When you take to the road (or the sea or the air, for that matter), two things tend to become more challenging than they are at home: entertainment and food. Whether you’re packing snacks or planning how to pass the time, the best options are usually those that are travel-sized, convenient, low-mess, long-lasting and varied enough to keep things interesting throughout your journey.
What you eat and how you entertain yourself will vary depending on your personal tastes, but if you’re looking for options that minimise bulk and maximise satisfaction, here are my top picks.
Entertainment
Casino games
Have you ever checked out an digital casino platform? Online casinos offer one of the most convenient forms of entertainment for travellers, providing almost endless choice in a compact format.
Take, for example, the Sportaza online casino. Here, you’ll find a vast selection of games, from poker to slots, all available at the click of a button. Whether you enjoy strategy-heavy poker or simply want to unwind with a few spins on the slots or roulette, there’s something to suit every mood.
One of the biggest advantages is that most games are easy to pick up and put down as your journey dictates. If you’re short on luggage space, you’ll probably already be travelling with your phone, so at most you’ll only need to pack a power bank. That provides hours of entertainment while taking up little more room than a deck of cards.
Dice games
It’s always worth learning a few dice games and tossing some dice into your bag. Like cards, dice are lightweight, compact and offer almost endless gaming possibilities.
Games like Killer Dice, Mia, Farkle and Pig can provide hours of entertainment while travelling on long road trips or lengthy flights. If you’re worried about remembering the rules, print them out before you travel and tuck them into your bag alongside the dice. A small notepad and pencil can also come in handy for keeping score.
Reading
Packing a good book or magazine is one of the simplest ways to pass the time while travelling. Whether you enjoy getting lost in a gripping novel, flicking through a travel or lifestyle magazine, or catching up on the latest news, reading is an easy, screen-free way to relax during your journey. E-readers are another great option if you’d rather carry an entire library without adding extra weight to your luggage.
Music and podcasts
Listening to music or podcasts is another excellent way to make the miles fly by. Create a playlist before you leave, discover a new album, or download a few podcast episodes to enjoy offline if you know your internet connection will be limited.
From true crime and comedy to travel inspiration and educational series, there’s a podcast to suit almost every interest, making them ideal companions whether you’re flying, taking the train or setting off on a road trip. Here are my favourite foodie podcasts.
Uno
Perhaps the ultimate travel companion, Uno is another compact game that delivers plenty of fun. It may not offer quite the same variety as the previous options, but it’s ideal for groups and can easily keep everyone entertained for hours.
If you’re travelling alone, consider learning a few solo dice or card games instead. There are plenty of enjoyable options beyond traditional solitaire, whether you’re playing with physical cards or digitally.
Snacks
Mixed nuts
Did you know that eating nuts could help to reduce your risk of disease? Current studies suggest that eating 20g of nuts a day can reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer by 30% and 15% respectively, and also reduce the risk of dying of respiratory disease by almost 50%.
Health benefits aside, nuts are an excellent travel snack. They’re portable, dry, relatively mess-free and have an excellent shelf life. You don’t have to worry about them becoming soggy, leaking or spoiling in warmer weather. Just be mindful when eating them in public spaces, as they can pose a risk to people with severe nut allergies.
Crudités
One of the best travel snacks has to be crisp, raw vegetables served with hummus. You’ll need to keep the hummus chilled, but a cool bag or ice pack makes this an ideal option for a car journey or shorter train trip.
Carrot sticks, peppers, celery, cucumber, broccoli, baby corn, mushrooms and many other vegetables all work well, allowing you to customise this snack to suit your own tastes. It’s healthy, colourful and satisfying.
Dried fruit & dark chocolate
Dried fruit doesn’t have to be boring. Put together your own mix before you leave home, and you’ll have a delicious snack ready whenever hunger strikes.
Some great options include:
- Prunes
- Banana chips
- Whole dried bananas
- Cranberries
- Sultanas
- Apricots
- Apple
- Coconut
- Dates
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Figs
For a more filling snack, add a handful of oats. Alternatively, mix in some dark or milk chocolate drops for a touch of sweetness, or combine everything with some chopped mixed nuts to create a satisfying trail mix that’s perfect for travelling.
Travelling doesn’t mean compromising on good food or entertainment. With a little planning, you can pack snacks that are both satisfying and nutritious, alongside compact games and activities that help pass the time wherever your journey takes you. Whether you’re heading away for a weekend break or embarking on a long-haul adventure, a few well-chosen essentials can make travelling that little bit more enjoyable.
What are your favourite handy travel snacks, and how do you like to keep busy while travelling? Comment below to share your thoughts.