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Why not. Just go for it long as you got enough cash with you you’ll be fine. Can always get hostel or an airBnB easy enough. I wouldn’t do it myself but that’s cause I like to save every penny when travelling. So I spend hours looking for best prices of planes, accommodation, public transportation etc. But if I had say 2 grand spare I’d see myself just jumping on plane to somewhere with no plans sure. Within reason obviously. If it’s the EU or most developed countries I wouldn’t think twice about doing it.
I love traveling this way. When I plan a trip somewhere, I only set the bookends. Airfare is set up so I know what city I arrive and what city I depart. I’ll book a car in advance as well. Usually I’ll book a hotel for a the first and the last night. If the last night has a no cancellation policy, I’ll pick someplace cheap, worst case, I eat the cost. Everything else in between is an adventure.
Has anyone traveled to a new city/country without previously making arrangements for accommodation?
How did that work out for you?
Yes, in the past but never for the first night. I always have a place lined up for when I arrive. I don't like being under pressure to find a place when you are tired from traveling and trying to get your bearings.
The trouble with going without reservations is that you spend a lot of time wandering around trying to find a vacancy, and you are hauling all your belongings all over the city with you. If it is a place where hotels are widely scattered you either walk a lot or take taxis. Cities with crappy sidewalks (or none) while you are towing a wheelie all over is not that fun.
Sometimes I get so frustrated with the lack of adventure and overabundance of mediocrity in my life that I feel like I should just book a flight to Amsterdam or Kiev or somewhere exciting with zero plans and just figure it all out as I go.
Make sure you have some local currency, a guide book, and your towel.
I'm with the first night or two and maybe the last night being secured group but like the flexibility of winging it in between in most cases. Big events that make lodging scarce will change my approach as will unique situations as in visiting Cuba where the American government limits opportunities and internet may be spotty.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,724 posts, read 58,067,115 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustMeEC
I love traveling this way. When I plan a trip somewhere, I only set the bookends. Airfare is set up so I know what city I arrive and what city I depart. I’ll book a car in advance as well. Usually I’ll book a hotel for a the first and the last night. If the last night has a no cancellation policy, I’ll pick someplace cheap, worst case, I eat the cost. Everything else in between is an adventure.
Me too...
The most memorable places and people were not on my 'agenda'.
"book-ends' is my usual plan. (but seldom in hotels, only if flight schedule is disruptive to a guest home style lodging.) You learn so much more about what to do in an area from local hosts.
Has anyone traveled to a new city/country without previously making arrangements for accommodation?
How did that work out for you?
Sometimes I get so frustrated with the lack of adventure and overabundance of mediocrity in my life that I feel like I should just book a flight to Amsterdam or Kiev or somewhere exciting with zero plans and just figure it all out as I go. However, that's not the best idea so I was wondering if anyone had actually done something similar?
I haven't traveled to a foreign country without reservations, but I have done so many times in the US. I recall back in about 1986, my wife and I booked a flight to Denver, Co (from back east) to tour the state because we had never been there. When we got there, I rented a car and we took off driving with nothing but a road map to guide us. Didn't have a computer or cell phone or GPS or any of that stuff. Just a road map and a tank full of gas.
We spent a full week just driving around the state. When we found something interesting, we would stop for the night, get a motel, have dinner, and enjoy the sights. The next day, we got up and did the same thing again making our way along a LONG circular route that took us to many parts of the state. We finally made it back to Denver a week later, turned in the car, and flew home.
I enjoy deciding what to do while on the go. There are enough schedules and deadlines to have to meet while at work, so why set up more schedules and deadlines for yourself on your vacation? Relax! Go somewhere when you want to go and leave when you want to leave. The only deadline I had to meet on that trip was to be back in Denver a week later to catch my plane home.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,724 posts, read 58,067,115 times
Reputation: 46190
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chas863
...many times in the US. I recall back in about 1986, my wife and I booked a flight to Denver, Co (from back east) to tour the state because we had never been there. When we got there, I rented a car and we took off driving with nothing but a road map to guide us. Didn't have a computer or cell phone or GPS or any of that stuff. Just a road map and a tank full of gas....The only deadline I had to meet on that trip was to be back in Denver a week later to catch my plane home.
Similar nearly every weekend growing up / living in CO and WY... Throw the knapsack on the motorcycle and go 'wherever'... "Then Came Bronson" style. [dailymotion]x6d1zj2[/dailymotion]
For our last RTW... we bought a one-way ticket to Sydney and figured it out from there (Had a yr to get home). Some very 'unexpected pleasures' along the way. Much different than envisioned... Much Better.
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