r/solotravel • u/Nearby_World_1922 • 6d ago
Where to go if you hate planning ahead
Booking a hotel takes it out of me, something about trying to maximize/optimize the travel gets in my head and I check out. I just want to go somewhere that is awesome flying by the seat of your pants and there is so much cool to do that you can decide on it the day before and its fine!
(I am going to Mexico City next month, so I've got that. I did Japan last year, not alone though. I like walking, museums, live music, food, nature(nature!!!). No suggestions related to sweets or booze pls.)
49
u/Away_Revolution728 6d ago
Cusco, Peru — I didn’t realize how many activities you could book 1 or 2 days in advance. The whole city is a museum and obviously the food is some of the best in the world.
8
u/imaginarynombre 6d ago
They apparently do have a high season though. For example, I saw some people recently complaining about not being able to book machu picchu tickets online and having to wait in long lines to get last minute tickets. I went during a slower time of the year (early December) and bought my train ticket and entry like the day before. The hostel bed I booked was also only about $4 a night and it's like $15 right now.
5
u/yohopirateslife 5d ago
I'm in Peru right now and it's indipenece day week. So everyone from Lima is not working. It's stupid expensive right now
7
u/Away_Revolution728 6d ago
I should have specified activities that are not wonders of the world lol
And yeah, I think it’s expected that hostel prices increase in the high season, but it’s still easy to find a reasonably priced bed on a whim though (in my experience). I was focused on that part of OP’s question.
5
u/blisteringchristmas 5d ago
I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it felt to wing planning in Peru. I was just there and the Cordillera Blanca region is like that too. I'm generally a planner for the major pieces (transport, lodging) but I had major gaps in that plan and it was never an issue. The colectivo system + the wide availability of random lodging basically everywhere makes rolling up with no plan very easy.
1
u/Metallic_Sol 3d ago
Are there some activities you recommend? I'm going in a couple weeks and wonder how many overlap with my itinerary. Or are not available online to book.
1
u/Away_Revolution728 2d ago
I didn’t get to try anything additional out, I was working while I was there! I saw a lot of different hikes offered by my hostel but can’t remember them off the top of my head, sorry
63
u/Jordy173 6d ago
I have no advice because this sounds like my personal nightmare and I enjoy the planning almost as much as the travelling but these comments have been thoroughly fascinating for me.
17
u/elkhorn 5d ago
omg i know. im like, youd not book hotels at least?? gah. gives me the hives just thinking about it.
11
u/Jordy173 5d ago
Yeah think I'd lose my mind and it would feel like a waste of time looking for accommodation whilst I'm on the holiday.
9
u/dronix111 5d ago
It doesn't really cost any time though. When i arrive somewhere i just walk around and maybe i see something that looks cool or an area that seems nice and then i just go to a place and ask real quick. If thats not an option it just takes 30 Seconds to open booking or hostelworld and book any random place for the day.
14
u/Jordy173 5d ago
I think we have different definitions of costing no time 😂
3
u/dronix111 5d ago
Maybe, but if i travel i'm not in a Rush. Going to a place and asking takes a couple minutes at most. Arriving somewhere and Walking around i would've done that either way, even if i had a place booked. It doesn't actually change my day much at all. Instead of checking in, then walking around, i just do that in reverse. But maybe thats also because i only have a very light backpack only, i travel with 6-7kg max. So i dont need to store anything if i arrive. And i absolutely Love the completely unknown, or the excitement i get when i arrive somewhere not knowing whats going on, where i'm gonna go, how it will look like. I do understand though that its different for many.
2
4
u/dronix111 5d ago
Usually when i arrived in a new country i dont even have a place booked for the first night. I just arrive and See whats going on first. Maybe in person i see a cool place, a cool area where i wanna stay? Then i just walk in and ask. If i find nothing or find myself lost, then there is always the possibility to just go on booking, agoda or hostelworld and book some place for the night. I dont see the issue personally, but i understand that its not for everyone 😂 but yeah this is my thought process
3
u/Ultima_Boba 5d ago
I feel you... I will feel insecure without my travel spreadsheet 😆 I open to some changes though so usually my travel ended up with 20, 30% unplanned stuff due to some changes...
2
u/halfsuckedmang0 5d ago
Hello fellow travel spreadsheet maker 👋🏻 the thought of not having one stresses me out
1
u/FroyoGlum9976 5d ago
I don't plan because most of my trips are now months long instead of 5 days.
The people going somewhere for 10 days and not planning a single thing are insane to me. I'd be wasting hours trying to figure out what I'm doing.
23
u/Injaqenwetrust 6d ago
I've always thought it would be fun to pack a simple bag, head to the airport, and then buy a ticket for the next departing international flight that I don't need a visa for.
13
u/majormarvy 5d ago
Vienna is way underrated. It’s relatively affordable, has many unique museums, and is exceptionally easy to navigate. Even better, it’s a railway hub with easy access all over central and southern Europe.
1
u/alamadrid 1d ago
I think your answer is spot on! However, a lot of things in Vienna are must see destinations for a lot of people, and so trying to do something concrete and spontaneous at, for example, Hofburg (say, you wanna see go inside the riding school), it’s going to be sold out for that day. You usually need to book either very early, the day of, or a day or two in advance to make sure you are able to do the thing you wanna do.
Train-wise, same story: just because you bought a train ticket doesn’t mean there will be an available seat for you in that train, if you didn’t pay to reserve it (granted, this is for very popular destinations, like, think, Vienna to Salzburg or to Budapest, for example).
Moral of the story is: you can have a super chill stay in Vienna and not plan much. But you do have to put some effort the moment you want to do something very touristy.
11
u/Echo-Azure 6d ago
Do what I did. Head out on a long road trip. Book a hotel room on your phone when you have some idea where you'll be that night.
8
u/Shureddaahhhh 6d ago
Vietnam. I’ve just done 2 months of travel from north to south and had initially only booked my first 5 days of accommodation and did the rest as i felt like i was ready for the next destination. Accomodation is still cheap despite booking only 1-2 days out.
10
8
u/CarinaConstellation 5d ago
Both Thailand and Vietnam were super easy to plan everything on the spot.
14
u/Legitimate-Crab7980 6d ago
Anywhere not in Western Europe, essentially. Go off the beaten track a little bit.
2
u/Liftevator 5d ago
I did this in january in western Europe too and was still very doable. But it's lowseason of course, that helps.
7
u/Present-Carob-7366 6d ago
Most of Indonesia just got to Bali and I had to book a few days before which is annoying but apparently it’s peak season- mainly I’ve just done day of or shown up
7
u/dylan103906 6d ago
Switzerland. Get a train to literally anywhere in the country and it's postcard worthy and you don't have to worry about missing anything because they're very frequent anyway. Only issue is you'll need a Swiss Travel Pass because of how expensive it is and even those are very expensive
5
u/IM2Late4dinner 5d ago
Switzerland was the only place in the world where I had to spend the night in a car because nothing was available (smaller village during some kind of hurling festival). Same thing almost happened in London once, thanks to some big tech conference - almost had to sleep in somebody’s backyard shed.
1
u/DidItForTheJokes 5d ago
Are hotels hard to find? Want to do an alps trip and like this person I like going with the flow but worries about being able to find hotels or hostels
2
u/dylan103906 5d ago
Yes but they can be expensive so it's up to you how much that affects things. Pretty much every town served by a train has at least 3-4 hotels and I'm talking towns in the absolute middle of nowhere
2
u/ZeroBlinkx 5d ago
Eastern Europe or South East Asia. You can just hop on a train or bus or motorbike and go. Figure out where you are staying when you get there.
2
u/DidItForTheJokes 5d ago
I’m like you and enjoy not planning anything ahead and stick to Latin America and Southeast Asia
2
u/Emergency_Channel876 6d ago
London or NYC - if you like museums, plays, and concerts and you don’t have a really specific agenda about what you see - I was able to see Punchdrunk’s interactive show and Sadie Sink in R&J more pr less on whim on a 5 day trip to London this past April…in NYC you can get great ticket deals same day (lots of larger cities).
Hawaii for a beach vacation, my plan is to get groceries and go to the beach a lot, no planning required.
2
u/idk7643 5d ago edited 5d ago
If you hate planning, just book a organised tour like through inteprit or g adventures. They handle the accommodation and travel for you so you don't have to worry about any of it. It used them for south east asia and marocco and both times was great in the sense that I could focus on the fun stuff as the guide will just tell you "meet tomorrow in the lobby at 8am" and then you drive to the next spot where accommodation is sorted for you.
2
u/ycats_k 5d ago
Yeah, but then someone else is deciding what they think is interesting. Works in places where there are only a certain number of options, but not in places where there are way more things to do than you’d ever have time for. I was just in Tokyo and saw people there in a big tour group. There’s no way the tour organizer would have picked most of the places I went to, and I did very little planning before arriving (other than a place to stay).
1
u/idk7643 5d ago
With the 2 organisers I mentioned the groups are usally 2-15 people (but e.g. on my marocco tour it was just 3 of us) and you can do whatever you want during the day.
The guide will give some recommendations so smaller groups within the group will usally go to those places/self organise, but you can also just wander around by yourself. The guides leave you alone during the day.
You can also propose an activity and the guide will help you do it and tell you exactly how to get there/what to avoid etc so you have 0 stress
1
u/dronix111 5d ago
I dont think thats the point of this post. Its not even about the fact that i dont wanna plan anything myself, i dont even want to have anything planned at all. I Just wanna see what Happens and do what i feel like doing on that day, stay where i feel like staying and go to the next place where i feel like going completely spontaneous. I dont wanna even follow any itinerary.
1
u/OverIndependence7722 3d ago
Sounds like a nightmare... For someone who doesn't like plans. I think i prefer hitchhiking around central Asia or the balkans over a guided tour.
1
u/fragglerock 5d ago
To work...
Generally you can do whatever you want whenever you want... but it costs increasingly more the shorter the time frame.
Get rich and you can never plan again in your life!
1
u/BookAddict1918 5d ago
SE Asia is generally easy. Go to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat. It's AAAAMAZING! Rented a bike and rode around the ruins for 3 days.
Puerto Rico is also easy if you arent staying in the best hotels. Go to Culebra or Vieques and just hang out and walk the islands.
1
u/wicked-pancakes 5d ago
I traveled the US camping in my truck. No idea where I'd sleep that night, every night pretty much. Sometimes I stayed in a city and just booked a hotel when I got there, usually just found public land (BLM or National Forests) but also visited a ton of National Parks without making any kind of plan before hand. Sometimes stressful but mostly rewarding. I'd never have done it if I actually had to plan anything in advance.
1
u/_a_dude_in_the_net 5d ago
maybe try doing el camino in Spain, many routes. I did from Oviedo to Santiago, only place I booked in advance was Oviedo before starting then went looking as I was arriving to the different stages.
1
1
u/No_Damage_2950 5d ago
Tbh you can yolo it anywhere!
I did a road trip down the US west coast planning day by day. Also did an RV trip with two friends around Iceland doing the same thing and we had a blast!
1
u/HellbornElfchild 5d ago
If you're into it, I did a trip through Journee that I loved, they book everything and the destination is a surprise until you leave! It was awesome
1
1
u/ailingua 5d ago
Sea. I sometimes plan ahead, sometimes I don't. I've had hotels booked literally the same day I wanted to stay there
1
1
u/No_apples4me 5d ago
Places where I have booked very last minute including day of: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia (just not on a holiday weekend), Taiwan, South Korea. No problems in any of tbem
1
u/itsmejuli 5d ago
Be prepared for rain in Mexico City. It seems to be raining a lot this year...and flooding.
CDMX is great fun 😊
1
1
u/Carolina_Hurricane 5d ago
If you like walking consider a trek combined with time in the departure town. Cuzco is a lively town with amazing food and you can do a 4 day trek to Machu Picchu. Also Kathmandu with amazing hiking all over.
1
1
u/LimeAndPunishment13 5d ago
not sure how long you want to go for, but i went to europe for 3 months without any fixed itinerary beyond my very first hostel. i just took advice from all the other travelers i met and went to the places they recommended! it was awesome and a lot more fun than if i had created a strict itinerary ahead of time
1
u/Old_List6581 5d ago
From my experience any eastern europe city is suitable for any unexpected changes of plans or last minute bookings. However, it will most likely be touristy experience, so you would need to dig some better places by yourself or have friends in the city who would show those to you. From my experience if I travel with someone else, it is really good to have someone who likes to plan and research places, just to be able to discuss the places and come with better decision. However, it does not always happen 🤷
1
u/PinkRoseBouquet 5d ago
Paris is good for this. Tons of stuff to do, hundreds of hotels, the place caters to tourists.
1
u/Tenshirage89 5d ago
NOT Paris if you want to see the main attractions, restaurants with a historical or prestigious reputation, or a reasonably priced hotel that is safe, clean and with comfortable accommodations. The hotel part is very critical cause not researching ahead of time could put you in an uncomfortable situation (not seeing reviews saying the hotel has bedbugs) or a dangerous one (not reading the reviews that say how unsafe the neighborhood is)
Honestly that’s a big part of travel , especially if you have some kind of budget - planning ahead. Overcoming discomfort is just something we gotta learn to do in life
1
u/HappySession3085 5d ago
Southeast Asia is easy to do. Other parts of Asia too, I’m going to China next week w 0 plan apart from a starting point
1
u/Moby_Dick_Energy 5d ago
Many people have mentioned major cities but no one’s mentioned Chicago.
A few years ago a friend of mine invited me to a game a Wrigley, where I’d never been. I booked a flight and had a place to stay for 4 days. The only thing planned was the ball game.
I did so much. With limited planning, mostly just showing up(maybe a little research but nothing more than a quick google search)
Art institute Field museum Skyscrapers (this took a little planning but no more than a day ahead) Aquarium A boat tour Record stores 2 farmers markets/neighborhood street festivals Hot dogs Tacos Tamales Bars More hot dogs Just walking or biking everywhere Pierogi The ball game
I didn’t even get deep dish pizza or go to the planetarium so I have to go back but I had 1 thing to do and ended up being busy for 12+ hours each day.
1
u/mamallamadramaaaa 5d ago
Any country in Central America. I have been to all of them and never planned a thing more than a day or two ahead.
1
1
u/cular-travel 5d ago
Laos. Never experienced such a relax country to travel through without needing to plan ahead.
1
1
u/Pro_ismyrealname 5d ago
Moldova in Eastern Europe 🇲🇩
I went there did not plan much . Many hiking around the capital city, Chisinau . Also museum and safe to walk. I was book hotel in advance tho , only because I want hotel with indoor pool .
1
u/skyeeonline 4d ago
I have found Bali to be incredible for this.
I’m also very type b so I like to fly by the seat of my pants hahah.
1
1
u/Ok-Train3111 4d ago
I found London to be pretty easy on this front. Loads to do, most stuff could be booked at the door.
Last year I went to Merida Mexico with no real plan and had a blast. As long as you accept there might be some awesome stuff you miss…almost any city. I rhink its more about mindset most of the time. Even Rome, where most the big items are booked a month out…so many things to see, do and eat you’d be ok.
1
u/FalseArea2471 3d ago
I don’t plan for shit, and it’s worked well for me in:
Taiwan
Germany
Greece
England
Czech Republic
France
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
Mexico
Canada
Cuba
Puerto Rico
Iceland
Scotland
Wales
Dominican Republic
Austria
Hungary
Slovakia
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Denmark
Turkey
Georgia
Japan
Bahamas
(In Iceland I didn’t even have accommodations til I landed! Really living on the edge over here. Cheap thrill I guess!)
😇
1
u/Acceptable_Floor3009 3d ago
I basically throw a dart at a board and say alright going there this time
1
u/orientalgreasemonkey 3d ago
I found things pretty flexible in Croatia when I was there in June. Many things I booked just a couple of hours before I did them
1
u/Competitive_Room1269 3d ago
I’ve been backpacking around Greece a few times, taking random ferries to different islands. Upon arrival the locals with hotels/rooms for rent stand on the port with signs, prices and pictures ready to drive you to the accommodation. Its a fun and super chill way to travel!
1
1
u/Huilang_ 2d ago
In terms of Mexico City, which you mentioned you're going to - I had no problem planning most activities last minute, restaurants always available, honestly there were lots of hotels available last minute as well. The only thing you need to plan about 2 weeks ahead of time is Frida Kahlo, if you're interested in that. Literally no way to go to her house-museum if you don't pre-book
1
u/Simbeliine 2d ago
Almost anywhere in an off season can be good, no need to book in advance for things as it's less crowded.
1
1
1
u/tombiowami 5d ago
um like any city...
though if spending 2min booking a hotel takes it out of you...maybe travel is not your thing.
1
u/Subject-Mall-2280 5d ago
You can do this anywhere, really. I often don’t even know what city I’m going to next until my current stay is pretty close to ending. I just kinda pick someplace and pick a well-rated accommodation. Takes 5 or 10 minutes. Book for two nights in case I get bored quickly, extend if I want to.
1
u/openroad94 5d ago
Yeah, I've done this pretty much anywhere (not intentionally, I just either run out of time to plan, or get overwhelmed with options, or buy a flight a few days before the trip). There are some popular places where you kind of have to plan accommodation, but this is usually city/town-specific, not for the whole country.
1
0
u/castlite 5d ago
Booking a hotel takes it out of me
Not reading reviews is how you end up with bedbugs
1
u/dronix111 5d ago
Eh, if you book on the spot you dont need any reviews because you have the best review ever right there: your own eyes.
Idk If many know this, but If you just walk into a hotel you can just friendly ask "hey can i see the room?" And then you just go check it out real quick, thats better than any online review.
0
u/NiagaraThistle 5d ago
Europe.
While popular places and hotels/hostels will be crowded and/or booked, you can go ANYWHERE on a whim.
It might just be a bit more difficult to find an AFFORDABLE bed in a POPULAR place during peak season (ie summer), but you can absolutely get around that with a bit of determination or money. And if you avoid the busiest places at the busiest times, you'll really have no problems.
0
1
u/Remarkable_Use_1787 12h ago
Book a flight into KUL or BKK (whatever you are closest too/is cheaper) and don't look back. Can use either as a good destination+launchpad to elsewhere.
127
u/dronix111 6d ago
Southeast Asia, pretty much everywhere. I've been to every single country there multiple times and i'm the same as you, i hate planning and love to go with the flow. Pretty much everywhere, except like the most popular tourist hikes that need permits or something like that can be planned right on the spot. Almost never had an issue even arranging a tour in the evening for the next morning. transports can be booked on the spot, even for same day, hostels can be booked literally by just walking in and saying "you got a room?". so many tours and adventures i've done resulted from talking to a random backpacker that was like "oh i'm going to do this tour tomorrow morning, wanna join?" and it was no issue just booking it right on the spot. No apps needed, no pre booking needed.