Train journeys as a kid used to be fun and exciting because they were the start of an adventure to the unknown. As an adult, the rolling hills and slow, steady chug of a train can be tedious and monotonous, and we can struggle to entertain ourselves with the views and excitement of the journey for very long. Thankfully, we have a good few options available to entertain ourselves and avoid boredom on a long train journey – here are five of them.
Listen to Podcasts
If you have a Wi-Fi connection provided by the train, or if you have a mobile data plan, podcasts can provide a welcome distraction to the tedium of a long train journey. You’ll find a podcast available for every topic or subject you can think of, so if you want to learn something or just have a laugh at many of the comedy podcasts available, this audio format can be a lifesaver. If you’re going outside of internet coverage, many podcast apps will let you download your podcasts for listening offline.
Play a Board Game
If you’re traveling with a companion or two, a board game might be a good idea. You can even get special magnetic versions that help to avoid pieces being dislodged by an uneven track, though train journeys are generally quite a smooth experience. A game that steps up the strategy over something like Monopoly with few pieces, like Carcassonne, is perfect for a train journey and can be played by as little as two and as many as five players. Of course, you could always embrace the metagame with the train themed Ticket to Ride.
Make Some Sports Wagers
For the sports afficionados amongst us, why not use the extra free time to make some sports wagers online? Put that knowledge of your favorite sport to the test and spend a few hours trying to make predictions. You might even make a few dollars during your trip on the best betting app Canada has to offer.
Read a Book
Take travel entertainment old school with a good book borrowed from your local library or purchased from a local bookstore. There’s nothing better than a printed paper novel. Pick up a favorite author’s new book and get lost in the pages as the train trundles on through the countryside. Even better, opt for a great railway based adventure like The Girl on the Train or Night Train to Lisbon to get that fully immersive experience.
Watch a Movie
If you own a laptop or a computer tablet, you can waste away the hours of a long journey just like you’re lying on the couch at home – with the company of a great movie. Many streaming services have apps that support the ability to download a movie or TV series in advance and watch it without using mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Entertaining yourself on long trips has never been easier and since you’re not driving, you’re free to do anything you want to pass the time. Your journey will be over before you know it with a good podcast or book to read.