Pulaski Tickets & Tours

7 ways to keep from getting lost while you’re traveling

It seems like it should be impossible to get lost these days, but it still happens to the best of us, especially when it seems everyone has one of those stories about Google Maps trying to lead them off of a cliff.

September 08, 2015

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​If you happen to lose your bearings, take a moment to freak out, and then get yourself back on track with these tips:

• Know your accommodation. Taking a screenshot of your hotel’s contact information or swiping one of its business cards can be a lifesaver. If you think remembering that your hotel is by a church in Rome, that’s probably not enough information for a cab driver to get you home safely.
• In cities, get a paper map. I know this is a ridiculous concept, since your iPhone tells you everything you need to know, but if you forget your charger at home, or your phone gets stolen, then it’s important to have a backup means of finding your way.
• Learn key phrases. Sure, you might not understand the fast, quippy banter of a local who is more excited than you are that you’re going to their favorite restaurant in town, but being able to ask, “where” is pretty key. Plus, when I’ve been able to ask where something is, I’ve often had locals volunteer to walk me all the way there just to make sure I arrived safely. If a taxi driver offers to take you, just make sure you agree on a rate before, so you don’t end up paying a million dollars just to go down the street.
• Download a GPS tracker.   If you’re either super paranoid about getting lost or you’re venturing out into the jungles of Peru, you can download free apps that actually track your location on a map, so someone could easily find you in an emergency. Hi ma!
• Locate what you need. There are few things worse than getting lost looking for a pharmacy while you’re sick. Apps like iWant allow you to find exactly what you need around you including pharmacies, gas stations and grocery stores.
• Get your bearings. Taking note of major landmarks and geographical indicators like mountains to the east and sea to the west will help you navigate. You could pack a compass, but I don’t know many people who actually do that. And besides, there’s one on your phone.
• Photograph your guidebook. Lonely Planet might be awesome to have on hand during travel, but it also weighs a ton. Before departing, I take photos of the pages I feel I might need and log them in my iPhone. This might include important addresses, maps or transportation information. If you’re headed somewhere specific, take screenshots of the “how to get there” page on popular blogs.

Before you do any mobile research out on the streets, get to a safe place first. If none of this is helpful, you could just be one of those cliche travelers who gets lost on purpose, because not all who wander are lost.