6 minute read

City breaks are meant to be exciting, energising and packed with culture and activities, but they can also be chaotic without proper planning. From trying to get around the city using their public transport, to dealing with long queues and last minute stresses, it can be more mind-boggling than calming. While this might be the case, the right upgrades and planning can make it feel a lot more effortless and fun. In this article we’ve put together eight ways to have a stress-free city break. Keep reading to find out more and get inspired.

Pre-Book an Arrival Service like Transfeero

Nothing sets the tone for a trip quite like a smooth arrival. Instead of battling airport taxi queues or confusing public transport after a long flight, pre-book a private arrival transfer with a premium service like Transfeero. They operate in more than 100 countries and offer fixed prices, licensed drivers, 24/7 support and real-time flight tracking. You’re met at the airport, helped with your luggage and taken directly to your hotel, no waiting, no stress, no unexpected fees. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your city break instantly feel more organised and luxurious, even before you’ve unpacked.

Pack a Capsule Wardrobe 

The last thing you want on a city break is to be lugging around a large suitcase when you’re only going for a few days. You also don’t want to worry too much about what you’re wearing as weather can sometimes be unpredictable in a city. To stop this stress, pack a capsule wardrobe with a set of versatile pieces you can mix and match throughout your trip. Stick to a simple color palette, choosing lightweight layers and bringing shoes that can be dressed up or dressed down. You also want to ensure your shoes are comfortable as chances are you’re going to be doing a lot of steps! This will make getting ready each morning much quicker and you won’t need to repack messy bags if you travel to a couple of different places during your trip. With fewer items, you can travel with hand luggage, avoiding the cost and stress of checked bags, plus you’ll have more space to bring souvenirs home, or if you get a chance to shop when you’re there, so it’s a win-win!

Book Your Tickets Ahead of Time

Often when you go on a city break, there are attractions you want to do and things you want to see. Costs can add up quickly and you can find certain places sell out or aren’t open on specific days. To avoid this being an issue, book your tickets ahead of time. If you book them online before you go, it makes it much easier to plan what you’re going to do when, and you won’t be disappointed if you get there and find something isn’t running. You are also more likely to find discount codes if you’re looking online and can benefit from better pricing.

Put Together a Digital Wallet 

There’s nothing more annoying or stressful than trying to find something like a hotel confirmation or ticket barcode – particularly if you’re at the front of a queue. To stop this being a problem, put together a digital wallet on your phone where you store things like your boarding passes, tickets for attractions and restaurant reservations. This means you can find it when you need it, and it removes paper clutter as well as speeding up the whole process. You’ll be super grateful you’ve done it when you’re strolling effortlessly through all steps of the process.

Prioritize Location

The location of your hotel or the accommodation you stay in is one of the most important parts of a city break. It can be worth spending a little bit more in order to stay right in the city center as this not only means you save on transport costs from having to get around, but it also means it’s much more effortless to get from place to place. You’ll maximize your time and will hopefully be able to get to most places on foot, as opposed to having to navigate your way to the city center, and then to the different attractions or sights you want to see. When you’re looking up hotels, you might find a great price or a great place, but then find out it’s far from the main areas, so you lose out on the actual experience. Always look up hotels on the map to find out exactly where it’s located to ensure you get something that ticks all the boxes. From luxury hotels, to airBnB’s or budget spots, the location can really make a difference.

Allow Buffer Time in Your Itinerary

The secret to a relaxing city break is not overscheduling. Leave space between activities, meals and tours so you don’t end up rushing from one thing to the next. Buffer time allows you to wander spontaneously, enjoy a slow coffee, do last-minute shopping or simply rest. Cities are full of surprises, whether that’s closures, crowds, or weather changes, so building flexibility into your schedule ensures these moments don’t derail your day. With a looser, more adaptable itinerary, you’ll experience the city more naturally and with far less pressure. Sometimes the best memories come from the unexpected times rather than the checklist moments! Try not to plan everything back to back and don’t be too worried if things don’t go to plan, it’s not always the worst thing in the world.

These are just a few things you can do that can make your next city break as stress-free as possible. It’s important you prioritize things such as your location to help you both feel safe and also have an easier time getting around, as well as pre-booking activities. By booking an arrival service, you can enjoy relaxation from the moment you land, while putting together a digital wallet means you don’t need to worry about losing important documents. What are some top tips you have for a stress-free city break? Let us know in the comments below.