When you think of travel, you probably think of having adventures full of seeing, tasting, and experiencing new things. However, there is a lot of public transportation involved in travel, and depending on how far you’re going, it can take up a large chunk of your day.
How do you pass the time and keep yourself occupied on public transportation without turning your grand adventure into a snooze-fest?
Here are some ideas:
1. Listen to music
This is a pretty generic one, but it is a very entertaining way to pass the time, especially if you’re discovering new music. If you’re traveling to a foreign country, it might be a good idea to download some music native to that country.
Not only will you be passing the time, but you’ll also be tapping into the culture and learning more about the place you’re visiting. Even if it’s in a language you can’t understand, you can jam out to the beats while you marvel at the way the language sounds.
2. Strike up a conversation
You might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you’ll never know the interesting people you could meet on a four-hour train ride. You might think that talking to strangers is weird and creepy and sometimes, but it might be good to try to break out of your comfort zone and learn a little bit more about the people who surround you every day.
You could end up talking to someone for the entire ride, mesmerized by their life story. Who knows, it might even be the best decision you’ve ever made. Future husband/wife, anyone?
3. Read a book
Reading is a great way to pass the time and broaden your perspective. Whether it’s a novel that grabs a hold of you and makes your time on public transit fly by or a travel book about the country you’re currently visiting, you’re sure to be entertained and probably learn something at the same time.
This, of course, will only work for people who don’t get motion sickness from reading on a moving vehicle.
4. Plan the next few days
Sure, you probably already have your general plan laid out for when you arrive at your destination (or maybe spontaneity is the way for you), but you can start to think about the more specific goals that you have for this trip, like what kinds of food you want to try and where you might be able to take a hike or scenic walk in the area.
If your public transportation has wifi, you can always look up travelers’ favorites and find recommendations.
5. Daydream
Start creating a story in your head. It could be about you and some fantastical thing you think or wish might happen on your trip, or it could be about your favorite TV characters and the episode you knew they should have made.
It could be about anything you want, really, since your only limit is your own imagination. It’s easy to get sucked in once you really get going, making it a great way to pass the time.
6. Admire the scenery
One of the best parts about traveling is being able to see a country that is so entirely different from your own, both culturally and physically.
Looking out the windows and observing the fascinating landscapes and cityscapes of a foreign land is actually a very entertaining way to spend a ride on public transportation.
