable walking shoes can be a real fashion-kill. But when you’re not logging 10 miles each day on city sidewalks, you can get away with your more stylish sandals or boots. Plus, on hot days, if you sit in the air-conditioned lower deck you’ll avoid soaking that new shirt or blouse.
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Alamy
You’ll Enjoy Your Out-of-Town Guests
When family and friends visit your hometown you may find yourself — reluctantly — driving to the same crowded sights you’ve seen many times before. But why not let someone else do the driving? On a bus, you’ll be able to actually relax and catch up with your company.
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