Travelling is exhilarating, isn’t it? The excitement of new places, new faces, and the thrill of the unknown. But then there’s that long, soul-sucking journey, especially on low-cost flights with no in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi. What a joy. Luckily, with a bit of planning and the right tools, you can transform this airborne purgatory into a veritable carnival of fun. Here’s how to keep yourself from going stir-crazy.
Non-Digital Entertainment Options: Because Sometimes You Need to Disconnect
Grab a lightweight book or a couple of magazines. These ancient forms of entertainment don’t need charging and can be swapped or donated once you’re done. Nothing says “I’m a sophisticated traveller” like reading a book set in your destination.
Compact puzzle books, like crosswords or Sudoku, are perfect for travel and can keep your mind sharp. Small versions of chess, checkers, or Scrabble are also great for family trips. Just be prepared for some friendly competition or outright war.
One can also document the journey, paste in tickets or postcards, and jot down memories. It’s like Instagram, but with paper. If you feel creative, you could include some doodling.
Talking to people in your immediate vicinity is sometimes a dying art in a world dominated by digitalisation. How about engaging in conversation with fellow passengers? Who knows, you might make a new friend or at least have someone to commiserate with about the lack of legroom.
The plane, bus or train might not be a temple of silence or a spa, but you can still do some simple breathing exercises to reduce travel stress and improve your overall well-being. Plus, it gives you something to do other than counting the minutes.
Electronic Entertainment Options: Because You Love Your Gadgets
Here are the ones (and zeros) you have been expecting.
1. Have your favourite content, be it movies, music, audiobooks, or games on your personal device.
0. Discover that the in-seat power outlet is non-existent or just pretending to work. Maybe activate battery-saving modes to extend your device’s usage time because nothing says “fun” like a dead battery.
1. Play your favourite mobile game or use some creativity app.
0. Discover that your game or app requires an internet connection. Make sure you have apps that work offline so you can use them even in the Wi-Fi black hole.
Practical Tips for Device Management
Invest in a good-quality portable charger to keep your devices powered. Just make sure you do not put your battery in the cargo hold. It is generally forbidden, and what’s the point in having a battery you cannot access when needed?
Make use of the Battery Saving Mode if possible. You don’t need to check for the latest social media update anyway.
Think about your device storage before you leave on your journey. More space equals more entertainment.
Safe travels and happy entertaining!