Business trips can be a great way to expand your professional network, close important deals, and gain new perspectives. However, the travel involved, especially long flights, train rides, or extended layovers, can sometimes be tedious.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or heading out for your first big trip, making the most of your travel time can significantly improve your overall experience. Here are several effective and enjoyable ways to pass the time during your next business journey.
Catch Up on Work (or Get Ahead)
While it may sound counterintuitive to relax by doing more work, travel time often offers a quiet, distraction-free environment ideal for deep focus. Use this time to clear out your inbox, review reports, prepare presentations, or write that proposal you’ve been postponing. If Wi-Fi is available, cloud-based tools like Google Drive, Slack, or Trello can keep you productive. If you’re offline, download key files ahead of time and work in aeroplane mode to avoid distractions.
Read a Book or Listen to an Audiobook
Travelling offers the perfect opportunity to dive into a good book, something that might be tough to squeeze into your daily routine. Whether you prefer fiction to escape reality or non-fiction to expand your knowledge, a great book can make time fly.
Alternatively, audiobooks are a fantastic hands-free option, especially useful if you’re walking through airports or commuting by train. Platforms like Audible and Scribd offer vast libraries covering nearly every topic imaginable.
Watch a Movie or Binge a Series
Most flights and modern trains are equipped with entertainment systems, or you can bring your own tablet or laptop to watch downloaded content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+. It’s a great way to catch up on new releases or revisit an old favourite. Just don’t forget your headphones and maybe a power bank to keep your devices charged for the entire journey.
Play Card Games
If you’re travelling with colleagues or friends, card games are a fantastic way to pass the time. They’re compact, don’t require batteries, and are endlessly entertaining.
Classic games like Poker, Rummy, or Gin offer strategic depth, while lighter games like Uno or Go Fish can be more relaxed and social. Even if you’re flying solo, there are plenty of one-player card games, like Solitaire or Clock Patience, that require nothing more than a deck of cards and a tray table.
Additionally, digital versions of card games can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet. Apps like Hearthstone, Solitaire Grand Harvest, or various poker platforms offer solo and multiplayer experiences, ideal for when you’re looking to unwind or challenge yourself intellectually.
Card games not only keep your mind engaged but can also be a great icebreaker if you’re seated next to a fellow traveller open to joining in. In a corporate setting, a friendly game can even help build rapport with colleagues or clients before or after the trip.
If you’re looking for some inspiration ahead of your next trip, Mr Luck have listed some travel-friendly card games for you to consider playing.
Learn Something New
Why not use travel time to pick up a new skill or enhance an existing one? Apps like Duolingo can help you brush up on a foreign language, especially useful if you’re travelling abroad. Online courses from platforms like Coursera, MasterClass, or LinkedIn Learning can help you grow professionally and personally, covering topics ranging from leadership and marketing to photography and meditation.
Meditate or Practice Mindfulness
Business trips can be stressful, especially when juggling meetings, time zone changes, and packed schedules. Taking time to relax and centre yourself through meditation can do wonders. Apps like Headspace or Calm provide guided meditations perfect for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Even a short breathing exercise or body scan can help reduce anxiety and improve focus for the rest of your trip.
Journal or Plan Ahead
Whether you’re reflecting on recent accomplishments, jotting down meeting notes, or planning goals for the coming quarter, journaling is a productive and calming way to pass the time. Use a physical notebook or a note-taking app to organise your thoughts and set intentions for the trip or the future.
Final Thoughts
Travelling for business doesn’t have to feel like wasted time. With a bit of planning and the right mindset, your journey can be both productive and enjoyable. Whether you choose to work, relax, learn, or play card games with a travel companion, each moment can be an opportunity to enrich your trip and make the time fly by.