On the bucket list of most people, visiting a particular capital is likely going to be present. For example, who doesn’t want to visit Tokyo, or Rome, or Paris, or London, or all of these iconic cities that have stood the test of time over the years? Sure, it’s true that not all capitals are fixed (Heian-kyō, modern-day Kyoto once held that claim over Japan), but they still have immense historical relevance and vibrancy.
But of course, capitals are among some of the most over-visited places in the world. Tourists are incredibly dense during the summer, and certain landmarks and hotspots are going to be flush with visitors year-round.
This isn’t necessarily a problem of course. If you wait your turn, you’ll usually get to visit and have fun too. But sometimes, perhaps if visiting with a family or for professional purposes with some recreation at the side, it’s hard to know how to plan to maximize your time and convenience in such an area.
Let’s consider some advice, below:
Look For Local Leased Apartments To Beat Hotel Surge Pricing
Hotels in capital cities often charge ridiculous rates during peak seasons, but locals still need places to live year-round, which means the rental market stays relatively stable. Many apartment owners rent out their places for short stays, especially if they travel for work themselves. These spots usually come with proper kitchens too, which means you can save money cooking some meals at home. Moreover, you’ll likely end up in a real neighborhood rather than a tourist zone, giving you a better sense of daily life in the city. Some offer a nice middle ground, such as luxury apartments in Washington DC that provide comfort with tying you into a strict and inflexible contract.
Speak To Locals On Residential Forums
City residents love complaining about tourists who do annoying things, but they’re usually happy to help visitors who show genuine interest in their home. Local forums and neighborhood groups often have detailed discussions about which restaurants are actually good, which tourist traps to avoid, and which parks and cafes people actually use. Reddit is a good starting point. Some users will even share tips about which metro stations to avoid during rush hour, or where to find the best morning coffee without waiting in a massive line. Just remember that locals might not think about mentioning basic things that tourists need to know, such as which hotels are less impressive or about upcoming road works in certain areas.
Purchase A Guided Package (With Rental Car Optional)
Tour packages sometimes get dismissed as too touristy, but they make sense in capital cities where time matters and you might not be able to book everything yourself on a perfect timeline. Perhaps that’s better for a later trip, but not your first. Good tour companies handle the boring logistics like museum tickets and transport schedules, which lets you focus on enjoying the places you visit.
Some packages include rental cars, which sounds scary in a big city but can be useful for day trips to nearby towns that tourists usually miss. Just check if your hotel or apartment includes parking as most city centers charge extra for it, and some buildings don’t offer it at all. Remember you don’t need a guided trip for the entirety of the stay, even a two-day option might give you an awesome intro to the city and bundle in an amazing helicopter tour or another benefit you would have to pay a huge amount for elsewhere.
With this advice, we hope you can have a much better experience visiting world cities.
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Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
