If you aren’t the kind of person who enjoys the actual travel part of traveling, and you want to avoid getting bored on those long haul trips, here are some ideas you might enjoy:
Bring On the In-Car Karaoke
Who said musical performances were reserved for fancy stages? Your car— or that row of seats you and your best friend claimed on the train—can become an impromptu karaoke lounge. Load up a playlist of your favorite sing-alongs, crank the volume (politely, if you’re not in a private space, of course), and belt out those tunes like nobody’s watching. Yes, you might get some side-eye from that guy two rows ahead, but who cares? You’re living your best life. Just keep your eyes on the road if you happen to be the driver—safety first, rock star second.
Snack Like There’s No Tomorrow
You can’t be bored if your mouth is busy, right? Well, that’s the theory, anyway. Put together a snack lineup that rivals a gourmet tasting menu. Sweet, salty, crunchy—embrace the variety. Make it fun by trying something new, like wasabi peas or an exotic candy you picked up at a random petrol station. If you’re really committed, pack a cooler with picnic essentials. Nothing screams “This trip is awesome!” like a makeshift charcuterie board on your lap. Just be sure to keep wet wipes handy; melted chocolate on your seatbelt isn’t the souvenir you want.
Play Games Old and New
Sometimes the simplest activities are the most entertaining. If you’re with others, classic road trip games like “I Spy” or “The License Plate Game” can spark unexpected hilarity. Travelling solo or need a digital fix? Break out the phone or tablet and dive into a puzzle. If you’re feeling nostalgic, there’s always the tried-and-true solitaire—just modernized and digitized for your swiping pleasure. No matter what you choose, a good game can make the miles fly by without you even noticing.
Document the Ridiculous
We live in a glorious age where your phone can do just about everything except tuck you into bed. Use it to capture every weird and wonderful moment of your journey. Snap selfies of your “travel face,” record short videos of your spontaneous in-seat dance sessions, or create an ongoing photo series documenting the strangest roadside attractions. You could even start a mini travel diary on social media. It’s a fun way to keep friends in the loop and may just leave you with a highlight reel worth revisiting for a good laugh later on.
Embrace the Downtime
Finally, let’s not forget that long trips can also be a golden opportunity to chill out and unplug from the usual grind. You don’t always have to be “doing something.” Stare out the window, daydream, or listen to a podcast that doesn’t require hyper-focused brainpower. Sometimes, the best cure for boredom is simply allowing yourself a little mental escape.
Some of us enjoy the journey as much as the destination, but if you are not one of those people, these boredom beaters will make your travels even more enjoyable!
