Ten hours spent at work can pass surprisingly quickly, while just a few hours in a car may feel like an entire day. At other times, the exact opposite happens – a long journey seems to fly by, and suddenly we realize that we are already close to our destination. Where does this difference come from?
Our perception of time does not work like a clock. The brain does not measure every minute in exactly the same way. Whether a journey feels long or short depends on factors such as comfort, the number of stimuli around us, fatigue, stress, company, and the way we organize our time.
That is why proper preparation for a long journey to Germany, the Netherlands, or another European country can make a much greater difference than we might initially expect.
Why Does the Beginning of a Journey Seem to Drag On the Most?
The first few dozen minutes after departure are often characterized by increased alertness. We check the route, wonder what time we will arrive, and think about whether we have packed everything we need.
This is particularly noticeable when travelling abroad. Passengers may be thinking about work, accommodation, meeting family members, or the responsibilities waiting for them at their destination.
Once the journey starts to feel routine, our attention gradually shifts to other things. We can listen to music, watch a film, talk, read, or simply observe the scenery. We stop constantly monitoring the passage of time – and the following hours begin to pass more quickly.
The More Often You Check the Time, the Longer the Journey Feels
This is one of the simplest mechanisms associated with our perception of time. When there is nothing to occupy our attention, we begin to focus on the journey itself.
“How much longer?”
“What time is it?”
“How far is it to the border?”
“When will we get there?”
Each of these questions redirects our attention to time. As a result, the journey may feel longer than the actual number of hours spent travelling would suggest.
That is why the best way to deal with a long journey is not always simply to “survive” it. It is often much better to divide it mentally into several smaller stages.
Divide the Journey Into Smaller Parts
The prospect of eight, ten, or twelve hours on the road can feel overwhelming. The same journey looks completely different, however, when we stop thinking of it as one enormous stretch of time.
You can create your own travel routine:
- start by listening to music,
- watch a film later,
- then rest or take a nap,
- have a prepared snack after a break,
- listen to a podcast or audiobook during the next part of the journey,
- towards the end, start preparing for your arrival.
This way, instead of one very long journey, we experience several shorter stages.
Physical Comfort Affects Our Perception of Time
It is difficult to forget about the passing minutes when we are too hot, too cold, or simply uncomfortable. Discomfort makes us focus much more frequently on our bodies and surroundings.
During a long journey, seemingly simple things therefore become particularly important: a comfortable seating position, the right temperature, the opportunity to rest, and access to drinks.
It is also worth dressing in a way that makes it easy to adapt to changing temperatures. Several thinner layers usually work better than one very warm item of clothing.
Hand luggage also matters. Essential items should be kept within easy reach so that we do not have to spend time wondering where we put our charger, water, documents, or headphones.
Sleep Is the Best Way to “Shorten” a Long Journey
For passengers, one of the greatest advantages of travelling without having to drive is the opportunity to rest.
Even a short nap can make dozens of kilometres pass virtually unnoticed. On longer journeys, sleep can also help reduce the fatigue associated with spending many hours in a vehicle.
A small travel pillow, a light sweatshirt, an eye mask, or noise-reducing headphones can all be helpful.
Not everyone is able to fall asleep while travelling, however. In that case, there is no point in forcing it. Simply closing your eyes and enjoying a few minutes of quiet rest can also provide relief.
Film, Audiobook, or Conversation – What Makes a Journey Feel Shorter?
There is no single answer because every passenger relaxes differently.
A film can easily “take away” around two hours of a journey. A few episodes of a TV series can fill an even larger part of it. A podcast or audiobook, meanwhile, is a good choice when we want to take a break from looking at a screen.
A simple conversation can be just as effective. During shared journeys, a long discussion can often make the kilometres pass almost unnoticed.
It is worth remembering the other passengers, however. A loud phone conversation or playing music without headphones can be far more tiring for others than the length of the journey itself.
The Scenery Can Be Entertainment Too
During an international journey, the surroundings outside the window gradually begin to change. The architecture, road infrastructure, landscape, signs, and even the appearance of petrol stations and roadside towns become different.
In the rush of everyday life, we rarely pay attention to such details.
Watching the world pass by can therefore be one of the simplest ways to spend part of the journey peacefully, especially when travelling through places we have never seen before.
Door-to-Door Travel Changes the Way We Think About the Journey
Another interesting psychological aspect is the number of stages required to reach the destination.
Imagine a journey that first requires driving to a railway station, then taking a train, changing to another connection, waiting for the next departure, and finally using local public transport to reach the correct address.
Even if the individual stages are not particularly long, the entire journey can feel exceptionally tiring.
Every transfer means another task: keeping track of the time, luggage, platform, ticket, and next mode of transport.
Direct journeys eliminate many of these tasks. Passengers can treat the route as one continuous stage – from the pick-up point all the way to their final destination.
Food Matters Too
Eating a heavy meal before a long journey is not always the best idea. It can cause drowsiness, a feeling of heaviness, and general discomfort.
Small portions and light snacks tend to work better while travelling. A sandwich, fruit, nuts, or a simple meal prepared in advance can provide energy without placing an unnecessary burden on the body.
Water should not be forgotten either. Air-conditioned or heated vehicle interiors can contribute to dryness of the mucous membranes, so it is worth drinking small amounts of fluids regularly.
Your Phone Can Help, but It Can Also Be Tiring
A smartphone may seem like the perfect travel companion. Social media, messages, games, and films can keep us occupied for hours.
However, staring continuously at a small screen for several hours can lead to eye strain and headaches, and in some people it may also worsen the symptoms of motion sickness.
It is therefore a good idea to vary your activities. After spending some time on your phone, put it aside, look out of the window, listen to music, or simply rest.
A long journey does not have to mean several hours of uninterrupted scrolling.
A Familiar Route Starts to Feel Shorter Over Time
People who regularly travel between Poland and Germany or the Netherlands often notice an interesting phenomenon. The first journey seems very long, but subsequent trips become much easier.
The route becomes familiar.
We begin to recognize distinctive places, know approximately when we are reaching the next stages of the journey, and understand what to expect. Some of the uncertainty associated with the unknown disappears.
The distance, of course, does not become any shorter in kilometres. What changes is the way we perceive it.
A Long Journey Does Not Have to Be Wasted Time
A journey lasting many hours can be treated as an unpleasant necessity, but it can also be seen as several hours of free time that we often struggle to find in everyday life.
It is a good opportunity to finally watch a film we have been putting off for weeks, listen to several podcast episodes, start an audiobook, organize photos on our phone, listen to music, or simply do nothing at all.
In a world where we spend most of the day being busy, several hours sitting comfortably in a seat can become an unexpected opportunity to rest.
Ultimately, we measure the length of a journey not only in kilometres and hours. Just as important is how we spend those hours. Proper preparation, comfort, rest, and something to occupy our attention can make even a long journey across Europe feel far less tiring than we expected before setting off.
