Parents often feel overwhelmed when traveling with their kids on vacation. It can be nerve-wracking if the child is young. They worry about their little one’s health and safety. That’s why even covering a distance of about five hours by road between cities like New York and Washington, DC, seems like a monumental task. Some may consider flights for this reason. However, the child can experience ear pain from high altitudes due to changes in air pressure and start crying. It causes extreme discomfort to them. You can be concerned about your kid’s well-being. At the same time, some fellow passengers may complain about the constant crying. These situations can become uncomfortable for even an experienced parent. So, what’s the other alternative? Try the bus.
Things to consider
You can book a luxury New York to Washington DC bus to travel with your sweetheart. Bus journeys are often more comfortable due to less on-road hassle. Just ensure seats are wide enough and can recline. Ambient lighting and good restrooms should also be accessible.
All these features enable you to create a suitable environment for your kid’s journey. However, preparation is the key. Here are a few suggestions in this context.
- Pre-trip planning
Check online portals that list all buses going to DC. Check your preferred schedule and the onsite amenities. Don’t forget to check their child-related policies. Some buses may require booking a separate ticket, even for an infant. They can also ask you to carry a car seat. Learn about all the nitty-gritty to avoid any last-minute surprises.
- Packing
For a road journey of about five hours or more, you must carry enough food and drink materials to keep your kid occupied. Carry their games and first-aid kit, too. However, packing light is always better, even with a small child. Nowadays, you get compact toys and multi-use items. These need little space. At the same time, keep your kid’s pillow, blanket, and other such products handy.
- During bus journey
Kids aged five and older can still be prepared for the bus trip. You can explain why they should stay seated and other such details. However, infants cannot be taught any of this. You want to be extra careful with them. Since hungry kids display cranky behavior, you must carry their meals and snacks. Give them meals according to a proper schedule to avoid constantly feeding them. Ensure they are hydrated. Also, essentials like hand sanitizers, wet wipes, and extra clothing should be easy to reach.
Summing it up
Careful planning is everything. You can opt for the bus over other modes of transportation to avoid long queues or the need to arrive at the pickup location too early. Reaching the bus station half an hour in advance can be sufficient. You cannot afford this with a train or flight. They relatively make you go through a lengthy boarding process. With a small kid, handling these conditions can be too much. Choose buses that are known for their timing. A delay of half an hour to one hour can be expected, given the busyness of the route. However, many service providers are careful and try to minimize these inconveniences.
