When it comes to traveling, it's not just about reaching your destination. It's also about having a pleasant and hassle-free journey. Whether you're flying, riding on a train, or traveling on a long-distance bus, knowing and following the guidelines of transport etiquette is essential. This not only provides a smooth and comfortable experience for yourself but also for other travelers.
Every traveler wants to relax and enjoy their long-distance trips and avoid feeling stressed. Sometimes the passengers themselves can spoil each other's mood because they don't care about others or simply don't know how to act in some situations.
So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to explore the importance of knowing the rules during flights, train rides and long-distance bus journeys.
Plane
General Rules:
Follow airline rules: You should follow all airline rules and regulations, such as the weight limit for checked and carry-on luggage, restrictions on liquids and sharp objects, and wearing seat belts.
Arrive on time for your flight and be on schedule. This makes it possible for everyone to board and depart on time.
Be mindful of your luggage, especially if it's heavy or oversized. Don't block the aisles or overhead compartments with your bags.
Do not take up the entire luggage compartment with your spread-out full-length coat.
Do not stand next to your seat when entering the salon, blocking the way for others. Place your handbag on the rack and take a seat. You will have time to take what you need for the flight after the doors are closed.
While flying, try to avoid getting up too much or moving around excessively, especially during mealtimes or when the seatbelt sign is on.
After landing, do not immediately try to get to the exit: let those who were sitting in front of you leave first.
Don't talk loudly or make too much noise during the flight, especially if others are trying to sleep or work.
Taking off your shoes: You can take off your shoes during your flight and stay in socks or slippers, but it is not customary to completely bare your feet.
Do not wear an excessive amount of perfume on yourself before flying.
Do not play computer games, avoid using the computer, cell phone, or other electronic devices during takeoff and landing. This will not affect the operation of aircraft equipment, however, passengers who believe that safety rules must be properly followed may feel in danger.
Food: Helping a flight attendant to pass a glass of water, tea, or food to a neighbor in the window is possible only with his/her permission. Not everyone will enjoy meals that have been touched by a stranger.
During mealtime: When the flight attendants are serving meals, avoid standing in the aisle.
Talk with passengers.: Conversation is a two-way street; if a fellow traveler isn't interested, there's no need to annoy him.
Respect the smoking ban and don't attempt to light up on the plane under any circumstances.
Seats:
Share the armrest of the chair equally with your neighbor. All passengers have the right to use at least one armrest, yet there are no strict rules in this regard. Passengers near the window or in the aisle have a better position than the passenger in the center. They have at least one armrest already. So each person should reserve one armchair for himself and free the other, making more room for this passenger. Therefore, the passenger sitting in the center seat takes both armrests.
Be considerate of other passengers when reclining your seat, and only do so if it will not cause discomfort to the person behind you. Additionally, you can let that person know that you are about to lower your seat and give them time to remove water, a computer or personal belongings from the table.
Do not grab the headrest from the seat in front of you. When you get up, do not grab the headrest of the seat in front of you - you may pinch the hair, wake the other passenger, or annoy them.
You have a window seat and need to go to the washroom. If the neighbor is sleeping and you need to get out, you can try to squeeze through face-to-face. If that doesn't work, then you can wake up the person but try to avoid disturbing his sleep anymore.
Don't have a window seat? It's not okay to lean on your neighbor to see what's outside.
Children. Make sure that your child does not play with the folding table, kick the back of the chair in front of you or make excessive noise.
Cover your mouth. When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth with your hand.
Nighttime:
Respect the sleep of other passengers, even if you can't sleep and want to talk. Be quiet.
Do not put your pillow on your neighbor's shoulder.
Do not stretch your legs in the aisle. People walking through the cabin may trip and get injured.
If you woke up early, do not open the window shade with an exclamation: “What a beautiful sunrise!”
Train:
Make sure you're on time for your train and board promptly when it arrives. The first and one of the basic rules for any traveler is not to be late. The train departs exactly on time and in accordance with the timetable (an exception may occur).
Be considerate of your fellow passengers and don't block the aisles or seating areas with your belongings. Luggage and other belongings should be placed on the top shelf or in a specially designed compartment under the bottom seat. The lower seat compartment may be used by passengers from the top seat.
Greeting etiquette. Passengers of the same compartment greet each other first and then introduce themselves by name. This etiquette standard makes it more comfortable for you to ask your travel companion questions or have a small talk during the trip.
Opening and closing windows are negotiated between fellow travelers.
Smoking in the compartment, as well as in the carriage itself, is strictly prohibited!
It is advisable to keep money, necessary documents, and other especially valuable things with you all the time.
Be mindful of the noise you're making, especially if you're traveling in a quiet carriage.
Don't take up more seating space than your fair share, especially if the train is crowded.
During the daytime, passengers from the top shelves have the right to a seat on the lower shelves.
Be respectful of other passengers' privacy and personal space, especially when sharing a table or compartment. A snack during the journey can be arranged in the dining car or in the compartment itself. The table in a standard compartment is small, so after eating it is advisable to immediately empty the table, removing your food and garbage, if any.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the train.
Sleep is another important part of the trip. You shouldn't chat on the phone or play loud music or turn on the compartment lights when other passengers are asleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, try to find yourself a quieter activity like playing on your phone or reading a book. Pajamas are ideal for sleepwear.
Try to refrain from talking on your mobile phone during the journey or use headphones if you need to make a call. Loud music, talking on the phone, or overly excessive passionate talk between fellow travelers can cause discomfort to other passengers.
When a group of well-known people goes on a trip, you should pay attention if loud chats and walking between compartments and cars bother other passengers.
Children. The parent is responsible for explaining to the child how to behave on the train, including being quiet, not running, or making noise, as well as why children shouldn't go into the vestibule or leave the car alone, or break the train's stop valve. Also, children should be monitored by adults when using the lavatory and should not do so alone. Board games, coloring, reading books, and computer games without sound will be excellent activities for children.
Knowing the train's safety regulations is essential for ensuring a trouble-free journey. They must be observed while on the platform while waiting for the train.
The station's code of conduct is as follows:
Do Not:
Leave children unsupervised by adults.
Jump off the platform.
Go beyond the boundary line at the edge of the passenger platform.
Boarding and (or) landing while the train is in motion.
Play any outdoor games on the platform.
Long-Distance Bus
Most people travel by long-distance bus, but only a few are aware of the proper rules of etiquette. Not knowing these regulations might leave an unpleasant impression on the trip. To make the road comfortable and safe, you should think over all the details on the way in advance and follow the basic rules of appropriate behavior on the bus.
Rules of conduct on the bus:
Needless to say, that each passenger must have a valid passport, an entrance visa for the country they are traveling to, the proper documentation for their pets, the right size of luggage, and of course be on time.
Before making travel arrangements, check the laws and restrictions. Take a close look at the list of prohibitions.
Learn how to behave in an emergency situation.
Take a seat on the bus in accordance with the ticket, unless the bus is supposed to have free seating.
Inform the bus driver or bus station worker about forgotten things without touching them, as well as about burning, smoke, and other unusual smells in the cabin.
Handle the bus equipment with care: do not damage the upholstery, do not make inscriptions, etc.
Do not use alcoholic beverages and drugs during the trip and do not board the bus under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Smoking in the cabin and in the toilets of the bus is prohibited
Do not violate public order, insult other passengers, swear, or do not damage other people's property.
Do not put your belongings on neighboring seats, leave bags in the aisle, at the entrance and exit, including emergency ones.
Ride in dirty clothes and carry smelly and dirty items that can stain the cabin and other passengers.
Do not open windows without the permission of the driver and lean out of them.
Avoid wearing strong perfume during your journey. Use it after you get off the bus.
Prepare in advance the items you'll need for the trip, including snacks, a computer, paperwork, cash, and a book. It's not necessary to annoy the nearby passengers by making them get up all the time.
In the bus cabin, it is improper to do your makeup or comb your hair. Use the restroom for it.
Children should be taught proper manners such as being quiet, not kicking the back of the front seat, and not leaving stains on the seat cushions or other passengers.
Be prepared to give up your seat. This is not about giving up a comfortable seat you booked but sometimes people may get separate seats due to a lack of available seats. So, if you're traveling alone, you may offer to switch seats with family members so they can sit together.
Do not distract the driver while driving the bus.
In logical conclusion, knowing and complying with transportation etiquette rules is crucial when it comes to traveling by flights, trains, and long-distance buses. By following these simple rules, you may not only make your personal journey more enjoyable but also contribute to creating a pleasant and harmonious travel experience for everyone. Keep these suggestions in mind the next time you go on vacation to make it more pleasant.
Safe travel!
