27 Feb 09 Passing the Time While Travelling

Travelling can be very boring, especially if you’re on a long flight, bus ride, or train ride.  There are a number of different things you can do to pass the time, however, and any of them will make the hours go by much more quickly.

You can always settle into your seat and take a nap.  Many flights even offer pillows and blankets, and you can take your own pillow on the bus or train.  However, some people find it very difficult to sleep while travelling.  Either the motion disturbs them or the noise is too much.  For those who do fall asleep, though, the hours can pass by very quickly.  Listening to music can often help people sleep while travelling since it blocks out a lot of the noise.

Reading is another good way to pass the time.  Whether you have a novel to finish or a few magazines to get through, you will be entertained for a good hour or more.  Most planes include at least one magazine for you to read during the flight.

If you’re travelling with a friend, you might want to take a deck of cards with you and play a card game.  You may even be able to play with three or four others if you can all sit near each other.  You can also play cards in your hotel room once you arrive.

For those who are social, chatting with other passengers can be a way to pass the time, although this isn’t for everyone.  Note if people look uncomfortable or seem to want to do something else.  Don’t be an annoyance—if someone doesn’t want to chat, don’t make them.

Tags: hotel, hotel room, travelling

13 Feb 09 Tips on Packing

Airlines are cutting down on the amount of baggage passengers are allowed to take.  In fact, many have actually cut out all free checked baggage—you have to pay for every bag you check.  Along the same lines, taking a lot of baggage with you on a train or bus can be a hassle, plus there may be some extra costs if you have a lot of luggage.  To avoid these extra charges, here are some packing tips for you to keep in mind.

If you don’t need it, don’t take it.  Only take those things are you know you’ll absolutely need.  If you aren’t planning on going to an event that requires formalwear, don’t take anything fancy.  If you don’t plan on using your hotel’s swimming pool, don’t pack your swimsuit.  Try to avoid taking more than one pair of shoes since shoes can take up a good amount of space.

Take clothes that can be mixed and matched.  Jeans can often be worn for a couple of days before they need to be washed, so they can be worn with several different shirts.  Likewise, you may be able to wear a t-shirt twice if you wear it as an undershirt.

Buy travel-sized toiletries.  Instead of taking full-sized bottles, pick up small trial or travel-sized ones.  They take up far less space in your bags.  You can also use the soaps and shampoos found in your hotel room’s bathroom if you don’t want to pack your own.

Combine luggage.  If you’re travelling with your spouse or a friend, pack everything in one bag instead of two.  Splitting the cost of one checked bag instead of paying for two can help you both save money.  Another option, especially if you’re only going to be out of two for a few days, is to pack everything into a carry-on.

Tags: baggage, hotel, hotel room, luggage, packing tips, travelling