Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Searching For Stories (And Vacation) In Cartagena, Colombia
The Gatekeepers Of Asia: Face To Face With The Border Guards Of The Far East
Cockpit Chronicles - Paragliding In Rio: Best Layover Ever! (Video)
An Interview With Paul Theroux, Author Of 'The Last Train To Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari'
Turkish buses versus Greyhound
Planes are fast and popular. Trains are often cheaper and romanticized. Buses, however, get a bad rap. In the States, that's probably deserved. With the exception of some modern, swanky buses servicing the Northeast Corridor and the Midwest, the bus options throughout the United States are pretty shoddy. Yet, bus travel doesn't have to be all about steerage class, sweat boxy hellholes. Sadly, you just have to leave the United States to find the Shangri-La of bus service. One place to do so is in Turkey.
Yes, Turkey has amazing long-haul bus service. How is it better than the typical Greyhound service that you find in the States? Let's break it down.
Yes, Turkey has amazing long-haul bus service. How is it better than the typical Greyhound service that you find in the States? Let's break it down.
Gallery: All aboard the Kamil Koc
For the sake of this comparison, we'll be looking at Greyhound and the Turkish bus line Kamil Koç (pronounced Camel Coach), which I rode from Bursa to Selçuk.
Sure, this is far from scientific. And Greyhound is introducing some new, modern buses to their fleet. But only in certain pockets of North America. The vast majority of Americans have limited bus options, most of which make overpaying for regional flights and dealing with the hassles of airports actually seem like good ideas.
Turkey has wi-fi enabled, tea-serving buses with personal televisions zipping all over the country! Why can't we have buses that would encourage people to view ground transportation as a viable (and comfortable) option for travel?
Have you ridden a particularly luxurious bus outside of the United States? Have a funny story about Greyhound? Share your bus experiences in the comments.
Mike Barish's trip to Turkey was sponsored by Intrepid Travel. While everyone should agree that İskender kebab is amazing, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are strictly his own. You can read more about his trip to Turkey here.
Turkey has wi-fi enabled, tea-serving buses with personal televisions zipping all over the country! Why can't we have buses that would encourage people to view ground transportation as a viable (and comfortable) option for travel?
Have you ridden a particularly luxurious bus outside of the United States? Have a funny story about Greyhound? Share your bus experiences in the comments.
Mike Barish's trip to Turkey was sponsored by Intrepid Travel. While everyone should agree that İskender kebab is amazing, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are strictly his own. You can read more about his trip to Turkey here.
Filed under: Turkey, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fabricio Jul 14th 2010 4:33PM
Well... In my experience not only Turkey busses. I can't say I have been in a bus where there's service like in the photo but I can say that growing up in Argentina I have taken bus trips for 6 - 8 hrs and the comfort is pretty much like that of a plane sans the peanut/soda. Brand new double-decker Scania busses all around and that was 15 yrs ago; I heard that some have WIFI today. I think there's a misconception in the US that if you travel by bus it's ok to get 'a seat on 4 wheels'. Busses are a great alternative to planes for trips of 400 miles where it could end up being faster avoiding all airport headaches. Greyhound today is far from being on my list of alternatives to flying.
Mike Barish Jul 14th 2010 4:34PM
Good points, Fabricio. It's a shame that bus travel is so poor here. If the buses were better, it would be a fascinating way to travel around the States!
gw Jul 14th 2010 5:59PM
kamel koc? LMFAO!!! you can't make this stuff up hahaha
Serkan Jul 14th 2010 7:23PM
Well, the name is actually Kamil Koç, and it is the name of the guy that formed the bus company as far as I know. Koç means ram and Kamil means something like mature. The thing is, in Turkey, there are many long distance bus companies and there is a lot of competition. Actually, Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) has Pamukyol (Cotton road) buses that have only 3 seats in a row and leg room that beats those of the First Class seats on a plane. I live in US and during my recent visit to Turkey, I traveled from Izmir to Ankara on one of these Pamukyol buses. I could sit there forever: free wi-fi, personal entertainment center with TV, lots of movies to choose from, other shows, etc. They were the most comfortable seats I have traveled in and I traveled a lot within US mostly on planes, a few times on a Greyhound (never again!). Another advantage is since there are so many different companies to choose from you can buy your ticket at the last minute, so no need to plan ahead. US definitely needs something like that, at least in some regions.
Tamer Kirac Jul 14th 2010 9:15PM
Great coverage.
BTW, Almost all intercity bus operators in Turkey, as Kamil Koc (not Kamel Koc), put on line buses with WC (bathroom) for their after midnight (early morning) services. Most companies do also provide movies and Wi-fi services.
I personally prefer buses to airplanes while in Turkey, given the costs and travel times, to and from the airports, as these buses are almost always arrive and depart from cenrtal city locations.
Meg Nesterov Jul 15th 2010 8:01AM
Haven't yet taken an intercity bus in Turkey, but this makes me want to jump on a bus today! I particularly love the bowtie. My father used to call riding Greyhound as "grabbing a dog" so perhaps the equivalent could be "jump on a Kamil Koc"? Sounds a bit dirty.
Mike Barish Jul 15th 2010 8:03AM
Sounds like my first time.
Tooter Jul 15th 2010 8:56AM
My only question is: did you eat the "cin" cookie?
Mike Barish Jul 15th 2010 8:57AM
I actually brought it home for my girlfriend. She reports that it was delightful.
Tooter Jul 15th 2010 8:58AM
Was it cinful? okokok, sorry.
Brendan McCullough Jul 15th 2010 12:42PM
Greyhound USA's fundamental problem is labor costs. That is not a knock against the hardworking drivers who don't get paid enough as it is. Providing a premium coach service in a low-wage country is easy. Why do you think Greyhound has almost no competition?
Bob Davis Jul 20th 2010 6:08PM
Back in July 1977, I traveled by Greyhound from El Monte (Southern California) to Boston and back. They had a $75 for one way travel to anywhere in the US, so I got my money's worth (comes to about 2.5 cents a mile). This was during a period in which I had more time than money. It was quite an adventure; the irony was that the purpose was to visit as many railway museums and rapid-transit systems as possible. My next cross-country journey was in 1981, and that was on Amtrak--one "Dog Tired Tour" was enough.
Ali Wildash Jul 27th 2010 8:37AM
Disagree with the quote..... 'It's a shame that bus travel is so poor here. If the buses were better, it would be a fascinating way to travel around the States!'
I travelled the great land of USA last year for a few months..... only using the Greyhound bus.... I spent 500 USD of a 60 day unlimited travel pass... and I had the most incredible time.... and I would not choose another method of travelling the states! I started in NYC, Philly, Washington, Miami, New Orleans, Austin, Flagstaff, Vegas, San Fran, San Diego, LA then LA to Austin and Austin back to LA... just using the bus....
I feel its a better way to travel the poor train system.... (which I feel you will all agree with!).... better than a car ... because in the car you won't meet as many people on the travels from going destination to destination.... and as for flying you have to pre book your flight so your regimented and less likely to go 'bollocks, I like it here and stay longer...' which is what travelling is all about.... plus your more likely meet business people and not socialise on board an hour or 2
flight.....
as for buses... I got too see beautiful scenery..... overnight buses saved on accommodation costs..... met real Americans.... from students, strippers, average joe's, ex convicts, military personel and families.... so was never bored on board as I was chatting and socialising.... met so many great, random people (some I still keep in contact a year on!) and found it so interesting and learnt so much..... also bus stops for food every 4/6 hours.... and get to stop off at some random places...
Greyhound as well as the American people made my time in USA an unforgettable experience and one if the not my favourite country I travelled on my world travel!.... and it should be looked down on.... if you want to see the USA .... GREYHOUND IT!
thanks Greyhound and USA.... made me live my dream!