For me, the thought of a long bus journey (or even plane journey for that fact) fills be with a sense of both excitement and dread. I just know that eventually I’ll get bored, especially if I’m travelling overnight.

If you’re like me and are constantly looking for ways to keep yourself occupied and make time pass that little bit quicker, then look no further – I’ve got you covered!

Write / Draw / Doodle

Basically, make sure you have a pen and paper handy.

Maybe you write a travel journal when you’re on your adventures? This is a perfect time to get caught up on your journal entries and make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Drawing and doodling are great ways to keep yourself distracted, whilst also not requiring too much thought process! Adult colouring books have become pretty popular in recent years which are a great way to be creative!

Entertainment

Whether music is your thing, or you just want to get caught up on the latest Netflix show – make sure you have some form of entertainment available offline. When I was travelling last summer I downloaded a tonne of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and basically watched a full season on my overnight bus from Turkey to Bulgaria. And I did not regret a single second!

Audiobooks are a great distraction, and also mean you can rest your eyes!

Make sure you have a portable charger or USB cable handy so you can make sure your electronic device has plenty of charge.

Plan Your Trip

If you’re someone who likes to travel without a set plan, then this one is for you.

You can use the time on your journey to research your next destination, find accommodation or book further transport. It’s a great way to save you time and hassle later on, and means you can enjoy the next leg of your trip with no stress!

Look Out the Window

Now this might sound a little boring. But if you’re travelling during the day make sure you spend some time watching the world go by – take in all that your location has to offer before you’ve even got off your bus!

Sleep

Catch up on some much needed shut-eye! Especially if you’re travelling overnight. Whilst we’re on the subject, overnight transportation is a great way to get to your destination for a cheaper price, and also helps you to save on a night’s accommodation!

Chat to Your Neighbour

If you’re travelling solo, I reckon this is a must. Getting to know your neighbour and sharing travel experiences, stories from home and tips and tricks you’ve found whilst you’re on the road is a great way to get connected and make some memories! You never know, you might find your future partner or best friend!

Take Some Time to Yourself

Sometimes you just need to switch off and take everything in – just let your brain slowdown and log in those memories you’ve been busy making!

Social Media

This might seem like a bit of an odd one. But if you’re someone who likes to share all your amazing travel pics on Instagram or Facebook, then maybe this is the time to upload them. It’ll mean that when you reach your next destination, you’re not wasting time or getting distracted from exploring!

I hope this list has given you some new ideas to keep you occupied on your next long journey!

Rome2Rio and Omio are two great sites that show you the best deals for buses, trains and planes. I used Omio throughout my trip around Europe and it never let me down – the website is super easy to use and you can find some great deals!

Do you have any tips for getting through long journeys? Let us know in the comments below!

Charley x