Traveling on your own for the first time can be scary. There’s no itinerary to stick to, no parents to help you out, and in some cases, no cell service. Though I may not have traveled the world, I consider myself extremely good at navigating foreign cities.
My friends have even jokingly called me “MVP,” for my skills in planning and getting around. I’m also a budget traveler. This means that I didn’t shell out the extra cash for a foreign SIM card or foreign phone, so once I leave the building, I’m completely off-grid. I can’t look up directions, call a friend for help, or use Google to answer all of my questions.
In today’s digital age, it’s safe to say that we’re pretty reliant on our technology, especially our smartphones. However, smartphones have only been around for a decade or so, and people have always traveled. So clearly, it’s possible to get along without it. Here are a few tips on how to navigate without the use of technology.
1. Do your research.
If you want to see Big Ben and the Tower of London in the same day, you should probably realize that they’re across town from each other. Do your research ahead of time as far as what attractions you want to see and where they’re located. Then, you can plan out your activities according to which ones are near each other and make the most of your time rather than crisscrossing town over and over again to see the sights. Also, by doing your research ahead of time, you can take advantage of special deals and promotions to save a little cash!
2. Ask for directions. Now ask for directions again.
Even if you think you’ve got your route all planned out, if you’re ever unsure about where to go, don’t be afraid to ask for directions. In fact, you should probably ask for directions from multiple people. I’ve found that often people will give you directions that aren’t exactly correct, so you’re usually safest double checking with multiple people. Additionally, if people are giving you vague directions such as “Oh it’s just across the road,” you should definitely ask them to give you more specifics, because the place you’re looking for is probably across the road, up the street and around the corner.
3. Get a map.
Trust me, you’ll want a physical map of the city in order to get around. Who cares if you look like a tourist? At least you won’t be lost! If you do get lost or get off-path, you can use the map to re-orient yourself. Plus, in many cities, it may be hard to find street signs, so if you get a map that highlights local attractions, it will be even easier to find your way around.
4. Know where you can find WiFi.
I know this sounds a bit conflicted with the purpose of this list, but if you ever do have an emergency and need to get in contact with someone, it’s good to know where you can find WiFi. Often museums, cafes, train stations, public spaces and government buildings will offer free wifi. When in doubt, it’s good to check anyway; you might be pleasantly surprised.
5. Don’t be afraid to look stupid.
You might have to stand in the dairy aisle for an hour, holding three different containers and asking people which one is cream cheese in order to figure out the necessary information. But you’re better off asking a dozen people if they can help you rather than accidentally buying sour cream, yogurt, or some weird product. This is true for all aspects of traveling abroad.
Whether you’re buying food, trying to use the transportation system, or just trying to find a bathroom, it’s okay to look like an outsider. You are an outsider. You can’t always expect to fit right in, especially during your first few weeks. Besides, if you ask enough times, eventually you’ll know how to do everything yourself and then you can blend in more easily.
6. Use body gestures.
If you don’t speak the same language as the locals, the importance of nonverbal communication cannot be stressed enough. You can convey a surprisingly large amount of information using hand, face and body gestures. Think of it as a giant game of charades, and the more convincingly you sell your gestures, the better help you’ll receive.
7. Use your eyes.
This sounds stupid, but a lot of times being not observant can cause a lot of problems. For example, if you’re not looking carefully, you might not realize you’re standing at the wrong bus station, or you might miss the clearly labelled signs for your destinations. This can all be solved if you look around carefully as you walk and pay attention to road signs.
8. Go on tours.
I actually highly recommend going on any free tours that the city or area offers. Walking around with a local, you can learn where all the best spots are and what the easiest forms of transportation to use are. I found that by taking tours, I learned a lot more about the local culture and by asking the tour guide what else to see, I was able to go “off the beaten path” and use a local’s recommendation. In fact, whenever you can, try to get recommendations from the locals.
9. Learn some important phrases.
Even if you’re not good at learning languages, it’s great if you can learn a few key phrases to use when you need help. Usually, phrases like, “Where is this?” or “How much does that cost?” are extremely helpful. For everything else, if you’re staying for an extended time, invest in a good translation dictionary, or even a mobile phone app that works offline.
10. Print and acquire mobile versions of your ticket ahead of time.
When in doubt, always have more than one copy of your tickets for the bus, plane, or attraction. Always load your ticket before you leave a WiFi area, and always screenshot any mobile version of your tickets as well. It’s nice to have a printed version of your tickets as well if you have access to a printer. The last thing you want is to be standing in line for the plane only to find out that your ticket won’t load, or that to print a ticket at the airport, it’ll cost you twenty bucks.
11. Screenshot everything, or write it down.
Even if you think you have a super memory, play it safe rather than sorry and make sure you screenshot the opening hours for businesses, the exact address of sites, and other useful information. It’s even better if you can screenshot or write down the name of the places in both English and in the local language. This will make it easier to ask for directions if you need them.
12. Have confidence!
You really are capable of doing this, with or without your smartphone. If you mess up, don’t sweat it, and if you’re nervous, try having a little more confidence in your own abilities. After all, you are smarter than your smartphone.
