During journeys, trains and buses become shared spaces bringing dozens of strangers together for several hours, making each passenger’s behaviour directly affect the comfort of others. Travel etiquette begins with details that may seem simple, such as the tone of one’s voice, how one sits and where one puts a bag, but these can make the difference between a calm journey and one that is tiring and full of tension.
As sustainable travel by train and bus becomes more popular around the world, the importance of the unwritten rules governing behaviour on public transport is becoming clearer. Considering others does not mean giving up personal comfort, but using the available space courteously and ensuring that individual needs do not become a source of inconvenience for other passengers.
Respecting space and armrests
Respecting personal space comes at the forefront of these rules. Passengers should avoid spreading beyond the boundaries of their seat, opening their knees too widely or leaning into the space allocated to the person next to them. Sitting moderately, with the legs and arms kept within the seat’s boundaries, is one of the simplest ways to respect shared space.
On double or triple seats, the passenger in the middle seat has an unspoken priority when using the armrests on either side. This is intended to compensate them for being unable to lean against the window, as the passenger beside it can, or enjoy the freedom of movement available to the passenger nearest the aisle. Some consideration is required before reclining a seatback.
Passengers should first turn around to check that the person behind them is not using the tray table to work on a laptop or eat. The passenger behind may be tall enough for a reclined seat to press against their knees or severely reduce the space available to them. Travel etiquette begins before reaching one’s seat.
Giving priority to those getting off and organising luggage
When the doors of a train or bus open, priority goes to passengers leaving, and enough space should be left for them to get off before boarding begins. Following this rule helps prevent crowding at the doors and blocked aisles, while speeding up rather than obstructing the movement of passengers. After boarding, a bag should not be used to reserve the adjacent seat or stop others from sitting there.
Unless the passenger has paid for two tickets, they should move their bag immediately to the designated luggage area and leave seats free for passengers, particularly when the carriage is crowded. Good luggage management includes placing large and heavy bags on lower racks or in the designated spaces at the entrance to the carriage.
The smaller overhead racks above the seats are best left for hand luggage and coats. This distribution helps storage space be used efficiently and reduces disorder inside the carriage. Bags and shopping bags should also not be left in the aisles, as they obstruct the movement of passengers and service staff.
The issue goes beyond everyday inconvenience: luggage left in the way can pose a danger during an emergency requiring the aisle to be cleared or people to move quickly. With phones and smart devices now widespread, electronic noise has become one of the main sources of disturbance on public transport.
Reducing noise and respecting quiet carriages
Earphones should therefore be used when watching videos or listening to music, and video calls should not be made on speakerphone. It is also important to keep the volume low enough that sound does not carry to nearby seats. Ordinary phone calls should be short and quiet, with personal matters or private details not discussed within everyone’s hearing.
On trains, passengers can move to the area between carriages if they need to make a long call, rather than making surrounding passengers unwilling participants in the conversation. The rules are stricter when travelling in a quiet carriage. In these carriages, passengers are expected not to make calls, to set all devices to silent mode and to remain as quiet as possible.
Choosing food and managing smells inside the carriage
If a brief conversation is necessary, it should be conducted in a whisper so that the space does not lose the purpose for which it was designated. Enclosed spaces on trains and buses are quickly affected by food smells, so it is preferable to choose light, cold meals that do not make disruptive sounds or produce strong odours.
Conversely, it is best to avoid fried fast food, seafood and foods containing garlic or onions, as their smells may spread throughout the carriage and linger for a long time. The same care applies to perfumes and air fresheners; strong scents should not be sprayed inside a train or bus.
These products may cause discomfort to some passengers or trigger chest allergies. When the journey ends, food remains and personal rubbish should be collected and taken away, rather than left on tables or seats. Another rule of cleanliness and courtesy is not to remove shoes or socks inside the carriage.
Putting one’s feet, whether shod or in socks, on the opposite seats is also unacceptable, as it dirties public property and inconveniences passengers who will use those seats later. Awkward situations may arise during a journey and require calm handling to prevent them from turning into an argument.
“I have a headache. Could you turn the volume down a little?”
If a passenger finds someone sitting in their reserved seat, they can calmly show their ticket and say: “I think there has been a small misunderstanding; this seat is listed on my ticket,” allowing the situation to be resolved without accusation or escalation.
If a neighbouring passenger falls asleep and begins leaning against others, they can be alerted with a very gentle touch on the shoulder or a quiet cough, rather than being woken abruptly and embarrassed. All these actions follow one principle: treat others in a shared space as the traveller would like to be treated, while respecting seat boundaries, keeping the surroundings clean and leaving the way clear for everyone.
