Best Ways To Cure Boredom When Commuting As A Solo Traveller

Solo travel delivers many benefits, not least because it puts you in full control of your itinerary. However, it does serve up some challenges too, not least when it comes to commuting and boredom.

Whether you’re on an international flight or a long train journey, things can get boring. While it is a necessary precursor that opens the door to your holiday adventures, you don’t have to like it. Thankfully, with the right plans in place, it is possible to make the time pass far sooner. Here’s all you need to know.

Sleep Where Possible

Perhaps the easiest way to pass the time on a long journey is to sleep. Of course, it might not always be suitable for train or bus rides. However, coach rides and flights are often the perfect places to sleep. Not least because it is a chance to adjust your body clock when entering a new timezone.

If you do plan to sleep on your journey, you need to make it comfortable. Investing in a good travel pillow is highly advised. Aside from enabling you to drift off easier, it can stop you from waking up with neck or back pains caused by poor sleeping positions. Waking up feeling happy and energised should lay the foundation for a more enjoyable trip.

Play Games

Keeping your mind occupied with engaging and enjoyable activities will make time fly. Games are one of the best ways to do this. While board games are out due to travelling solo, video games are an ideal choice. Not least because you can access them from your smartphone or tablet, which you will naturally carry.

Great games for commuting should be mentally engaging, simplistic, and something you can play for just a few minutes if needed. It is probably best to avoid multiplayer online games as unstable connections will pose a threat. Minesweeper is a particularly wise choice as it ticks all of the boxes. It is one of the most satisfying solo-player games to beat too.

Plan Your Activities

You have probably chosen the travel destination for a reason and should have at least one or two must-see attractions on your list. Still, the journey is a great time to think more about planning your trip. Researching free things to do in Washington D.C., for example, builds excitement. It also means you’ll have more time to enjoy activities once you arrive.

In addition to researching tourist spots or places to visit, you may want to pre-book your hire car or other tickets. This can save time and money while reducing the risk of stress. Moreover, you should find that this is the perfect way to kill some time during the journey while reducing any anxiety about the trip.

Talk 

Solo travel forces you to leave your comfort zone and interact with strangers. Why not start this before you arrive by talking to people during the journey? Other solo travellers are often more than happy to do this, but may be shy about making the first move. Meanwhile, locals are often eager to tell you about local attractions.

Of course, not everyone wants to talk. So, learning to read body language signs of when someone is open or not is vital. If someone declines your approach to talk, you must respect it. Nevertheless, the interactions enjoyed on a flight or train journey will pass the time. In some cases, it will open the door to a holiday friendship that enhances your entire trip.

Watch Films

The value of playing games to stay entertained and engaged has already been discussed. When you want to relax and switch off mentally, though, films are a far better choice. Netflix has many great movies to choose from. You can also download them to a device before your journey to avoid the need for an internet connection. This makes life a lot easier.

If you have less time to kill, an episode or two of your favourite series is a great solution. Alternatively, you could stream music or a podcast. Once you do this and shut your eyes, you can mentally take yourself to another location. This should allow you to reach your destination feeling mentally refreshed.

Read Or Write

Sometimes in life, the simple solutions are the best. Reading a good book could cure your boredom for several hours. Whether it’s an autobiography of your favourite celebrity or the latest best seller doesn’t matter. As well as curing boredom during the main journey, it can fill the time during internal travel or moments of waiting around during the trip.

Another popular choice is to write. Whether it’s journaling or creative writing is up to you. Either way, the fresh surroundings and lack of distractions can help you tap into your full potential. When you write something amazing, you will notice a boost of positivity too. This can bleed over into your holiday adventures.

Learn About The Destination

Planning your activities is one way to prepare for the adventures. Still, it’s not the only option at your disposal. You could also use this time to download a translation App and learn some of the popular phrases used in the location. Educating yourself about the currency and cultural traditions can be equally beneficial at this time.

A little insight goes a long way to helping you navigate the destination. You could also familiarise yourself with the areas surrounding your hotel. It is a practical use of your time and should see the hours tick by more quickly. If nothing else, it removes potential sources of stress and confusion once you have arrived at the location.

The Final Word

While there may be a trend for raw-dogging journeys on social media, the truth is that there are many ways to keep yourself entertained. So, punishing yourself with boredom needn’t be the answer. 

Better still, when you master the situation on the outward journey, negative thoughts about the return leg will subside. It will give you the perfect foundation for an enjoyable adventure. Happy travels.