How to Stop Sickness on a Napa Charter Bus

Motion sickness is one of the fastest ways to ruin your group's charter bus trip. Whether you’re leading a school field trip to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, taking a wine tasting tour of Napa Valley, or planning a corporate retreat at Silverado Resort, queasiness can turn an exciting outing into a miserable experience. But with some smart strategies and a little preparation, you can minimize motion sickness and keep everyone feeling their best from pick-up to drop-off. When you rent a charter bus with Charter Bus Rental Napa, just call 707-819-4630 for help customizing your ride—and read below for our best tips to keep passengers happy and healthy.

Quick Answer

To prevent motion sickness on a charter bus, choose seats near the front where movement is less pronounced, face forward and focus on the horizon, and keep fresh air circulating. Avoid reading or looking at screens, snack on bland foods like crackers or ginger, stay hydrated, and use remedies such as acupressure wristbands or over-the-counter medications if needed. Gradual exposure to travel and practicing relaxation techniques can also build long-term tolerance to motion sickness.

What Is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness (also called travel sickness or kinetosis) is a condition that causes nausea, dizziness, sweating, and sometimes vomiting when riding in vehicles like buses, cars, planes, or boats. It happens when there’s a disconnect between what your eyes see and what your inner ear “feels.” For example, if you’re looking down at your phone or a book while the bus is moving, your inner ear senses motion but your eyes don’t see it. This sensory mismatch confuses your brain and triggers those unpleasant symptoms.

Anyone can get motion sick, but kids ages 2–12, pregnant women, and people prone to migraines are especially susceptible. The good news? Most people outgrow it or learn how to manage it with age and experience. And with a well-equipped bus and a few preventative measures, you can make sure it doesn’t derail your group’s plans.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

The root cause of motion sickness is conflicting sensory input. Your balance and sense of movement come from three main sources:

1. Inner ear (vestibular system): Detects changes in motion and position
2. Eyes: See movement (or lack thereof)
3. Muscles and joints (proprioception): Sense body position

When you’re riding a bus, your inner ear feels the turns, starts, stops, and bumps in the road. But if you’re staring at a stationary object (like a book, phone, or even the seatback in front of you), your eyes tell your brain that you’re still. Your brain gets confused by these mixed messages and responds with nausea and other symptoms.

Certain factors make motion sickness worse, including:

• Reading or looking down at screens
• Strong smells (food, perfume, diesel fuel)
• Poor ventilation or stuffy air
• Full stomach or greasy food before travel
• Anxiety or fear about getting sick
• Traveling on winding or hilly roads

Charter buses tend to be better than cars for sensitive travelers because they ride higher, have smoother suspension, and let you sit facing forward. But long trips on curvy routes (like Highway 29 through Napa Valley) can still trigger symptoms if you’re not prepared.

6 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness

Sit Smart: Choose the Best Spot on the Bus

Where you sit makes a big difference. The smoothest ride is always near the front of the bus, close to the center of gravity and above the wheels. This area experiences less up-and-down movement and side-to-side sway compared to seats over the rear axle or in the back row. When booking your trip, request reserved seating for sensitive passengers or ask your driver to block off a few front-row spots.

Once seated, always face forward, even during conversation. Looking backward or sideways increases sensory conflict. If possible, gaze out the front windshield or a side window and focus on the distant horizon or passing scenery. Watching the road helps synchronize your visual input with the motion your inner ear senses.

On the flip side, avoid sitting in the very back of the bus. That’s where you’ll feel every bump, jolt, and sharp turn—a recipe for queasiness on twisty roads through Napa’s hills. If the bus has an upper deck (like a double-decker party bus), stick to the lower level for less swaying.

Keep Cool Air Flowing

Stuffy, warm air is a major trigger for motion sickness. Make sure your bus has good climate control and individual air vents. On newer models, overhead fans or AC outlets let each passenger direct a stream of cool air onto their face or neck. Fresh air reduces nausea and helps dissipate any strong odors (like diesel exhaust or leftover food).

If your bus allows it and the weather cooperates, crack open a few windows to bring in outside air. Just be mindful of noise and dust on highways or rural roads. For groups with severe sensitivities, mention any ventilation needs when you book so your reservation specialist can match you with a bus that has upgraded HVAC or extra fans.

Snack Wisely: Eat Light, Skip Grease

Your pre-trip meal matters more than you think. Traveling on an empty stomach can make nausea worse, but so can heavy, fatty, spicy, or acidic foods. A full belly of fast food, pizza, or rich desserts is a recipe for regret once the bus hits the highway.

Instead, eat a small, bland snack about an hour before departure. Good options include plain crackers, dry toast, pretzels, bananas, or applesauce. These are easy to digest and unlikely to upset your stomach. Ginger is another proven remedy: sip ginger tea, chew ginger candies, or pack ginger snaps for the ride. Studies show ginger can reduce nausea by calming the digestive tract.

During the trip, sip water or clear juice frequently to stay hydrated, but avoid gulping large amounts at once. Skip carbonated drinks, which can cause bloating, and steer clear of alcohol, caffeine, and sugary sodas. If your group brought snacks on board, pass around mints or lemon drops instead of chips and cookies.

Avoid Screens and Reading

One of the easiest ways to trigger motion sickness is reading or using a device while the vehicle is moving. Looking down at a book, tablet, or phone locks your eyes on a fixed object while your body feels motion—the classic recipe for queasiness.

Encourage passengers to save books, crossword puzzles, emails, and social media scrolling for rest stops or after arrival. If someone must use a device (for work, navigation, or entertainment), suggest they hold it at eye level and glance up frequently at the road ahead. Audiobooks, podcasts, or music playlists are great alternatives that let you enjoy content without straining your eyes or triggering symptoms.

If your bus has built-in TVs or monitors, consider playing a movie or documentary that everyone can watch together. Shared screen time is less likely to cause motion sickness than individual devices. Just choose something light and engaging—no shaky-cam action scenes or graphic medical shows!

Pack Remedies: Wristbands, Patches, and Pills

For groups with known motion sickness sufferers, stock up on preventative remedies before you hit the road. There are both natural and pharmaceutical options that can help, especially when used proactively.

One popular non-drug method is acupressure wristbands, sold under brands like Sea-Band or Psi Bands. These elastic bands have a plastic button that presses on the P6 (Neiguan) point on your inner wrist, which may reduce nausea for some people. Wear them on both wrists, starting before the trip and leaving them on until you arrive.

Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Bonine (meclizine), or generic motion sickness pills are highly effective when taken 30–60 minutes before travel. They work by blocking the brain signals that cause nausea and are available at any pharmacy. Be aware that they can cause drowsiness, so read labels and follow dosage instructions carefully. Non-drowsy formulas are also available.

Prescription options include scopolamine patches (Transderm Scop), which are applied behind the ear several hours before travel and last up to three days. These are typically reserved for adults with severe or frequent symptoms and require a doctor’s approval.

For natural relief, ginger supplements, peppermint lozenges, or aromatherapy inhalers (with scents like lavender or spearmint) can help calm the stomach. Just check with your healthcare provider before mixing remedies or using them with children, pregnant women, or people with chronic health conditions.

Distract and Relax: Mind Over Motion

Anxiety about getting sick can actually make motion sickness worse. The more you worry, the more you focus on every bump, turn, or queasy sensation—creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. That’s why distraction and relaxation techniques are so important for prevention.

Encourage passengers to chat quietly with neighbors, play word games, listen to soothing music, or practice deep breathing exercises. Focusing on slow, steady inhales and exhales can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body and reduces nausea. Guided meditation apps or nature soundtracks (waves, rain, birdsong) are also calming choices for headphones.

If symptoms start to creep in, advise the person to close their eyes, lean back, and imagine themselves in a peaceful setting—like a vineyard, beach, or forest. Visualization and positive thinking can help override negative associations with travel and break the cycle of anxiety and sickness.

Keep Barf Bags Handy (Just in Case)

Despite your best efforts, sometimes motion sickness strikes anyway—especially on long trips with lots of curves, stops, or traffic jams. Be prepared by stocking the bus with disposable vomit bags, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and plastic gloves. Most modern coaches have seat-back pockets or under-seat storage where you can stash supplies within easy reach.

Let your group know where the barf bags are located at the start of the trip, so no one has to scramble in an emergency. If someone does get sick, pull over at the next safe spot so they can get fresh air and rinse their mouth. Offer them water, tissues, and a place to rest until they feel better. Dispose of the bag immediately in an outdoor trash bin to prevent lingering odors.

Afterward, clean and sanitize any affected surfaces using gloves and disinfectant. Open windows or run the AC to ventilate the bus. Reassure the person that motion sickness is common and nothing to be ashamed of—it happens to the best of us! With prompt care and empathy, you can help them recover quickly and rejoin the group.

Book a Comfortable Charter Bus for Your Next Trip

The right vehicle makes a huge difference in preventing motion sickness. At Charter Bus Rental Napa, we offer a wide range of comfortable, modern buses with amenities designed for sensitive travelers. Our fleet includes 15-passenger minibuses with plush reclining seats, full-sized 56-passenger motorcoaches with panoramic windows, and everything in between. Many models feature upgraded climate control, adjustable lighting, individual air vents, and onboard restrooms for maximum convenience.

When you call 707-819-4630 to book your group transportation, let our reservation specialists know about any motion sickness concerns. We’ll help you choose a bus with the smoothest ride, reserve front-row seating, and accommodate special requests like extra rest stops or customized pickup/drop-off locations. Our goal is to make sure everyone arrives at their destination feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the day—whether you’re touring wineries, attending a conference, or exploring local attractions.

Don’t let motion sickness put a damper on your next charter bus adventure. With a little planning and the right support, your group can travel in comfort and style all across California. Get an instant quote online or call 707-819-4630 today—we’re here 24/7 to help!