Visiting a big city can be a dream. These are the kind of places where culture is always just around the corner, and you can try out loads of new things thanks to the numerous facilities that are in place. Head to a disco dance night, see a big theater production, meet plenty of other people (and fellow travelers) – there’s a lot you can connect with while you’re on the big city streets.
But big city travel can also be a nightmare! No matter where you’re going, there’s every chance you’re going to get lost in the concrete jungle around you, and the air might not be all that fresh either. You can walk for miles and simply get lost, and trying to hail down a taxi can be next to impossible. All in all, when you finally get back to your hotel, your feet are blistered over and you’re exhausted!
And that latter situation just isn’t healthy at all. As such, we’ve put together a little list of the best ways to keep big city travel feeling good. Check out the guide below.
Table of Contents
Take a Day Trip to a Green Space
If there are great transport links within the city, there will be great transport links out of it as well. Because of that, why not leave yourself some time to take some day trips while you’re in town?
This way you can get out of the smog and away from the industrial nature that many big cities evoke. Instead, you can enjoy a greener space where plenty of wildlife and actual grass exists. London, New York, Tokyo, Paris – there are plenty of greener pastures to be found around the city walls. Of course, you should be able to find great parks within them too, but sometimes you really do need to let go of the city air and escape for a bit.
Don’t Weigh Yourself Down
Say you’re visiting London to experience its unique culture, thousands of years of history, and the amazing nightlife on offer. Once you touch down somewhere like Gatwick or Heathrow, trying to get into the middle of London while dragging around a massive suitcase will really slow you down! Tubes can be packed at the best of times, and having a big bag on your bag or by your side won’t help that sardine feeling.
As such, as soon as you get into one of the major train stations, find the nearest storage locker. Euston is a pretty popular thoroughfare, and thankfully the left luggage euston center is very easy to access. Drop your stuff there and come back for it later, especially if your hotel has a later check-in time, or you simply want to get as much done before you head to your accommodation.
Try Not to Walk Everywhere
This will kill your feet before the end of day two, and we’re really not joking there. Even those who love to walk and spend their free time hiking can have trouble making their way around a big city.
After all, even when it’s quite flat, there’s a lot of turning to do, a lot of maneuvering in between crowds to manage, and the feeling of the street beneath your feet can cause aching and bruising a lot faster.
Get on the bus, use the underground or subway system, and even hire a bike or a scooter to get you around.
Get Plenty of Sleep
City travel takes a lot of energy. If that means you get up at 8am, instead of 7am, and go down to breakfast a bit later than you’re used to, that’s perfectly fine! You get an extra half hour of sleep, at least, and that’ll fuel you for the day ahead. And really, you won’t miss out on anything either.
Big City Travel: Good For You?
It can be! But only if you approach it in the right way. Firstly, try not to walk everywhere. Make good use of public transport links and don’t be afraid to end up in a spot you don’t recognize. Secondly, travel as light as you can!
You should also rest as much as possible and get out of the city. Green spaces usually surround the metropolises we find ourselves in, and spending a few hours in them can recharge our energies and fill our lungs properly.
If you can manage all of that, you’re going to have an excellent time while you’re traipsing around the city streets!
