Minecraft wiki entry for Time-saving_tips, associated text: Whenever you are active above ground (especially when away from your base mapping or otherwise covering long distances), it's worth carrying a bed with you. When it starts getting dark, place the bed and sleep. Skipping the night-time provides a significant speed-up, and is safer. It also resets your spawn (unless you play on hardcore). Mobs spawned at night are likely to disturb and interrupt you (including killing you!), and you might overlook something important in the dark. You may be worried about mobs attacking if you place the bed outside of a shelter, but if you go to bed early enough, the light level will be such that they won't spawn at all, giving you a creeper-free day! You will also not be attacked by any phantoms as you are well-rested.