Long flights, delayed trains and hours spent waiting at airports can make even the most exciting trip feel a little tedious. Once you’ve finished your book, scrolled through your photos and checked the departure board for the fifth time, it’s useful to have a few other ways to pass the time.
Over the years, I’ve found that a little preparation makes a difference. I like to keep a handful of simple distractions in my carry-on, from a good book and a notebook to a playlist downloaded before departure. None requires much planning or takes up much space, yet each can make a long journey feel less like time lost between destinations.
Get Lost in a Good Book
A long journey is an opportunity to spend a few uninterrupted hours reading. I usually pack a novel that has nothing to do with work or travel planning: just a good story I can settle into while the miles pass by. A paperback is easy to pick up and put away, while an e-reader lets you carry several books without adding much weight to your luggage.
If reading isn’t your thing, download a podcast or audiobook before leaving home. It’s worth checking that your chosen episodes are available offline, particularly if you’re travelling somewhere with patchy Wi-Fi or limited mobile data. And remember to charge your headphones before you leave.
Photo by Percy Laird
Keep a Travel Journal
You don’t need to be a writer to keep a travel journal. Some of my favourite holiday memories are little notes scribbled on café napkins or the backs of old boarding passes. A small notebook and a decent pen give you somewhere to record the details you might otherwise forget: the name of a bakery you discovered in Rome, a restaurant someone recommended, an interesting building or a particularly memorable train journey.
You can write a few sentences about the day, sketch something you see through the window or simply note down places you’d like to visit. There’s no need to turn it into a daily diary. Looking back at these notes months later can bring back details that photographs alone don’t always capture.
Try Painting or Sketching
A long journey can be a good opportunity to try something creative. You don’t need to be an experienced artist to enjoy painting or sketching; sometimes, the pleasure is simply in slowing down and concentrating on something away from a screen. A small sketchbook, a travel watercolour set or a compact painting kit can all be good options, depending on how much space you have in your bag.
If you prefer a little more guidance, paint-by-numbers kits offer a structured activity that doesn’t require you to come up with a design yourself. It’s a lovely way to unwind after a hectic morning of packing, and the finished detailed paint by number artworks can become unique, personal souvenirs of your time in transit. Choose something compact and easy to put away, and check which materials you can bring on board before travelling. Watercolours or pencils may be more practical than paints and brushes if you’re short on space.
Before packing paints, brushes or other art supplies, check the latest hand luggage restrictions at UK airports, particularly if you’re carrying liquids or travelling with a compact painting kit.
Photo by felirbe
Organise Your Digital Life
A long journey can be a good opportunity to tidy up your phone, especially if your camera roll is full of holiday photographs. I often take a few minutes to delete near-identical shots, keep the pictures I like best and organise them into an album to share with family later. It’s a small task that can make a difference when you want to find a particular photograph months down the line.
If you’re preparing for a trip where you plan to take plenty of photographs, my travel photography checklist for Europe will help you get your camera gear ready before you leave.
You could also use the time to organise your travel documents, save useful addresses or put together a list of restaurants and cafés to try when you arrive. If you have an internet connection, clearing out old emails or unsubscribing from newsletters can be satisfying, too. Just remember to download boarding passes, maps, tickets and anything else you’ll need before going offline.
Photo by Roman Odintsov
Create a Playlist for the Journey
Music can shape the mood of a trip, so rather than relying on shuffle, put together a playlist before you leave. The music might reflect your destination or simply suit the kind of journey you’re about to take: relaxed jazz for a slow train ride, upbeat tracks before a busy city break or instrumental music when you want to read or rest.
I also like to include a few quieter tracks for those moments when I’d rather close my eyes and let the journey pass. Download your playlist in advance so you don’t have to rely on an internet connection, and consider adding a podcast or an audiobook for a change of pace.
Photo by Inka Kapturewska
Make Time to Stretch
Sitting in a cramped seat for hours can leave you feeling stiff by the time you arrive. When it’s safe and permitted, get up occasionally to walk along the train carriage or stretch your legs during a stop. On a flight, follow the crew’s instructions and follow the crew’s instructions about when it’s safe to move around.
If you’re staying in your seat, gentle movements such as rolling your shoulders, flexing your ankles and moving your feet can help relieve some of the discomfort of sitting for a long time. Avoid movements that encroach on your neighbours’ space, and don’t force any stretch that feels uncomfortable. A little movement can make the journey more pleasant, particularly when you still have a day of exploring ahead of you.
Making the Most of the Journey
Not every part of a trip has to be productive, and sometimes the best thing to do on a long journey is very little. A good book, a few pages of notes or a playlist can make the hours pass more pleasantly, while leaving you with time to rest before arriving. Taking time to slow down can also be part of the experience: in my article about how travel positively affects health and wellbeing, I explore the wider benefits of getting away from everyday routines. With a few things downloaded or packed in advance, you’ll have options beyond scrolling through your phone until the battery runs low.
