I took a luxury overnight bus in Thailand and got 10 hours of business-class service for $30. The US should take notes.

Brendan SainsburyMar 17, 2024, 23:33 IST

Thailand's surprisingly affordable VIP buses leave most other countries in the shade. Brendan Sainsbury

I paid $30 to take a luxury Sombat Tour bus from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Boarding the bus was easy and the service on board reminded me of business class.

Bus transport varies considerably from country to country, from super-slick intra-city buses in Mexico to down-at-heel Greyhounds in the US.

In my extensive journeys around the world as a travel writer, I've enjoyed some superb buses and endured some rust buckets.

On a recent visit to Thailand, I experienced my most deluxe bus ride to date.

My wife and I decided to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai by bus rather than plane.

We booked a bus trip to cut down on flying time and save some money. Brendan Sainsbury

The bays at Mo Chit bus terminal were easy to navigate. Brendan Sainsbury

The bus terminal seemed well-staffed with minimal wait times.Brendan Sainsbury

Luggage was loaded into the bus. Brendan Sainsbury

Quality seems to rule over quantity on Sombat buses.Brendan Sainsbury

The same seat on a long-haul plane would likely cost 100 times the amount.Brendan Sainsbury

Basic snacks took the edge off our appetite.Brendan Sainsbury

The large seats were perfect for relaxation.Brendan Sainsbury

A dinner voucher was used to redeem our meals. Brendan Sainsbury

We arrived at Chiang Mai bus terminal in the dark.Brendan Sainsbury

Chiang Mai is a floral extravaganza.Brendan Sainsbury

Sombat makes bus travel attractive and — dare I say it — enjoyable.Brendan Sainsbury