By: Stephen Rogers
Traveling soon? You don’t have to put your hobbies on hold! Waiting at the airport or taking a long car ride can be the perfect occasions to dive into the activities you like the most.
Of course, packing can be a problem if you’re into mountain biking or something similarly bulky to travel with—but there are lots of creative and fun endeavors that you can indulge in that aren’t super expensive, and that can be very travel friendly.
Let’s look at a few!
1. Sketching and Drawing
If you like artsy stuff, sketching the places you visit or the people you meet can be significant. It’s very easy to travel with a sketchbook and a few pens or pencils, and you can even take them with you on an airplane.
Tips for sketching on the road:
- Go for a small, transportable sketchbook.
- Don’t bring every art supply you own—pack a few basics and look for new brands on the road!
- Try to get faster at it, and challenge yourself so you can create beautiful sketches of places you won’t spend a lot of time in.
Related: Read our guide to urban sketching!
2. Reading
Books are perfect for long flights and train or car rides. And in addition to escapism and fun stories, reading can boost emotional development and career prospects, so there’s really no reason not to bring a few books with you.
If you’re an avid reader, lugging heavy books around can be annoying, but fortunately we live in the future where you can load tons of books, comics, and other reading material onto your phone or an e-reader.
Tips for a pleasant reading experience while traveling:
- Download an e-book reader for your phone, or just bring a separate e-reader device if you feel like it.
- Explore the authors of the places you’re going to visit—like Roald Dahl or Jane Austen!
- Consider purchasing a few audiobooks so you can enjoy the view while you listen to a story.
3. Knitting or Crocheting
These hobbies grow in popularity right around wintertime, but who says you can’t knit or crochet something fun while you’re traveling? You can do it almost anywhere, as long as you have enough light.
Tips for knitting when you travel:
- Avoid the risk of losing supplies by getting circular knitting needles.
- Get a portable yarn holder so you don’t have trouble with your yarn.
- Try creating smaller items, like hats, gloves, or socks—they may be more difficult to make than a sweater, but they require a lot fewer materials.
4. Journaling
Journaling is a habit that can be deeply healing and fulfilling, and you don’t have to abandon it just because you’re on the road. You can use your journaling time to write about your wonderful experiences and the exciting people you meet.
Tips for journaling while traveling:
- Choose a notebook that’s easy to pack and comfortable to use in a variety of situations.
- Carry a pen with a cap, or collect nice pens from the places you travel to.
- Write every day, and add sensory details to bring you back to that moment every time you read about it later.
Related: Read our guide to travel art journaling!
6. Photography
Photography is a hobby that can be done from literally anywhere, especially now that a lot of us have phones with excellent cameras in hand.
You can catch an unforgettable moment with one picture, and you can print it later to hang in your home.
Here are some tips for taking pictures while traveling:
- Spend some time learning about basic photography techniques.
- Keep your gear organized and secure (we like this case for GoPro cameras and gear)—or if you’re just dipping your toe into the world of travel photography, your smartphone is a fantastic place to start!
- Use a VPN service, like Miami VPN, to encrypt your data and protect your privacy on public networks when you’re uploading your pictures.
Related: Read our guide to post-processing tips for travel photographers!
Over to you! What are some hobbies you like to bring on your travels? Share your thoughts and ideas with the Frayed Passport community!
About the Author
This article is written by Stephen Rogers, a seasoned software developer with over five years of hands-on experience. Stephen finds AI technology endlessly fascinating. His track record in the industry speaks volumes about his expertise and reliability. Stephen’s passion for staying at the forefront of technological advancements has made him a trusted authority in the field. Stephen aims to simplify the complex world of AI, making it accessible to all. When he’s not navigating complex technology, you’ll find him immersed in gaming, cheering on esports, or binge-watching TV shows.
Frayed Passport is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.