Six ways to know where you are – travel tips for the geographically challenged!

Not everyone has the knack of finding their way around a new city (or even a small town, for that matter!). And even if you’re lucky enough to be travelling with a companion who has a better sense of direction than you, it’s no fun if you can’t go out alone when you feel like it, even for a short walk. If you’re one of the world’s many geographically challenged travellers and still want to enjoy your surroundings without getting lost, arm yourself with our six basic tips. They’ll ensure you always know where you’re going (and if you don’t, you’ll still be able to get back ‘home’ without a panic).

Loving MAPS.ME!

MAPS.ME isn’t the only direction-finder app on the market but it comes out top in so many ways. While most apps require you to be online to tap into them, MAPS.ME works just as well offline so if you don’t have data on your mobile phone or just happen to run out when you most need it, this app will keep on keeping on. As well as locating places of interest in any given locality, MAPS.ME allows you to plot your course and then follow a line which tracks your every step, as you move, to exactly where you want to go.

Think you can find your way without help, and then end up confused? No problem! Just turn MAPS.ME on when you need it, and allow it to pinpoint exactly where you are and how to return home, street by street. So reassuring (just remember to charge your phone before you leave home!).

Early morning start

If navigating on foot isn’t your strong point, the best way to inch yourself into a new setting is to head out from your accommodation early in the morning before the hustle and bustle leaves you more confused than ever. Early morning is when streets are clear and uncrowded, signposts are easy to spot, and the locals have more time to answer your questions. You’ll also be fresher and more aware of your surroundings. Before turning into a new street, always remember to look back the way you’ve come. The view will be different to the one you experienced as you head along the street, but you’ll want to remember the backward view for your return journey.

Check out your locals

If you’re staying more than a night or two in one location, don’t rush the sightseeing. By checking out the coffee at the local café, buying a few bits and pieces at the corner convenience store, and taking a stroll in the nearby park (all more than once), you’ll be making mental signposts for yourself so that next time you venture out, you’ll be more familiar with the lie of the land. Making local connections also builds confidence and helps you feel comfortable with asking directions.

Free local guides

Believe it or not, the world is full of helpers who enjoy showing you around their city (free) as much as you enjoy being guided. Check out the Global Greeter site to find a greeter who knows all about the very sites you want to see. While a fee is not expected, the organisation itself may welcome a small donation or you may choose to shout your guide to coffee and cake en route by way of thanks.

Self-guided tours

Even if you’ve never been able to follow a map, a self-guided tour (available from many tourist information sites) is in a different category, especially for those who think visually rather than spatially. Tours are usually presented as a brochure more than a street map with 3-D sights clearly shown. You’re often as likely to spot the next site by looking up and around, as you are by watching out for the next turn in the road.

Quick recovery

If you’re worried about losing your way in a new destination and don’t feel confident following a map (whether it’s hard copy or app) that’s still no reason not to head out on the streets – as long as you carry some cash or a credit card and the address and phone number of your accommodation. Before you leave ‘home’, grab a business card from the reception desk (and make sure it’s in the local language). If you find yourself hopelessly lost, wave down a cab and show the driver the card.

Don’t let being geographically challenged stop you enjoying your next adventure!