I don't know about you, but I think there's some old-world charm about long bus trips that you cannot find in an airplane flight.

Although it is true that traveling time can be shortened to a few hours, even minutes, in one short plane ride, but doing so will deprive you of the scenic montage of vast cornfields, picturesque country roads and colorful villages when you take the bus.

Bus travel remains a practical alternative to long distance trips and it can be an enjoyable experience if you know how to avoid the common glitches associated to it.

The buses of today used for long distance trips are no longer the same cramped and uncomfortable tin foil of a vehicle of yesteryear's.

In fact, some buses have been transformed into luxurious forms of land travel that can rival that of any airline's first class seats. Reclining seats, linens, overhead reading lights and climate controls are no longer uncommon among modern buses. Some of these buses even offer free internet connection to make sure that passengers can stay connected all through out the trip.

With the current cozy condition of buses used for long distance trips, traveling in comfort is no longer impossible. You just have to take care of a few details to make sure that your ease and comfort are not disturbed all the way to your destination.

Do keep in mind that there is more than one bus company servicing any one route. Thanks to free trade, there are several options available for you. So, before you purchase your ticket, research on what choices you have and choose one that will give you the most comfortable trip possible.

When comparing buses, consider seat sizes, allowed baggage size and weight, bus fare prices, number of stopovers and expected travel period for your route. Also, do note that some bus lines give generous discounts for early birds. So, you might want to prepare for your trip early for this.

Buses now require their passengers to check-in at the terminal at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure. They will not wait for you so be sure to arrive on time; the same rule applies for stopovers. Carry-on baggage should be small enough to fit inside the overhead rack. Do check the placement of your bags on the overhead rack to ensure that they will not fall down on you once the bus is in motion.

You want to choose a seat that will give you the most freedom to do things that you want. If you are the kind of passenger who can't remain seated for longer than an hour or who needs to go to the toilet every now and then, you are better off in an aisle seat.

If you are the opposite, choose a window seat so that you will not have to stand up every time the person beside you needs to go. Also, you may want to avoid the back row because they do not recline. If you need to have a reading light, avoid front row seats because these fixtures are not usually available for this row. You also want to sit a little farther from the bus toilet for contingency measure, if you get my drift.

This travel tip is brought to you by www.BookCentralCoast.com.au, the specialists in The Entrance accommodation and Ettalong accommodation on the NSW Central Coast.