Banish the Boredom of Travel Delays
When you’re going on holiday, delays are the absolute WORST. Not only are they financially stressful, they’re also mind-numbingly boring. Perhaps you’re stranded mid journey, just want to get home or maybe you haven’t even left yet, but either way, you’ll need ways to cope…
Keep Yourself Occupied
Whether you’re someone who can’t live without their smartphone, a bookworm or a game lover, you’ll not want to be travelling without your vices and devices in your hand luggage! Why not use the free time to catch up on some light reading, or even to pick up a language you might need on arrival at your destination? If you’re looking to try something new entirely, why not pick up some online gaming, provided you can get internet access? There are loads out there from Candy Crush to Bingo. Try Bingo Find for a list of sites you can use – you might even be able to win some cash back. Perfect for when the airlines are being cranky about compensation…
Pack Hand Luggage For Such Incidences
Face it. Your contact lens solution, clean underwear and your phone charger are literally of zero use to you when they’re in your checked bag. As a kind air hostess once told me as a child, you should make a little ‘emergency kit’ for any delays, with stuff you absolutely cannot go without. Now, obviously, you should be able to seek a refund courtesy of the travel operator for any essential purchases during this time, but you don’t want to take any chances. So, whether you’re delayed 24 hours or they’ve ‘misplaced’ your bag on the other side of the world, you won’t be worrying about needing something urgently. If they do lose your bag though, luckily you’ll get it replaced (in theory). But in the meantime, you quite rightly need your things. Top tip: just remember, airlines STILL have rules on liquids, so make sure your hand luggage stuff complies.
Keep Fed & Hydrated
When you’re facing a delay that’s not your fault, in nine time out of ten cases, you’ll get a meal voucher. But, if you don’t, you’ll have to take it upon yourself to get fed and hydrated. This is especially important if you have certain food requirements – getting caught up in a country that doesn’t speak your language is going to do you NO favours if you’re trying to find out if there’s meat in your sandwich and all they do is smile and nod and say something totally random. It might be best to pack a snack or two, just in case…
Travel delays, yuck! Being stuck at the airport sucks, but it can be a great time to catch up on writing articles for your blog and letters to friends and family, or simply to spend some down time reading magazines or that novel you’ve had your eye on for a while. Packing a few healthy snacks like a big bag of trail mix or a few energy bars is a must. Sadly, unforeseen travel delays are much more likely than not these days.