Heading to one of the biggest cities in the world can be fantastic. Paris, London, Tokyo, Rome, New York, Los Angeles, all of these are wonderful and deserve our attention. Of course, in some cases it’s also worth doing our best to support the local economy even in big cities, such as donating to the Los Angeles firefighting fund that intends to help people recover from some of the damage done by recent wildfires.
It doesn’t really matter if you’re heading to a city for a long-term stay, or just traveling in from elsewhere for a day experience. Either way, doing what you can to see the highlights and to have your own comforting experience of such a busy and active place takes skill.
Don’t worry though, because in this post we intend to help you perfect your day trip and potentially avoid some of the frustrations that come in areas where so many people live and work. With that in mind, please consider:
Luggage Storage If Arriving Early
Most city train stations open quite early, but shops and attractions might not welcome visitors until 10 AM or later. Hotel check-ins might not be until 3 pm as well, and sometimes if you have to travel there, it’s not worth having them hold onto your bags. Dragging a suitcase around for hours isn’t fun for anyone either, and can put a dampener on your experience. Train stations usually have lockers, but they fill up fast in the morning too, and that can be frustrating. That’s why it’s best to use luggage storage Los Angeles services that you can pre-book and rely on when the time comes because then you can explore at your own pace and have fun before your hotel check-in.
A Daily Transport Pass
City transport can easily (all too easily) eat through your money if you’re not careful. That’s why most locals use daily or weekly passes because paying for single trips adds up quickly, and some cities even have combined cards that allow you to use the bus and train together if you pay for it.
This way you won’t have to fumble for change or figure out ticket machines every time you want to hop on a bus, which can be its own source of stress, especially if it’s in a currency you don’t usually feel familiar with. Just remember to keep it somewhere safe and easily accessible and ask a clerk if you’re at all unsure!
A Guided Experience
A day isn’t a long time for the most part, and so if you really want to see the city in all its glory, using a guided tour can be great and perhaps even give you access you wouldn’t get otherwise. You could wander around alone with your phone, but having someone show you around brings places to life and also helps you avoid just following some guide a person has curated online. They’ll often point out good places to come back to later, and you might even make a friend who can recommend other spots worth checking out too. Some guides even used to work in the buildings they show you around, which can be fun. Perhaps, if you’re lucky, such guided tours can even culminate in a special trip, like a boat or bus ride, or perhaps even transport on a helicopter (though of course this option will be more expensive).
Local Favorite Foodie Spots (Avoid Overhyped, Overpriced Businesses)
One thing to remember is that cities absolutely know they’re tourist traps. This means some restaurants or street food vendors near major attractions can serve mediocre food at silly prices. Not all, but some, and so beware of that.
As ever, the best meals usually come from places where locals actually eat. Look for small restaurants full of people chatting in the local language if you can, or markets where office workers grab their lunch. Street food can be amazing if it’s in the right place and has an online presence like an Instagram as well as a big queue, just make sure to pick stalls where you can see the food being prepared fresh. Also, just because you’re in a city, don’t think that you have to pay for the most expensive or refined option, as sometimes the best meals come from that tiny place down a side street with plastic chairs and a handwritten menu.
With this advice, we hope you can enjoy that perfect day trip, planning ahead and using a few smart measures to keep you going.
READ MORE CITY TRAVEL GUIDES FROM WANDERLUSTERS
