Finding ways to kill time on long trips can be a way to cope with how boring they can get. Well, it is no secret to anyone that on this type of trip it sometimes feels as if the hours have not passed. And if we add to this the wait at the airport before a flight, and possible unforeseen delays, the downtime and frustration could be even greater. So, we may end up needing another vacation after the vacation.
While downtime when traveling is unavoidable, especially when traveling by plane. The best thing we can do with downtime is invest it in some tasks to make it go by faster. If you are one of the people who will soon take a long trip, you may want to know the following list of activities to kill time.
1. Read a book or magazine
Without a doubt, getting lost in a good novel may be just the thing to help you kill time. If you’re having trouble reading on a plane or in a car because of nausea, try reading a magazine or graphic novel, as you’re less likely to feel sick.
Or, you can buy ginseng gum at a health food store (great for motion sickness too).
2. Use your smart device
Your smart device is your best friend on the go! Especially on long, crowded plane rides, you can use music to drown out background noise and help you fall asleep. But that’s not all you can do with your smart device.
Make sure you use it to its full potential and don’t just create a roaming playlist and listen to your favorite songs.. You can also store some interesting podcasts and audiobooks at your disposal, as other options to count on. You can even use it to clean up your storage spaces and get rid of unwanted files and media.
3. Meet new people
If you are on a long trip, chances are you are bored and don’t know what to do. If all else on your mind fails, you can try starting a conversation with someone traveling with you. Chances are they are just as bored as you are and enjoy spending some time getting to know you.
4. Watch TV series or movies
Most planes are equipped with individual television screens and come with a wide variety of movies and series to choose from.
Check with your airline to see if your plane has this feature (smaller, cheaper airlines may not), so you can come prepared with a laptop or tablet full of movies if needed. In addition to killing time, this is a great opportunity to catch up on episodes of that series you’ve been putting off.
5. Explore the airport
While you’re at the airport, take a look around and explore what there is to do. If you have some extra money to spend, check out the duty-free shops or see if there’s an airport spa where you can treat yourself to a facial or massage before your long flight. Children especially love exploring the airport.
6. Sketch
For those with an artistic flair, pencil drawing can be the perfect activity to help pass the time. Draw something inspired by your travels, or whatever you feel like.
7. Clean out your inbox
Most people’s inboxes are full of unread emails. With some free time, spend it giving your email inbox a good clean. And while you’re at it, unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read.
8. Catch up with old friends
Calling friends you haven’t talked to in a while can be another great way to kill time and socialize a bit in the process. Especially if you have to wait a long time at the airport.
Staying in touch can be tough when you have a busy schedule, but this is the perfect opportunity to return all those phone calls. Or maybe he just surprises mom with an unexpected call.
9. Diary
Traveling can result in some of the best memories of your life, if you can remember them at all. Take advantage of downtime to record what you’ve experienced. So journaling is one of the best travel hobbies and a great habit. Even if you’re on your way home from a trip, you should also have plenty to write about.
Try prompts like «Write about the most amazing moment of your trip so far,» «Make a list of the slang words you’ve learned,» and «Share a story about your interaction with the locals.»
10. Crosswords and Sudoku
For those who want a little brain stimulation, doing crossword puzzles and number puzzles like Sudoku can be a really fun and engaging way to pass the time. You can buy them in books at your local bookstore, or you can also get puzzles from the Internet.
11.Bring a portable gaming system or cell phone to play.
If you’re a gamer, buy a new game or two before you go and start them during the trip. In case you don’t have any new games you can challenge yourself to beat your high score on your favorite game. You won’t even realize you just spent hours on this.
12. Just relax
Finally, if you’re just looking to recharge your batteries, there are a few things you can do. Enjoying the landscape is one of them. You can put on your headphones and enjoy the music or just take a nap as it is the most refreshing thing you can do.
There’s no point wasting time these days. Whether you choose to take a nap, relax, play games or clean your smart devices, killing time is not a difficult task, it just requires a bit of caution.