How many times did you find yourself in the middle of a city, wondering how to get to your hotel? Sure, you could have called a taxi, but you didn’t know your exact location. Perhaps you had no clue how to spell it right.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to get lost in a foreign city. It happens to everyone, especially when traveling to a big city.
Many streets in Germany, for instance, have weird names like Rimstingerstr, Dornroschenstrasse, Schneewittchenstrasse, or Grimmelshausenstrasse. Unless you speak the language, you might not even be able to spell these words, so calling a taxi is out of the question.
When planning your next trip, come up with a plan. From using Google Maps to asking for directions, there are a couple of things you can to do avoid getting lost. Try these strategies to find your way around the city:
Plan Ahead
Make a list of things to do and see in the city you’re planning to visit. Next, research their exact location on forums and online maps.
Try to find out how to get from your hotel to each destination. Get a rough estimate of the distance from one attraction to another. Check the buses, taxi stations, and other means of transportation in the area.
If you’re not sure how to plan your itinerary, ask on forums and online groups. Facebook, for instance, features hundreds of groups and pages where travelers can connect, ask questions, and share experiences.
Leverage Technology
Nowadays, we have access to GPS, online maps, travel apps, and other handy tools that make travel a lot easier. It’s no longer necessary to memorize street names or ask for directions wherever you go.
Learn how to use Maps.me, Google Maps, Waze, and other navigation apps. Try them in the city where you live to make sure you understand how they work. Once your trip ends, you’ll be able to display your journeys on the coolest Push Pin Travel Maps.
Recognize the Landmarks
Every city has a few major landmarks. In general, these are close to hotels, stores, or public transportation.
Write down memorable street names, monuments, famous buildings, and other popular attractions.
In case you get lost, ask someone how to get to one of these locations. From there, it should be easy to find your way to the hotel or wherever you want to go next.
Grab a Coffee
Find a local pub or bar, sit down, and order a coffee. Ask the waiter for directions or check on your phone.
Take a deep breath and try not to panic. If you can’t figure out your exact location, ask the staff to call you a taxi.
Ask for Directions
If everything else fails, ask for directions. Depending on where you’re traveling, learn a few words in the local language. Make a list of travel-related questions, such as How to get to (location), What street is this, How far is (destination name), and more.
Also, make sure you know a few common words in the country’s language so you can understand the navigation signs, such as Head this way.
Getting Lost While Traveling Isn’t That Scary
Don’t let the fear of getting lost keep you from seeing the world! Even the most avid travelers have been in this situation. After all, you can’t really know a place unless you actually live there.
The more you travel, the easier it gets to find directions. As long as you stay calm and plan things ahead, you have nothing to worry about.
Looking for other travel hacks? Check out our blog! From travel destinations to useful tips and tricks, we got you covered!
