**Collaborative Post**
Long journeys can feel endless when you run out of things to do. You start with good intentions, yet after a while the scrolling feels repetitive, your signal drops, and boredom sets in. This frustration can build quickly, especially when you still have hours ahead of you with no clear way to pass the time.
Whether you’re travelling by car, train, coach or even heading off on a long flight, having a few ideas ready before you leave can make a surprisingly big difference. You don’t necessarily need to spend money or fill every minute with entertainment either. Sometimes it’s simply about having a few different options available so you can switch between them when you start to get bored.
However, a bit of preparation and the right mix of simple, low-effort entertainment can completely change the experience. If you choose activities that fit your mood and your attention span, travel time can feel like a welcome break.
Here are some easy things to do on a long journey, whether you’re travelling alone, with friends or as a family.
Download your favourite shows or films
Streaming during travel sounds ideal until your signal drops halfway through a scene. Instead, go on whichever streaming platforms you use and download some of your favourite content before you leave. This will give you uninterrupted access to your favourite content, whether that’s must-watch films on BBC iPlayer or a series you’ve been meaning to try out.
Just remember that not every programme will necessarily be available to download, so it’s worth checking beforehand rather than assuming everything will be available offline. It’s also a good idea to download your chosen programmes while you’re connected to Wi-Fi and check that they have actually downloaded before setting off.
You might, for example, queue up two episodes of a familiar show and one new film. This approach keeps things varied without overwhelming you. It also helps you avoid decision fatigue when you just want to relax.
If you’re travelling with children, downloading a mixture of age-appropriate films and television programmes can be particularly useful. It means you aren’t relying on mobile data or trying to find something suitable when you’re already halfway through the journey.
And don't forget to download something for yourself, too. It’s very easy when travelling as a family to make sure everyone else has entertainment while forgetting about the person who is actually looking forward to a few peaceful hours with their headphones in!
Create a playlist before you leave
Music is one of the simplest ways to make a long journey feel shorter. Rather than spending the first hour skipping through songs trying to find something everyone likes, create a playlist before you set off.
For a family journey, you could even give everyone a turn at choosing songs. Create one playlist with a mixture of everyone's favourites, or make several shorter playlists for different parts of the journey.
You could have an upbeat playlist for the start of the trip, something more relaxing for the middle and perhaps a collection of nostalgic songs for the journey home.
Podcasts are another great option, particularly if you’re travelling by train or in a car. Podcasts cover almost every subject imaginable, from true crime and comedy to parenting, sport, history and popular culture.
Audiobooks are worth considering too. If reading in a moving vehicle makes you feel queasy, listening to a story offers the same chance to escape into another world without staring at a screen.
Enjoy light games in short sessions
Not every moment of travel suits a full episode or long read. Sometimes you want something entertaining but quick. Casual games work well because you can start and stop whenever you like.
For example, puzzle games or simple arcade titles let you play for a few minutes, pause, then return later without losing progress. Similarly, some people enjoy slot apps that offer fast rounds and a sense of small, contained excitement.
Short games can be particularly useful when you have reached the point where you’ve watched enough television but aren’t quite ready to sleep, read or listen to something.
If you’re travelling with children, there are plenty of non-screen games that work well too. Classics such as I Spy, 20 Questions and the alphabet game require absolutely no preparation and can keep everyone involved.
You could also try a simple car-spotting game. Pick something you’re likely to see along the route – a particular colour of car, a lorry, a tractor or a certain road sign – and see who can spot the most. Road trip bingo is another easy option, especially for younger children.
The best thing about these games is that they don't require another device, another charger or a Wi-Fi connection!
Read something bite-sized
Long novels can feel like a commitment when your attention dips in and out. Short-form reading, however, fits travel perfectly, offering flexible ways to read without pressure.
You could pick up a collection of short stories or essays that you can dip into when you like. This format gives you a sense of completion when you finish a single chunk of content, which feels rewarding during a long journey.
Magazines are another obvious but often overlooked option. A magazine can be easier to pick up and put down than a book, and there’s usually a mixture of articles, interviews and shorter features to keep things interesting.
If you prefer reading digitally, download a few articles, magazines or books before leaving home rather than relying on a signal during the journey.
One thing to bear in mind, particularly if you’re travelling by car, is that reading on a moving vehicle can make some people feel travel sick. If you know you’re prone to motion sickness, audiobooks, podcasts and music may be a much better option.
Try a few screen-free activities
Sometimes the answer to travel boredom isn't another screen. After hours of scrolling, gaming and watching programmes, you might actually feel better for doing something completely different.
A notebook can be surprisingly useful. You could use the journey to make a holiday bucket list, write down ideas for your next trip, journal, doodle or even start planning some goals for the next few months.
For children, a small travel activity bag can work brilliantly. You could include colouring sheets, a puzzle book, stickers, a notebook, pencils and a few small activities. Keeping everything together in one bag also means you aren't rummaging through the car every time someone announces that they're bored.
For older children and teenagers, a phone-free challenge can sometimes work better than simply telling them to put their phone away. Give them a camera and ask them to photograph interesting things they see, challenge them to spot unusual road signs or let them keep track of the journey on a map.
Make the journey part of the adventure
It’s easy to think of the journey as the boring bit that has to happen before the holiday actually starts. Changing that mindset can make a difference.
If you're travelling somewhere new, look at the route before you leave and see whether there are interesting places you could stop along the way. A short break for a walk, a coffee, an ice cream or simply stretching your legs can break up a long journey.
This is particularly important on family road trips. A few well-timed breaks can make a long drive much more manageable than trying to push through until everyone is tired, hungry and fed up.
You could even give children a map and let them follow your progress, helping them understand where they are and how far they have travelled. It turns the journey into part of the adventure rather than simply a countdown until you arrive.
Don't forget the simple things
When you're concentrating on finding things to do on a long journey, it's easy to overlook the basics.
Make sure phones, tablets and headphones are fully charged before you leave. If you're travelling by car, take charging cables and consider bringing a power bank as a backup. Download anything you want to watch or listen to before setting off and check it works offline.
Snacks and drinks can also make a huge difference, particularly when travelling with children. Having a small selection available means you're not immediately searching for the nearest service station because somebody suddenly announces they're starving.
Comfort matters too. Wear comfortable clothes, take a jumper in case you get cold and keep tissues and wipes somewhere easy to reach. If you're travelling with children, having a small bag of essentials within reach can save a lot of frustration.
Most importantly, remember that the person driving needs to concentrate on the road. Entertainment should be set up before the journey where possible, and anything that distracts the driver should be avoided.
Use a mixture of entertainment rather than relying on one thing
One of the biggest mistakes people make when preparing for a long journey is putting all their faith in one form of entertainment.
A tablet might keep someone entertained for two hours, but what happens when the battery runs out? A playlist might be perfect for the first part of the journey, but eventually you might want something quieter. A book might sound like a great idea until you realise reading in the car makes you feel sick.
Having a mixture means you can change things whenever you feel like it.
For example, a long journey could look something like this:
First hour: Music and chatting
Second hour: A film or television programme
Third hour: Stop for a break and stretch your legs
Fourth hour: Podcast or audiobook
Final stretch: Games, music or simply looking out of the window
You don't have to follow a strict schedule, of course. The point is simply to have different options available.
Final thoughts…
Long journeys can feel like time well spent. If you choose simple, flexible ways to stay entertained, you stay in control of how you spend those hours.
Whether you prefer watching a film, getting lost in an audiobook, playing a quick game, reading a short story or simply putting your favourite playlist on and watching the scenery go by, there are plenty of ways to make a long journey more enjoyable.
For families, having a mixture of screen-based and screen-free activities can be particularly helpful. You don't need to pack half the house or spend a fortune on travel entertainment either. A few downloaded programmes, charged devices, snacks, headphones and some good old-fashioned games can go a surprisingly long way.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to fill every second but to make the time feel lighter and more enjoyable. When you plan ahead and keep things easy, even a long trip can feel like a chance to unwind rather than something to endure.
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