So you want to take a cross-country trip, and what better way than to be on the ground, in the midst of the scenery?

Greyhound started out in Minnesota in 1914 by Swedish immigrant Carl Eric Wickman, a miner, who drove his fellow employees to work from Hibbing to Alice for fifteen cents a ride in his hupmobilehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Wickman. Having come a long way over the past century from one little car to now over twelve hundred buses throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, Greyhound now serves more that 2,300 destinations with 13,000 departures every day, helping nearly 25 million people a year get to where they need to gohttp://www.greyhound.com. Many people take Greyhound as a means of travel because it's easier on their pocket books. Some people just can't stand to fly, and some simply live to feel the road underneath their feet. Whatever the case, this page will assist in making your Greyhound experience the best it can possibly be, from booking and preparing for your trip to enjoying the ride itself.

You are packed and ready to go. You've got the handle to your suitcase on wheels in one hand and the strap of your backpack in the other and you're standing in line to check your bag at the counter. While you wait it's a good idea to grab some identification tags and fill them out and attach them to all of your bags. Be as thorough as possible. Include your phone number and physical home address as neatly and clearly as possible. After you check in and receive your tickets, you're ready to board your bus. Find out which gate you'll be departing from and stay close to it. Sit back in a cool metal chair and wait for your bus's arrival to be announced.

Just as is the case in airport terminals, do not leave any of your baggage unattended. You may hear an announcement in reference to this while you're sitting in the terminal, and yes, a station attendant is fully capable and legally allowed to take your unattended baggage and discard it for safety and security reasons. Do not trust anyone other than yourself to watch out for your belongings. Greyhound is not liable for any baggage that goes missing within the terminal.

You probably already know where you're headed, in fact you probably knew where you were going even before you decided to "go Greyhound". The next step is to purchase your ticket. However you decide to purchase your tickets, be it online by will-call or mail, over the phone or in person at the station, your best bet in order to ensure you book the trip that best suits your needs as well as your budget is to purchase them twenty-one days in advance. Not doing so will increase the probability of your not getting the itinerary of your choice, as well as increase the price of your round-trip ticket by anywhere from $130-$250, and anywhere from $20-$50 for one-way trips, depending on the type of ticket you are looking to purchase. Greyhound offers discounted trips for children under 12 years of age, students, passengers that serve in the military as well as veterans, and senior citizens over 62 years of agehttp://www.greyhound.com.

If you decide to purchase your ticket at the station, Greyhound will accept cash, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, traveler's checks, personal checks with valid identification, and Diners Club credit cards issued within the United States. They however will not accept any money orders as a form of paymenthttp://www.greyhound.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j383cvH7dS0

In this video, Rachel gives a quick break down of some of the more important and sometimes humorous things to remember when planning a trip with Greyhound. From easy ways to save money to how to avoid getting stuck in bathroom stalls with a backpack strapped to your back, she provides a good glimpse into the many aspects of Greyhound travel.

Organization is imperative when preparing for any trip you're planning on taking - be it on a Greyhound bus or otherwise. Firstly, keep in mind that Greyhound allows only one checked baggage item under 50 pounds for free. Any other checked baggage will be an additional cost dependant upon the weight of the parcel. You are allowed one carry-on in addition to a backpack or purse. The most important part of packing is prioritizing the things you'll need versus what you won't need just for the ride itself. A backpack is very useful in that you can fit pretty much all of your necessities comfortably inside of it : a book or magazine to read, a discman or mp3 player, a toothbrush and toothpaste (definitely helps to keep you feeling somewhat fresh, no matter that you've been on a bus for three days without a shower), a change of clothes perhaps, your ticket (which should be in a pocket that is easily accessible at all times), and maybe a few small snacks. Foods rich in potassium and iron such as dried dates will keep you in good spirits and keep your system clean. It's a good idea to keep some vitamin C tablets or Emergen-C close at hand to help avoid coming down with a cold or the flu. Few things are worse than being sick when you're traveling a long, long distance amongst thirty-five complete strangers.

Most Greyhound stations sell food, but especially during a trip as lengthy as a cross-country bus trip, the amount of money you spend from station to station on food tends to add up pretty fast. It would be wise to visit a grocery store before your trip and purchase various dry goods and snacks that are easy to eat from the confines of your seat. Cold cut sandwiches are cheap and if you store them well in ziplock bags, and if kept properly sealed, they should last well into a multi-day trip. A water bottle is also a good idea, as it is always a good idea to stay hydrated, and you can fill it up at most anywhere you stop. It saves you from having to keep unnecessary change for vending machine on your person.

1. Book your ticket 21 days in advance to ensure you get the best price and the trip of your choosing

2. Pack light and sensibly

3. Keep your ticket close at hand at all times

4. Pack several bag lunches to save money on food throughout the trip

5. Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings

6. Relax and enjoy the scenery!

After presenting your boarding ticket to the ticket man, he will usher you to your bus. There should already be a man next to the loading area ready to load the checked baggage onto the bus. Drop your baggage off next to him and he will place it under the bus for you. Once on the bus, your adrenaline gets pumping as the journey really begins. Take note of your surroundings and the passengers that sit near you. Keep them in mind when you're stopped at a gas station or rest stop, and let your bus driver know if you notice a passenger is missing. When traveling cross-country, you will more than likely have several transfers thoughout the trip. It is your responsibility to pick up your checked baggage from the side of the bus once the baggage man has removed it (sometimes they don't - just take the initiative and get in there and get it yourself). It is important to stay alert at all times and to always be aware of where you're going next. Always stay on top of where you will be departing from next, and always, always keep your ticket where you can access it easily and quickly. This will ensure you get on the bus quickly and painlessly and allow for the other passengers to do the same. Aiming to be first in line at the announcement of your bus will help you obtain the seat of your choice, which is always a plus when you've got a long way to go.