Advice for traveling to the most populous cities on Earth
Credit: Photo by Julius Silver

Those who travel often will begin to enjoy seeing the smaller places worldwide, that is the little towns and villages which have fewer people, but are no less important to history or culture. Yet of course, it’s also wonderful to have an experience in some of the largest, most populous cities on Earth, seeing world-renowned landmarks and saying you were part of their story.

But booking a travel experience and actually navigating the crowds and filled streets while you’re there are two different experiences entirely. The latter can be quite difficult if you’re not careful.

Never fear, however, because if you’re mindful and attentive, you can pick up on some helpful techniques and tricks to keep you moving in the right direction. In this post, we’ll discuss how to go about that, when, and why your approach may be worthwhile:

Big cities have a general pace of life that can be unique to each one, but it’s not always obvious right away, and trying to jump in without getting your bearings is usually whenyou feel out of step. So knowing where the main stations are, which lines run where, or which side of the platform people get off and on from can save you a lot of trouble before you’ve even really started your day.

Before you start each day, get a general idea of where the main connections are, especially to and from the airport or across town during rush hour, in case you need to meet at a certain place. Remember that the first day is usually the most chaotic but after that things start clicking into place and it feels a bit smoother.

Be wary of scams & tourist targeting

Now, no one’s saying you should walk around clutching your bag like it’s about to disappear, but the reality is that in busy cities where tourists pass through constantly, there are going to be people who take advantage of that. It’s not always dramatic either, it could be  just someone trying to charge you double for a taxi ride that should’ve been five minutes, or a street performer’s “free” bracelet trick that becomes a demand for money right after they tie it to your wrist. If something feels weird or off or overly eager, it usually is, and remember that no matter how polite someone seems, you’re allowed to walk away or ignore them completely, no explanation needed. 

Store your luggage

Dragging a suitcase through a packed train or underground station, or down a street full of people rushing in different directions isn’t something anyone enjoys, and it’s even worse when you’ve nowhere to stash it because your hotel check-in is hours away or your flight’s later in the evening and you’ve already checked out.

That’s where luggage storage in Rome is worth looking into, and it really does make life easier if you can drop your things off somewhere safe and walk around without feeling like you’re carrying your entire trip with you. A lot of places offer it now, even some cafés or little shops, so you’re not stuck sitting on your bag for hours waiting for time to pass. It makes the city feel more accessible and like you can actually enjoy where you are instead of just managing your stuff the whole time. Keep that in mind, especially if you’re just catching the train to visit a local area for part of the day.

Be mindful of the heat

Cities heat up fast, especially in summer, and especially if there are so many people around. It might feel like a normal temp day until you’re wading through hundreds of people on the street, and in newer cities all that concrete and glass seems to trap heat and bounce it around until everything feels hotter than it should. Walking a lot, waiting for transport, squeezing into packed places with no air can be more affecting than you think, especially if you’re not staying hydrated.

So, if you can keep a bottle of water with you, find shade when you need a breather, and don’t feel like you have to power through it all if your body’s clearly asking for a break. Walking into a museum or taking a slow lunch somewhere cool can also let you get your bearings in the summer again, and that’s part of getting through the day without feeling wrecked by evening. You can always get back out there once the sun eases off a bit and the city starts to breathe again.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily travel and cope with the sheer population density of some of the biggest cities on Earth. While also having a great time, of course.

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