The Travel Assumption That Leaves First-Time Travelers Tired and Frustrated
When we picture a city trip, it’s easy to imagine strolling from one famous sight to the next. Landmarks look close together on a map, neighborhoods seem just a short walk apart, and wandering on foot feels like part of the charm. For many first-time travelers, this leads to one common assumption: that we’ll be walking far less than we actually do.
Travel experts say underestimating how much walking a trip involves is one of the main reasons beginners end up tired and frustrated. Historic city centers are often designed for pedestrians, with narrow streets, limited parking, and attractions spread across different districts. Public transportation helps, but there’s still plenty of ground to cover between stations, hotels, restaurants, and major sights.
What looks like a 10-minute walk on a map can feel very different in real life. Cobblestone streets, hills, stairs in subway stations, and crowded sidewalks can slow us down more than we expect. Add in jet lag, warm weather, or carrying a day bag, and even a pleasant stroll can start to feel like a workout by the middle of the day.
This assumption can affect more than just our feet. When we plan back-to-back activities across different parts of a city, we may spend more time moving between places than actually enjoying them. By late afternoon, sore legs and general fatigue can make us less patient, less flexible, and less able to enjoy spontaneous moments.
The good news is that this is one of the easiest travel frustrations to prevent. Building in breaks, grouping activities by neighborhood, and allowing time to sit down for a coffee or a park stop can make a big difference. Comfortable shoes often matter more than an extra outfit, and pacing ourselves helps us stay energized for the experiences we were most excited about.
Before we finalize our plans, we think it helps to look at distances more realistically and assume we’ll walk more than we do at home. We recommend treating rest stops as part of the itinerary, not a sign we’re falling behind. When we plan with our energy in mind, we’re more likely to end each day feeling satisfied — not worn out.
