How to Get Through Long Travel Days One Step at a Time

Travel is somewhat romanticized these days; take one look online, and you'll see beautiful pictures of people standing in front of famous attractions like the Taj Mahal. However, one thing that often goes unnoticed is the treacherous journeys someone must take to reach places like this.

Regardless of your feelings, you'll have to endure long travel days if you want to see the world. Sometimes, these can look like days filled with a combination of methods of transport: a four-hour bus first, followed by a 15-hour train to finish, sounds tough on your back, doesn't it?

Thankfully, you can easily survive these grueling times on the road with careful preparation. Get your planning hat on; we're going to walk you through each of the steps in this article.

Get Into the Mindset That the Day Will Last Longer Than You Expect

The first thing you need to keep in mind before a long travel day is that it will take longer than you expect. Those plans you had to visit the cathedral you wanted to see should be pushed to the following morning. Now, you might actually get the chance to check it out, but it's all about the right mindset. If time doesn’t start working in your favor, you'll only end up stressing yourself out.

Delays are inevitable on the road, particularly when visiting less developed places. Punctuality isn't valued the same in every country, so you just have to roll with it rather than getting yourself worked up over being a few hours late.

Pack Plenty of Snacks and Water

Having plenty of snacks and water on hand for a long day of traveling should be a priority. Since you'll be sitting around with little to do, you'll likely get hungry, so it’s a good idea to have something to snack on to keep yourself entertained.

You’d be surprised how many people assume the driver will stop for food. While most drivers do take breaks, there are times when they don’t, sometimes going for five hours without stopping. Take trains, for example; you might not get a chance to get off unless they make an extended stop of 10 to 15 minutes.

Bring a Powerbank

Let’s be real; for most of us, our phones will be our main source of entertainment if we're stuck on a bus for ten hours. At least you can watch movies or listen to a podcast, as long as you've downloaded them beforehand, even if you don't have access to Wi-Fi. However, a phone can only last so long on a single charge, which is where a power bank comes in handy.

Power banks have become a lifesaver for many travelers; they ensure you always have a backup when your phone dies. Just make sure to charge it the night before so you can get a few full charges out of it.

Mix Up Your Entertainment

There’s only so long you can stare at a screen before boredom sets in. Even if you’re completely glued to your favorite Netflix series, there always comes a point when you need a break and want to do something else to stimulate your mind.

Having a variety of entertainment options for a long journey will help you pass the time more quickly. What works will vary based on your interests, but an example could be having a movie, a series, a few podcasts, and music downloaded. Additionally, don’t forget other forms of entertainment beyond your phone; think books, cards, or even a journal to engage in some mindful writing.

Arrange Transport to Your Accommodation at the Final Destination

Oftentimes, people view a travel day as over when they reach the final transport station, but don't forget, you still need to get your accommodation. Rather than arriving exhausted and having to haggle with taxi drivers to get a fair price, wouldn't it make more sense to get the owner of your hotel or hostel to arrange something for you?

This can easily be organized by messaging them in advance and asking if they can book a taxi for you. They usually have local connections, which could help secure a better price, and they’ll know exactly where to drop you off, so you won’t have to explain things when you're unfamiliar with the area.

Get Off at Every Stop to Stretch Your Legs

When stops happen, take the opportunity to get off and stretch your legs. Sitting for long periods isn’t great for your body, so it will appreciate every break it gets.

Drivers don’t like stopping too often because it means they’ll finish later than planned; this results in them making minimal stops. That’s why you should seize every chance to stand up and walk around; it might be your only opportunity.

Take an Eye Mask, Ear Plugs, and a Neck Pillow

Travel days are a great chance to catch up on that much-needed shut-eye you've been missing out on. Sleeping on trains or buses isn't exactly comfortable, but you can make the experience more bearable with an eye mask, ear plugs, and a neck pillow.

Block out the light with an eye mask, protect yourself from noise with earplugs, and have a neck pillow for some comfort. If you're on an overnight journey, it wouldn’t hurt to bring a small blanket. That way, you’ll stay warm and cozy if it gets cold.

Tackle Each Part of the Journey as It Comes With These Helpful Steps

Not many people enjoy travel days, but they’re a necessary part of the journey. You can either sit and complain about all the hoops you have to jump through or suck it up and try to enjoy the ride. You'll make things much easier by choosing the latter and using the helpful tips we've listed in this article.

Who knows, after a few times of implementing these strategies, you might even start to enjoy them once you get the hang of it.