City breaks are a chance for sightseeing, tasting new foods and immersing oneself in new cultural experiences. Whether you decide to explore the ancient history of Rome or soak up the modern glitz and glam of Dubai, it’s important that you take time to prepare for your urban escape. This will ensure that you see everything you want to see while keeping within a reasonable budget. Here are just a few tips for planning the ultimate city break.
Avoid visiting during busy periods
Some cities are always busy – and this buzz can be part of the appeal. However, you should still be wary of visiting a city during ultra-busy periods. Unless you’re going specifically to visit a festival or celebrate a national holiday, it’s best to avoid cities when big events are on. During these events, accommodation prices will be higher and there’ll be more crowds and queues.
The cheapest and quietest times to visit a city are usually January, March or November. For a chance of hotter weather, try September or May. Avoid visiting over Xmas or during local school holidays. This post offers more detailed information on the best and worst times to visit cities.
It’s also worth noting that weekday getaways are often much cheaper than weekend getaways.
Spend extra on central accommodation
You can save money by booking a hotel on the outskirts, but it’s often not worth the extra travel into the centre each day to see the sights. Being prepared to spend a little extra on centrally located accommodation will allow you to quickly access all the main attractions.
On a really tight budget? Look beyond hotels. Centrally-located hostels are great for solo travellers, because they can encourage you to meet other people. Families and groups of friends should meanwhile consider looking for apartments on AirBnB – split between everyone, you could spend less than a hotel.
Buy attraction tickets in advance
When it comes to planning attractions to visit, it can often be worth buying tickets in advance. Some attractions like theatre shows and concerts may sell out in advance. For other attractions like castles and museums, you may be able to buy tickets on the door – but it could be cheaper to buy them online beforehand. As for free museums such as those in London, buying tickets in advance can still allow you to skip the queues and is therefore worthwhile.
You can research attractions and find deals on tickets using specialist sites such as this website dedicated to tickets and things to do in Rome. Look out for multi-attraction deals that allow you to see lots of different attractions for a discount. There may also be group discounts worth looking into.
Compare ways to get around
It’s worth planning how you will get around. There are a few different methods to compare that all have their pros and cons.
- Walking: Some cities like Venice and New York are very walkable, while others like Lisbon and Oslo aren’t (due to being very hilly or very spread out).
- Trains/subway: Although some can be difficult to navigate, trains and subways can often be a fast and cheap way to get from A to B. Look out for public transport saver tickets.
- Buses: Aside from walking, buses are often one of the cheapest ways to get around a city. However, they can be a lot slower than trains and you need to make sure you get the right bus!
- Taxis/Tuk-Tuks: If you find train and bus timetables confusing or get claustrophobic in a bus or train, you can always book taxis to take you straight to your destination. Unfortunately, some city taxi services can be quite expensive. Tuk-tuks – as found in cities like Delhi or Bangkok – may be a cheaper option.
- Boats: Some cities like Sydney and Stockholm have ferry systems that can be fast and scenic options. Some of these boats may be as cheap as taking the bus or subway, while others may be pricey – so check in advance.
Research places to eat
You don’t want to be wasting too much time looking for places to eat. Cities often have no shortage of dining options, but some can be quite expensive or may need to be booked in advance. Consider your budget and the types of food you’re likely to want to eat.
Street food can often be the most affordable option. Research into local food markets where you’ll find a range of tasty street food options.
Food courts can be another cheap option that is similar to street food. These are typically indoor places with lots of different mini restaurants and one large communal space to eat.
When it comes to dedicated sit-down restaurants, you should be wary of the touristy areas where menu prices are likely to be very high. Finding the places where the locals eat can often save you money, plus it’s a chance to try true authentic local food.
Pack comfortable seasonal clothing
You will likely do a lot of walking during a city break. Therefore, you’ll want to choose comfortable footwear.
As for how many layers to bring, it depends on where in the world you visit and the season that you decide to go there. It’s worth taking a light rain jacket to most cities even in summer, just in case it rains. When visiting northerly cities in winter, you’ll want to bring thicker layers to keep warm.
When in doubt, research into how the locals dress. In some third-world cities, you don’t want to be dressing too stylishly and expensively, as it could make you a target for thieves and scammers. Meanwhile, some cities may be very religious, and it could be important to dress modestly out of respect (for example, when entering temples in Sri Lanka).
Plan what to do at night
To make the most of your city break, don’t just plan what to do during the day – also consider what you can do at night!
Some cities may have night markets, late opening museums, night tours or observation decks that are open until midnight. If you’re only planning a short trip, you may be able to pack in more sights and attractions by considering things to do after dark.
Venture off the beaten track
Don’t just stick to the touristy areas when exploring a city. While there may be certain sights you want to tick off your list, there could be unique experiences to be had from venturing off the beaten track.
Of course, some cities do have dangerous areas, so you do need to be careful. However, there could be other friendly areas that are quieter and cheaper and visited mainly by the locals. These could provide a break from the hustle and bustle, while offering a taste of what true life in the city is like. Spare some time in your itinerary to explore a less central neighbourhood and consider trying a local bar or cafe.
Make time for relaxation
City breaks can be very fast-paced and physically exhausting. It could therefore be worthwhile scheduling some downtime within your itinerary.
This could include setting aside a morning to lie in or planning a relaxing activity such as a spa day, a picnic at the park or a river cruise. This will allow you to recharge your batteries so that you’re not too tired at the end of your trip. Planning some downtime could be particularly important if you’re visiting a city for more than two days – with shorter trips, you may be able to pack in lots of activities and simply relax when you get back home.
