After having the worst experience on the train from Bucharest to Sofia, I have came prepared for this 12 hours bus ride to Athens.

The train ride was like a sauna, no a/c, no beds, no food, no drinking water for the entire trip. For each station the train stops, there is nothing you can buy.

Even if you happen to dose off, you’ll be waken up for passport check, tickets check, non stop throughout the night.

So for this bus ride, I have bought plenty of emergency crackers and fruits.

When your expectations are low, even simple things will WOW you. The bus stopped at a restaurant during dinner time. A decent restaurant to say the least. During the bus ride, there is a bus attendant serving drinks and snacks. Better than any airlines I’ve been on. And there is working A/C.