How to Stop Sickness on a Bloomington Charter Bus

Motion sickness can affect anyone, even the most seasoned travelers. Whether you’re touring Indiana University with prospective students, shuttling fans to an IU Hoosiers game at Memorial Stadium, or heading out for a corporate retreat at Monroe Lake, it pays to know how to keep everyone feeling their best on board. At Charter Bus Rental Bloomington, we help thousands of passengers each year manage motion sickness and enjoy comfortable rides across the state. Call 812-955-7680 anytime — our team is available 24/7 to answer questions about onboard amenities, bus layouts, or custom options to reduce travel stress.

Quick Answer

To stop motion sickness on your Bloomington charter bus ride, choose a seat near the front over the wheels, face forward, and look at the horizon to align your senses. Avoid reading or screens, use fresh air from overhead vents, and snack on bland foods like crackers or ginger candies. Hydrate with water, avoid heavy meals, and consider acupressure wristbands or over-the-counter medications like meclizine or dimenhydrinate if needed—taken before symptoms start. Consistent use of these strategies keeps queasiness at bay so you arrive refreshed at any destination.

What Is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness happens when your brain gets mixed signals about movement. Your inner ear feels the bus moving, but if your eyes are focused on a book, phone, or seat back, they might not see that same motion. This sensory conflict triggers nausea, dizziness, sweating, and sometimes vomiting. On a long drive between Evansville and Bloomington, a winding route around Lake Monroe, or even a short shuttle from downtown hotels to the IU campus, some passengers may be more sensitive than others. Kids ages 2-12, pregnant women, and people prone to migraines tend to experience motion sickness more often, but it can affect anyone under the right (or wrong) conditions.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

The main culprit in motion sickness is a mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear (vestibular system) feels. On a bus, this usually happens when you’re reading, looking down at your phone, or focusing on something inside the vehicle while the road curves and sways beneath you. Other factors can make symptoms worse: stuffy air, strong odors (like a passenger’s lunch), dehydration, low blood sugar, anxiety, or fatigue. Routes with lots of turns—such as a trip through Brown County State Park or along the rolling highways to French Lick Resort—can also increase your risk. The good news? With the right seating choice, smart food planning, and a few preventive tricks, most cases of bus-induced nausea are manageable.

6 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness

Choose the Right Seat

Where you sit on the bus matters. Motion is felt least at the front of the vehicle, especially over the wheels. Reserve seats here for passengers who are prone to motion sickness. Facing forward is key—don’t sit sideways or backward if you can help it. Ask your reservation specialist to block off a few front-row spots for those who need them most. If you’re using a minibus or sprinter van for airport transfers, try to snag the seat next to the driver or just behind them. On longer coach buses, the first two or three rows feel the least sway from turns or bumps on I-69 or State Road 37.

Look Outside

Encourage queasy riders to gaze out the front windshield or side windows, keeping their eyes on the horizon or distant scenery. This visual cue helps synchronize what the eyes see with what the inner ear senses, reducing sensory conflict. On a Bloomington charter bus, this might mean watching the tree line roll by on the way to Nashville, Indiana, or scanning the skyline as you approach Indianapolis. If window views aren’t possible, closing your eyes and leaning back can help minimize conflicting signals. Remind everyone to avoid reading, scrolling social media, or playing games on tablets during the ride, especially on twisty routes.

Get Fresh Air

Good ventilation goes a long way in preventing nausea. Cracking open a window or adjusting the overhead vent for a steady flow of cool air can quickly ease mild symptoms. Many modern charter buses offer individual climate controls above each seat—show nervous passengers how to use them before departure. If you’re traveling in summer heat or winter chill, ask the driver to set the cabin temperature a few degrees cooler than normal to keep things brisk. Strong smells from food, perfumes, or cleaning products can trigger queasiness, so enforce a scent-free policy if possible and stick to bland snacks.

Snack Smart

An empty stomach makes motion sickness worse, but heavy, greasy, or acidic foods can also trigger nausea. Before boarding, encourage everyone to eat a light meal—think toast, crackers, bananas, or applesauce. Bring along bland snacks like saltines, pretzels, or plain granola bars to nibble en route. Ginger is a proven natural remedy: pack ginger snaps, hard ginger candy, or a thermos of ginger tea for easy access. Avoid caffeine, dairy, and high-sugar treats before and during the ride. Staying hydrated with sips of water or electrolyte drinks helps, but skip carbonated sodas or fruit juices that may upset sensitive stomachs.

Try Natural Remedies

Some passengers swear by acupressure wristbands, which apply gentle pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist to relieve nausea. These bands are inexpensive, drug-free, and available at most pharmacies—hand them out before a big field trip or company outing for peace of mind. Sucking on peppermint or chamomile lozenges can also soothe an uneasy stomach, as can inhaling calming scents like lavender or lemon oil. If you have time before your trip, practicing deep breathing or mindfulness exercises can lower overall anxiety and make your body less reactive to motion cues.

Consider Medication

For those who know they’ll get sick no matter what, over-the-counter medicines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) can prevent symptoms if taken 30-60 minutes before departure. Scopolamine patches, worn behind the ear, offer up to three days of relief and are ideal for multi-day tours or overnight trips to Chicago or Louisville. These drugs work best as a preventive measure—once nausea starts, they’re less effective. Warn riders about potential drowsiness, dry mouth, or blurred vision, and remind them to check with their doctor before using any new medication, especially if they’re pregnant or have chronic health issues.

At Charter Bus Rental Bloomington, we’ve seen every trick in the book for managing motion sickness—and we’re happy to share what works! When you call 812-955-7680 to book your next group trip, mention any special needs or requests related to travel comfort. We’ll recommend the right bus size, layout, and amenities to keep everyone healthy and happy from pickup to drop-off. Whether you’re taking students to the WonderLab Science Museum, hosting a wedding shuttle to Sycamore Farm, or planning a winery tour around Oliver Winery and Butler Winery, we’ll help you build the perfect package for a smooth, enjoyable ride. Get an instant quote in 30 seconds on our website or speak with a friendly local expert 24/7—your satisfaction (and your stomach) comes first.