Photo by: Filippo Caputo on Flickr
One of the biggest struggles of a budget traveler, can be getting a good night sleep on the road. I’ve sleep in hundreds of different places, in as many cities, across the world. I’ve slept in luxury hotels with a plush pillow menu, right through to budget backpackers that have outdoor toilets and rooms without locks, with mattresses that felt like they were made of wood, covered in a weird latex material. Getting some beauty rest is one of the most important things when traveling, so you can recharge your batteries and make the most of your time in any one place. But sometimes, this is a challenge and over the past few years I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that make this easier.
1) Buy a Travel Pillow
There’s nothing worse than waking up when you’re asleep on a bus or plane, with your neck craned on some weird angle and pains tingling all over. Whether you choose to buy a neck pillow with beads in it, or a more simple one that you blow up – it’ll be a lifesaver if you’re planning to take any long flights or buses. My neck pillow has also come in handy in hostels that provide something that resembles a pillow but really provides zero comfort.
- Photo by: Miko Design on Flickr
2) Invest in Ear Plugs
Last night I was staying in a dorm in Siem Reap, all in all it was a nice hostel. I climbed into bed around midnight and prepared myself for some much needed sleep. At 2:30 I was woken to some of my roommates returning to their room, only to be woken again at 7am when their alarm when off like a siren and woke me up. Some ear plugs would have saved me the trouble and allowed me to get a decent sleep.
3) Read Reviews
When you’re booking into a hostel or hotel, take a minute to read the reviews posted on websites such as TripAdvisor, as others will tend to comment if there was something exceptional or exceptionally bad about the accommodation. It pays to spend a few minutes having a read, so that you can be properly prepared for what lies ahead of you – good and bad.
Photo by: Rebecca Phillips on Flickr
4) Book into a Private Room Sometimes
If you’re moving from dorm to dorm, chances are your sleep will often be broken. If your budget allows, spend a little more once a week or so, to stay in a private room. This will let you catch up on much needed sleep and also to enjoy a little privacy. While there are lots of benefits to staying in a dorm, it can be really tiresome to constantly have to share your own space. Spending a little more for a decent night’s sleep once a week can make a huge different to your energy levels.
These are my tips for sleeping as well as you can when you’re traveling and on the road. Do you have any tips for improving your sleep when overseas? Share them in the comments below:
