Those of us who might be more experienced travelers know all too well how arduous and boring it can be when you’re taking a long time to transit between destinations. It doesn’t matter if you’re sat on a plane for half the day, stuck in an airport lounge because of a delayed flight, or on an overnight sleeper train; fending off boredom is something experienced travelers have down to a fine art. So, let’s take a look at which of these pastimes appeals to you, and whether our helpful guide can help you pass the time more quickly when on your travels.

Social casino gaming

Millions of people enjoy playing casino games, but if you’re not too keen on the idea of losing your money, social casino games enter the equation. Although there is no shortage of traditional casinos online, there’s a growing trend of people looking to learn how casino games work without having to go through the risk of putting their own cash on the line. In addition, depending on the country you’re in, gambling legislation can vary wildly. 

However, social casinos operate outside of these perimeters. While they do offer the same range of games, they utilize in-game tokens, which can come in many forms. The most common are Gold Coins or currencies named after the particular site. You may also hear social casinos referred to as sweepstakes casinos, but they operate in an identical fashion, and www.PlayCasinos.ca lists the best ones available.

This form of gambling allows you to try a few slot games or more strategic casino games like poker, learn how they work, and avoid the concern of losing your money that comes with traditional providers. Sweepstakes casinos are also an interactive way to experience the gaming environment, gaming controls and some of the terminologies that people use during a game, so they are an important part of the iGaming scope. 

Streaming services

Depending on where you are or where you are traveling, accessing the internet can be more challenging. However, streaming sites that provide a facility where you can watch TV shows and films are some of the most popular pastimes that people have when they’ve got a long journey ahead of them. Many platforms now offer the chance to download films or TV series so that you can watch them regardless of whether you’re able to get internet access.

We appreciate that streaming services are a great option; it’s not just film and TV you can find. Video hosting websites like YouTube offer the chance to watch millions of different types of documentaries or seek out other forms of entertainment, such as podcasts. 

Local events

Why not check out what’s going on in the city or town where you’re traveling? Maybe you’ve always wanted to check out a specific type of exercise class or have always wanted to see how a stand-up comedy night works but have never found the time. Well, there’s no better time than the present, and if you’re on the road or stuck for something to do, why not have a look at what’s on and see if it’s up your street. It could be something you take a shine to, want to revisit or maybe even give a go yourself.

You can extend this to all sorts of events, whether it’s theatre, music, checking out local independent groups or sampling an event that the locals recommend that can provide that extra experience that you can rush home and tell all of your friends about. 

And of course, Pride Celebrations happen everywhere - you can find a BC collection of Pride events on this website. Outside Vancouver here. In Metro Vancouver during Canada Pride here. There is always lots going on during Pride events and the streets are safer for it.

Local cuisine – cooking and sampling

Nothing can give you a true, authentic feel of a country better than trying the local cuisine. It is a seminal part of the traveling experience, and although some Westerners are guilty of seeking out home comforts and large fast food chains, many travelers will go the other way. 

Not only will they eat regularly at local restaurants and see what the locals recommend, but they will also seek out cooking classes or national dishes. If you’re a fan of cooking, you might have come across some of these suggestions on social media, and if you sit there looking at food for 70% of your day – like I do – your search algorithm might have suggested this already. 

You’ll find some great Vancouver restaurants reviewed in Vancity Lookout here.

Once you get an idea of how the locals put together their meals or where to find ingredients, you can also save a bit of money if you’re staying in a hostel or in an apartment with cooking facilities. 

Final thoughts

If you’re a seasoned traveler, we hope we’ve given you a few interesting passtimes to consider, and if you’re somebody who doesn’t yet have the full experience of traveling under your belt, do not underestimate just how boring it can get on long-haul flights and train journeys. 

Making sure you keep your electronic devices fully charged so that you can seek out these types of events locally is essential, and while there might be a growing number of travelers looking to get increasingly further off the grid, it’s far more difficult to do this if you’re looking to keep tuned in to what’s going on around you or stay connected with the people you meet on your way.