Mistakes to Avoid When Sightseeing in a Big City

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There are hundreds of cities across the world that welcome millions of visitors each and every year. And while what each city has to offer will differ, what won’t is how to approach your trip so you can get around and see what you need to. Because the last thing you want is a poor decision to ruin your trip.

Let’s take a look at some mistakes that should be avoided on your next city trip.

Skipping Timed Entry Tickets

A lot of major attractions moved to timed entry systems in recent years, and showing up without a booking is a sure way to lose half a day standing in line that didn’t need to be a part of your day.

Whether you’re heading to museums, observation decks or landmark buildings, always check online to see what entry times are available and book ahead of time. Major attractions will often sell out of tickets online early, meaning you might find you’re out of luck if you leave it till you arrive on the day.

Booking online means you need to pick the hour at which you’ll arrive, but this means you can plan the rest of your day better if you’re not overbooking yourself.

Booking a Hotel Too Far From the Action

Saving some money on a hotel that’s further afield can feel like a budget-conscious decision. But in all honesty, as far as city trips go, it can also be one of the worst mistakes you make. The further from the action you are, the more travel you have in your day and the less you’ll be able to do. Plus transport costs will likely eat into any savings you make anyway.

Staying somewhere central to the places you plan to visit can be a much better option as it cuts them off from your day and gives you a base to go back to. For example, a hotel near Rockefeller Center cuts down on having to navigate busy New York traffic if you’re spending a lot of time visiting this area.

Ignoring Public Transport Passes

Taxis and ride shares might feel convenient at the moment, but the cost of these will add up fast even over a few days. Plus, if you’re in a city with heavy traffic, it will simply prolong your journeys.

A multi-day transit pass usually pays for itself within a few days for anyone moving around, and honestly it’s probably going to be faster and easier to use in most cases as the subway or a streetcar isn’t stuck in the same gridlock as everything else on the road.

Trying to See Everything in One Day

Nothing will ruin your trip like realising you cannot enjoy visiting anywhere as you’re rushing from one place to the next, and this happens when people book too much into a short space of time. You need to account for travel time, especially around busy seasons or rush hour, as well as security lines and the fact that traversing across a city in one day is tiring. 

Pick a couple of priorities per day and must-sees for the entire trip, then build around them; make sure you leave enough time to really enjoy them, not be clock-watching so you’re not late for the next one.