Traveling is one of the most exciting life adventures you can undertake: experiencing other cultures changes you for the better, and if you have the means, you should always take the opportunity.
That said, one element that isn’t so fun is the journey to reach your destination, especially if you’re on a long-haul flight. The lengthy trip to the airport and waiting for your flight is bad enough, but being sat cramped on a plane for several hours can be mind-numbingly boring.
Not to worry, though – there’s plenty you can do to keep yourself entertained. In this article, you’ll discover 10 great options!
- Play Video Games
There’s nothing like a great video game to help kill some time, so consider getting yourself something like the Nintendo Switch or Valve Steamdeck to take with you: each of these platforms has a huge library of games to choose from, so there will undoubtedly be something for you (even if you don’t consider yourself much of a gamer).
If you’d rather not shell out on extra hardware, there’s plenty you can play on your phone. Classics like Minesweeper and other simple games are widely available for free online, and the App Store and Play Store have a ton of free-to-play options as well.
- Try Journaling
Not many people journal anymore, which is a shame. It’s a great way to express yourself by reflecting and organizing your thoughts, and it’s easy to get lost in the practice making it great for killing time.
You could also try your hand at writing a poem or short story – maybe the content could be about the flight and what you observe around you.
- Make Conversation
You’ll almost certainly be sat next to someone during your flight, and one of the simplest ways of killing time is to make conversation.
If a person looks as though they’d be in the mood to talk, see if you can make a new friend. You never know where the conversation’s going to go, as people who travel often have an interesting story or two to tell.
- Do a Puzzle or Two
Activities that fully engage the mind are the best for passing the time, and puzzles are always a surefire bet. There are many to choose from including crosswords, word searches, Sudoku, and quizzes, so you should be able to find something that resonates with you even if this isn’t something you usually do.
Each of those examples are paper-based, but they don’t have to be. You can easily find them and more on the App Store or Play Store, aswell as a variety of newer puzzles.
- Watch Movies and TV Shows
Starting off with one everyone enjoys, it’s movies and TV shows. While in the past you’d have had to lug a bulky portable DVD player onto the plane alongside an assortment of disks, these days, watching your favorite movie or show is a breeze.
The best way to go about it is to subscribe to one of the many streaming services available such as Netflix or Disney Plus, as these services allow you to download content directly to your phone or tablet. On many flights, there’s usually also the option of watching films from the onboard media system, too.
Pick a good three-hour movie or a series to binge-watch, and you’ll find that the time will fly by!
- Listen to Podcasts or Audiobooks
Music streaming services aren’t solely for listening to your favorite tunes. There’s also usually a wide variety of podcasts and audiobooks available (Audible is a great choice for the latter).
Whatever you’re interested in or wish to learn about, there will undoubtedly be a podcast or audiobook out there about your chosen topic. If you find yourself getting bored during the flight and other methods aren’t cutting it, they offer a relaxing, minimal-effort solution.
- Practice Meditation and Mindfulness
Given that we have instantly gratifying technology at our fingertips at all times, we’ve slowly become less tolerant of boredom; meditation and mindfulness are great ways of passing the time, and unlike any of the other methods, the practice actually encourages you to face being bored and be ok with it.
It’ll take some practice, but when you’ve got nothing else to do, there’s no better time to start!
- Read a Book
If you’re a big reader – or if you want to read more – your long-haul flight is the perfect time. Many people find they don’t seem to have time to sit down with a book, but the flight gives you many hours of uninterrupted quiet.
It’s advisable to pick a book that you’ll likely be able to finish during the flight, as this is the best way to get you hooked for the entire journey.
- Plan Your Trip
Many airlines now offer onboard Wi-Fi for passengers, and if this is the case, your flight provides a great opportunity to plan your trip.
The length of a long-haul flight allows you to really delve into the details: you could source the best restaurants, create a hierarchy of the activities you want to participate in and attractions you want to see, and spend time learning about the culture to give you a head start.
- Sleep
And finally, the ultimate time killer – sleep! Trying to get some shuteye during a long flight is a good idea, as you’re likely already tired from the travel you’ve done up until this point.
This is easier said than done on a plane, of course, so invest in some equipment beforehand. Get yourself a high-quality travel pillow and some earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, and if the light is likely to disturb you, throw in an eyemask, too.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it: ten great time killers to keep you entertained on your next long-haul journey. Rather than choosing just one, pick two or three options to focus on, and remember that the availability of charging points varies from airline to airline, so if you go with electronic methods, make sure your gear is charged before you set off. Have fun!
