Make Your Devices Work for You
Your phone, tablet and laptop can be more than a camera. It can also be an indispensable source of relief from boredom. So, use them wisely.
Download Some Fun Games
Mobile games can make time fly by, whether you prefer classic puzzles such as Sudoku or more modern titles like Candy Crush. These will keep your brain working while waiting for a delayed flight. Competitive multiplayer titles like Words With Friends or Among Us can add an element of competition and socialization during downtime. Don’t want to drain your mobile battery? Then play a pool game on your laptop, which is perfect for passing the time in transit.
Binge on Audiobooks and Podcasts
Don’t underestimate the sheer thrill of having someone speak directly to you. Apps such as Audible or Spotify make this possible with audiobooks and podcasts on virtually any topic imaginable. Whether you prefer mysteries, comedy shows, or philosophical discussion, there is something available to everyone. Plus no internet is needed once you have downloaded it in advance.
Curate a Travel Playlist
Transform mundane moments into cinematic experiences with music. Build your travel playlist around tunes that evoke nostalgia or that can boost your energy when needed, including songs by local artists so as to immerse yourself fully in your destination culture.
Old-School Entertainment for the Win
Not all forms of entertainment require screens or Wi-Fi. Sometimes the best solutions can be simpler.
Bring Along A Page-Turner
Books make the perfect travel companions. From novellas and memoirs, to mysteries and thrillers, a good read can transport you into another world even during those long flights. Choose a traditional paperback (depending on the thickness) or opt for an e-reader instead.
Solve a Few Puzzles
Crossword and Sudoku puzzles in a portable booklet or app can keep your brain active. For strategy enthusiasts, try playing an easily portable travel game such as chess or backgammon to pass the time with friends on your travels.
Journal Your Adventures
Time stands still when you are recording your thoughts. Get yourself an elegant travel journal and begin recording experiences, sketches or quirky observations to keep as keepsakes of your trip.
Interact with Your Surroundings
Travel is about more than reaching a destination. It’s also about taking in those special little moments along the way and experiencing them fully.
People Watch Like a Pro
Grab a seat at an active cafe or train station and observe what’s going on around you. People-watching can be very satisfying, piecing together strangers’ stories in your mind. Who knows? Perhaps one will become the inspiration for a short story or Instagram post later.
Learn the Local Language
Why not spend your downtime mastering key phrases of the native language of your destination? Not only will this make traveling simpler, but it will also enrich the travel experience and add depth. Language apps like Duolingo or Babbel make learning fun and addictive, guaranteed to enhance any vacation.
Be a Foodie Explorer
Break your boredom by exploring local treats and unfamiliar dishes you haven’t tried. Stock up on interesting vending machine items or grab something delicious to snack on while waiting for your train or plane ride.
Get Creative
Travel can spark your creativity and also make you relax. Take advantage of that by engaging your inner artist using these tips:
Snap Some Unconventional Photos
No one could ever tire of taking pictures of sunsets and landmarks, but why not capture something unexpected instead? Keep an eye out for weird street signs, strange architecture or people you meet during your travels that stand out. Or perhaps an amazing view from an airplane window that could become subjects for future photos and even photography blogs. You never know, this might even spark something of your own.
Sketch or Doodle
For those artistically inclined, keeping a small sketchpad nearby can help capture memories in pictures and cartoon form. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, don’t feel pressured into becoming one. Sketching should be fun, and no one’s judging.
Writing Your Next Bestseller
Travel can provide an ideal setting to begin recording your thoughts on paper. Be it random thoughts, sketches or the first draft of a novel, just take advantage of its potential. Travel often provides plenty of stimulus, so harness its creative powers.
Socialise and Network
We humans are social beings, and engaging with others can be rewarding when exploring new places.
Chat with Fellow Travellers
Strike up a conversation with strangers at hotel lobbies, airport lounges or cafe tables by sharing your travel tales. You never know when sharing can lead to new perspectives, travel tips or local suggestions of hidden gems.
Send Postcards or Letters
In the digital era we are living in, nothing beats the beauty and thrill of sending and receiving handwritten postcards or letters. Send one from your exotic location to someone back home. Writing short yet warm hello notes is an enjoyable old-school yet heartfelt activity that brings people closer together.
Join a Tour Group or Meetup
When travelling alone, joining tour groups, meetups or cultural workshops is an easy and cost-effective way to meet new people while learning something about the local history, food and traditions.
