Travel Hairstyles for Long Flights and Train Journeys

Travel hairstyles for long flights that actually help

The best travel hairstyles for long flights are low and comfortable so you can lean back on a headrest: a low braid, a soft low bun, a scrunchie-tied loose pony, or two Dutch braids. They prevent tangles, keep hair off a sweaty neck, and leave you with soft waves when you land.

Cabin air is extremely dry, which makes hair static and frizzy. Overnight trains bring a mix of dust, fans and cramped berths. Road trips add wind from open windows. In all three, the wrong hairstyle means a crushed bun, a sore head, and a tangled mess when you arrive.

Below are the styles that work for each kind of travel, a small in-bag kit, and how to arrive looking fresh, whether you are landing for a business meeting or a family wedding.

Before you choose a style, think about what happens at the other end. Landing for a family wedding means you will want soft, styled hair quickly, so braid damp hair for waves. Landing for a meeting means a neat bun is safest. Landing for a beach or hill holiday means you can relax and focus on comfort. Working backwards from your arrival saves a lot of airport washroom panic.

Why top knots are a bad idea on planes

Plane, train and bus seats all have headrests that you will lean against for hours. A top knot or a crown claw clip pushes your head forward and becomes painful within half an hour.

Claw clips can also break under pressure if you fall asleep against the window, and metal pins dig in.

Keep everything low at the nape or flat on the scalp, and choose soft accessories like scrunchies and coil ties.

The low braid: best for flights

A loose low braid is comfortable to sleep on, stops hair from tangling, and gives you soft waves when you take it out. Brush hair, spray a little leave-in for the dry cabin air, then plait from the nape and tie with a scrunchie.

Pull it over one shoulder so you can rest your head fully on the headrest or a neck pillow.

For long-haul or overnight flights, braid slightly damp hair before you leave home. By the time you land, it has dried into a beautiful, natural wave.

If your hair is very long and thick, split it into two low braids instead of one. One heavy braid can feel uncomfortable resting on your shoulder for ten hours, while two braids distribute the weight. They also produce more even waves on arrival, and they stay neater if you are sleeping in a reclined position against a seat or a neck pillow.

Scrunchies and coil ties →

Dutch braids for overnight trains

On an overnight train, you will be lying down on a berth, often with fans or AC blowing directly. Two Dutch braids are ideal: flat, secure, and tangle-proof as you toss and turn.

They also keep dust and grime off most of your hair. Add a thin cotton scarf over the head if the berth is near a window.

In the morning, keep the braids in for a neat look at the station, or undo them before you meet family for waves that hide day-old roots.

On a sleeper or AC coach, keep a light shawl or scarf handy. Wrapping it loosely over the braids at night stops fans and AC vents from drying out your hair and creating static, and it doubles as a pillow cover on shared bedding. In the morning, a few drops of serum on the braid ends keep them soft.

The soft low bun for business travel

If you are flying for work and heading straight to a meeting, a soft low bun is practical. Tie it loosely during the flight so it is comfortable, then tighten and pin it neatly before landing.

Bring two U-pins and a small comb in your handbag so you can smooth the sides in the airport washroom.

Pair with a blazer and trousers and you go straight from the arrivals hall to the boardroom without a hotel stop.

On business trips, keep the bun low and loose during the flight and tighten it only before landing. Tight buns for hours on a flight can cause tension headaches, which you do not want before a presentation. Carrying three or four U-pins in a small pouch lets you re-coil and repin the bun quickly, and a mini comb lets you smooth the sides into a sleek finish in a couple of minutes.

Travel blazers →

Road trip and open-window hairstyles

On road trips, wind is the problem. A braided pony, a low bun or a scarf tied over the head keeps hair from knotting. A silk scarf tied under the chin in a vintage style also looks very chic for hill-station drives.

Bubble ponies work well on road trips because the elastics hold the length together, and they photograph nicely at viewpoints and dhabas.

For short hair, a stretchy headband and a couple of snap clips keep it from whipping into your eyes.

Hill-station road trips in places like Manali, Munnar or Darjeeling bring cold wind and sometimes drizzle. A beanie over two low braids keeps you warm and your hair protected. When you arrive at a cafe or viewpoint, take off the beanie, shake out the braids and you have instant texture. Beach road trips, on the other hand, need sun protection; a cap with a low pony pulled through the back works well.

Your travel hair kit

Pack a travel-size leave-in conditioner or serum to combat dry cabin air, a mini dry shampoo, a wide-tooth comb, two scrunchies, a claw clip for when you are off the plane, and a few U-pins. Liquids should follow airline limits.

A silk or satin scrunchie and a satin sleep mask or scarf help prevent frizz and creases on long journeys.

If you are travelling for a wedding or event, keep your hair accessories, like a gajra pin or a jewelled clip, in a small zip pouch so they are not crushed in your bag.

A small foldable brush with a built-in mirror is worth the space, as airport washrooms are often crowded and mirrors scarce.

Travel hair care →Sling bags for travel →

Arriving with fresh hair

Thirty minutes before landing, take out your braid and finger-comb the waves. Spray dry shampoo on the roots if they feel flat or oily.

Smooth a drop of serum over the lengths to calm static. Static is common after hours of dry air and shows up badly in photos.

Then either wear hair open, do a half-up claw clip, or re-tie a sleek low pony. Hydrate yourself too; drinking water helps your skin and hair look less tired.

Hair care tips for long trips

Hard water in different cities can make hair rough and dull. A gentle clarifying wash on return, and a conditioner while travelling, help balance it.

Avoid heat styling every day on holiday. Rely on braids, buns and heatless waves to give your hair a break, especially in hot or humid destinations like Goa or Kerala.

Protect your hair from strong sun with a hat or scarf on beach and mountain trips. UV exposure dries out hair and can fade colour-treated hair quickly.

Back home, give your hair a little extra care. A deep conditioning treatment or an oil massage before your next wash helps restore moisture after days of dry cabin air, hotel water, sun and wind. Trim any split ends that have appeared over a long trip, and give your scalp a break from tight styles for a few days.