12 Hours, No Escape: How to Cope with Long Travel Days on a Tour Bus
A big part of touring is spent on the road, packed into a bus with a dozen other roadies. Some drives are short and easy. Others hit after a loadout and last 12+ hours, with no real bed until the next night.
These journeys aren’t glamorous. They’re tiring, cramped, and socially intense. But knowing what to expect makes all the difference.
This blog covers the real side of long drives: what people actually do, how to get through it, and how to make life easier for yourself and everyone else on board.
Settling In After Loadout
Before you even think about crawling into your bunk, I would recommend getting a shower in — properly. It might be the last one you get for the next 12–15 hours, and sitting in your own post-loadout sweat on a long drive will make you feel grim, and fast. More importantly, you’re not the only one in that space. It’s a shared environment, and staying clean helps keep everyone comfortable. Some people can get away with missing the odd shower, but some definitely can’t.
Once that’s sorted, people have different approaches to the start of the drive. Some head straight to their bunk, hoping to sleep through as much of the journey as possible. Others try to stay awake for a bit — having a drink, or chatting — to wind down naturally and crash out harder later. Sometimes to deliberately keep themselves up just long enough to make sure they’ll sleep more solidly once they do lie down.
One common habit is hanging around outside the bus for as long as possible before departure. You’re about to be stuck in a confined space for half a day — if there’s a patch of quiet or fresh air to soak up, people will take it. It’s not unusual to see crew chatting by the trucks or stretching their legs long after everything’s packed, making the most of the final bit of freedom before the long haul begins.
Keeping Yourself Entertained
A long drive can feel like a time warp if you’ve got nothing to do. Most buses have a couple of communal TVs with a stash of films or someone’s hard drive of series — but if the lounge is full, or everyone’s into something you’re not, it helps to have your own setup. Download films, shows, games, or playlists before you get on the bus. Streaming can be patchy or non-existent, depending on the country and route. Although the hotspot on your phone can be better than you think for sharing internet access with devices.
Some crew bring laptops or tablets to do a bit of work or editing, others dive into games or books. And while car sickness can be a problem for some, you’ll probably find it’s less of an issue on tour buses — something about the ride feels easier, or maybe it’s just the angle of your bunk.
Noise-cancelling headphones are worth every penny. Whether you're in your bunk or the lounge, they let you zone out, catch up on sleep, or just mute the noise of the road and chatter. You’ll notice people dipping in and out of their own worlds — and that’s the rhythm of these drives. You don’t need to be “on” the whole time. Find what passes the hours for you and lean into it.
Food, Drink, and Pit Stops
Tour bus kitchens aren’t built for feasts. You’ll usually find a fridge full of snacks, some sandwich basics, instant noodles, and maybe the holy grail: a working toastie maker. But beyond that, you’re on your own. If you're picky, hungry after a long loadout, or just need something warm that isn't bread and cheese, it’s a good idea to sort yourself out at a petrol station stop.
Most buses will make a couple of pit stops on long drives — either for the drivers to change over, refuel, or for the crew to grab food and use a proper toilet. These stops aren’t usually announced with fanfare, so if you get off the bus, tell someone. People do get left behind. No one wants to be calling the production office from a random petrol station at 3am.
As for drinks, try not to go heavy on the coffee. You’re not moving your body much on these drives, so that buzz can turn into full-blown jittery frustration if you’ve got nowhere to put the energy. Water’s your best friend — it keeps you feeling steady and stops motion sickness creeping in.
One last point: keep your mess to yourself. Don’t leave mugs in weird places, and if you finish something from the fridge, chuck the wrapper. You’re not the only one stuck in that metal tube for 15 hours — and tempers will flare if it starts feeling like a student kitchen on wheels.
Making the Ride Smoother
There’s no perfect formula for getting comfortable on a tour bus — but a few small choices can make a long journey feel a lot less punishing.
First, sort your bunk out properly. That means keeping it clean and tidy. Second, If you run cold, bring layers. If you run hot, open the air vents. Earplugs and an eye mask go a long way when you’re trying to sleep through daylight, rumbling roads, or someone rustling through a crisp packet at 4am.
If you’re someone who needs a visual break from the close quarters, the upstairs front lounge is usually a good shout. On double-deckers, that’s often where you’ll get a front-facing window view — a bit of sky and movement can help reset your brain. Some crew use that space to stretch out, relax, read, or just stare out the window with a tea. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a good head-clearing move.
Moving your body helps more than you think. If you’re at a stop, even five minutes of pacing around the lorry park can make your legs feel alive again. If you’re stuck onboard, a quick walk from one end of the bus to the other, or even stretching in the lounge, can reset your mood.
Social Dynamics and Etiquette
Tour bus life brings people close together — physically and socially. On a long drive, how you behave around others can make or break the vibe for everyone.
If you’re someone who needs space, your bunk is your best friend. It’s the only place that’s truly yours on the road, and most people respect the curtain rule — if it’s closed, leave them be. Same goes in reverse: if someone’s tucked away, don’t yank them out of it unless it’s urgent.
In shared areas like the lounge or kitchen, keep things tidy. Wipe up spills, don’t leave rubbish out, and if you’ve finished with the toaster, don’t leave it like you’re the last person on Earth. Everyone’s tired. Don’t give anyone extra reasons to snap.
Noise can be a killer. Whether it’s shouting over movies, blasting your music from a phone speaker, or having a full-volume FaceTime call — it’s not the time. Use headphones. Keep your voice down at night. And don’t assume everyone’s on the same schedule as you.
If you’re making tea, coffee, or food, it’s a good gesture to offer it to others nearby — especially if you’re close with them. Small things go a long way when you’re all stuck in a rolling tin can for hours.
And finally, if you’re leaving the bus at a pit stop, tell someone. People do get left behind — not out of cruelty, just out of chaos. This means someone knows to speak up if your bunk’s empty when the engine starts.
Long drives are part of the job — not the highlight, but not the worst either if you know how to handle them. Everyone has their own rhythm, their own way of coping. Figure out what works for you.
