Overnight Flight to Rome

We always try to take it easy upon landing in Europe, as we're always somewhat tired. We often will check into our hotel, take a nap and go out for 2-3 hours after supper.
It's important to take it easy the day before you leave--not staying up half the night packing, etc. And after getting on the plane, it's best to lay off the alcohol and eat light.

If I'm too excited about the trip, an Ambien pill will take care of that.

A bottle of hard liquor should do it.

Melatonin also helps. A sleep mask and ear plugs are also recommended. Since when traveling East (I presume you write from North America) we tend to have hard time getting up early, you can try and get used to the time there at home before you leave by going to bed very early and waking up very early. That is a strategy to decrease the time difference.
Once in Europe, if you don't want to fall asleep, do things in sunny bright places rather than indoor. Sunlight helps you stay awake and regulate your body clock.

sit next to someone boring

Have you taken longer flights in the US, like California to East Coast? If so, can you sleep on those planes? It should be similar.

My tips are book a window seat because then you can lean your head on the wall by the window. Many of the airlines give you a blanket and pillow, but if not use your coat or something from your suitcase like a towel or sweater.

Bring an eye mask and earplugs because they keep the lights on for meal service.

Mentally reset your clock. If you get on the plane at 8 PM it is NOT 8PM. It is 2 AM or whatever and mentally you know you need to sleep. None of this "it's only 9 at home" stuff - once at the airport it's Rome time.

I don't drink on planes because it makes me feel sick. I also don't use sleep aids, but you could look into melatonin or allergy medicine to make you more tired.

After you get there do outdoor things - take a walk, see monuments, eat at cafes outdoor tables.

Nope, no sure-fire tips as neither my husband nor myself are able to sleep on planes beyond a short doze. No matter; by the time we arrive, the adrenalin of being THERE kicks in. We dump the bags, go find some coffee, get the first round of euros, and hit the streets to stay awake until normal bedtime. A couple of adult beverages before turning in helps dispel any second wind which could keep us awake too late (but may not work for everyone).

Naps upon arrival work for some travelers but not for us; we'd feel worse after just an hour or two of sleep than if we just stayed up.

Nothing is sure fire except a first class bed.

I agree with Mira, I set my watch to my arrival time zone as soon as I buckle my seat belt.

I would not suggest that you take any sleep aids if you have not already used them at home.

Drink lots of water, not much alcohol, and walk around a bit if possible.

I agree that a window seat is best for sleeping. Works pretty well if you don't mind having to ask other people to move when you want to go to the restroom. I also suggest taking a pillow of some sort. The inflatable ones weigh little and don't take up much space. They work by helping to keep your head from tipping forward as you fall asleep, which usually jerks me awake. That may still be a problem if you don't have a window seat, however.

I second the warning not to take any sort of sleep aid (even an over-the-counter preparation) that you haven't used at home. If you want to try Benadryl, Dramamine, melatonin, etc. (one of them--not all of them!), do so at home first. My doctor gave me a mild prescription to help me sleep at home, and it would have knocked me off my feet if I hadn't already been sitting down when it hit. Not a good feeling.

Drink lots of water or juice. Hydration is important.

I can never sleep on a plane, and it used to be worse when I would stress myself trying to sleep. Now I just go with knowing it isn't going to happen. The excitement of the trip usually gets me through the first day anyway. I don't plan anything that day that will require too much attention, but walking and moving is good. For some people a nap on arrival is a big help. The one time I did that, I just felt worse when I woke up, so now I just stay awake the first day until around 9. By the next day, I feel pretty well adjusted. Enjoy your adventure!

Thanks, everyone, for your great advice!

Even with a first class bed I am usually too excited to get much sleep! Fortunately I keep strange hrs - have for years so jet lag does not effect me. The one thing that is necessary when one is lacking sleep is food - have a good breakfast and snack on protein & carbs to keep you going.

I am in the don't nap camp - just go to bed about 8 or 9 and you should feel good in the morning.

We have found that getting up early at home for several days prior to our flight helps us adjust to the time change. My husband even has us getting up at 3:30 am the day of the flight. Like others have suggested, we then take a quick nap when we arrive (an hour or less) in Europe and stay up until 9:30 or 10:00 the first night. We try to get out and walk around as much as possible. I do take an Ambian the first night so we sleep straight through.

I usually take an over the counter sleep aid (but I also take them at home sometimes) - good for about 4 hours of drowsiness for me. Plus sleep mask and ear plugs for sure! And I bring a good neck pillow or other small pillow.

And when you get there, just keep going! :)

Kim

Don't let the excitement of the trip keep you from resting on the flight. I have seen many people who spend the whole flight drinking and chattering, playing video games and watching movies. When they finally slow down, its too late - time to get ready for landing. Take it as a challenge - to get as much rest as possible during the flight.

Sometimes I pick a really boring movie to watch...

One of the things we learned the hard way for us was don't take a nap. Maybe it works for others but not for us. The other thing that is important for me is to dress warmly on the plane. Doesn't matter what season or how long the flight, I get cold on airplanes and can't sleep if I'm cold. We arrive, check in, dump the bags, go get a coffee and pastry and walk, walk, walk. This gives us an opportunity to scope out the neighborhood area that our hotel is in. At this point we have talked to the person who checked us in at the hotel about restaurant recommendations. If we walk by the recommended restaurants we check out the menus and can plan ahead for dinner. After dinner, we walk a lot more. Passigiato (sp)
It's fun to see some of the same places, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, at night after we have seen them in the daylight. Different atmosphere. Just don't expect too much serious sightseeing the first day. Every day thereafter we set an alarm on our cell phones to wake up and not sleep too late.

Have a Great Trip!
Mimi

Wear a cheap watch. Reset it to Rome time just before your airplane leaves. Eat 1-2 hours before the plane leaves. Stand contunuously for 1-2 hours before you sit on the plane. Stay well hydrated but not too well hydrated. Buy a package of foam ear plugs and a big bandana to use as a blind fold. Use the bathroom on the plane as soon as you are allowed to after the plane takes off. Then sit down, put the ear plugs in and tie the bandana so that after it is tied around your head, there is a tail you fold down and tuck against your nose and eyes, under the rest of the bandana, to seal out light around your nose. Wait and see how long it takes you to fall asleep. Keep the blindfold on for the whole airplane ride, except for when you get out of your seat. After you arrive in Rome, make yourself stay awake until at least early evening. See if your 24-hour biological clock is reset by the next morning.

Don't try to use alcohol to fall asleep. It will seriously mess with your biological clock AND dehydrate you to boot. I take a sleep mask with me because you never know who's going to open a window and let in blast of sunlight. Good tip above about dressing warmly. Take along a thin pair of wool socks to put on if needed.

If you're going to try Ambien, be sure to test it on yourself several days or more before leaving to make sure you don't have a weird reaction.

I suspect that in general, all drugs have some unwanted side effect(s) - they are all bad for you, but I can't scientifically or medically prove it. I wouldn't take a sleep-inducing drug. I have tried sleep masks but they don't seal out light around my nose and the bottom of my eyes as well as the bandana folded into a blind-fold. Michael is right about avoiding alcohol. I Flew to London in July 2016; the airplane left at 10:30 Detroit time, landed at about 11:30 London time. I may have gotten 4 hours of sleep on the airplane; I was tired the day the plane landed; I went to sleep before 10pm London time the first day and somehow my 24 biological clock just reset itself by the next day. the jet lag problem is over-stated. If you don't sleep on the plane, just stay active for most of the day you arrive, so that you will be thoroughly tired enough to sleep well your first night, set your alarm before you go to sleep; don't take a nap and then wake up, on the day you arrive. You could try going to sleep up to 12 hours before you want to wake up on your 2nd day.

Such great advice! Thanks, everyone! I definitely won't be taking any pills to sleep but I will have a glass of wine even though it's recommended I don't. That's what I normally do at home before bed. I will be drinking lots of water to stay hydrated so one glass shouldn't cause too many issues, I think but I guess I'll just have to see.

Eve, agree with all the above, especially being well rested before you leave and testing out sleep aids at home when it's safe. I am a light sleeper and use to really stress over not sleeping well on the flight over. I've since realized that I don't always sleep that well at home and still survive!

I would only add not to forget the other side of time zone adjustment- set your alarm clock so you don't sleep half the day away. Noon in London is maybe 6am at home. Would you normally sleep until noon? Probably not, but I did one time bc I forgot to set the alarm (which I never do at home).