The Best Snacks to Bring on a Mountain View Charter Bus Ride

Whether you’re headed to Googleplex for a corporate retreat, shuttling students to Shoreline Amphitheatre for a field trip or taking a group to downtown San Jose for a night out, packing the right snacks can make your charter bus ride much more enjoyable. At Charter Bus Rental Mountain View, we want every passenger to have a comfortable and pleasant journey—and that includes happy, satisfied bellies. Here are some of our favorite snacks for bus trips, plus tips for choosing foods that travel well. Call us at 650-705-0670 if you have any questions about what you can bring aboard!

What Makes a Good Snack for a Bus Trip?

We understand that everyone has different tastes and dietary needs when it comes to food on the road. But after years of helping groups travel across California, we think the best snacks for a bus trip are:

Easily portable: By “portable,” we mean foods that are self-contained (think single-serving packs or handheld portions) and can be consumed without utensils. You want snacks that can be easily stashed in your carry-on, backpack, or the overhead parcel rack without risk of spilling everywhere. Avoid anything that requires refrigeration or leaves behind leftovers.

Light on the stomach: Charter buses offer a smooth ride, but some passengers may still get carsick, especially on winding roads around the Santa Cruz Mountains or along Highway 101. To help prevent motion sickness, avoid greasy, spicy or acidic foods that take longer to digest. When in doubt, choose simple snacks with mild flavors—bananas, crackers, applesauce pouches, etc.—that are easy on the stomach.

Protein over carbs: Sure, carb-based snacks like potato chips and cookies are tasty, but they’ll leave you feeling hungry again soon. Instead, protein-rich foods like nuts, cheese sticks, hard-boiled eggs and jerky will keep you full longer and give you lasting energy for the day’s activities.

Snacks for Kids: Field Trips and Family Groups

If you’re traveling with younger passengers—say, for a school field trip to NASA Ames Research Center or a family reunion picnic at Cuesta Park—you’ll want snacks that are kid-friendly and minimize messes. Some of our favorites include:

Dried fruit: Kids love sweet treats, and dried fruit is a healthier way to satisfy those cravings. Raisins, apricots, mango and apple chips are less sticky than fresh fruit and won’t require as many wet wipes.

Squeeze-pouch snacks: From applesauce to yogurt to pudding, there are plenty of on-the-go snacks that come in squeeze pouches. They’re easy to store in a backpack, don’t need utensils, and are relatively spill-proof compared to cups or bowls.

Juice boxes or shelf-stable milk: Staying hydrated is key, especially if your itinerary includes lots of walking or outdoor time. Juice boxes and tetra pack milks are easy to pack, offer a break from water, and can be tossed once finished.

Snacks for Adults: Corporate Events, Wine Tours and More

For adult groups heading to conferences, team-building retreats or wine tours in Napa Valley, consider snacks that are a step up from the usual kids’ fare. Here are some ideas:

Trail mix or nut bars: Mix together almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries for a homemade trail mix, or grab pre-packaged nut bars for a filling snack that isn’t too sugary.

Cheese and crackers: Single-serve cheese wedges (like Laughing Cow or Babybel) paired with whole-grain crackers can be stored at room temperature for several hours and feel more substantial than chips.

Hummus and veggie sticks: Mini hummus cups or squeezable hummus packets paired with carrot sticks, snap peas or sliced cucumbers offer a healthy, fiber-rich option that won’t weigh you down.

Snacks for Long Bus Rides: Overnight or Multi-Day Trips

If you’re taking one of our charter buses on a long-distance route—maybe from Mountain View to Los Angeles for a convention or up to Lake Tahoe for a ski weekend—you’ll want snacks that hold up well over hours (or even days) and keep hunger at bay between rest stops.

Jerky or meat sticks: Beef, turkey or plant-based jerky and individually wrapped meat sticks are high in protein, low in mess, and don’t require refrigeration. Just watch the sodium if you’re trying to stay hydrated!

Peanut butter or almond butter packets: Single-serve nut butter packets are great for spreading on rice cakes, dipping pretzels or just eating straight for a quick protein boost.

Popcorn or rice cakes: Air-popped popcorn and plain rice cakes are light, crunchy snacks that can help settle your stomach if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Snacks for Sport Teams: Tournaments and Away Games

Traveling with a youth soccer team, little league baseball squad or high school cheerleading group? You’ll need snacks that provide energy for athletes but aren’t too heavy before games. Some top picks:

Fruit leather or applesauce pouches: These offer quick carbs for energy and are easy to eat on the go without making a mess.

Granola bars or energy bites: Look for bars with oats, nut butter, seeds and a bit of honey for sustained energy. Or make your own no-bake energy bites with similar ingredients.

String cheese or hard-boiled eggs: Both are portable sources of protein that don’t require much refrigeration for a few hours.

Snacks for Weddings: Bridal Parties and Guest Shuttles

If you’re using a minibus rental to shuttle guests between hotels and venues or transporting the bridal party for photos around Mountain View, having snacks on board can help everyone stay energized through a busy day.

Mini muffins or croissants: Perfect for a morning timeline, small pastries are easy to hand out and eat while riding.

Chocolate-covered espresso beans: A little caffeine pick-me-up in a bite-sized treat for adults who may not have time for a coffee stop.

Fruit kabobs or skewers: Thread grapes, berries and melon onto short skewers for a refreshing, mess-free snack that looks festive, too.

Snack Packing Tips for Charter Bus Trips

No matter where you’re headed, these tips will help ensure your snacks make it to your destination intact and ready to enjoy:

Use resealable bags or containers: Portion out snacks into zip-top bags or reusable containers so you’re not passing around a large bag of chips or box of crackers.

Bring a small cooler if needed: Our larger buses have luggage bays underneath where you can stash a soft-sided cooler with ice packs for perishable items like cheese, yogurt or cut fruit.

Pack napkins, wipes and trash bags: Keep things tidy by handing out napkins or baby wipes with snacks and designating a bag for collecting wrappers and peels.

Avoid strong odors: Out of consideration for other passengers, skip snacks with pungent smells like tuna sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs (unless well-contained), or overly garlicky dips.

Can I Eat Onboard My Charter Bus Rental?

Yes! One of the perks of renting a bus from Charter Bus Rental Mountain View is that you can bring your own food and drinks. Our team wants you to be comfortable and satisfied during your trip, so feel free to pack a small cooler, lunchbox or tote bag with your favorite snacks. You can also request a bus with amenities like power outlets to keep coolers running or DVD players for movie marathons with popcorn.

Just remember to be courteous and clean up after yourselves—use trash bags, wipe up spills quickly, and avoid bringing foods with strong odors that might bother others. If you have a large group or special dietary needs, let us know when you call 650-705-0670 to book your bus. We can recommend the best vehicle for your headcount and storage requirements.

Book Your Mountain View Charter Bus Today

Ready to hit the road with snacks in tow? Whether you’re planning a day trip to San Francisco, a campus tour of Stanford University or a weekend getaway to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Charter Bus Rental Mountain View can provide the perfect transportation for your group. Our fleet includes minibuses for smaller outings, full-size charter buses for long hauls, and everything in between—all available with flexible scheduling and instant pricing online.

Get an instant quote in under 30 seconds or call 650-705-0670 anytime to speak with our friendly reservation specialists. We’ll help you choose the right bus, customize your package and answer any questions about onboard food policies. With Charter Bus Rental Mountain View, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride—snacks included!