Most people love to check out a new place or go on vacation, but they hate the hassle of actually traveling to that destination. If you’ve got a short flight, it’s not much of a problem. But if you’ve got a 20-hour flight — plus layovers or delays — you’re going to need a lot to do to keep you entertained during your travels. The same goes for once you’re actually at your destination. Such as traveling the country, long commutes, or free time.
Sure, you might be able to sleep for a good chunk of the flight. But odds are, you’ll need more than a few things to do to keep you busy. (Because are you really going to do the same thing for that long?) So, it helps to be prepared as you’re heading into a long flight. Here are some ideas for how you can prepare beforehand and what you can do once you’re on your way.
Listen to Podcasts
Long flights are a great time to catch up on your favorite podcast series or test out some new ones. If you want to save data or not worry about Wi-Fi, make sure you have a good selection of all of the podcasts you’re interested in downloaded to your device(s) before the flight. Depending on their length/size, you might want to have anywhere from five to 15 podcasts, or five or so for each series. But what should you listen to? For fans of NPR, go for Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!Love stories about murder? Go for My Favorite Murder or Serial. Curious about how so many bad movies get made? You need to listen to How Did This Get Made.
Play Online Games
Whether you’re new to playing games or play the same few over and over. This is your chance to break out, have fun, and practice some new skills. There are all types of games online to keep you entertained so you’ll never run out of options, from classics like Tetris to new and exclusive creations in casino gaming. Or you can see what all the fuss is about with Fortnite and Dota 2. And if you’ve got a long flight or train ride ahead of you, you’ll have plenty of time to mix it up and try them all out. Just make sure your preferred devices are fully charged and that you mute the sound or wear headphones.
Learn New Skills
Want your flight to be a little bit more…productive? This is a great opportunity to learn something new, such as a new skill for business or for yourself. Consider taking an online class with sites like Udemy, Lynda, or Skillshare. Take up a new hobby like photography, creative writing, or painting and learn more about it. Or learn how to code, operate new software, better manage your finances, start your own business, or so much more.
Catch Up on TV Shows
Besides catching up on podcasts, this is also a great time to catch up on the latest-and-greatest TV series that everyone can’t stop talking about. This is the golden age of television, after all, so there’s a lot of great content out there. It’s best to download as many episodes as possible to your device so you don’t have to worry about data or spotty Wi-Fi. The last thing you want is to watch an episode with a huge cliffhanger and then be kicked off because the Wi-Fi connection is poor.
Read a Book
Reading a book is still classic flight entertainment for a reason: It’s quick and easy entertainment that doesn’t need anything else to work, such as a battery or internet connection. But if you’d prefer the more modern approach, download a few audiobooks or eBooks before your flight. Regardless, this is a great time to read some of the year’s best books or a book you’ve been longing to read. Nothing makes the time fly like getting lost in a great book! Before you know it, you’ll be at your destination, ready to explore somewhere new.
