1. How to Keep Entertained on a Long Ride
Bring entertainment options and keep entertained. Plan this in advance as it will help to kill time on a flight or train ride. Books are great, but can be cumbersome to carry around. I suggest bringing a Kindle or iPad, where you can store numerous books, which will take up less space and be more convenient. Puzzle books, like crosswords, Sudoku, or brain teasers, will also help to pass the time, and these are available in book form or electronic form.
If those aren’t your style, try a murder mystery or romance novel to keep you occupied. If reading isn’t your thing, try bringing an iPod or MP3 player or a handheld video game. These can serve as a great distraction, and using your old Shockwave favorites can be good for a few hours of entertainment. Whatever you decide, make sure to pack enough to last you, so you don’t get bored of your only option on the first day. In the case of an iPod, try making a new playlist or two, so you have some variety and aren’t listening to the same songs over and over again.
1.1. Bring Entertainment Options
Making sure you have enough entertainment can make or break a flight or long bus or car ride. A lack of entertainment may leave you feeling bored and agitated. Don’t make the mistake of relying only on internet connectivity. Technological problems can leave you disconnected. Also, don’t rely on the provided entertainment. This sometimes is also out of service or may not have anything to your taste.
You shouldn’t rely on others to keep you entertained. It’s not fair to expect one person to have a conversation lasting many hours. More people stops you bringing your own entertainment. Finally, don’t rely on sleep. For some people, it may be difficult to sleep sitting upright. You may also have problems with that one person sitting next to you that never stops talking. Heed this advice, and you will never be stuck in a situation with nothing to do until you reach your destination.
The above advice is just one of many strategies you can employ to keep entertained on a trip. The most important part in trying to remain entertained is that you are open to different activities. A reluctance to do something can leave you thinking you are stuck with nothing when there were plenty of other options. This creates the feeling of being stuck with nothing. Being open to entertainment will help keep this from happening.
The second most important point for staying entertained is to be positive. Having a positive attitude will make anything you do more enjoyable. You won’t enjoy that movie if you keep thinking it’s going to be terrible, and it will be over faster if you are having fun.
1.2. Listen to Music or Podcasts
Create a new playlist or download some new music you have been wanting to check out. Select songs that are in a relaxing or mellow tone to put you in a state of ease. Fast-paced music may have an undesired effect, making you feel more anxious. Classical music is also known to be an ideal selection for a relaxing and stress-free atmosphere. Bring out that iPod you haven’t used in years and update it with some of your old favorites (i.e. what music you listened to in high school or on a trip to Europe). Listening to songs that you haven’t heard in a while can be a fun and nostalgic experience.
If you’re not a music person, try listening to podcasts. There are a multitude of podcasts available on almost any subject you can think of. From educational to comedic, there is bound to be a podcast that is of interest to you. Podcasts can be informative as well as entertaining, and a long flight is an ideal time to catch up on some you have been meaning to listen to. Whether it is music or podcasts, with such a wide variety of selections to choose from, you are likely to discover something new that you enjoy.
1.3. Watch Movies or TV Shows
However, I recently discovered the greatest way to watch movies through Xfinity On Demand on an airplane. On a recent flight to Vegas, being quite disappointed with the lack of good movie options and a troubled TV in front of my seat, the guy next to me informed me of this. Having recent movies enabled me to watch a movie on a flight that I haven’t seen or had to pay for, allowing me to comfortably split the headphones into two and let my friend next to me watch the same thing.
Because you can pause, fast forward, and rewind, you can watch the movie at your own pace and not have to worry about missing a part of it due to falling asleep, using the restroom, or other interruptions. This is a method that I will use in the future on flights, and I’m sure that I can kill a good amount of time taking advantage of the recent movie options.
Firstly, a classic way to keep entertained, watching movies or TV shows is something that can drain time and keep one occupied for hours in different situations. Start off with the normal way, in-flight movies. Often, flying with popular airplanes such as Southwest or Delta can offer many options to choose from. Ranging anywhere from newly released movies to classic old TV shows, there can be something found for everyone. With the ability to personalize one’s watching experience by using headphones and adjusting volume, it makes this a sure thing to kill some time as well as make it an enjoyable experience.
In situations such as a road trip, a portable DVD player or a laptop can be a great thing to bring. With no worry of looking for a specific show on TV, one can pop in their favorite movie or TV show and let the time fly away. Through a personal DVD collection, streamed Netflix or Hulu, the options are huge for whatever you decide to watch. This is a great way to pass the time and it is something that can be done alone or with accompanying passengers, as they can join in or do their own thing. With a 2-hour movie and a few episodes of TV shows, you’ve just killed a decent amount of time.
1.4. Play Games or Solve Puzzles
Sudoku!
We had two helpful items in our hand luggage: some books of sudoku puzzles, and a pack of cards. Initially, we thought this to be a perfect way to relax, have some drinks and pass the time, playing cards. However, we soon became addicted to the Sudoku puzzles and the pack of cards remained untouched for the entire journey!
Sudoku puzzles are a great way to pass the time on a flight. They are easy to do with limited space, can be very challenging and even if you only have a few minutes, you can pick up where you left off at any time.
We also had a puzzle book full of a variety of brainteasers and quizzes. Some were simple word puzzles; others were tough logic problems. These were great, especially when you’re in the mood for something a bit more challenging than Sudoku.
Puzzle books with a variety of brainteasers and quizzes can provide hours of entertainment. They are normally split into easily digestible sections, making them ideal for doting in and out of between meals and sleep. And if you’re in the mood for some mind-boggling torment, logic puzzles can be very frustrating and very satisfying at the same time!
2. Plan and organize
Whether it is organizing your trip details, making mental preparations for what is to come, or sorting out personal affairs, having a clear head can be an enjoyable way to spend your free time. Make a mental checklist for what you have left to prepare and if necessary, organize your luggage or travel documents. For meticulous individuals, it can be satisfying to plan out all the details, orient yourself with maps or public transportation systems, and gather information about things to do once you arrive at your destination.
Engage in creative activities.
If reading is not exactly your thing, try creative activities such as writing, drawing, or playing an instrument. A journal is an economical and lightweight way to record your experiences during your trip. If you’ve had a flying idea but have never had the time to pursue it, use this time to develop new projects or plan your future. During a recent twelve-hour bus ride from Mysore to Mumbai, I wrote an astonishing number of postcards and short letters to friends that I hadn’t corresponded with in years.
It made me feel productive and reconnected with friends. Coming from an art and design background, I use travel time as an opportunity to practice drawing, which can be great for inspiration if your destination involves a creative project. For those of you musically inclined, an acoustic guitar is perfectly portable and long trips can be a great time to practice without disturbing anyone at odd hours of the night.
Read books or magazines.
There is no better time to catch up on reading than when you are on a long-haul flight or involved in a lengthy road trip. Just make sure you carry a variety of reading materials such as light fiction, travel magazines, or current bestsellers for any mood you might be in.
2.1. Read Books or Magazines
Reading can be one of the most engrossing activities you could do on a long flight or ride. Choose a good book and you may find your attention will be held for hours. One benefit of reading is it’s portable and can be done anywhere, and anytime. Ideally, a long trip is an opportunity to take that book you’ve been meaning to read but just not had the time to get into it. If you’re not much of a book person, perhaps you could try some magazines.
The magazines in the seat pocket in front of you may not interest you, so why not grab a fresh glossy magazine before your flight? Another suggestion could be to make sure to pack more reading material than you think you will need. It’s better to have more options of things to read instead of getting halfway through your last book on a 10-hour flight with nothing else to entertain you.
2.2. Engage in Creative Activities
Creative activities play a big part in keeping yourself entertained through the trip. From writing poetry to making models from twisties or even drawing on a notepad, creative activities can be a very productive and meaningful way to kill time. If you are artistically inclined, then this is the perfect time to express yourself. People who say they cannot draw to save themselves will be forced to really draw anything to keep themselves occupied. Bound by what resources you have on you, you may surprise yourself with what you create.
A notepad and pen is all it takes to release that dormant creativity in the back of your mind. The best thing about being creative is that time flies when you are so immersed in what you are doing, and the destination will come up sooner than you expected. If you are unable to draw from memory, a fun way of improving your skills is to try to replicate a piece of art.
An activity that is personally done very often to pass the time is firing up the trusty old notepad and writing something. It does not have to be anything fancy and can even just be short random thoughts. One idea for the ambitious thinkers is trying to write a short story or a chapter. Starting (and finishing) a story is a very satisfying way to kill time, and you never know, you might end up with something you really like. I started writing this blog one year ago and I have not stopped since! Well, except for now.
2.3. Plan and Organize
If you are traveling with friends/family, plan some activities that you can do together so that you can kill time and for the case of friends/family that don’t get a long period of time where you can all split up and do your own activities. This is especially useful if you’re uncomfortable flying. Also, don’t forget to organize transport to and from the airport as well as accommodation and any activities you have planned during your trip. This will save you time and reduce tension throughout the day.
Begin by making a checklist of activities you can carry out or things you can bring with you. You can include things such as books/magazines, portable gaming devices, a small healthy snack, and productive things like study guides or work-related material. This way, you ensure you don’t forget to bring anything that you would like to do instead of sitting there staring at the seat in front of you.
2.4. Learn Something New
How to keep entertained on long flights and rides is an article written by Shannon McAllister. She offers ways to make long transportation times more enjoyable and even productive. This article was great for someone like me because I am very anxious to fly and especially for long amounts of time. I want to be able to fall asleep or be able to do something that can make time fly by quicker. The first suggestion made is to read books or magazines.
The main suggestions that are given are to read something that you wouldn’t normally have time to read. An example of this could be a really lengthy novel that you have always wanted to read, but never had the time to. Reading is a good idea because depending on the material it can quickly make time pass by and it is a good way to practice uninterrupted focus. Another method to reading is to read an engrossing book on a plane.
Another method for long flights and rides is to engage in creative activities. This is a good method considering once you get started on something that you are passionate about it can be hard to stop. This will eat up tons of time and free time like a long flight is great to get started on a project. It is suggested to start a long project. My personal suggestion would be to start a film script. Since that is one of my hobbies I know that I could write for hours on end.
Another good idea from the story is to create something that you can get traveling, such as a travel journal or starting a blog. This is a good suggestion because it will allow you to reflect on your travels or experiences and the travel journal is a tangible memory that you can hold to remember an experience.
2.5. Meditate or Practice Mindfulness
Meditation is a practice involving focused concentration and relaxation to calm the mind and guide your thoughts in a positive and productive direction. Mindfulness is a particular way of paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. Many people use meditation or mindfulness exercises to help them relax or to try to think in a different way more positively.
Activities for relaxation and to reduce stress, such as meditation and mindfulness, can be good to do before sleeping on a long flight/ride. This can be a great alternative option to sleeping if you want to remain awake while everyone else is asleep, so it will give you some more time to yourself. You will find it difficult to be uninterrupted and do these activities while everyone else is awake, so make the most of the peace and quiet while everyone is asleep.
There are a number of helpful meditation and mindfulness resources on the internet, such as the Mental Health Foundation Audio Guide to Mindfulness or UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Centre. Using these, you can more effectively learn the practice from guidance, and also audio is a more practical option than reading. A well-renowned resource for meditation and mindfulness exercises is Jon Kabat-Zinn, who is an expert in the field. Audio guides such as Guided Mindfulness Meditation or Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief are some of the many options available. There are also many books related to meditation and mindfulness if you feel like reading will be a more effective method given whatever environment you are in.
3. Stay active and stretch.
Relieve restlessness and the frequent occurrence of uncomfortable bloating and gas by keeping physically active during the flight. You can do this by simply getting out of your seat and walking up and down the aisle a few times when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off. Be sure to get up at least once every two hours and walk for 10-15 minutes. When sitting in your seat, do some in-seat exercises every hour.
Simple yoga, tai chi, and stretching can be done while remaining seated. This will help increase blood circulation and prevent your legs from swelling. It might also help to change the position of how you are sitting every once in a while. Never hurts to say hello or nod to your flight attendants and you may feel less awkward asking for something later on in the flight.
Strike up conversations.
If you are afraid that your activity and noise will disturb other passengers, or that others’ disturbance will prevent sleep, just talk to the people around you. Take caution as a stranger trying to strike up a conversation in a closed space can sometimes be seen as invasive. More often than not, however, people are usually more bored and eager to talk to someone else than you may think.
3.1. Stay Active and Stretch
Take a stroll up and down the aisle when it is safe and convenient to do so. Walking is a great way to keep the body moving and is the most effective way to reduce the risk of swollen ankles and deep vein thrombosis. When you are waiting for the bathroom, you can also do a few exercises using the side of the plane for support. These include leg extensions and stretch exercises.
– Ankle Circles: Lift your feet off the floor slightly and rotate your ankles in a circular motion. This exercise helps to alleviate any built-up tension in the legs and feet.
– Knee lifts: Lift your leg one at a time and alternate between each leg. Hold your knee and thigh with both hands, raising your knee towards your chest.
– Shoulder Rolls: For this exercise, sit upright, relax your arms, and let them dangle by your side. Roll your shoulders forwards and backwards in a circular motion. This exercise helps to reduce tension in the shoulder and neck area.
– Head Rolls: Tilt your head from left to right gently and then finish off with some gentle circular motions, both clockwise and counterclockwise. Remember to keep movement gentle and smooth.
Sitting in your seat, there are several in-flight exercises you can do to reduce stiffness and improve circulation. Some examples are:
When your body is inactive for a long period of time (i.e. long-haul flights, or sitting for extended periods on trains/buses), it can stiffen up and become quite uncomfortable and sometimes painful. To avoid this, it is best to stay as active as you possibly can.
3.2. Strike Up Conversations
One of the best ways to pass time on long rides/flights is to talk to someone. This is a perfect time to catch up with friends/family that are travelling with you this time, compared to other times that you see them. If you are travelling by yourself, this is a perfect opportunity to make a new friend. This new friend could be a future friend for wherever you are travelling to or someone that has travelled to the destination that you are heading to. This could be helpful for future plans and also an added bonus for the next time you take a long ride/flight.
You can learn a lot, whether it be about the new friend, or a destination that you know nothing about. There are many interesting people out there who have some interesting stories to tell. During a recent flight to California, a lovely old woman in her late 60’s sat next to me. She is a retired teacher from New Zealand, and travelled around the world teaching English in Japan, Africa and the United Kingdom. She showed and told me about photos of her family and the places where she has been. There is no way that I could have gained this valuable information without striking up a conversation.
I learned a lot in those 3 hours, which concluded with her offering me advice and places to see and stay at in New Zealand, and also an invitation to her home. This just goes to show that there are some great things to gain from talking with new people. Take your time, there are no time limits on conversations. But a word of advice, if someone has headphones on, is asleep or is reading it’s probably a sign that they don’t want to be disturbed.
3.3. Explore the In-flight/Ride Entertainment System
Pass the time by watching a movie, TV show or documentary or listen to some music or the radio. Most long-haul airlines have personal seatback entertainment systems these days, so you’ll have a choice of several channels to keep you occupied. If you’re the kind of person who’s entertained by simple video games, then be sure to check out whether your airlines provide these on the entertainment system. It’s best to take a mixture of things to do so that you don’t get bored, so it’s a good idea to take a good book with you as well as this entertainment in case the entertainment system fails to live up to your expectations.
If all else fails and you get desperate, chat to a person sitting nearby and ask them if they have any good travel tales, useful for finding inspiration for things to do while cooped up in a plane. You never know, they may have a good story! In addition to in-flight entertainment, consider taking some travel games, a deck of cards or take a portable MP3 or DVD player as a means to keep entertained during a long flight. Be sure to also check out my article on clever ways to beat jet-lag – perhaps a little over-optimistic considering that I’ve yet to actually achieve this myself.
3.4. Take Power Naps or Rest
Taking a power nap or simply resting is a good way to relax and pass the time on a flight or long journey. Finding a row of vacant seats or purchasing the extra legroom option on a flight means you can stretch out more easily when you find yourself aching for some shut-eye.
Wear comfortable clothing and try to create a comfortable environment that will help you to sleep – an inflatable neck pillow and blanket are a good start. If you are a light sleeper or do not find it easy to doze off in the hustle and bustle of an airport or the rumble of a train or coach, consider using earplugs or an eye mask to block out the world around you.
Rest has the added bonus of helping to prevent jet lag. To ease the transition, on the flight try to adapt to your new time zone by changing your watch to the destination time. If it is daytime there, try to stay awake. If your plane is scheduled to arrive in the evening, try to sleep as much as you can. Arriving fresh and well-rested will make the start of your journey or holiday that much more enjoyable.
4. Pack Light Snacks
Pack some light snacks with you such as nuts, energy bars, fruits or veggies to munch on during the flight. If you’re not able to pack your own snacks, look for these same types of foods in the airport so you can have them on the plane. Airlines generally only offer one snack and food is often scarce on late night or overnight flights. It’s always good to have a little extra food in case you get hungry, and these are the healthiest and easiest options to travel with. Steer clear of salty foods such as chips, pretzels, or the airline peanuts.
These will only make you more thirsty and the salt may cause your feet and ankles to swell while you’re sitting during the flight. Stick with fruits and veggies that have a high water content to keep you hydrated. Try to drink about 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these beverages will also lead to dehydration. Take an empty water bottle through security and fill it up at a water fountain before you board the plane. Flight attendants are also usually more than happy to refill your bottle during the flight.
4.1. Stay Hydrated and Snack Smartly
Ensure you have enough to drink when you’re flying. This is specifically critical on long trips where the plane’s air can be quite dehydrating. When the drinks cart comes around, on asking for water, request two cups. That way you can take one back to your seat with you and not have to wait too long for a refill. When the cart comes around again and you’re not asleep, request two more. Two cups might seem stingy, but you’ll be halfway to your eight-cup daily goal!
When you’re not flying overseas, bring an empty water bottle with you and fill it in the airport once you’ve cleared security. Most trans-continental flights have a water fountain at the back of the plane; otherwise use your call button to ask a flight attendant to fill it up for you. If you have your own water at your seat, you can drink consistently throughout the flight and then ask a flight attendant to refill your bottle during the times when the cart doesn’t come around.
4.2. Use Travel Apps or Language Learning Apps
This method may be a little too specific or niche, depending on the individual, but I personally like to either open some language learning apps or play travel-themed games. It helps to pass the time and feels productive. I’ve been learning Turkish for the last year, and I find that I never have enough time to practice it. It’s also a good time to use a language learning app for the very first time as a kind of taster. You may find that you want to invest more time in it later.
Some people like using travel apps to help plan anything they may have missed if they are on a long flight too. I find that this can make the flight feel even longer, but it’s never a bad idea to be as prepared as possible! Another idea is to use some travel-themed games. I have an app that teaches the airport codes of the world, and another one that is a geography-based quiz. Basically turning your brain to the travel/fun wavelength can be a good mood booster and make you more excited about your trip.
This topic was a little hard to brainstorm for me as I went through it. I realize how much I depend on talking to people and listening to music, neither of which I can do very well through an app without getting strange looks from my seat neighbor.
But overall I think I would at least give it a go as an alternative method to passing the time on a flight. Language learning is a great skill to put to use, and the time and place where our minds are least likely to drift. With the amount of resources out there nowadays, you can put as little as 10 minutes towards starting a new language and still get something out of it. I’ll be testing this one out a bit more myself at the end of the month!
4.3. Capture Memories with Photography or Journaling
If you have a love for capturing life’s moments, travel is the perfect place to be snap-happy. A photograph has the power to transport you back to another place or time – whether it’s two weeks or two years ago. You’ll remember small details with clarity and share your experiences and stories with fantastic visuals. These days, you don’t have to lug around a bulky SLR, as camera technology in smartphones is so advanced. Great photographs are now more accessible than ever.
Airlines sometimes give away free disposable cameras, which are convenient and fun to use. Digital memory is cheap, and you can upload and share your pictures with a rising global audience. Remember to be culturally sensitive when taking photos of locals or religious sites. Someone being camera shy often makes a really emotive or powerful photo – so always ask and respect their wishes if they decline.
The mechanism of writing words down on paper can sometimes better etch experiences into your mind. Those which fade so quickly amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life at home. I’ve also found that journaling creates an awareness and appreciation for your surroundings that you may not have had otherwise. You tend to examine in greater detail when you’re thinking about how to describe it to someone else.
You can document your trip from start to finish and have a good laugh at your jet-lagged gibberish when you come back to it in years to come. Language barriers are easily broken with a bit of creative charades but can be frustrating when you’re trying to communicate on a deeper level. A pocket dictionary is always handy, but journaling a mix of writing and drawings is a great way to tell a story when words fail you. An interesting or funny drawing can be a great icebreaker with curious children or tipsy adults who want to have a look at what you’re doing.
