Anyone looking for a coach excursion comes across three words: executivo (executive), semi-leito (semi-sleeper) and leito (sleeper). They describe the seat, and the seat decides whether you arrive in Uberaba, Aparecida or Santiago rested or worn out. This is the explanation we give on WhatsApp to anyone who asks.
What is the executive coach on an excursion?
It is the ordinary scheduled coach used on journeys of a few hours. Four seats per row, two on each side of the aisle, a seat that reclines a little and a footrest. It works well for a daytime journey. For sleeping a whole night on board, it is tiring.
What is the semi-sleeper coach?
It still has two seats on each side, but the seat is wider, reclines much further and has a leg rest that lifts. It usually comes with curtains, air conditioning, a power socket or USB port and a toilet. It is the standard for most multi-day excursions, because it carries the whole group in comfort and still has room for everyone's luggage. On our departures to Minas and Aparecida it is the most common type.
What is the sleeper coach?
Here the arrangement changes: there are three seats per row, one on one side of the aisle and two on the other. Each is wide, reclines almost to lying down and has a full leg rest. With fewer people on board, the coach is quieter. It is what we choose for the longest trips, such as Chile and Argentina, where the road is part of the journey.
There is also the leito-cama (flat-bed sleeper), where the seat turns into a flat bed, more common on regular international services than on excursions.
How to choose between executive, semi-sleeper and sleeper on a coach trip?
- Short trip, no night on board, such as Termas Romanas or Ametista do Sul: executive or semi-sleeper will do.
- One night on board, such as Aparecida or the Triângulo Mineiro: semi-sleeper is the minimum. Sleeper is better for anyone with back pain or who sleeps badly sitting up.
- Two nights or more, such as Chile and Argentina: sleeper.
The page for each trip in all trips states which coach is used on that departure. If it is not clear, ask Ana Carla before booking.
Tips for sleeping well on the coach
- Ask for a seat at the front if you get travel sick, or in the middle if you want less sway and less noise from the door.
- Bring a small blanket and a neck pillow. The air conditioning gets cold in the early hours.
- Wear loose clothes, thick socks and shoes that are easy to take off.
- Keep water, a piece of fruit and a dry snack in your hand luggage. Stops run to a timetable, hunger does not.
- Regular medication and documents go in your hand luggage, never in the luggage hold.
The list of what goes in your hand luggage is in the road trip checklist. And if you are still unsure whether it is worth travelling by coach instead of flying, the article from comfort to friendship explains why our passengers come back.
The coach trips leaving from Porto Alegre, with the type of coach for each one, are listed in coach excursions from Porto Alegre.
