There’s a very specific kind of time that happens when you’re in a city but not really in it, if that makes sense, and it’s usually that in-between stretch where you’ve got a few hours to fill before something else starts, like a flight, train, check-in for a hotel, or even just meeting someone later on. And it can go one of two ways because you either end up drifting around without much direction, checking the time every ten minutes, or you realise you’ve actually got a chance to see a place a bit differently. The latter option is always preferable, and here are some ideas to make it happen.
Get Properly Set Up
Before you do anything else, it’s worth sorting out the practical side of things because carrying bags around or worrying about where your stuff is tends to have a bearing on the whole experience, and it’s far better to get it all sorted than to be stressed and not enjoy the time you have.
If you’re dragging a suitcase behind you or constantly keeping an eye on your belongings, it’s hard to relax or move around freely, so finding a simple solution like where to store bags nearby can change everything right away – and once that’s taken care of, you’re a lot more free to enjoy your time.
Don’t Try To Do Too Much
There’s often a big temptation to try to fill every minute, especially if you feel like you should be making the most of being somewhere new, but the fact is that trying to fit in too much usually ends up making everything feel rushed and you’re not going to enjoy it so much.
It actually tends to work better if you pick just one or two things and then let the rest of the time unfold around those options because that way, you actually experience where you are rather than just rushing through it to tick things off a list, and you’ll be under a lot less pressure, which is always good.
Walk Without A Strict Plan
One of the easiest ways to get a feel for a place is just to walk, and not with a set route or a long list of stops, but just heading in a direction that looks interesting and seeing what you come across.
Cities are all about the little details, and those are the things you’ll find more easily if you try this idea out. What’s great is that they’re things you wouldn’t necessarily see or find otherwise if you were following a strict plan, but they’ll very often be the moments you remember most fondly once you get back home and for many years to come.
Find Somewhere To Sit And Stay For A While
There’s also something to be said for not constantly moving…
What about finding a cafe, a park, or even just a quiet corner somewhere and staying there for a bit? It can change how you experience a place completely because instead of passing through, you’re actually spending time in it, and funnily enough, that’s not something all travellers even consider really doing.
Notice The Small Things Around You
When you’re not rushing around, you’ll start to notice things you’d otherwise miss, like how people interact with one another, the way the light changes at a certain time of day, or perhaps the little architectural details in the buildings you’re passing or entering.
This is the best way to get a really clear picture of the place because it’s the authentic version, rather than the tourist version. Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a tourist and enjoying the things that you’re told to enjoy, but stepping away from that slightly can enhance your trip massively.
Let Yourself Change Direction
Plans are useful, but guess what? They can change, so don’t make yours so rigid you’ve got to stick to them no matter what because that could mean you end up missing out on things.
In other words, if something catches your attention, whether it’s a street, a shop, a place that wasn’t on your list, and so on, it’s usually worth following that instinct, because those unexpected moments are often the most interesting, and they’re definitely part of what makes time like this feel less structured and more open.
Use The Time To Reset Rather Than Rush
Sometimes having time to kill doesn’t need to be filled with activity at all, and it can just be a great chance to slow down, sit somewhere comfortable, and not feel like you’ve got to be doing anything in particular, especially if you’ve been travelling or moving around a lot.
It might surprise you to find that that idea can be just as good (and beneficial) as seeing something new or having just one more experience somewhere, so it’s certainly worth considering, especially if you’ve only got a short amount of time somewhere.
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It Doesn’t Have To Be Memorable To Be Worthwhile
It’s good to remember that not every spare hour has to turn into a highlight or a story you’ll tell later, and once you have that in mind, it takes the pressure off you to try to find things to do, and that’s probably going to make the experience more enjoyable.
Sometimes it’s enough just to spend time somewhere different, even if you’re not doing anything especially notable, and at the very least, you’ll get to unwind and relax in a new and interesting place.
Final Thoughts
Having time to kill in a city isn’t always as inconvenient as it might seem at first because once you look at it in a different way, it actually becomes a chance to experience a place in a way that’s a bit more relaxed and fun.
After all, the whole point of most trips is to get out from under the pressure of ‘real life’, so if you’re just putting yourself under more, you’re not really getting anywhere.
