The thought of taking a long train journey may fill you with dread, all that empty time could get rather boring, after all. Follow these tips to make a long journey a pleasurable experience rather than a chore.
Relax
Most people have incredibly busy lives, there are always things to do and there never seems to be enough time to properly relax. This might be feeding your feelings of anxiety when it comes to making a long train journey. However, that trip will also give you some time to yourself. Relax and unwind while you are on the train knowing that there is nothing else on your to-do list for a couple of hours. Watch the scenery go past and enjoy a cup of coffee with no interruptions. Bliss.
Play Games Online
There are tons of online games, including games like poker. Just because there isn’t a casino on board the train, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun trying your luck at one or two while you travel; you can see a lot of them here. Many of them offer you free spins or bonuses, so you do not necessarily need to spend any money, but you still have a chance of winning.
Eat Lunch or Dinner
There is something awfully romantic and nostalgic about having a meal on a train. Some trains offer a buffet car with a sit-down dining option and waiter service. If you have the time and money, treat yourself to lunch or dinner on the train and enjoy some great conversation with your travelling companions as you pass the time.
Meet New People
A long train journey is a great place to meet new people. You are likely to be sitting with the people in your carriage for quite a while, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with them. Talking about your journey is a fantastic way to break the ice. You never know who you might meet or what you might learn from them. You might even find a new romance or make a lifelong friend from your experience.
Take Photos
You may go past some great sites or stunning scenery as you travel, and this is a great time to get your camera out and record your trip. Make a note of the places you are travelling through so you know when to get your camera out. If you are travelling with family or friends, it is always nice to look back at mementos from your trip afterward, as it will prompt some lovely memories.
Listen to A Podcast
There are so many great podcasts to choose from you will be spoilt for choice. Download some before you go so that you are well prepared. You might have one or two that you have been meaning to get around to listening to for a while but have never had the time, so now is your chance. You will also enjoy discovering new podcasts to listen to or catching up on ones that are featured regularly.
Learn a New Language
If you have thought about learning a new language in the past, a long train journey is a great time to start. If you need to take long train journeys regularly, you will be surprised by how much of the language you can pick up during your travels. Don’t worry if your trip is a one-off as you will still pick up the basics and you can carry on once you are home if you have enjoyed the experience.
Read
Having some uninterrupted time to yourself can be a fantastic opportunity to read those books you always wanted to finish. Whether you opt for the latest bestseller or work your way through some classics, you will be able to escape into another world as you curl up and read a book on the train. You will be surprised by how quickly the time goes if you become engrossed in reading.
Work
You don’t necessarily need to stop working when you travel by train – if you don’t want to, of course. Treat it as a working day by taking your laptop along for the ride and making sure you have everything you need for a day at the office. It may be better not to use the time to make calls unless you want to share your business with the rest of the carriage, but you can certainly keep in touch by e-mail and get some admin tasks done. This is a great time to prepare for your next big meeting too.
Here are just some of the things you can do on a long train journey. Follow one or all these tips if you have time, and you will never be bored while travelling again.
Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash
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