RS Buses

There isn't a specific Rick Steves bus, they are hired from local companies.
After 10 tours, some buses have USB ports and/or power points, some don't. I always bring a power bank.

As an added note, some have bathrooms and some do not. The majority seem to have bathrooms, but often riders are encouraged by the bus driver not to use them. I do find that the bus stops at least every two hours for some sort of comfort break.

In the words of one illustrious RS guide, "Rule #1 for a tour. Go when you can, not only when you need to......"

Out of 3 tours none had chargers. I always carry a power block in my tote plus small credit card size charger in my tiny purse for on the go.

Carrying a power bank is a good idea regardless of type of transportation or what is available.

Numerous times I've been on planes, trains and buses that were supposed to have power outlets but they didn't work.

Depends on the bus company used. You might want to check with Rick Steves tour company and ask them. Sometimes it’s better to get the information, if it’s easily available, from the source no matter what others say.

Carol now retired, when Billie Ray, (whose husband Robert Ray was our beloved governor here in iowa for 16 yrs) was interviewed near his retirement, she was asked what she knew now that she wished someone had told her at the beginning, she said:
1. Sit whenever you can
2. Use the restroom whenever you get the opportunity

When I took the RS Adriatic tour last year, our guide said Rick didn’t want us using the internet on the bus. He wanted us looking at the scenery and talking with each other. I don’t know if that was the truth, but it’s just another confirmation to bring a power bank, if needed.

UPDATE: And our bus for the entire trip did not have a bathroom on it. We did stop every two hours for a break or planned activity. This wasn’t a surprise. Some of the tours have this listed under Physical Demands: ”Travel on a bus without a toilet (rest stops every two hours).”

On the last tour I took - Alpine in 2015 - the bus had wifi.

Jean, one of our guides - Village Italy, I think - suggested that people not use the available wifi. She didn't say Rick didn't want it, but she did say she hoped that we would enjoy the scenery rather than spend time on the internet.

Carol now retired:

As an added note, some have bathrooms and some do not. The majority seem to have bathrooms

I think we've been on 14 RSE bus tours, and all the buses had toilets. I think there may have been one or two tours where a bus was used short term, less than an hour or two - say, for a city tour, that the bus didn't have a toilet.

And yes, the drivers prefer the on-board toilet not be used except in an emergency. Potty stops are frequent, and European rest stops are way more interesting that ours! Great snack and souvenir shopping!

I have been on five RS tours but several of them pre-date internet/wifi and I don't recall about charging amenities. My most recent Turkey tour there were euro style wall plugs but there was no USB charging or internet.

I will note it doesn't matter if you call the RS office and ask. Though they typically contract with the same companies for buses, they have no way of knowing what specific bus will be used for your tour, and each bus has different amenities. Best to plan for back up charging and rely on internet at your overnight stops.

When I took the Scandinavia tour in 2018, the bus initially had wifi but as soon as we crossed the border into Denmark, we lost wifi. The tour guide had already warned us so it was no surprise. I don't ever remember availability of charging at each seat on the bus but once or twice there has been a plug toward the back of the bus. Imagine 24+ people trying to charge their phones in that situation....

I took the Scandinavia tour in May/June and our bus had wifi and 2 USB ports at each seat. Still carried a power bank just to be safe but only used when out and about.

I only remember wifi ports on two of the 14 or so bus tours we've taken.

On our RS 21 Day BOE tour in August we had charging ports at every seat and no WiFi. We had a toilet but I think it got used less than 4 times in 3 weeks for emergencies. Never went more than 2 hours without a break of some sort

I have been on several tours and haven’t had internet or charging on any bus so far. Cell phone hot spot worked when I want internet.