Sleeper Vs Seater Buses: What Should You Book?
Are you a bus passenger who’s unsure whether to book a seater bus or a sleeper bus? To put an end to the Sleeper vs Seater buses debate we conducted a poll on our social media handles that revealed what Indian passengers prefer.
India is home to one of the largest bus networks in the world. From rickety, old, overloaded rural buses to super-luxurious coaches like Mercedes Benz Super High Deck and Volvo multi-axle buses, our roads are familiar with buses of all shapes, sizes, and seating layouts.
In the past decade, since their introduction in the 2000s, sleeper buses have gained immense popularity in India. Especially for longer routes (500 km+), sleeper buses have almost become the norm.
But what about journeys of around 300 km, which are very common throughout India? What type of buses do Indian passengers prefer for such routes?
Also Read: Sleeper Buses in India: Everything You Need to Know Before Booking a Ticket
To gain a proper understanding, we conducted a poll on our social media handles. While the engagement was high, the results of the poll were quite surprising. Although the results were not entirely unexpected, they provided valuable insights into passengers’ preferences.
Along with passengers, these insights will be especially useful for new bus operators in understanding what passengers on different routes actually prefer. You can also use this information to decide the seating layout for your next buses.
Before we dive into the details of the poll, let us describe each of these layout types.
A sleeper bus features bunks or berths for sleeping, typically arranged in a 2×1 layout with lower and upper bunks. This configuration includes shared berths on one side and individual/single berths on the other. To learn more about sleeper buses, read this article.
A semi-sleeper bus is essentially a seater bus with added calf support. These buses usually have a 2×2 layout, with two seats on either side of the gangway. You can see the calf supports in the seats in the picture above.
Also Read: Indian Sleeper Bus Inside View: Exclusive Image Tour
Sleeper vs. Seater Buses: Key Insights from the Poll
About 60% of respondents preferred sleeper buses, citing the comfort and privacy they offer.
However, there was also a strong preference for seater and semi-sleeper buses. The poll revealed several deciding factors that passengers consider when choosing a specific seating arrangement. The major ones are listed below:
1. Sleeper Buses are Preferred for Overnight Journeys
This seems natural! Most passengers would want a good night’s sleep, and what could be more comfortable than a sleeper bus?
The poll indicated that sleeper buses are highly preferred for overnight journeys in India.
2. Distance Matters: Sleeper Buses are Preferred for Longer Routes
A significant number of passengers commented that they prefer semi-sleeper or seater buses for journeys of around 300 km. For journeys exceeding 400 km, sleeper buses are the majority’s first choice due to their comfort for taking a nap.
Passengers also lean towards seater/semi-sleeper buses for hilly routes.
3. Taller Individuals Prefer Seater Buses
Passengers taller than 5’10” find it difficult to travel in sleeper buses and are more likely to prefer semi-sleeper seats. This is because the average length of a sleeper bus berth in India is around 5’9”, which can be uncomfortable for taller people.
The same applies to people with obesity. The width of a single berth in a sleeper bus ranges from 24 inches to 26 inches, and overweight individuals often find it challenging to fit comfortably.
Therefore, for tall or overweight individuals, opting for a double berth or a seater bus is advisable.
Also Read: Ashok Leyland 15-Meter Bus Chassis: Garud Multi-Axle Specs
Key Takeaways from the Sleeper vs. Seater Buses Poll
To sum it up, for a day journey of around 300 km, the majority of Indian passengers prefer seater or semi-sleeper buses. For longer journeys, sleeper buses are the preferred option.
For passengers taller than 5’10”, choosing a seater or semi-sleeper bus is recommended, as the berths in sleeper buses might be uncomfortable for extended periods.
Also Read: The 5 Best Delhi to Manali Bus Services
Which Seat is Best in a Sleeper Bus?
This is a commonly asked question—what is the most comfortable berth in a sleeper bus?
Our poll also provided an answer to this question. It was clear that the best seats in a sleeper bus in India are the upper berths. If traveling alone, opting for a single upper berth offers the best comfort and privacy.
Additionally, the best position in a sleeper bus is in the second or third compartment. These compartments are within the wheelbase and are least affected by bumps and jerks.
Moreover, in the event of an accident, the middle rows are strategically placed to incur the least damage, given their distance from both the front and rear of the bus.
Read our dedicated article on the best seat on a sleeper bus to know more.
