All the inspiration and top tips you need to take that next big adventure

Grab a <a href="https://timhortons.co.th/product/double-double/#:~:text=A%20Canadian%20classic%3A%20two%20shots,Categories%3A%20All%2C%20HOT%20BEVERAGES">double-double</a>, pack your toque&nbsp;and get psyched for some frolicking in Canada's crunchy maple goodness.&nbsp;
When you think "Montreal," do you imagine strolling through cobblestone streets scattered with blossoms, the sound of jazz floating in the air? Are you drawn to cozy plaid-bedecked hiking under fiery fall foliage? Or do you believe that Canada is a winter wonderland meant to be experienced as you lazily snowshoe through a blanket of glittering white snow?
A good portion of our team is either Canadian, has lived here, or has traveled to Canada. We&rsquo;ve crowdsourced the best travel tips and wrapped them up in a neat little package for your upcoming trip.
A quick note on the links in this guide: we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any external sites we&rsquo;ve chosen to include, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you decide whether this destination is for you.

<h2 dir="ltr">Seasonality</h2>
Some people swear that winter is the only time to visit Montreal, others think it would be mad to go anytime but summer. Personally, we are partial to the sugar-shack insanity of spring&mdash;or the crisp Canadian fall.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s break down what you can expect in each season:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">In spring (March&ndash;May), picture vibrant gardens, lively festivals, and mild weather. The average temperatures of 10&ndash;20℃/50&ndash;68℉ make the sidewalk caf&eacute;s and rooftop terraces comfortable whenever the sun comes out.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Montreal starts to fill up as it transitions to summer (June-August). The 23&ndash;26℃/74&ndash;79℉ weather has outdoor events popping up throughout the city. Enjoy bustling street festivals, night markets, and temporary nightclubs.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Fall (September-November) in Montreal is quintessentially Canadian, with bright foliage and crisp 10&ndash;23℃/50&ndash;74℉ temps.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">In winter (December-February), the city transforms into a frosty wonderland, with ice skating in Old Montreal, skiing on nearby hills, and the entire place decked out in festive lights. The season includes the Montreal en Lumi&egrave;re festival, and is a magical (but chilly!) -5 to -1℃/23&ndash;30℉.</li>
</ul>

Pro tip: It&rsquo;s pretty common to experience a freak snowstorm in the spring (or even summer!), and winter temperatures can often drop to -20℃/-4℉ for a shocking week or two. We recommend wearing merino wool, packing layers and staying flexible with your plans!

<h2 dir="ltr">Pre-trip Checklist</h2>
<h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Visas</h4>
Find out <a href="https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp">if you need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada</a> via <a href="https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp">the government&rsquo;s handy interactive tool</a>.
<h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Vaccines</h4>
Disclaimer: We aren&rsquo;t medical experts, so always check which medications and vaccines are recommended by your local healthcare service before traveling: 
<ul>
<li>UK:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/north-america/canada">NHS Fit for Travel</a></li>
<li>EU: <a href="https://consular-protection.ec.europa.eu/travel-advice_en">Travel Advice for EU citizens</a></li>
<li>USA: <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/canada">CDC Travelers&rsquo; Health</a></li>
</ul>
<h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Check the weather and season</h4>
Refer to our Seasonality section above for more information, but double-check that the list of things you want to do in Montreal lines up with the time of year you&rsquo;re visiting. For example, you can&rsquo;t plan to enjoy sugar shack season in the summer.
<h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Language</h4>
Although English is widely spoken across the city, we recommend learning a few <a href="https://urbanguidequebec.com/helpful-fun-french-words-phrases/">basic Qu&eacute;bec French words</a>. Local Francophones will appreciate it, since Quebec is proud to be a <a href="https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/few-differences-between-french-spoken-quebec-and-france">distinctly French-speaking region</a>:
<ul>
<li>Hello: bonjour or salut</li>
<li>Thank you: merci</li>
<li>Please: s&rsquo;il vous plait</li>
<li>Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais?</li>
</ul>

FYI, the emergency number in Canada is 911, the same as the USA!

<h2 dir="ltr">Cash and Currency</h2>
The currency in Montreal is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). You might want to bring some cash for street vendors, but credit and debit cards are widely accepted.&nbsp;
ATMs are found everywhere, the best ones are Canadian banks &mdash; Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, CIBC, RBC and TD &mdash; since they are the most reputable and have the lowest fees.
In Canada, tipping 15&ndash;20% is customary in restaurants, taxis and hotels. It is especially important for servers, since most places require the staff to combine tips between restaurant staff. Some restaurants even &ldquo;tip out,&rdquo; which means an employee is docked 4&ndash;6% of their total sales at the end of the night for the establishment to divvy up, regardless of the actual amount received.

Montreal is a major travel hub for eastern Canada, accessible by air, rail, or road. It serves as the gateway to greater Qu&eacute;bec, as well as Ontario to the west and the Atlantic provinces to the east, and is one of the most well-connected cities in Canada alongside Toronto and Vancouver. Montreal&rsquo;s primary airport (YUL) is especially popular as a connection for international travel, with about 70% of its passengers taking non-domestic flights.

<h3>By Air</h3>
We've done a deep dive and dug up some Jack's stats on the cheap flights to Montreal we&rsquo;ve seen from Europe, the UK, the USA and Canada, just for you.
From Europe:
Average expected price: &euro;400s return How many Flights we expect in a year: 10+ Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &euro;150s return from Stockholm
From the UK:
Average expected price: &pound;390s return How many Flights alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 10+ Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &pound;250s return from London
From the USA:&nbsp;
Average expected price: $270s round trip How many Flights we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8 Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $90s round trip from Orlando
From Canada:&nbsp;
Average expected price: $200s round trip How many Flights we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 10 Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $90s round trip from Toronto
Montreal is well-connected to most North American and European cities through Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), which is a 40-minute ride away from downtown on the <a href="https://www.admtl.com/en-CA/parking-and-transport/transport-services/buses">747 Express bus</a>.

Pro tip: If you don&rsquo;t have Canadian dollars in your pockets when you land, buy your 747 bus ticket at the machines inside the airport with your card for $11 CAD. You can also buy the ticket on the bus, but you&rsquo;ll have to pay the exact amount in change (they don&rsquo;t accept paper bills or card payments).

Most flights are served by local Canadian airlines&mdash;Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet&mdash;but pretty much every major carrier will have a route to Montreal. <a href="https://www.flightsfrom.com/YUL">Here&rsquo;s a list</a> with all the non-stop connections flying to YUL.

<h3>By Rail</h3>
You can reach Montreal with <a href="https://www.viarail.ca/en">VIA Rail</a>, Canada&rsquo;s national railway, from the largest cities in the country. From Montreal&rsquo;s Central Station, there are multiple local daily departures on the following routes:
<ul>
<li>Ottawa&ndash;Montreal</li>
<li>Montreal&ndash;Quebec City</li>
<li>Toronto&ndash;Montreal</li>
</ul>
In addition, a 10-hour train connecting <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/new-york-city-montreal-amtrak-adirondack-train-route-7374841">New York City to Montreal</a> runs once a day&mdash;it's served by Amtrak, the national passenger railroad company of the United States.

<h3>By Road</h3>
If you&rsquo;re coming from elsewhere in Canada, you can easily reach Montreal by picking up the <a href="https://transcanadahighway.com/">Trans-Canada Highway</a> and taking it all the way to the city. American road trippers can head for the closest border station in Champlain, NY, about 45 minutes from Montreal, although it might be faster to cross the border elsewhere and follow the TCH from there.&nbsp;
You can also take a bus directly to Montreal from the eastern US and Canada, typically for $30-$70 CAD. From the central bus station, you can reach the <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/guide-underground-city-shopping">underground pedestrian network</a> by following signs for the Berri-UQAM metro station.&nbsp;

<h2>Public Transportation in Montreal</h2>
Montreal has a great metro and bus system, alongside suburban and regional trains. It&rsquo;s also super reliable and <a href="https://www.stm.info/en/info/fares">affordable</a>, with a one-way ticket costing under $4 CAD. You can buy passes for shorter durations, such as a <a href="https://www.stm.info/sites/default/files/pdf/fr/tarifs2023.pdf">single trip or a three-day trip</a>, or save money by purchasing longer durations. We'd suggest buying your passes in advance from a kiosk in the metro station, since you'll need exact change (no notes!) if you buy your ticket on the bus.
As a visitor, you&rsquo;ll probably use the metro to get around during your trip. There are four numbered, color-coded lines that connect 68 stations, with the entire service running underground&mdash;a big advantage during the harsh winter months!
Each line has slightly different operating hours, but generally, they run from 5:30 am to about 12:30 am, Sunday through Thursday, and until around 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Late at night, the bus may be your only means of getting around besides a taxi or an Uber. There are <a href="https://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/bus-network-and-schedules-enlightened/all-night-service">around two dozen all-night bus routes</a> across the city.
Most of the central neighborhoods are walking/<a href="https://www.bikabout.com/montreal">biking-friendly</a>. You can use Google Maps for directions, as it has reliable navigation and shows bike paths and public transport info in the city. Plus, you can rent a bike through the top-notch city <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/bike-montrealer-bixi">bike-sharing program</a>.
<h3>Underground City</h3>

Downtown Montreal has one of the coolest pedestrian networks out there: the Underground City. Officially called R&Eacute;SO (like r&eacute;seau, French for &ldquo;network&rdquo;), these tunnels run under the city center, connecting 10 metro stations and over 1,500 buildings. It&rsquo;s kind of like a huge underground shopping mall, and it&rsquo;s a great way to walk around downtown when the weather gets chilly on the surface. <a href="https://gotourismguides.com/montreal/montreal-underground-city-map/">Here&rsquo;s a map</a> to help you get the lay of the land.

<h3>Ridesharing&nbsp;</h3>
When it comes to ride-sharing apps, Uber is available and works well in the city. That said, it&rsquo;s best not to rely on taxis/ride-sharing apps during the day since the price can get quite steep.&nbsp;
<a href="https://museumsandmiles.com/is-lyft-in-montreal/">This comprehensive guide</a> should give you a good idea of all the taxi options available in the city.

<h2>Internet and Cell Service</h2>
<h3>Mobile Service and Data</h3>
The main cell service providers are Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Videotron (a regional carrier with strong coverage in Qu&eacute;bec). In most places, you&rsquo;ll get a speedy 4G or even 5G connection.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">SIM Cards</h3>
You can buy a physical SIM card from the main providers at the airport when you arrive, or place an order online for a <a href="https://fizz.ca/en">Fizz SIM card</a> if you&rsquo;re planning to stay for a month or longer&mdash;their plans tend to be cheaper than their competitors.
However, if your phone supports it, we recommend buying an eSIM instead. Mobile data is infamously quite pricey in Canada, and companies like Fizz and <a href="https://www.airalo.com/">Airalo</a> sell prepaid data plans that allow you to get connected before you arrive&mdash;and at a better price.

Pro tip: Always remember to check your existing phone plan to see if they give you any kind of coverage in Canada or Qu&eacute;bec before spending money on an international package that might not be necessary.

<h3>Wi-Fi</h3>
Basically every caf&eacute;, restaurant, and shopping center provides free Wi-Fi to customers.&nbsp;
The city also has a free public Wi-Fi network, <a href="https://montreal.ca/en/services/mtlwifi-internet-access-free-charge">MTLWiFi</a>, which you&rsquo;ll be able to connect to in many downtown areas, parks, and public spaces. Plus, some STM metro stations and buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi as well.

Remote working is easy in the city, with numerous co-working spaces, such as WeWork, Regus, Notman House, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/crewcollectivecafe/?hl=en">Crew Collective &amp; Caf&eacute;</a>, which have flexible membership plans and amenities for remote workers.&nbsp;

Pro tip: Navigator Fran has worked remotely in Montreal plenty of times and recommends&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/anticafe_montreal/?hl=en">Anticaf&eacute;</a> as a lovely spot to get your laptop out without judgment.&nbsp;

<h2>Travel Style</h2>
Montreal is an excellent destination for solo travelers and family groups alike. There&rsquo;s plenty of variety to be found in the metro area itself, and it&rsquo;s easy to take day trips elsewhere in Qu&eacute;bec for natural beauty. In general, Montreal is an extremely safe city, including for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fueledbywanderlust.com/montreal-solo-travel/">women</a> and <a href="https://www.villagemontreal.ca/en">LGBT+ travelers</a>. Organizing a DIY trip shouldn&rsquo;t be too challenging&mdash;it's a very easy place to visit.

<h2>Montreal Area Guides</h2>
<h3>Plateau Mont-Royal (the Plateau)</h3>
Located to the northeast of downtown Montreal, the neighborhood is renowned for its distinctive Victorian architecture, packed with colorful, narrow, two or three-story buildings with wrought-iron staircases and balconies. Head to Square Saint-Louis to see some of the oldest and prettiest examples of this style.
The two main boulevards are Saint-Laurent Street and Saint-Denis Street:
<ul>
<li>Saint-Laurent (or &ldquo;The Main&rdquo;)&mdash;a major commercial artery filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots. It is also known for its street art and murals.</li>
</ul>

Grab brunch at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/patatimontreal/?hl=en">Patati Patata</a>, do a little shopping at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/evabvintage/?hl=en">Eva B</a>, and finish with drinks at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bar.darling/?hl=en">Le Bar Darling</a>.

Spotlight on: Saint-Laurent

<ul>
<li>Saint-Denis Street&mdash;famous for its European ambiance, featuring a wide variety of boutiques, bistros, and theaters.</li>
</ul>
Accommodation: In the Plateau, you can expect a mix of low-key hotels, a couple of hostels, and plenty of unique Airbnbs.

Pro tip:&nbsp;The Plateau Mont-Royal is predominantly francophone, with a significant proportion of residents being bilingual. You can get by just fine with English and an apologetic tone, but picking up some French phrases wouldn&rsquo;t hurt.

<h3>Mile End</h3>
Right next to the Plateau, this historical working-class neighborhood has transformed over the decades into a bohemian hub for artists, musicians, and young families. The area is well-known for its <a href="https://everythingzoomer.com/travelhub/2018/04/20/montreal-cafes/">caf&eacute; culture</a>, with numerous literary caf&eacute;s and <a href="https://tastet.ca/en/reviews/boulangerie-guillaume-a-superb-bakery-on-boulevard-st-laurent/">bakeries</a>. Here are the three most important streets in the area:
<ul>
<li>Laurier West Street&mdash;connects the neighborhoods of Outremont and the Mile End. It&rsquo;s the place to be if you&rsquo;re interested in shopping from local designers and small boutiques, or if you&rsquo;re looking for a trendy restaurant for brunch.</li>
</ul>

When you finish shopping at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ecoledepensee/?hl=en">&Eacute;cole de Pens&eacute;e</a>, grab Montreal's best brunch at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/larrys.gram/?hl=en">Larrys</a>.

Spotlight on: Laurier West

<ul>
<li>Fairmount Avenue &amp; Saint-Viateur Street&mdash;aka <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/the-famous-montreal-bagel">Bagel-land</a>. Besides the puffy, sesame-y deliciousness of their famous bagels, both streets are well known for a variety of caf&eacute;s, bakeries, and second-hand/boutique shops.</li>
</ul>

Snack at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fairmountbagel/?hl=en">Fairmount Bagels</a> or at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stviateurbagel/?hl=en">Saint-Viateur</a>&mdash;be careful <a href="https://www.seriouseats.com/what-are-montreal-bagels-the-best-fairmount-vs-st-viateur-rivalry-canada">which one</a> you choose, though&hellip;

Spotlight on: Montreal bagels

Accommodation: Around Mile End, you&rsquo;ll mostly find artsy design hotels and lots of Airbnbs.

<h3>Downtown</h3>
The neighborhood revolves around the <a href="http://placedesarts.com/index.en.html">Place des Arts</a> cultural complex, home to the Montreal Opera and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Grands Ballets Canadiens. Plenty of festivals are also held in the area, such as the <a href="http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx">Montreal Jazz Festival</a> and <a href="http://www.justforlaughs.com/">Just For Laughs</a> comedy fest.
You&rsquo;ll see all the city&rsquo;s biggest cultural institutions here: Montreal&rsquo;s central library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Theatre School of Canada, right next to the main commercial area on <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/shopping/sainte-catherine-street">Saint Catherine Street</a>.
Accommodation: Downtown features a solid mix of high-end, business-type hotels, basic Airbnbs, and some hostels.

Pro tip:&nbsp;Downtown is predominantly anglophone, though a significant proportion of residents are bilingual.

This historic neighborhood located along the St. Lawrence River is one of the city's most popular destinations, thanks to the historic buildings, waterfront views, cobblestone alleys, and sites like the Notre-Dame Basilica. It&rsquo;s a little bit touristy, and it can get crowded, but the streets are gorgeous, and there are a bunch of top-notch art museums there. Plus, you can pop in and out of all the cute shops selling Qu&eacute;bec-made products. We recommend leaving your car at the hotel for this one, though, since parking is impossible and the area is well-connected to the metro.

Pro tip:&nbsp;If you don&rsquo;t feel like having food in the Vieux Port&rsquo;s pricey alleys, <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/discover-neighbourhood-montreal-chinatown">Montreal&rsquo;s Chinatown</a> is just a couple of steps (and a paifang gate) away&mdash;it's considered one of the best in North America!

Accommodation: The Vieux Port mostly has luxury boutique hotels.

<h2>Food in Montreal</h2>
<h3>Traditional Food</h3>
Central Canada&rsquo;s cuisine (Quebec and Ontario) has a unique mix of First Nations traditions, as well as French and British colonial influences. And, like any major city, Montreal is chock-full of great restaurants from all over the world, especially Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Italian food.
Qu&eacute;bec cuisine is known for French dishes like <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/article/the-meaty-history-of-quebecois-tourtiere/">tourti&egrave;re</a> (meat pie), ragout de pattes (pork stew), and pea soup.

But ask a Qu&eacute;b&eacute;cois about the most iconic Qu&eacute;bec dish, and they will tell you: poutine. Made of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, you&rsquo;ll find variations with additional toppings like pulled pork, bacon, or foie gras. You can get poutine just about anywhere in the city, but our favorite spot is <a href="https://becomingtia.com/patati-patata/">Patati Patata</a>.&nbsp;
Speaking of sweets, get ready for plenty of maple syrup&mdash;a quintessential Canadian (and Qu&eacute;b&eacute;coise) staple&mdash;in desserts like tarte au sucre (maple pie) and pouding ch&ocirc;meur, but also in candies and as a topping for pancakes and waffles. It&rsquo;s a key ingredient in savory foods as well, such as caramelized onions, bacon, or even beans (it&rsquo;s called f&egrave;ves au lard&mdash;<a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/guest-post-from-4-88245">look it up</a>!).

<h3>New Qu&eacute;bec Cuisine</h3>
People come from all over North America to eat in Montreal.
But it&rsquo;s not only traditional meals they&rsquo;re after&mdash;Montreal's cuisine has a distinctive focus on unusual local ingredients, putting it on par with other foodie cities like New York or Chicago. Head to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vinpapillon/?hl=en">Vin Papillon</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cafe_miracolo/?hl=en">Miracolo</a>, or even funky <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pumpuimontreal/?hl=en">Épicerie Pumpui</a> to taste this experimental version of the farm-to-table strategy.&nbsp;
And what&rsquo;s better than unique wines to accompany some innovative cuisine? The city has one of the most elaborate <a href="https://tastet.ca/en/lists/where-to-drink-good-organic-wine-in-montreal/">natural and biodynamic wine scenes</a> in the world. So, if you enjoy your natural wines, get ready to drink!

<h3>Montreal Smoked Meat</h3>
A culinary tradition with roots in the city's Jewish immigrant community, Montreal&rsquo;s answer to pastrami features cured and smoked brisket that's thinly sliced and piled high on rye bread and topped with yellow mustard.&nbsp;
One of the most famous places is Schwartz's Deli, founded in 1928 and located on Saint-Laurent Street, but there are also some <a href="https://cultmtl.com/2024/05/best-smoked-meat-in-montreal-best-of-mtl-schwartzs-smoke-meat-pete-dunns-famous-snowdon-deli-lesters-deli/">great options</a> all around the Mile End neighborhood (the city&rsquo;s Jewish quarter).

<h3>Vegetarian &amp; Vegan Options</h3>
Montreal has an incredible variety of veggie-friendly spots&mdash;have a look at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oplante.ca/?hl=en">OPLANTE</a> to get your vegetarian sushi fix, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lacalepubzerodechet/?hl=en">La Cale</a> for some dairy-free vegan poutine.

<h2 dir="ltr">Events in Montreal</h2>
Fact: There is nothing that this city loves more than a good festival. From couch potatoes to adventure aficionados, Montreal has something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights:

Welcome to &ldquo;the coldest music festival in the world.&rdquo; Every year, from mid-January to early February, people dress up in their most fashionable snowsuits and brave temperatures as low as -25℃/-13℉ with thousands of other electronic music fans. Although it&rsquo;s an all-ages event, the crowd is mostly 18&ndash;35-year-olds.&nbsp;
Hot tip: We recommend splashing out on VIP tickets for a better heat lamp to festival-goer ratio. Not to mention much better bathrooms! For tickets and a list of this year&rsquo;s artists, <a href="https://igloofest.ca/en/experience">check out their website</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGETMVbPb9U/?hl=en">CC image</a> of Igloofest, courtesy of igloofest_mtl on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/igloofest_mtl/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.

Spotlight on: Igloofest

Quebec produces 78% of the world&rsquo;s maple syrup, and this all comes to a head in March&ndash;April when <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/sugar-shack-101">sugar fever hits the province</a>! Sugar shacks are traditional establishments where maple sap is boiled into syrup. The actual forests are located outside the city, but the fun can be found everywhere, with pop-ups and restaurants partnering with the shacks to celebrate.
Expect maple split pea soup, freshly poured taffy (cooled on a bed of snow, the most Canadian treat)&hellip; and anything that includes or can be smothered in maple syrup.
<a href="https://www.authentikcanada.com/ca-en/blog/top-5-sugar-shack-in-quebec">Check out this list</a> of the sugar shacks closest to Montreal. As well as syrup, you&rsquo;ll usually find horse-drawn carriages, snowshoeing and sleigh rides.
Hot tip: Since the maple season varies slightly depending on the weather, we&rsquo;d recommend timing your visit for the beginning of April.

Spotlight on: Sugar Shack season

For the most explosive event on the calendar, look no further than this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/festivals-and-events/l-international-des-feux-loto-quebec">multi-day international fireworks competition</a>. Launching from La Ronde Park on &Icirc;le Sainte-H&eacute;l&egrave;ne, there are usually about 9 events spanning late June to mid-August, with 6&ndash;9 countries competing for the top spot.&nbsp;
The best place to watch the show is from the grandstands at La Ronde (<a href="https://lesgrandsfeux.com/en/ticketing">check here for tickets</a>), but we heard a rumour that <a href="https://chasingpoutine.ca/montreal-fireworks-top-5-places-to-enjoy-the-competitiontop-places-montreal-fireworks-competition/#:~:text=Clock%20Tower%20in%20Montreal's%20Old%20Port%3A%20Timeless%20Views!&amp;text=The%20riverside%20parks%20around%20the,folding%20chairs%20and%20a%20blanket.">you can get fantastic (free) views</a> too.

Spotlight on: Montreal International Fireworks Competition:

At its core,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.livelikeitstheweekend.com/osheaga-music-festival-a-first-timers-guide/">Osheaga</a> is a multi-day music festival taking place in August in Parc Jean-Drapeau. Spotlighting a mix of already-iconic and emerging local talent, you can rock out to over 100 artists across the island&rsquo;s 6 stages. Although it&rsquo;s less well-known than festivals like Coachella or Glastonbury, there&rsquo;s something magical about Osheaga. The <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/osheaga/comments/15ejccz/osheaga_is_my_favorite_music_festival/">crowd is wild</a>, the headliners have as much fun as the attendees, and the <a href="https://osheaga.com/en/food-and-drink">food is top-notch</a>. Although it changes every year, you&rsquo;re going to want to head for the food trucks &mdash; if it&rsquo;s there, we recommend <a href="https://mandys.ca/en/signature-salads/">Mandy&rsquo;s Salads</a>, for a refreshing change from the usual festival burgers.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGETMVbPb9U/">CC image</a> of Osheaga, courtesy of kikisoflyy on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/igloofest_mtl/">Instagram</a>.

Spotlight on: Osheaga

<a href="https://curiocity.com/montreal/">Check out this website</a> for festivals, pop-ups, new restaurant openings and the upcoming calendar. Montreal was also the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, so <a href="https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/canada/montreal/deals">keep your eyes peeled</a>&nbsp;for local performances and themed events.

<h3 dir="ltr">Recommended links:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-ca/explore/seasons/fall#the-2024-fall-colors-map">Fall foliage map</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/best-sugar-shacks-montreal">Sugar shack experiences</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://tastet.ca/en/">Tastet</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://curiocity.com/montreal/">Curiocity Montreal</a> (for events and pop-ups)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://weather.com/en-CA/weather/monthly/l/Montreal+Quebec?canonicalCityId=19b2d92840c0bce6dff7bdda91a120023ec1f7e8b45d1b6db3fc1239d6adba56">Month by month weather conditions</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-ca">Tourism Quebec</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.mtl.org/en">Tourism Montreal</a></li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Outdoor Activities &amp; Day Trips From Montreal</h2>
One of the main draws of Canada is the great outdoors, and Montreal is no different. Here are our favorite activities that you should add to your list:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hike in the inner-city Mount Royal Park (or foray slightly further out to hike alpine lakes and dramatic mountain peaks at Mont Tremblant, only a short 1.5&ndash;2-hour drive away)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Relax on the <a href="https://www.oldportofmontreal.com/activity/clock-tower-beach">urban beach at Clock Tower Quay</a>, smack-dab in the Old Port of Montreal.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Snowshoe in the powder-white wonderland that is <a href="https://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/en/snowshoes-activity-nature-winter-montreal/">Parc Jean-Drapeau</a>. Looks like Narnia; is accessible by metro instead of a wardrobe!</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ice skate under the Clock Tower at the Old Port.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ski/snowboard under the stars at <a href="https://www.sommets.com/en/discover-les-sommets/sommet-saint-sauveur-winter/">Mont Saint-Sauveur</a> (and then get your apr&egrave;s-ski on in their charmingly lit ski village)</li>
</ul>

<h3>Day trips:&nbsp;</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://chelsea.lenordik.com/en/">Nordic Spa Nature</a>, an outdoor spa that melts into the surrounding forest, offers a thermal circuit with a chilly arctic plunge and plenty of steaming hot pools. Don&rsquo;t get scared off by bad weather &mdash; there&rsquo;s nothing quite like a hot soak in the midst of a snow flurry! (2-hour drive)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.kanatha-aki.com/laurentides-quebec/en/">Dog sled at Kanatha-Aki</a> for full-day excursions through the Laurentian forests. We especially like Kanatha-Aki for their ethical encounters and the chance to learn from mushers about their dogs, as well as a deep dive into indigenous culture. (1.5-hour drive).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Live out a fairytale at the <a href="https://www.valcartier.com/fr/hebergement/hotel-de-glace/">Chateau de Glace</a>, which <a href="https://youtu.be/3bOixTv71Vc?si=X4O3GwDgZDWxznUM&amp;t=55">Disney animators studied to create the art for the Frozen movie</a>. Sure, you can sleep in their on-site hotel, but the true bucket-list-worthy experience is sleeping in a building carved (almost) entirely of ice, in a room built from ice, on an actual bed made of ice! Don&rsquo;t worry, the mattress is nice and warm, and the entire experience is nothing short of magical. (2.5&ndash;3-hour drive).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hop on <a href="https://provincequebec.com/eastern-townships/orford-express/">the Orford Express</a> through the Eastern Townships&mdash;especially gorgeous in mid-September&ndash;October, when the fiery fall foliage lights up the forests, mountains and alpine lakes. Don&rsquo;t eat beforehand because the train includes gourmet meals served in its vintage rail cars (begins a 1.5-hour drive from Montreal).</li>
</ul>

Have you visited Montreal? Share your tips with us!

JFC's Guide To: Montreal

If you&rsquo;re planning a trip to Japan, Kyoto will likely be up there as one of the top cities on your list (typically along with Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima). It&rsquo;s within a few hours of Tokyo, making it an easy trip on the Shinkansen, but holds its own.&nbsp;
While it shares similarities with the capital (like fast-paced, sprawling neighborhoods, skyscrapers and temples galore), Kyoto&rsquo;s history as the former Imperial court of the country and its long traditions of Geiko, Maiko and Kabuki Theatre, attract millions every year.&nbsp;
The city is split up into <a href="https://sushisandwich81.com/all-11-wards-of-kyoto-city/">11 wards</a>, with the main &lsquo;downtown&rsquo; areas around Kyoto Station and the Kawaramachi/Teramachi neighbourhoods. The Kamo River splits the city in half, with the main business district on the western side, and the more historical temples and neighborhoods on the eastern side (including Gion, one of the most popular neighborhoods). At the far west of the city, you&rsquo;ll find the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park, where macaque monkeys roam freely on Mount Arashiyama.&nbsp;
When I visited in February 2025, I found that while there are nowhere near the number of people in Kyoto that live in Tokyo, the city felt similarly busy in central touristy areas. I was also surprised by how spread out different attractions are, and how long it can take to move from one area of the city to the other, so that&rsquo;s worth keeping in mind when you make your itinerary!&nbsp;
A quick note on the links in this guide:&nbsp;we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any of the external sites included in this guide, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you decide if this destination is for you.

FYI: if you'd like to read more about food, public transport, visas, cash and currency, seasonality and my top tips on how to navigate Japan in general, check out my guide to&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-tokyo">Tokyo</a>.&nbsp;

<h2>Getting there</h2>
The closest airport to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is actually closer to Osaka than Kyoto. Osaka and Kyoto are less than 1 hour apart (by car), and it takes about 90 minutes to get to Kyoto from KIX by public transport.&nbsp;
The options to fly to KIX airport directly are more limited than for Tokyo, but it&rsquo;s still large enough where you&rsquo;ll be able to fly direct from some cities, or via a connecting flight from almost anywhere.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll find non-stop flights to KIX directly from these cities in Europe and North America:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Paris (CDG) with Air France&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Munich (MUC) with Lufthansa</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Helsinki (HEL) with Finnair</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">San Francisco (SFO) with United&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Los Angeles (LAX) with JAL&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Vancouver (YVR) with Air Canada</li>
</ul>
As with Tokyo, you&rsquo;ll find the cheapest 1-stop fares if you fly via China from the UK or Europe. From North America, the cheapest 1-stop option is usually via Tokyo.&nbsp;

Here&rsquo;s our handy guide on what to expect when booking your flight to KIX airport:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &euro;450-&euro;650 rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 15</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/japan-south-korea-from-germany-in-high-300s400s-rtn-1">&euro;384 rtn</a></li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &pound;400s-&pound;480s rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 7-8</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/london-to-around-japan-in-300s-rtn">&pound;363 rtn</a></li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $580s-$750s RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 10+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/price-drop-philadelphia-to-japan-in-300s-rt-1">$331 RT</a></li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $1000s-$1100s RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8-9</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/japan-in-910s-970s-rt">$917 RT</a></li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">By train</h3>
I arrived in Kyoto by Shinkansen from Tokyo (which is how most visitors get to the city). The journey took about 2-2.5 hours and cost about &pound;70/&euro;84/$98 (14,370 JPY) per person. We booked our tickets directly at the Shinkansen ticket machine in Tokyo Station about 30 minutes in advance.
There are generally 10&ndash;12 trains per hour, and they are either with Nozomi, Kodama or Hikari train services. Nozomi and Hikari trains tend to be express trains (with only 4&ndash;5 stops between the two cities), whereas Kodama stops at more than 15 stations. Because of this, you can expect them to take over an hour longer than the express trains.&nbsp;
You can catch the train to Kyoto from other major cities in Japan, too. Here&rsquo;s how long it&rsquo;ll take you, and generally, how much a ticket will cost (as of August 2025):&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Nagoya (35 mins) 6110 JPY (approx. $41/&pound;30/&euro;35)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Osaka (45 mins), 570 JPY (approx. $4/&pound;3/&euro;3)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kobe (1 hr 20 mins), 3910 JPY (approx. $36/&pound;20/&euro;22)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hiroshima (1 hr 45 mins), 11820 JPY (approx. $80/&pound;59/&euro;68)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Yokohama (2 hrs 20 mins), 13700 JPY (approx. $92/&pound;69/&euro;79)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Fukuoka (2 hrs 45 mins), 16780 JPY (approx. $110/&pound;84/&euro;96)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Niigata (5 hrs 20 mins), 22800 JPY (approx. $150/&pound;115/&euro;130)</li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting around</h2>
<h4 dir="ltr">Metro and suburban trains</h4>
Similarly to Tokyo, you can get around the city center with the <a href="https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-subways">Kyoto Subway</a>. There are 31 stations across two subway lines, and they&rsquo;ll take you to most of the main sites in the center of the city, like Nijo Castle, Pontocho Alley and Nishiki Market.&nbsp;
To use the metro, you&rsquo;ll need an <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html">IC card</a>. These are contactless cards that you can preload with cash and use at the ticket barriers to enter the station. The same cards that work in Tokyo generally work here (e.g., Suica and Icoca). There are also Kansai-specific IC cards, like Pitapa.&nbsp;
Unlike in Tokyo, many of the main sites in Kyoto are a little further outside the downtown area and will require suburban trains outside the subway network. This will be the case for sites like Arashiyama in the west of the city, Fushimi Inari Taisha to the south-east, and many of the temples.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll still be able to use your IC card, and pricing will be about the same (220-900 JPY depending on distance), but the main difference is frequency &mdash; the subway will typically come every couple of minutes, where you may be waiting up to 15 minutes for a train.&nbsp;
<h4 dir="ltr">Buses</h4>
We used buses occasionally when we were in the city. We found the bus especially useful when coming back to the hotel from the end of the Philosopher&rsquo;s Path, which isn&rsquo;t anywhere near a train or metro station. There&rsquo;s a flat fee of 230 JPY (approx. $1.55/&euro;1.30/&pound;1.15) and you&rsquo;ll need exact change if you&rsquo;re not using your IC card. 
When you're waiting for the bus in Japan, you should line up on the footpath next to the bus stop until it arrives.&nbsp;
Read more about riding the bus <a href="https://www.kyotostation.com/taking-a-bus-in-kyoto/">here</a>.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Geisha IRL: Geiko, Maiko and the performing arts</h2>
If there&rsquo;s one word that&rsquo;s associated with Kyoto in the western world, it&rsquo;s &lsquo;Geisha&rsquo;. This profession is unique to Kyoto, and comes with hundreds of years of culture and history.&nbsp;
While fetishised overseas, Geisha are not what many people think they are. In real life, these performers are known by the terms Geiko (or Maiko, an apprentice Geiko). They live an extremely demanding lifestyle, learning skills of dance, playing instruments, and the art of conversation, which take years to master. While they do entertain visitors in tea houses around Kyoto, they do so in groups, and as a tourist, you&rsquo;re unlikely to see them in action.&nbsp;
The Geiko and Maiko live in okiya (boarding) houses, which you can find in the Gion district (these houses are easily spotted by the wooden nameplates over the door of each Geiko and Maiko living in that house). There are estimated to only be 100-150 Geiko practicing in Kyoto, a real decline in from their peak population of <a href="https://www.toki.tokyo/blogt/2016/8/2/the-history-of-geisha-in-japanese-culture">80,000 in the 1920s</a>.
FYI, If you&rsquo;re lucky enough to see a Geiko or Maiko walking around, it&rsquo;s best to admire them from a distance, and put your phone away. There has been backlash in recent years of tourists taking unsolicited photos of Geiko and Maiko on the streets of Gion.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;d like to learn more, the newly opened <a href="https://gion-museum.com/en/">Gion Kagai Art Museum</a> is your best bet. You&rsquo;ll find out all about the many years of training these women go through, see different clothing items worn during performances (including beautiful kimonos), watch videos of real-life Geiko speaking about their lives and explaining the art from their own perspective.&nbsp;
You can also pay to watch a 15-minute performance with a practicing Geiko and Maiko, which I can highly, highly recommend. Admission is 3,100 JPY (or about &pound;15/&euro;18/$20). &nbsp;

If you're looking for Geiko or Maiko on the street, you'll see lots of visitors dressed up in the typical dresses, taking photos at temples and on the street, so don't be fooled. In the wise words of my tour guide, &ldquo;if you have to ask yourself &lsquo;is that a real Geiko?&rsquo;, they definitely aren&rsquo;t&rdquo;.

Larissa's Pro Tip

<h2 dir="ltr">Kabuki Theater</h2>
Kabuki Theater is another performance art that has become famous across Japan and the world. The performers wear masks and perform scenes of moral conflicts, traditions, and Japanese legends.&nbsp;
Plays are usually around 3&ndash;4 hours long and don&rsquo;t have English subtitles or audio guides, so they're not as accessible as other performances you may be used to. If you&rsquo;d like to get a taste of a show but don&rsquo;t want to sit through a whole play, buy a &lsquo;Single Act&rsquo; seat, which is usually only 30 minutes. 
If you&rsquo;d like to see one, your best bet is to go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/minamiza/">Minamiza Theatre</a> in the Gion district.

<h2 dir="ltr">Useful links</h2>
If you'd like my top apps and websites to use on your trip to Kyoto, check out my guide to <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-tokyo">Tokyo</a>.&nbsp;

JFC's Guide to: Kyoto

New Orleans is one of the most unique and culturally distinct cities in the United States. It's packed with history, incredible food and music, and an energy like no other. Here's your quick and easy guide from a writer who knows all the local tips.

<h2 dir="ltr">Visas</h2>
Whether you need a visa to enter the United States depends on your country of citizenship. Visitors from Canada, most European countries, and some Asian countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. The state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans have no local requirements for entry.
Visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html">US State Department website</a> for more information.

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting There</h2>
Reaching New Orleans is easy enough &mdash; The international airport is serviced by all major US airlines and features non-stop routes from all over the country, plus Toronto, Montreal, and London.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s particularly well-connected for budget flights around the US. Spirit Airlines ferries passengers between NOLA and many American cities for $50-$150 RT.
Here&rsquo;s what to expect when booking your flight:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &euro;450-&euro;650 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 2-4</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &euro;418 (LUX- recent) and &euro;238 (AMS- 4 years ago)</li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &pound;500-&pound;700 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 5-6</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &pound;395 (GLA/LHR)</li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $50-$150 RT (for budget airlines) or $150-$250 RT (for full-service airlines)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $48 RT with a budget airline, $98 RT for full service.</li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $500-$700 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 0-2</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: No deals so far, but we&rsquo;re waiting patiently! </li>
</ul>
Pro-Tip: Amtrak connects <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/city-of-new-orleans-train">New Orleans to Chicago by train</a>. While not any cheaper than a local flight (and much more time-consuming), it&rsquo;s a neat way to see more of the country and allows you to take advantage of Chicago&rsquo;s much wider selection of international flights.

<h2 dir="ltr">Cash and Currency</h2>
As you&rsquo;d expect, USD is the only accepted currency in New Orleans. Most places accept card, but we highly recommend keeping some cash on you. Some bars are cash only, there are street performers and local vendors everywhere, and public transit doesn&rsquo;t accept cards at all.
While it&rsquo;s not a particularly expensive city compared to other US cities, there&rsquo;s a huge disparity in pricing between the French Quarter and other neighborhoods. If you&rsquo;re visiting on a budget, plan to stay and eat elsewhere when possible.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting Around Town</h2>
Getting around New Orleans has a bit of a learning curve, but fortunately the city is relatively small and well-connected.
Public Transportation
There are buses and streetcars. The streetcars are popular with tourists and can take you between a couple of major attractions.
If you rely on the bus, be prepared to go with the flow. Schedules are unreliable, routes change for parades, and waits of an hour or more are common.
Pro-Tip: The best way to get an accurate arrival time for your bus is to text 41411. Send a message saying &ldquo;Norta#[four-digit stop number]&rdquo; and it&rsquo;ll send back a pretty reliable ETA.
Neither buses nor streetcars accept payment by card. You can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.norta.com/ride-with-us/how-to-pay">pay using exact change, use the Le Pass app, or purchase a ticket/pass in advance</a>. As of January 2025, the fare for most riders is $1.25.
Rideshare/Taxi
Rideshare apps and taxis here are easy to use and tend to be similar in price, with the apps usually being a tad cheaper. However, United Cab (the primary taxi company in town) is typically cheapest for airport transfers. They charge a flat rate of $36 from the airport to downtown New Orleans, or vice versa.
Pro-Tip: Getting an Uber from the French Quarter is pricey, especially at night. Walk a few blocks away from the action, then order your ride home. I saved $5-15 per trip this way. Just keep to well-lit areas and don&rsquo;t go too far &mdash; especially if you&rsquo;re alone.

<h2>Neighborhoods in New Orleans</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The French Quarter - aka The Quarter. The most famous (and touristy) part of town. Bars, restaurants, and kitschy souvenir shops.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The Garden District/Uptown - Beautiful historic mansions, Audubon Zoo and Park, upscale dining. Includes Magazine Street, the best place for non-kitschy souvenirs.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Marigny - A few artsy blocks near the Quarter. Includes Frenchman Street, the main hub for <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/plan/streets/frenchmen-street/">jazz music</a>.</li>
<li>Mid-City - Home to most of the city's famous above-ground <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/attractions/cemeteries/">cemeteries</a>.</li>
</ul>
This is just a taste &mdash; you can read about <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/plan/neighborhoods/">more neighborhoods here</a>.

<h2 dir="ltr">When to Visit</h2>
Aside from some hot and humid summers, NOLA is a pretty pleasant year-round destination. The tourism calendar is driven by festivals.
December-February
Winters in New Orleans are pretty mild, ranging from about 45-65 &ordm;F (7-18 &ordm;C) with minimal rain. The tail end of winter marks the start of high season, as the Christmas and New Year&rsquo;s festivities tend to blur into <a href="https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/">Mardi Gras</a>. Those parties and parades start around a month in advance of the actual Tuesday (early-February-early March), and begin to peak the weekend before.&nbsp;
March-May&nbsp;
This is technically high season, but if you visit in the weeks directly following Mardi Gras, you won&rsquo;t catch big crowds. It&rsquo;s also got pleasant weather, with warmer temps than winter but less rain than summer. Some of the most beloved festivals happen in mid-spring, like <a href="https://www.nojazzfest.com/">Jazz Fest</a> and the <a href="https://frenchquarterfest.org/">French Quarter Festival</a>. This is one of the best times to visit the city.
June-August
Muggy and hot with lots of mosquitos. While severe storms are highly unlikely, this is peak hurricane season. Unless you really want to visit a seasonal event like <a href="https://satchmosummerfest.org/">Satchmo Summerfest</a> or <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/event/essence-festival-of-culture%C2%AE-presented-by-coca-cola%C2%AE-new-orleans/3296/">ESSENCE</a>, we recommend choosing a different time.&nbsp;
September-November
This is another mild time to visit, with (slightly) cooler temps. It&rsquo;s the tail-end of hurricane season, but that doesn&rsquo;t stop most folks &mdash; New Orleans is a fantastic place to spend your <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/halloween/">Halloween</a>. There&rsquo;s also Oktoberfest celebrations and the <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/event/bayou-bacchanal/11654/">Bayou Bacchanal</a>. November tends to be one of the most peaceful months, with nice weather, fewer events, and less hurricane risk.

<h2 dir="ltr">Travel Style</h2>
As you can probably tell, New Orleans is the perfect place to go with the flow. You can see the sights in a few days with little planning, as things move at a relaxed pace. Don&rsquo;t overbook &mdash; wandering, mingling, and soaking up the city's unique energy is the best way to experience it.

<h2>Useful Links</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.neworleans.com/">New Orleans official tourism site</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNOLA/">r/askNOLA</a></li>
</ul>

JFC's Guide To: New Orleans

A friend recently asked me if the whole of Turkey was as expensive as Istanbul Airport. Having been to Turkey (and both of Istanbul&rsquo;s airports) a few times, I never found myself baulking at the price of a meal out in the wild the way I did at the vendors in the airport.&nbsp;
But why on earth are Istanbul&rsquo;s airports <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-14614327/world-expensive-airport-revealed-Istanbul.html">so expensive</a>? The Turkish Lira fluctuates pretty rapidly, and it&rsquo;s certainly true that inflation in the country has pushed prices up a fair bit. From what I can tell, though, there&rsquo;s no obvious reason behind the surged airport snack costs other than the fact that they can. Like all airports, vendors there have a captive (and often under-prepared) audience.
I, too, have been one of the under-prepared. After a couple of run-ins with a &pound;10/$13 simit (for the uninitiated, that&rsquo;s a simple sesame-covered cross between a bagel and a pretzel) and a &pound;20+ off-brand fast food burger meal at Istanbul International, I had hopes that a layover at Istanbul&rsquo;s second airport would be kinder on the pocket.
How wrong I was.&nbsp;

Sabiha G&ouml;k&ccedil;en International, located on the Asian side of the Turkish metropolis, is a hub for domestic routes and Turkey&rsquo;s low-cost airline Pegasus. It&rsquo;s older and gloomier than IST &mdash; think office-style strip lighting and polystyrene roof tiles. Looking for a charging station? That in itself is a like a scavenger hunt. To say it&rsquo;s not exactly modern would be an understatement.
When I found myself there on the way to Cappadocia, I suspected that the prices might reflect that, and costs might not be so modern as those at the shiny, new Istanbul International. But, once again, I was faced with the choice of a &pound;10 simit, &pound;20 burger, &pound;15 Subway salad, etc. And don&rsquo;t even bother considering a beer!
Passing through once again on the way to Kyrgyzstan six months later, I wondered if maybe I&rsquo;d missed the reasonably-priced corner. Or maybe there was a little supermarket with cheaper snacks?&nbsp;
If a bottle of water that&rsquo;ll set you back &pound;5/$6 sounds good, then sure. But from my perspective, there was no cheap corner. So we opted for a proper meal at a proper restaurant, where at least I wouldn&rsquo;t regret wasting &pound;20+ on cold, soggy fries and a sad burger. There was simply no better option.
Lots of you JFC members passing through Istanbul will be transiting on a cheap flight to Asia or Africa, having already travelled 4+ hours and munched through the majority of your flight snacks. Others will just be heading in and out of Istanbul itself. Either way, you&rsquo;ll likely have at least a couple of hours to kill in the airport.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Surviving your layover in Istanbul</h2>
Here&rsquo;s how you can make it through your layover at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha G&ouml;k&ccedil;en without spending your entire travel budget: 
1. Bring a water bottle - preferably a big one!
This one is standard for lots of us these days, but never does it pay off more than when you&rsquo;re passing through Istanbul International Airport. There are more than 23 water fountains dotted around the airport, each one able to help you save $6 on bottled water from a shop.&nbsp;
But it&rsquo;s bad news for anyone passing through Sabiha G&ouml;k&ccedil;en &mdash; all recent information suggests that the airport is yet to install drinking water dispensers, and the tap water in the bathrooms is not potable. If you&rsquo;ve got a long onward journey, make sure you set some cash aside to stock up on bottled water at the airport.
Unfortunately, the best way around this is by bringing a particularly large water bottle that you were able to fill to the brim after security at your departure airport! 
2. Pre-order meals and drinks for your flight
Lots of airlines still include snacks and drinks in their service, especially on long-haul routes. But if you&rsquo;re travelling via Istanbul with Pegasus, you get the double whammy of Sabiha G&ouml;k&ccedil;en and a paid in-flight menu.&nbsp;
While prices onboard are far from cheap, they are generally more affordable than you&rsquo;ll find in the airport (water for &euro;3?!). The menu has two prices for everything &mdash; card or cash. Believe me when I say you want to pay by card, &lsquo;cause you&rsquo;ll save money almost every time. And if you order your meal in advance, you&rsquo;ll save 20% off in-flight prices.
If you can make it through your connection with only the squished cereal bars and the dregs of bottled water from your last flight, this is your best bet.

3. Spring for the airport lounge
A personal favourite of myself and Flight Finder Fran is the iGA Lounge at Istanbul Airport. Never has an airport lounge felt so good. The food is great, there are showers, you can book a massage, and you can while away your time people watching your fellow travellers from above.
Honestly, though, never have I seen an airport lounge so pricey. Coming in at the eye-watering sum of &pound;78/$104 at the time of writing, you&rsquo;d have to really enjoy every minute of the full four-hour window to make it worth coughing up for.&nbsp;
BUT if you travel a lot, appreciate an airport lounge, and haven&rsquo;t already done so, you should invest in an annual lounge pass membership, like Priority Pass or Dragon Pass. For $99/&pound;69, you get 12 months of reduced entry fees for thousands of lounges around the world (or you can pay more up-front for free entries). Even the basic passes take your &pound;78 iGA Lounge entry down to &pound;24 right away, which is about the cost of a burger and fries of questionable quality from the airport food court.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re an airline points collector with an airline-affiliated credit card, chances are you may have access to one of these passes anyway, so double check before you go! While I didn&rsquo;t use my Avios credit card perks to gain entry to the lounge, I did use my Avios to book a cheap business class flight back to Glasgow, thus gaining me lounge access. Turns out that was a great decision!
Side note: You may be wondering why I&rsquo;d go business class on a short-haul route in the first place? Flight prices from Istanbul back to Glasgow or Edinburgh were extortionate in peak summer, while the difference in Avios required to travel business class instead of economy was negligible. That got me lounge access in Istanbul and Heathrow, plus a free meal onboard both flights (between my lounge brekkies). Worth every point.

4. Pack a picnic
I kid you not, if ever there was an airport in which to unleash a platter of flattened sandwiches, squashed cereal bars and banged up apples from your backpack, it&rsquo;s either of Istanbul&rsquo;s airports. Especially if you&rsquo;re vegan or have other dietary restrictions &mdash; the selection available really doesn&rsquo;t cater to dairy-free choices
There are lots of spots where you can set up camp for a few hours, so don&rsquo;t be shy. Fill every last nook and cranny of your cabin bag with hearty snacks that&rsquo;ll keep you going.
5. Sleep it out
We can&rsquo;t all catch 40 winks on a plane like it&rsquo;s no big deal, so if you&rsquo;ve got a longer layover of 3 hours or more, you might want to catch up on some sleep. Cheaper than an airport hotel and located within the terminal itself, both airports have sleep pods you can pay for by the hour.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.istairport.com/en/services/discover/entertainment/iga-sleepod/?locale=en">Istanbul Airport&rsquo;s iGA Sleepods</a> look like some kind of cryogenic chamber from a sci-fi film, while Sabiha G&ouml;k&ccedil;en leans more into the <a href="https://www.keplerclub.com/resting-units">human filing cabinet</a> approach. On their way to Kyrgyzstan, Flight Finders Kash and Kristi were able to simply show up and file themselves away for a snooze without booking in advance. Kash says it was a super comfy sleep, too!
And when an hour&rsquo;s kip costs less than a croissant, I&rsquo;d say you&rsquo;re probably onto something.

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting to Istanbul&rsquo;s Airports</h2>
Another part of what makes Istanbul&rsquo;s airports pricey can be getting between the airports and the city. Thankfully, Flight Finder Larissa has spent a lot of time in Istanbul and knows aaalllll the tricks. Here&rsquo;s her ultimate guide to travelling between Istanbul airports and the city centre:
 So, how do you get from one of Istanbul&rsquo;s airports to the city centre? Well, it depends on which airport you&rsquo;re flying into (unsurprisingly!). Both airports are a fair distance from the city centre, so it&rsquo;s worth keeping in mind that it&rsquo;s going to take you at least an hour to get where you want to go, regardless where you land.&nbsp;
Before I go any further: a taxi/rideshare is usually the worst option to/from either airport. Taxis are notoriously expensive in Istanbul (tourist markup is a real thing!), and depending on the time of day you&rsquo;re travelling, there may be hours of traffic you&rsquo;ll need to sit through.&nbsp;
The only time I would advise a taxi rather than public transport is if it&rsquo;s at a weird hour of the night, or if door-to-door transport is more important than worrying about the cost.&nbsp;
There are plenty of taxis hanging around outside each airport, so you&rsquo;ll have no trouble finding a driver. You can also call a taxi via Uber, which will help if you&rsquo;d like to have some idea of how much your journey will cost ahead of time.&nbsp;

For both airports, your main public transport options each airport are: 
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Metro</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shuttle bus&nbsp; </li>
</ul>
Istanbul Airport (IST)&nbsp;
This airport is the city&rsquo;s &lsquo;main&rsquo; airport, located on the European side. It&rsquo;s only relatively new, having relocated there from the old IST airport in 2019. Because of this, the metro didn&rsquo;t actually link up to the airport until 2023, which has since opened up more efficient connections to the city centre.&nbsp;
 Metro&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s only one metro line that runs from the airport to the city, and you will likely need to change lines along the way to reach your destination. Presuming you&rsquo;re heading towards Taksim Square or the Historical Peninsula, you&rsquo;ll need to <a href="https://www.metro.istanbul/en/YolcuHizmetleri/AgHaritalari">swap from the M11 line to the M2</a>. Travelling to or from Taksim Square, the entire journey takes about 1 hr 20 minutes in total.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s worth noting that you can use your bank card for contactless payment on all metros/buses/ferries within the city, except for the M11 line from the airport. Instead, you&rsquo;ll need to buy an Istanbulkart from the machines in the terminal, and then load it up with cash for the first part of your journey (around 25TL, plus the 60TL needed to buy the card).&nbsp;
This journey comes in at around &pound;1.65/$2.20 in total.&nbsp; 
 Shuttle Bus
Locals and tourists alike use the regular shuttle buses between IST and the city centre, serviced by <a href="https://www.istairport.com/en/airport/airport-transportation/?locale=en">Havaist</a>. You&rsquo;ll be able to jump off the bus at Taksim Square, Kadık&ouml;y, or even the other airport. The journey time depends on the time of day and the traffic &mdash; it could take 40 minutes if the traffic is light, or closer to an hour and a half during peak times.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll find the bus tickets and the buses themselves on level -2 at IST airport (below the ground floor). Ask the bus driver to confirm where the bus is going before you get on, as it&rsquo;s not always clear from the signs. At the ticket counter, you can pay via cash or card (67TL).&nbsp;
This is your cheapest option, at only &pound;1.30/$1.75.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)&nbsp;
As Katy mentioned, the secondary airport in Istanbul is on the Asian side of the city. As a tourist, you&rsquo;ll likely be staying on the European side, which means it&rsquo;s technically the less convenient airport to fly in/out of, depending on the time of day you&rsquo;re travelling &mdash; but you can&rsquo;t argue with a cheap flight!
 Shuttle Bus
Just like IST, you&rsquo;ll find frequent shuttle services between SAW and the city centre, this time via <a href="https://www.havabus.com/">Havabus</a>. This company also drops off at similarly popular stops in the city, like Taksim Square, Kadık&ouml;y, as well as an additional stop on the Asian side of the city.&nbsp;
Because of the location of the airport, it&rsquo;s even more important to keep in mind that traffic conditions are going to dictate how long your bus will take to reach the city centre. For example, if you land early to mid-morning, you&rsquo;ll likely be stuck in peak traffic going towards the European side, and so the journey could take up to 2 hours.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll find Havabus shuttles outside the arrivals terminal on the left, and tickets are available on the bus with cash (283,50TL), or via the ticket kiosk in the grey building next to the buses.&nbsp;
The total for this journey comes to around &pound;5.50/$7.30. 
Metro/Ferry
There is a metro line (M4) from SAW to Kadık&ouml;y (a main station on the Asian side of the Bosphorus). From there, you&rsquo;ll be able to catch a bus to your hotel if you&rsquo;re staying on the Asian side.
However, if your hotel is on the European side, you can catch the ferry from Kadık&ouml;y across to Kabataş or Karak&ouml;y, and take a connecting bus or tram. The downside is that the metro and bus/ferry combination is typically slower than the shuttle bus, especially if your hotel is on the European side. But at least it&rsquo;ll come in nice and cheap, around &pound;1&ndash;&pound;1.50/$1.50&ndash;$2 depending on your route.
Side note: I highly recommend you take the ferry at least once during your trip to Istanbul! It&rsquo;s cheap (around 25TL), takes 20-minutes, and offers the best views of the skyline!

If you&rsquo;ve made it this far, JFC-er, you must be in serious Istanbul trip-planning mode! You&rsquo;ll almost certainly have an excellent time, and hopefully our tips will ensure you have some change left over to buy a fridge magnet :-)&nbsp;

Surviving Istanbul's Airports

Tokyo is a massive metropolis (in every sense of the word) &ndash; it&rsquo;s the city with the largest population in the world, in parts a concrete and neon jungle, in others you&rsquo;ll find tiny shrines and quiet backstreets flanked by high-rise apartments.
It has 23 wards, each with its distinct culture and atmosphere. You may have heard of names like Chuo, Shinjuku, Shibuya or Taito, each with their own neighborhoods. It&rsquo;s the kind of city where you could spend weeks on end and not see everything on your list.
I scored a return trip from London via Copenhagen to Tokyo for under &pound;450, and I spent 5 full days traversing the city. Read on for my tips on how to make the most of your time (and where to get the best ramen) in town.&nbsp;
A quick note on the links in this guide: we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any of the external sites included in this guide, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you decide if this destination is for you.

<h2>Getting there</h2>
Tokyo is a major transport hub, so it&rsquo;s usually easy to find flights from around the world.&nbsp;
Japan has 2 major airlines that fly from Europe and North America to Tokyo: Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA). Both offer non-stop flights from large hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Stockholm, New York, LA, San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, Boston and Dallas. ZipAir Tokyo is a budget option for non-stop flights from the West Coast of the US.&nbsp;
Most flagship airlines offer non-stop flights to Tokyo as well, like British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, SAS, Air Canada, Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines. However, the cheapest way to get there is usually to take connecting flights, especially via China.

Here&rsquo;s a handy JFC guide on what to expect when booking your flight to Tokyo:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &euro;470s-&euro;670s</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 15+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen:&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/deals/tokyo-in-330s-390s-rtn-from-across-europe">&euro;300 rtn</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &pound;350s-&pound;530s</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 20+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/deals/free-bag-japan-south-korea-in-320s-340s-rtn-from-london">&pound;338 rtn</a></li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $570s-$890s</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 20+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/deals/la-to-tokyo-at-$257-rt">$257 rtn</a></li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $770s-$1200s</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 15+</li>
<li>Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/deals/tokyo-at-678-rt">$678 rtn</a></li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">By train</h3>
If you&rsquo;ve arrived in another city in Japan, you&rsquo;ll likely catch the Shinkansen (bullet train) and/or JR Rail (the national rail service) to Tokyo.&nbsp;
Shinkansen tickets are typically pricey, but they make up for that with exceptional service and speed &ndash; you&rsquo;ll be able to get from Osaka/Kyoto to Tokyo in less than 3 hours. As of 2025, ticket prices are around:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">14,920 JPY from Osaka (approx. $100/&pound;75)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">18,380 JPY from Hiroshima (approx. $125/&pound;95)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">11,500 JPY from Nagoya (approx. $80/&pound;60)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">13,320 JPY from Kyoto (approx. $90/&pound;70)</li>
</ul>
You can buy Shinkansen tickets from major stations in these big cities (via machine or ticket counter), or you can pre-book online <a href="https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php">via the official website</a>.&nbsp;

You&rsquo;ll likely see third-party websites like Klook also selling Shinkansen tickets &ndash; these tend to be a little more expensive (due to their booking fees), so it&rsquo;s better to buy them on the official website or in person at the station.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">JR Rail pass</h3>
You may be wondering whether it&rsquo;s worth buying a <a href="https://www.jrpass.com/">JR Rail pass</a> (which would give you unlimited travel for a certain number of days), or buy your tickets as you go. Unless you&rsquo;re planning on travelling constantly on Shinkansen trains throughout your trip, it&rsquo;ll likely be cheaper to skip the pass and just book your tickets individually. You can check your individual itinerary <a href="https://www.jrpass.com/farecalculator">here</a>.

<a href="https://boutiquejapan.com/ekiben/">Ekiben</a> are bento boxes that you can buy in stations to eat on the go. You'll find them both before and after ticket gates, but if you're traveling from Tokyo Station, there's plenty of choice in the food court area of Daimaru, a shopping center attached to the station.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Visas</h2>
Depending on which passport you hold, you may need a visa to enter Japan.
At the time of writing (June 2025), travelers from the UK, most of Europe, the USA, and Canada will be granted a 90-day visitor visa on entry, so you don&rsquo;t need to apply before your trip.&nbsp;
All visitors need to fill out a <a href="https://www.customs.go.jp/english/passenger/declaration/declaration_app.html">customs declaration</a> before they arrive &mdash; you can do this on the plane with a paper form, or you can organize it beforehand via <a href="https://www.customs.go.jp/english/passenger/declaration/declaration_app.html">Japan Web</a> and present your QR code on arrival.&nbsp;
The rules for each country are updated regularly, so it&rsquo;s important to check your own government guidelines before traveling.

<h2 dir="ltr">Cash &amp; Currency</h2>
The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY), with $1 USD being equivalent to around 145 JPY. This is about the price it&rsquo;ll cost you to buy a bottle of water or a pastry at the convenience store.&nbsp;
Your accommodation costs will depend on where you want to stay. Dormitory/hostel beds start at 2500-6000 JPY/night, while a standard hotel room costs 10,000&ndash;20,000 JPY/night. Ryokans are traditional Japanese rooms, with tatami mats, paper doors and dinner/breakfast included, and you can book these (usually outside big cities) for around 20,000&ndash;30,000 JPY/night.&nbsp;
Japan is very much still a cash-based country, particularly for touristy stuff like souvenirs, street snacks, and temple charms. Some restaurants will also be cash-only, even in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka.&nbsp;

Thankfully, getting cash is very easy, even with foreign cards. Just head to the nearest 7-11 (there are thousands of stores across the country) and use the 7-11 bank ATM in the shop. These won&rsquo;t charge you any fees to withdraw cash from your bank account.&nbsp;

The majority of hotels, restaurants, and shops will accept card payments though, either with your bank or credit cards. In a particular Japanese quirk, the <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html">public transport IC card</a> you&rsquo;ll be buying to travel on the metro, the bus or the train can also be used at convenience stores and some restaurants. The most popular IC cards are Suica and Iwoca.

<h2 dir="ltr">Seasonality</h2>
Japanese culture is in tune with the changing seasons, with thousands of festivals and celebrations that line up with the calendar.&nbsp;
Depending on where you head in Japan, the intensity of the cold/heat will differ &ndash; in Hokkaido you&rsquo;ll get much cooler summers and frozen winters, versus Okinawa, where the opposite is true. But for central cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, the weather will be similar enough.&nbsp;
<h4 dir="ltr">Spring &mdash; March&ndash;May</h4>
Temperature: 5&ndash;28 C/41&ndash;82 F
The biggest celebration of spring is when the cherry blossoms bloom in March&ndash;April, and it&rsquo;s also a popular time to visit the country. The <a href="https://sakura.weathermap.jp/en.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maps published each year</a> that predict when the blossoms will peak across the country are a handy tool for planning your cherry blossom tour.&nbsp;
During these times, you should expect crowds of Sakura spotters everywhere, and locals will be out taking part in hanami, or picnics under the cherry blossom trees. There will also be lots of Sakura-flavored snacks and treats on offer.&nbsp;
<h4 dir="ltr">Summer &mdash; June&ndash;August</h4>
Temperature: 18&ndash;35 C/64&ndash;95 F
One word: humid. If you visit during these months, the humidity will be above 70%. That means it&rsquo;s worth packing light layers, as well as sunscreen and a hat.&nbsp;
People often travel for summer festivals in cities like Aomori, Sendai, Kochi and Shiranui. But within Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you&rsquo;ll hear the sound of taiko drums, and shrines will be decorated with lanterns and finery.&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr">Fall &mdash; September&ndash;November</h4>
Temperature: 10&ndash;20 C/50&ndash;68 F
This time of year is becoming almost as popular as cherry blossom season, with autumn foliage painting the country red. It&rsquo;s also cheaper in general to visit Japan post-summer, which makes it a really nice option if you&rsquo;re looking for discounts on accommodation or flights.&nbsp;
Unsurprisingly, you&rsquo;ve also got <a href="https://www.ana.co.jp/en/gb/japan-travel-planner/japanese-festival-omatsuri/0000007.html">plenty of festivals</a> to celebrate the change in season. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mjt5yf/kyoto_autumn_night_illuminations_at_temples_and/">the shrines of Kyoto</a>, there are light shows going into the evening during this time, against a backdrop of autumn leaves.&nbsp;
<h4 dir="ltr">Winter &mdash; December&ndash;February</h4>
Temperature: 4&ndash;15 C/39&ndash;59 F
I visited in February 2025, so I have a particular fondness for this time of year! The majority of my days there were sunny, but I still needed my scarf and a winter coat. We had one day of snow in Kyoto, which was a nice treat, too. It was decent sightseeing weather, but we did have to wrap up at times. 
Our trip also coincided with the&nbsp;<a href="https://hidden-gems-of-kyoto.find-japan.com/plum-blossom-festival-at-kitano-tenmangu/">plum blossom festival</a> in Kyoto &mdash; they&rsquo;re less well-known than cherry blossoms, but equally beautiful. Unfortunately, not many trees had bloomed by the time the festival rolled around on the 25th February, but it was still enjoyable to go to the shrine and have plum tea and dango.

<h2 dir="ltr">Travel Style</h2>
Japan is, on the whole, extremely easy to navigate. You&rsquo;ll find the society there is very orderly (more than back home, at least!), so you can almost guarantee your train will be on time, the streets will be clean, and you&rsquo;ll find signs to get you where you want to go.&nbsp;
Japanese people have, in general, a very welcoming and hospitable approach to foreigners. It&rsquo;s not uncommon for everyone, from the staff in your hotel to a random stranger on the street, to 'go the extra mile' and be willing to help you, even if they&rsquo;re not confident speaking English.&nbsp;
These things combined make it simple to get around big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto without knowing one word of Japanese. Even if you need to order in a restaurant without an English menu, you can point to the pictures of the food you want. Of course, at least a few words of Japanese are appreciated, like:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Konnichiwa &mdash; Hello</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Arigato gozaimasu &mdash; Thank you very much (formal, used for everyone you don&rsquo;t know)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ohayō gozaimasu &mdash; Good morning</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Konbanwa &mdash; Good evening</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itadakimasu &mdash; Thank you for the meal (said before eating)</li>
<li>Sumimasen &mdash; Excuse me (useful to get the attention of waitstaff)</li>
</ul>
Outside of this, Google Translate (or another translation app which has image-to-text translation) will be your best friend. Almost everything is written down in Japan, with plenty of signs, menus, instructions and so on. You just need to know where to look, and when to whip out your phone to find that hidden ramen restaurant.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Pickpockets (or, not)</h3>
You may know (or have read stories about) someone who has misplaced their valuables while travelling in Japan, only to be reunited with their phone, passport, or wallet down the line. This may lead you to believe that the country is some sort of anti-pickpocket Utopia, where something lost will always find its way back to its rightful owner, and petty theft is the last thing you need to worry about.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s true that Japan is, in general, an extremely safe country to visit on the whole &mdash; not only is violent crime uncommon, but even muggings and theft are nowhere near as prevalent as in Europe. But, this doesn&rsquo;t mean it can&rsquo;t happen to you during your visit.&nbsp;
There are some areas of large cities, like Kabukicho or Roppongi in Tokyo, or Nishinari in Osaka, where there is a higher risk of pickpocketing and general antisocial behavior. So, keep your wits about you regardless.&nbsp;

LGBTQI+ travelers are unlikely to receive any harassment or discrimination from locals &mdash; you will find a higher proportion of LGBTQI+ friendly bars, clubs, and businesses in places like Shinjuku/Ni-chome and Nakano in Tokyo, but you won&rsquo;t find these types of businesses outside big cities.&nbsp;
Many LGBTQI+ travelers visit Japan without any problem, but activities that are both specifically aimed at LGBTQI+ people and welcoming of foreigners can be limited and hard to find. World Nomads has a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/eastern-asia/japan/queer-travel-in-japan">great guide</a> on visiting as an LGBTQI+ traveler, with specific bar recommendations and sauna etiquette.&nbsp;
Japan is a conservative country and, regardless of your orientation, physical or sexual touch is seen as something to be kept private, so it&rsquo;s worth keeping this in mind.&nbsp;
POC travelers do stand out in Japan, given that it&rsquo;s a largely homogenous society. That being said, foreigners and expats are now extremely common in the big cities, so you&rsquo;re unlikely to experience any discrimination or harassment. <a href="https://www.malikahkelly.com/blog/2024/4/28/is-japan-racist-what-black-travelers-need-to-know-before-booking-their-trip-to-japan">Here&rsquo;s a first-hand account</a> of a Black woman&rsquo;s experience travelling in Japan.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re a solo female traveler, Japan is likely going to feel much safer than some Western countries, due to the absence of violent and petty crime in society. City streets are very well lit, and there are always many people around, no matter when you&rsquo;re out and about.&nbsp;
There have been some reports of sexist and misogynistic behavior against women, but these tend to be targeted towards residents rather than foreigners.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adventurouskate.com/solo-female-travel-japan-safe/">This article</a> talks about what to watch out for if you do decide to travel to Japan alone.

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting around</h2>
Tokyo has one of the most extensive public transport systems you might encounter anywhere in the world &mdash; no surprise when it has to move millions of people a day.&nbsp;
As with all public transport in Japan, there are certain customs which are seen as normal on the metro but may seem strict in comparison to what you experience at home:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">No talking loudly/playing music on the train, and keep your phone on silent</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">There are no rubbish bins in the station (or on the streets), so take your rubbish with you back to the hotel&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">No eating/drinking on the train (unless you&rsquo;re on the Shinkansen)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://metropolisjapan.com/women-only-train-cars-tokyo/">Women-only cars</a> are active during peak hours&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Wait in an orderly line on the platform when waiting for the train (you&rsquo;ll likely see arrows on the ground)&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Keep your bag in your lap, and be aware of your surroundings </li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">Metro and suburban trains</h3>
The crowning feature (and the one you&rsquo;ll likely use most often) is the metro. It&rsquo;s extensive, with 142 stations spread across the metropolitan area. The most popular stations include:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ginza (Ginza Line, Hibiya Line, Marunouchi Line)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Asakusa (Asakua Line, Ginza Line)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ueno (Ginza Line, Hibiya Line)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shibuya (Ginza Line, Fukutoshin Line, Hanzomon Line)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shinjuku (Shinjuku Line, Marunouchi Line, Oedo Line)</li>
</ul>
It&rsquo;s quick, clean, efficient (the norm in Japan) and runs throughout the day from 5am until around midnight. It&rsquo;s also fairly cheap, with <a href="https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/regular/index.html">a ride typically costing between 180 and 324 JPY</a>, depending on the distance. You can buy tickets from ticket machines at each station&nbsp;(in denominations from 180 JPY to 330 JPY), or use your preloaded IC card. You can put money on your IC card directly in your phone&rsquo;s wallet (if you have the e-version of the card, which is exclusive to Apple phones), or via the ticket machine with cash (or debit/credit card).&nbsp;
Using Google Maps is your best bet for navigating the metro, as it has extremely easy-to-understand way finding features. It&rsquo;ll tell you which exit you&rsquo;ll need to take, which carriage you should travel in, and which color line you&rsquo;re transiting on.&nbsp;
To get to places like the Ghibli Museum or Disneyland, you&rsquo;ll need to jump on a suburban train instead. Functionally, there isn&rsquo;t any difference between this and the metro in terms of your tickets (IC card works across both) or the way you navigate it. The only difference is that you&rsquo;ll have to catch these trains from major stations, like Tokyo Station, and the platforms are usually above ground, instead of underground like the metro platforms.

<h3 dir="ltr">Buses</h3>
Similarly to the metro, the Tokyo bus network is extensive. To use the bus, you find the bus stop and stand in an orderly line behind those who arrived before you. In busy areas, there will be lines on the pavement to direct you.
Once the bus arrives, you jump on through the back door. If you&rsquo;re paying with cash, you&rsquo;ll need to take a ticket from the box near the door; otherwise you&rsquo;re fine to just sit down. The normal rules apply here &mdash; if the bus is too busy, offer your seat to those around you who may need it more than you. If you&rsquo;re standing, hold on to the handrail.&nbsp;
When you reach your stop, press the button and get your payment ready &mdash; you&rsquo;ll pay when you leave the bus (via the front door). You can pay with your IC card by tapping it as you leave (via the front door), or with change. Keep in mind, the driver can&rsquo;t break notes over 1000 JPY.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Food</h2>
A lot of what we now know as &lsquo;Japanese&rsquo; food originated in Tokyo. That, alongside the fact it&rsquo;s Japan&rsquo;s biggest city, means you&rsquo;ll be absolutely spoiled for choice for every single Japanese dish you want to try.&nbsp;
Here are a few that are known to be particularly good in Tokyo:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Curry: served with rice or udon</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Monjayaki: pan-fried batter topped with cabbage, seafood (similar to okonomiyaki)&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Edomae sushi: the &lsquo;typical&rsquo; sushi you&rsquo;re probably familiar with, with raw seafood on rice</li>
<li>Gyu-katsu: deep-fried beef cutlet (usually wagyu beef)</li>
</ul>

I lined up for about 45 minutes one evening to eat at&nbsp;<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/mSwjdSTMpNeP4mSz8">Gyukatsu in Asakusa</a>, and it was well worth it &mdash; you can even grill each piece of beef to your taste. They do have 2 locations within a 5-minute walk of each other, so it&rsquo;s worth scoping out both lines to see which is shorter.

Tokyo also has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, covering not just Japanese cuisine, but also French, Chinese, Spanish and Indian. As with everywhere in Japan, Tabelog is where you should go for restaurant reviews and reservations. Any restaurant above a 3.5 rating should guarantee you a really good meal (these ratings are stricter in Japan than in other countries).&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Street food</h3>
It&rsquo;s worth noting that &lsquo;street food&rsquo; in Japan isn&rsquo;t quite the same as in other countries, as it&rsquo;s considered rude to eat and walk. Because of this, you&rsquo;re more likely to find shopfronts with proper seating, or casual pub-style spots called izakayas. 
Memory Lane in Shinjuku is a place that comes highly recommended by travelers for its atmosphere and&nbsp;yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) shops. Otherwise, Nakamise Street in Asauka, Tsukiji Outer Market and the Takeshita Street in Harajuku have some street food stalls. 
If you're looking for a little more than traditional foods like takoyaki (octopus balls), taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes filled with red bean), and sweet sticky rice sticks called dango across the board, Harajuku is where you&rsquo;ll find the latest viral food crazes as seen on social media.&nbsp;
If you do buy food from a shop with no seating, it&rsquo;s either expected you&rsquo;ll take it away to eat later, or you&rsquo;ll eat it standing directly in front of the store you bought it from.&nbsp;

<h3>Convenience store food</h3>
There's no shortage of convenience stores in the country (7-11, Lawson, and Family Mart are the big three). You'd struggle to find a single street in a major metropolitan area that doesn't have one of these stores on it. Because of this, the food available here has become ubiquitous with a trip to Japan. It's almost a type of pilgrimage, where visitors scope out their favorite foods.&nbsp;
As well as the sheer number of stores, the quality of the food is impressive. You can find the usual snacks and drinks you'd expect anywhere in the world, alongside a surprising variety of baked pastries, hot food and take away meals. I'd recommend trying onigiri, katsu/egg sandwiches, and the melon pan&nbsp;from any of these stores.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Useful links</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506">Google Translate App</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuicamobile/">Welcome Suica card</a> (<a href="https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/suica-card-guide/">here&rsquo;s</a> how to get it on your phone)&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://tabelog.com/en/">Tabelog</a> - used for restaurant recommendations and booking</li>
</ul>

JFC's Guide to: Tokyo

Mexico City is a sprawling, vibrant metropolis nestled in the Valley of Mexico at an altitude that might make your head spin &mdash; literally, if you&rsquo;re not used to being up high.
It&rsquo;s a city of contrasts: centuries-old architecture stands proudly beside sleek modern buildings, and quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa are just a short ride from the bustling chaos of the Centro Hist&oacute;rico.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Having visited myself, I can say that CDMX (an abbreviation you&rsquo;ll often see for Mexico City) is more than a destination; it&rsquo;s an experience. Whether you&rsquo;re biting into the most perfectly cooked huraches from a street vendor or marveling at Diego Rivera&rsquo;s murals in the Palacio Nacional, there&rsquo;s a rhythm to this city that pulls you in.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s the kind of place where you&rsquo;ll want to dive into the culture, but might feel the need for a nap after tackling one of its expansive markets. Is it for everyone? That depends on how much you love a city that pulses with life 24/7.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To help you make the decision on whether it deserves a spot on your bucket list, we&rsquo;ve scoured the JFC community and our go-to trusted sources for tips on Mexico City.
A quick note on the links in this guide: We&rsquo;re not affiliated with any external sites we&rsquo;ve chosen to include, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you make a decision on whether this destination is for you.
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Quick Reference
<ul style="list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0;">
<li><a href="#getting-there">Getting There</a></li>
<li><a href="#entry">Entry Requirements</a></li>
<li><a href="#vacs-meds">Vaccines and Medications</a></li>
<li><a href="#in-cell">Internet and Cell Service</a></li>
<li><a href="#travel-style">Travel Style</a></li>
<li><a href="#season">Seasonality</a></li>
<li><a href="#getting-around">Getting Around</a></li>
<li><a href="#area-guides">Area Guides</a></li>
<li><a href="#day-trips">Day Trips</a></li>
<li><a href="#worth-note">Worth Noting</a></li>
<li><a href="#food">Food</a></li>
<li><a href="#event">Events</a></li>
<li><a href="#rec-res">Recommended Resources</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

<a id="getting-there" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Getting There</h1>
Flying to Mexico City is relatively straightforward, especially from places like the USA, Canada and Europe. The city&rsquo;s airport is well-connected to major cities around the world.
You can catch non-stop flights from most major hubs in North America, including JFK, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and LAX, as well as bigger airports in Europe, such as Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Munich, and Paris.&nbsp;

Here&rsquo;s an idea of what we at JFC tend to see for flights to Mexico City.
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average fare: $170s-$270s RT, depending on departure city and airline</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 20</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $125 RT from San Antonio</li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average fare: $550 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 4</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: We&rsquo;re still waiting to be impressed</li>
</ul>
Note: Canada gets loads of trips to PVR, Cancun, Cabo, and more for under $400 RT
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average fare: &pound;460 rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 10</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &pound;361 rtn from Birmingham</li>
</ul>
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average fare: &euro;450 rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &euro;305 rtn from Amsterdam </li>
</ul>
For longer adventures, you can link up your Mexico City trip with flights to other spots around Latin America, like Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Bogot&aacute;, Lima, and S&atilde;o Paulo. If you&rsquo;d rather stick to exploring every corner of Mexico, you can grab incredibly <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxoaKABqBwgBEgNNRVhyDQgEEgkvbS8wYjkwX3IaGigAag0IBBIJL20vMGI5MF9ycgcIARIDTUVYQAFIAXACggELCP___________wGYAQGyAQQYASAB&amp;tfu=GgA">cheap domestic flights</a> all over. 
VivaAerobus is the country&rsquo;s budget carrier, and we&rsquo;ve seen one-way routes from Mexico City as low as $/&pound;/&euro;3 RT. No, that&rsquo;s not a typo.&nbsp;

<a id="entry" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Entry requirements</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Proof of onward travel: Sometimes, immigration officials will ask for proof that you&rsquo;re leaving the country (a return ticket or a ticket to another destination). It doesn&rsquo;t always happen, but it&rsquo;s good to have just in case.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<a id="vacs-meds" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vaccines and medications</h3>
There are no vaccines required for entry to Mexico however many travelers are recommended vaccines for Typhoid, Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Talk to your doctor before travelling to see what&rsquo;s right for you.&nbsp;
Any medication and travel essentials can be found and bought for a reasonable price in Mexico City.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Cash &amp; Currency</h3>
Mexico uses pesos as their main currency, but in touristy areas, American dollars are widely accepted. The only exception is in smaller shops and tiendas, where you can expect to pay in pesos.
Prices in Mexico are displayed in MXN (Mexican pesos) and denoted with the $ symbol, so don&rsquo;t panic if they seem high at first glance.
As a guideline, street tacos may be priced at 20 pesos, which is about $1 USD (or less than &pound;1/&euro;1) or a bottle of tequila 300&ndash;500 pesos, the equivalent of $/&euro;15-$/&euro;20&nbsp; or &pound;12-&pound;16.&nbsp;

You&rsquo;ll want to avoid changing money at the airport, as thieves have been known to target tourists after spotting them at the money exchange. Unfortunately, there&rsquo;s been many incidents of people being targeted by thieves after exchanging money.
You can withdraw cash from ATMs in Mexico for the best exchange rate, or consider using your home bank to exchange money before your trip. To make sure you always get the best rate, you should always choose to be charged in the local currency of the country you&rsquo;re in.
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For travellers from the USA, open a free Schwab checking account. It gives you free ATM access worldwide after rebate, and the exchange rate is 1 to 1. At then end of the month, your ATM fees are reimbursed.&nbsp;
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Akasha's Pro Tip

<h3 dir="ltr">Cash and Card Usage</h3>
In Mexico City, you can rely on using card, so carrying large amounts of cash isn&rsquo;t necessary. However, in small shops, markets and smaller towns or rural areas, cash is king.
<a id="in-cell" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Internet and Cell Service</h3>
Mexico City has reliable internet and cell service, making it a great destination for digital nomads. SIM cards are easy to find at airports, Oxxo convenience stores, or official carrier stores (Telcel, Movistar, and AT&amp;T Mexico are the main providers). Telcel has the best nationwide coverage.
Wi-Fi is widely available in caf&eacute;s, coworking spaces (like WeWork, Selina, and Impact Hub), and most Airbnb rentals. Some public areas and metro stations also offer free Wi-Fi, though speeds can vary. For uninterrupted work, consider getting a local SIM with a data plan or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
Many digital nomads work from neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, and Polanco, where internet speeds are generally fast and caf&eacute;s are laptop-friendly. If you need high-speed internet, check with your accommodation beforehand or opt for a coworking space.

<a id="travel-style" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Travel Style</h1>
Always evolving, buzzy doesn&rsquo;t even begin to describe Mexico City.&nbsp;
First, this place is HUMONGOUS, bigger than you might expect. The city&rsquo;s energy is contagious, but for a first-time traveler or anyone who hasn&rsquo;t been to many cities in Latin America, Mexico City might feel a bit overwhelming. Especially if you&rsquo;re someone that struggles with sensory overload.
But with the right street-smarts and curiosity, it can be a hugely rewarding experience and locals are generally friendly and helpful, especially when you <a href="https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/this-spanish-course-will-prepare-you-for-your-mexican-vacation">try to speak in Spanish</a>. While some people do speak English, more so in touristy areas, being able to ask for directions or order food in Spanish will make your life easier &mdash; and your server&rsquo;s!&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve highlighted the importance of keeping your wits about you. Here are some top tips on staying safe:
Pickpocketing: This is the most common issue in crowded places, like the metro or busy markets. Keep your valuables out of sight, split your money between pockets, and maybe even invest in a money belt.
Neighborhood Awareness: Some areas of Mexico City are super safe, like Roma, Condesa, and Polanco, but others, especially at night, might be worth avoiding (e.g., Tepito, and certain parts of downtown after dark). Always ask locals or your accommodation about which areas are worth skipping.&nbsp;
Scams: Watch out for overly friendly people offering "too good to be true" deals, and stay sharp if someone asks you for directions or strikes up an odd conversation.&nbsp;

Reddit is also a great place to ask questions about travelling in Mexico City. 
Whenever I plan my travels, I usually type a question into Google followed by the word Reddit, e.g. &ldquo;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=areas+in+mexico+city+to+stay+reddit&amp;oq=areas+in+mexico+city+to+stay+reddit&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggFEAAYgAQYogQyCggGEAAYgAQYogQyCggHEAAYgAQYogTSAQg1ODQ5ajBqOagCALACAQ&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">Areas in Mexico City to stay Reddit.</a>&rdquo; Google will pull up an entire page full of Reddit discussions of real travelers&rsquo; opinions, instead of biased business pages or pages targeted for SEO.&nbsp;
But what's even better than Reddit? Asking your fellow JFC members! Post any questions you have in our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/">Jack's Flight Club Travel Community</a> on Facebook!

<h3 dir="ltr">LGBTQ+</h3>
As the very first major city in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, Mexico City has lots to offer LGBTQ travelers seeking vibrant nightlife, art, and culture. That being said, we&rsquo;ve sadly still seen reports of homophobic hate crimes in certain areas.&nbsp;
The heart of LGBTQ nightlife lies in the area known as Zona Rosa, where you&rsquo;ll find lively bars, clubs, and pride events. But the neighborhoods of Roma, Condesa, and Coyoacan are also home to a growing number of inclusive spaces.

If you&rsquo;re looking for travel tips, community, and recommendations for places to stay for LGBTQ+ travelers, take a look at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.misterbandb.com/">this helpful website</a>!

<h3 dir="ltr">Solo Female Travelers</h3>
As a solo female traveler in Mexico City, you can definitely have a fantastic time. I&rsquo;ve visited Mexico City a handful of times solo, and here are my best tips:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Stay in neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Napoles, Coyacan. I wouldn&rsquo;t recommend staying in Zocalo, since it can be a bit dodgy at night.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Don&rsquo;t wear flashy, expensive jewelry. I&rsquo;ve had some weird experiences while on the metro, almost having a family heirloom grabbed from my neck. Thankfully, a kind stranger anticipated what was going to happen and stepped in.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Use Uber or Didi instead of grabbing random taxis, and avoid walking alone late at night.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Catcalls can happen, but just ignore them and keep moving. If someone seems too persistent or makes you uncomfortable, don&rsquo;t hesitate to duck into a shop or caf&eacute; for a bit. If a man stops and asks you for directions, it&rsquo;s usually better to be cautious. It could be harmless, but it could also be a distraction tactic. Just politely say you don&rsquo;t know and keep walking. If you ever feel uncomfortable and need to get out of a situation, try to find another woman nearby, especially someone who looks older or has a child with her. Approaching someone like that can help you feel safer and might discourage any unwanted attention. Trust your instincts and don&rsquo;t hesitate to ask for help if needed.</li>
<li>Stay at well-rated hotels, guest houses, or hostels, and trust your gut when dealing with people.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
There&rsquo;s a solid community of solo female travelers out there, including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaletravelersinmexico/">Facebook groups</a> and <a href="https://asinglewomantraveling.com/13-must-have-travel-apps-for-solo-females/">apps</a>.&nbsp;

<a id="season" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Seasonality</h1>
<h3 dir="ltr">March&ndash;May: Ideal for Sunseekers</h3>
This is the start of the city's most idyllic weather, with highs around 26&deg;C/78&deg;F. Be sure to secure your travel plans early, as this is one of the most popular times of year to visit.
<h3 dir="ltr">June&ndash;August, December&ndash;February: Best for budget breaks</h3>
The summer months of June to August are Mexico's rainy season. The weather still hits highs of around 26&deg;C/78&deg;F during the day, but downpours appear nearly every afternoon.&nbsp;
Because it's a slower season, some hotels offer discounted rates. Visitors during these months can breathe easy as the rain clears up some of Mexico City's notoriously bad air pollution. Weather forecasts and pollution indexes are regularly updated <a href="https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/e/about/about-mexico-city/weather-forecasts-pollution-uv/">here</a>.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">September&ndash;November: Best time to experience Mexican festivals</h3>
Fall visits offer the opportunity to experience some of the city's most popular events and cultural activities, like <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/dia-de-muertos-what-to-know">D&iacute;a de los Muertos</a> (Day of the Dead).&nbsp;
Although D&iacute;a de los Muertos takes place at the beginning of November, celebrations kick off at the end of October &mdash; this is <a href="https://blog.vibeadventures.com/dia-de-los-muertos-2025/">an incredibly special time</a> to visit Mexico.&nbsp;

<a id="getting-around" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Getting Around&nbsp;</h1>
Getting around Mexico City will be the least of your worries. There&rsquo;s a sprawling metro system used by millions of people every day. It can get pretty packed during peak times (7am-9am, 5pm-7:30pm) &mdash; no joke, I once even lost a shoe trying to get off at my stop!&nbsp;
Remember to keep a close eye on your belongings and to not wear flashy jewelry, as pick-pocketing can occur, especially during rush-hour when everybody is packed in a subway car like sardines. To avoid overcrowding, passengers are discouraged from bringing large backpacks or suitcases.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s worth noting that the first three carriages of the metro are reserved for women and children only.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Renting a car</h3>
I&rsquo;d advise against renting a car here, as it&rsquo;s one of the world&rsquo;s most congested cities. It&rsquo;s best to avoid travelling by car or taxi during rush hour in particular, unless you want to spend your vacation in a grid-lock.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Rideshare and taxis</h3>
There are official taxis operating across the city, but for extra safety, I always recommend using Uber or DiDi.&nbsp;
Check out <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/getting-around-mexico-city">this helpful guide</a> from Lonely Planet for more information about transportation in Mexico City.

<h3 dir="ltr">Bus</h3>
If you&rsquo;re travelling around Mexico, it&rsquo;s likely that you&rsquo;ll take a long-distance bus at some point. As the capital city, you can grab an intercity bus to Mexico City from almost anywhere else in the country.&nbsp;
There are a couple of important things to know about coach travel in Mexico. Firstly, you should pay attention to the class of the ticket you buy &mdash; unsurprisingly, executive and deluxe services will be more comfortable, and generally speedier, than 1st class journeys, which again will be more pleasant than 2nd class. Familiarize yourself with <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/getting-around-mexico">the differences here</a> before booking.&nbsp;
Secondly, different companies operate in different parts of the country. In the south, ADO are one of the better options, while Primera Plus is a good choice in central Mexico.
ETN run connections between major cities along the Pacific, in the north, in the east, and some spots in the south. They&rsquo;re considered pretty luxurious, so while you&rsquo;ll pay a little more, it&rsquo;s worth it for those long journeys.
<a href="https://kittiaroundtheworld.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-travelling-around-mexico-by-bus/">This blog</a> is an excellent guide to the different routes and companies available, and how to plan for bus travel to and from Mexico City and other destinations around the country. Certain companies offer 10% discount if you book online in advance.

Don't forget Mexico City Benito Ju&aacute;rez International Airport (MEX) is a major hub for domestic flights in Mexico.
It serves as the primary hub for Aerom&eacute;xico, the country's flag carrier, and offers a wide network of domestic routes, including connections to other cities in Mexico (with budget friendly options with the airline Viva.&nbsp;

<a id="area-guides" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Area Guides</h1>
<h3 dir="ltr">Centro Hist&oacute;rico</h3>
The historic heart of Mexico City, Centro is filled with colonial-era architecture, museums, and cultural landmarks. The majestic Z&oacute;calo, one of the largest city squares in the world, is surrounded by iconic buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace. While the Z&oacute;calo is a must-visit with its historic charm and lively atmosphere, it's important to be extra vigilant at night due to occasional petty crime&mdash;keep an eye on your belongings and stick to well-lit, crowded areas.
Vibe: Bustling, historic, and culturally rich. It&rsquo;s always lively with tourists and locals!
Key Attractions: Z&oacute;calo (main square), Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, Palacio de Bellas Artes.&nbsp;
Roma Norte/Roma Sur
Stately Art Deco mansions, tree-lined boulevards, trendy caf&eacute;s, Roma is super popular with young professionals and digital nomads.&nbsp;
Artsy types will particularly enjoy the art galleries that line the streets of Roma Norte/Sur.
You can find street art murals adorning many of the buildings, adding to the creative energy of the area.
Vibe: Hip and artsy.&nbsp;
Key Attractions: Mercado Roma, Parque M&eacute;xico, art galleries, numerous caf&eacute;s, and restaurants.

<h3 dir="ltr">Condesa</h3>
Condesa&rsquo;s energy screams trendy. Artisanal dog treat bakeries, waiters in leather aprons, and more avocado toast than you&rsquo;ll know what to do with. It also happens to have some of the best parks in the city &mdash; you&rsquo;ll probably find more dogs than people here.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll find it hard to believe you&rsquo;re in a city of 22 million people as you wander through it&rsquo;s leaf lined boulevards and stunning Art Deco houses!
Vibe: Bohemian and fashionable.
Key Attractions: Parque Espa&ntilde;a, Parque M&eacute;xico, Avenida Amsterdam, a variety of restaurants and bars.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Polanco</h3>
Polanco is where the city's elite converge, drawn by its blend of modern skyscrapers and historic mansions.&nbsp;
The area is a culinary paradise, so you&rsquo;ll likely end up here if you&rsquo;re into a spot of fine dining, or you&rsquo;re celebrating a special occasion.&nbsp; Cultural landmarks like the Museo Soumaya and Museo Jumex also attract art lovers from around the world.
Vibe: Elegant, sophisticated, and exclusive.
Key Attractions: Museo Soumaya, Museo Jumex, Chapultepec Park, high-end boutiques on Avenida Presidente Masaryk.

<h3 dir="ltr">Coyoac&aacute;n</h3>
Coyoac&aacute;n feels like a village within the city, with cobblestone streets and plazas and colonial plazas packed with artists, performers and of course, mariachi bands. The neighborhood's artistic roots are plain to see at the Frida Kahlo Museum, <a href="https://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/?lang=en">Casa Azul</a> (make sure to book your tickets in advance!) and the Leon Trotsky Museum. But even just browsing the&nbsp; Coyoac&aacute;n Market will give you a glimpse of the local creative talent!&nbsp;
Vibe: Historical, artistic, and laid-back.
Key Attractions: Frida Kahlo Museum, Leon Trotsky Museum, Coyoac&aacute;n Market, Plaza Hidalgo.
<h3 dir="ltr">Ju&aacute;rez</h3>
Once forsaken after the 1986 earthquake, Ju&aacute;rez has seen a shift towards gentrification in recent years. Divided by Avenida Insurgentes, Ju&aacute;rez has two completely different energies on its east and west sides.
On the west side, you'll find an interesting mix of Korean-owned businesses, run-down souvenir shops, bookstores, and sports bars, as well as the lively Zona Rosa, filled with campy discos, sex shops and strip clubs. On the east side, Marsella Street tends more towards concept stores, vinyl shops, local designer shops, and natural wine boutiques.&nbsp;
Vibe: Energetic, eclectic, and artistic.
Key Attractions: Reforma Avenue, Zona Rosa, Marsella Street, contemporary art galleries, hip caf&eacute;s, and vibrant nightlife.

<a id="day-trips" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Day Trips&nbsp;</h1>
<h3 dir="ltr">Valle de Bravo&nbsp;</h3>
For those in the know, Valle de Bravo is a welcome relief from the madness of Mexico City. Only <a href="https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Mexico-City/Valle-de-Bravo">a two-hour drive</a> and you&rsquo;re smack in the middle of a pine-clad valley, overlooking Lago Avandaro. Seamlessly woven into the town&rsquo;s architecture and art, you&rsquo;ll find a curious fusion of both Aztec and colonial influences.&nbsp;
The lake traditionally lures in affluent chilangos (residents of Mexico City) looking for a weekend escape. Luckily, you don&rsquo;t have to be a Telenovela star to enjoy everything on offer here; it&rsquo;s still relatively inexpensive compared to some spots in Mexico.&nbsp;
Nature is king here, especially if you&rsquo;re into water sports like kayaking, sailing, and water-skiing.&nbsp;
The hiking trails are endless, with more than their fair share of waterfalls and beautiful views, and if you&rsquo;ve ever wanted to try paragliding, there&rsquo;s no better place. In January, paragliders from all over the world flock to compete in the Monarca Open.
In winter, hike or horseback ride to <a href="https://owlovertheworld.com/visit-piedra-herrada-monarch-butterfly-sanctuary/">Piedra Herradura Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary</a>. You&rsquo;ll witness thousands of monarch butterflies making their annual migration from Canada to Mexico &mdash; it&rsquo;s truly magical.
To get here, you can rent a car and drive 2 hours, or take a 3hr bus ride from Terminal Poniente in Mexico City.

<h3 dir="ltr">Teotihuac&aacute;n</h3>
The ancient pyramids of Teotihuac&aacute;n are one of the most popular day trips from Mexico City, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the country.&nbsp;
Teotihuac&aacute;n means "The Place Where Gods Were Born," and dates back to around 100 AD. It was once one of the largest cities in the ancient world.&nbsp;
The site&rsquo;s two main pyramids, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, dominate the landscape. At about 216 ft tall, the epic views of the valley are worth the brisk climb to the top. Better yet,<a href="https://thehappyjetlagger.com/en/teotihuacan-mexiko-city/"> book a sunrise hot air balloon ride</a> if you&rsquo;ve got the cash to spend, it&rsquo;ll put you back about $/&euro;100 or &pound;80, but it&rsquo;s definitely worth it.&nbsp; 
Reaching Teotihuac&aacute;n from Mexico City by bus is simple and far cheaper than booking onto a tour, plus you&rsquo;ll beat the crowds of tourists if you can go earlier in the morning. The bus departs from Autobuses del Norte terminal.&nbsp;
At the bus station, find the booth that says &ldquo;Piramides&rdquo; to buy your tickets. Expect to pay around $52 pesos (approx. $/&euro;2.60 or &pound;2) each way. Departures are every 20 minutes. Otherwise, you can rent a car and be there in under an hour.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Puebla&nbsp;</h3>
Puebla is renowned for its stunning historical center, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The city boasts some incredible colonial architecture, like the ornate Puebla Cathedral and the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, dating all the way back to 1646 it&rsquo;s the oldest library in the Americas. The city is also famous for its Talavera pottery&mdash;colorful, hand-painted ceramics that make for fantastic souvenirs.
Foodies will love Puebla&rsquo;s renowned culinary scene, especially its famous mole poblano, a rich, spicy-sweet sauce often served over chicken. And don&rsquo;t leave without trying a cemita, a tasty sandwich piled high with meat, cheese, and avocado.
A short drive from Puebla will bring you to Atlixco, a picturesque town known for its lovely gardens and pleasant climate and beautiful flower markets.&nbsp;
Further on, you&rsquo;ll find the town of Cholula with its impressive Great Pyramid. This ancient structure, the largest pyramid by volume in the world, is mostly hidden beneath a hill but topped with the beautiful Nuestra Se&ntilde;ora de los Remedios church. Climbing up offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and nearby volcanoes.
That leads us to Popocat&eacute;petl or Popo as it&rsquo;s affectionately called, the enormous volcano dominating the skyline of Puebla and its surroundings.
Standing at nearly 18,000 feet, this active volcano offers a challenging trek starting from the town of Amecameca, with routes often beginning at the historical Paso de Cort&eacute;s.&nbsp;
The climb is demanding due to its high altitude and changing weather conditions, so it&rsquo;s crucial to check current access restrictions and be well-prepared with proper gear and local guides.&nbsp;
On clear days, the summit rewards climbers with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the neighboring Iztacc&iacute;huatl Volcano, making the strenuous hike truly worth the effort.
Renting a car is a convenient way to explore these destinations at your pace, or you can catch a bus from Terminal Central del Sur in Mexico City. Departures leave hourly and tickets cost anywhere between 250-400 pesos depending on the bus class and company, and are often cheaper when booked ahead of time.
Puebla is a 2hr drive by car and 2.5 by bus, with Atlixco and Cholula 25-30mins from Puebla.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Tepoztlan</h3>
A mystical mountainous town Tepoztlan (not to be mistaken for Tepotzotl&aacute;n) has been long under the spell of the pyramid El Tepozteco. No wonder it&rsquo;s considered to be one of Mexico&rsquo;s Pueblo Magicos (magic towns).&nbsp;
The pyramid was built by the Aztecs in honor of Tepoztecatl, the god of pulque (a traditional fermented drink in Mexico). It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley, making it a popular spot for both history enthusiasts and hikers.&nbsp;
The town itself has long been associated with spiritual practices and local legends. It&rsquo;s often regarded as a place of energy and healing, with visitors flocking from across the country to consult its indigenous healers.&nbsp;
To get here is pretty straightforward. Rent a car and you&rsquo;ll arrive in 1.5hrs or hop on a bus from Terminal Tazqueno in Mexico City.
You&rsquo;ll want to head straight for the OCC counter where a one-way ticket will run you $130 pesos ($/&euro;7 USD or &pound;5.50), keep in mind though the bus drops you about a mile from the town center.

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<h1 dir="ltr">Worth Noting</h1>
<h3 dir="ltr">Language</h3>
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Mexico, but the government also recognizes 68 other languages spoken in the country. Most hotels and tourism-related services offer at least some level of English.

<h3 dir="ltr">Altitude Sickness</h3>
Mexico City sits pretty high up, about 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level, so some visitors might feel a bit off when they first arrive. You could experience things like headaches, dizziness, or just feeling exhausted. It&rsquo;s usually nothing serious, and most people adjust in a day or two.&nbsp;
To help with it, drink plenty of water, take it easy on alcohol, and rest up when you get there. If the symptoms stick around or get worse, it's a good idea to check in with a doctor, but most people feel better after a little time.

<h3 dir="ltr">Food Hygiene&nbsp;</h3>
It&rsquo;s hardly a secret that Mexico has some of the best food on the planet. Unfortunately, though, food poisoning is a real issue, and during my time living in Mexico, I suffered from it more times than I can count. In some instances, it was nothing more than an upset stomach for a few days. But other times, it got so bad I even required hospitalization on several occasions &mdash; thanks parasites!
I won&rsquo;t go too into detail, but here are my best tips to avoid getting sick while travelling in Mexico:
<h3 dir="ltr">Water</h3>
Sadly, in Mexico, millions of people lack access to clean water due to pollution, lack of infrastructure and corporate corruption. And one of the biggest culprits of food poisoning that travelers encounter? Contaminated water.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Never drink the tap water. That goes for brushing your teeth too, use filtered water and don&rsquo;t even think about opening your mouth in the shower.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Never eat food washed with tap water or that contains high levels of water, e.g., that salad on your plate, forget about it.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Use dry glasses/dishware only. If somebody gives you a glass for your drink that looks like it&rsquo;s just been washed, avoid. This is because the harmful bacteria are water-born, so they&rsquo;ll die off once something has been left to dry.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Don&rsquo;t drink fruit juices unless they are freshly squeezed, as they might be reconstituted with tap water.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">If you&rsquo;re cooking at your accommodation, use filtered water to wash your vegetables. Pick up a bottle of <a href="https://kathleeniscookinginmexico.wordpress.com/tag/microdyn/">Microdyn</a> at any convenience store and add it to the water to disinfect your vegetables and fruit. Do not skip this step; fruit and vegetables are irrigated in waste-water in Mexico.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">You can buy 20L jugs of treated water from most grocery or convenience stores. These are known as garraf&oacute;ns and are the most convenient way of keeping a supply of clean water around. Most Airbnbs will have have 1&ndash;2 garraf&oacute;ns for you to use, but always make sure they are sealed. The same goes for bottled water in a restaurant. Some establishments may offer you conveniently pre-opened bottles of &ldquo;purified&rdquo; water, but usually they&rsquo;re trying to reuse bottles by refilling them with unclean water. Always ask for &ldquo;bebidas selladas,&rdquo; meaning &ldquo;sealed drinks&rdquo;.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Add some drops of Microdyn to your bottle as well, and avoid using the brand Bonafont &mdash; many locals have told me the water quality is questionable.&nbsp;

<a id="food" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Food</h1>
Mexico City&rsquo;s food scene is a delicious blend of tradition and innovation, with something for every craving. Here are some standout dishes&mdash;and the best spots to try them:
<h3 dir="ltr">Dishes to Try</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Huaraches &ndash; Thick, sandal-shaped masa bases loaded with beans, cheese, and toppings like tinga or nopales (cactus).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sopa de Hongos &ndash; A comforting wild mushroom soup, often flavored with epazote and garlic.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Mixiotes &ndash; Tender lamb or chicken steamed in maguey leaves with pasilla chiles&mdash;super aromatic and juicy.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Escamoles &ndash; Buttery, nutty ant larvae (Mexico&rsquo;s "caviar"), best enjoyed in tacos or with eggs.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Chiles en Nogada &ndash; Poblano peppers stuffed with picadillo, draped in walnut cream and pomegranate seeds&mdash;a patriotic favorite.</li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">Where to Eat</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d814867-Reviews-Restaurante_El_Cardenal-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html">El Cardenal</a> &ndash; A classic for chiles en nogada and mixiotes, plus incredible pan dulce and hot chocolate.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d2640717-Reviews-Azul_Historico-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html">Azul Hist&oacute;rico</a> &ndash; Stunning courtyard setting and refined Mexican dishes like sopa de hongos and cochinita pibil.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d7347504-Reviews-Taqueria_Los_Cocuyos-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html">Los Cocuyos</a> &ndash; A legendary late-night taquer&iacute;a where Anthony Bourdain ate, famous for suadero and tacos de ojo (yes, eyeball tacos).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d800423-Reviews-Pujol-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html">Pujol</a><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d800423-Reviews-Pujol-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html"> </a>&ndash; Enrique Olvera&rsquo;s world-famous spot for next-level Mexican cuisine (try the mole madre tasting menu).</li>
</ul>
Eating in Mexico City is a fantastic experience, especially if you take advantage of the "Men&uacute; del D&iacute;a" (Menu of the Day), a budget-friendly and delicious way to enjoy a full meal. Here are some tips to make the most of it:
<h3 dir="ltr">Men&uacute; del D&iacute;a</h3>
Eating in Mexico City is a fantastic experience, especially if you take advantage of the "Men&uacute; del D&iacute;a" (Menu of the Day), a budget-friendly and delicious way to enjoy a full meal. Here are some tips to make the most of it:
Typically includes:
<ul>
<li>Sopa o pasta (soup or pasta)</li>
<li>Arroz o frijoles (rice or beans)</li>
<li>Guisado principal (main dish &ndash; meat, chicken, fish, or vegetarian)</li>
<li>Agua fresca (flavored water)</li>
<li>Sometimes dessert or coffee</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Best Places to Find Men&uacute; del D&iacute;a</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Fondas &amp; Cocinas Econ&oacute;micas &ndash; Small, family-run spots with home-style cooking.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Local Markets &ndash; Many markets (e.g., Mercado San Juan, Mercado Roma) have food stalls offering men&uacute; del d&iacute;a.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Traditional Restaurants &ndash; Look for places with a chalkboard or sign saying "Men&uacute; Ejecutivo" (executive lunch).</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">When to Go</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lunchtime (2&ndash;5 PM) &ndash; Mexicans eat lunch late, so the best men&uacute;s are served in the afternoon.</li>
<li>Avoid peak hours (around 3 PM) if you want a seat quickly.</li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">Street Food</h3>
Avoid or Indulge? That&rsquo;s the hot question.
Avoiding street food in Mexico means missing out on a cultural experience integral to the country&rsquo;s culinary roots. It&rsquo;s not just about the flavors; it&rsquo;s about the atmosphere, the community, and the stories behind each dish.&nbsp;
That being said, there are a few things to look out for if you want to have the best experience:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Eat at stands that locals are lining up for. If nobody is lining up at a certain stand, there&rsquo;s probably a reason for it. But remember, locals will have a different level of immunity than travelers.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bypass the stands that vendors are handling raw meat and vegetables simultaneously, or are handling food and money. And if you see a stand where raw meat sits in the open sun for extended periods of time? Keep walking.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h3>Food Poisoning &amp; Parasites: Prevention &amp; Remedies</h3>
Unfortunately, you can&rsquo;t always protect yourself from food poisoning or parasites. I&rsquo;ve had memorable adventures with these nasty illnesses, and despite western medication from my doctor (which is readily available in Mexico City), I found that there were some local remedies that also helped my symptoms. 
I&rsquo;m not a doctor, though, so definitely do your own research and check with a medical professional to make sure whatever you take doesn&rsquo;t contradict your existing medication.&nbsp; 
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Charcoal Tablets: Activated charcoal acts like a sponge for toxins, binding to harmful substances in your digestive system. It helps alleviate gas, bloating, and even hangovers. Just remember to time it right with any medications!</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Probiotics: Think kefir, sauerkraut, and tepache as your gut&rsquo;s personal cheerleaders! These fermented foods are rich in beneficial bacteria that restore balance in your digestive system.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Chaparro Amargoso: Known for its bitter flavor, this herb is often used to tackle digestive issues and parasites. Its cleansing properties can help flush out unwanted guests from your gut.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Grapefruit Seed Extract: A potent ally with antimicrobial properties, grapefruit seed extract can combat bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Just a few drops in water can bolster your body&rsquo;s defenses and aid digestion.</li>
</ul>

If your Spanish is decent, head for Mercado de Sonora, Mexico City&rsquo;s witch-market. Here you&rsquo;ll find tons of stalls selling indigenous herbs and remedies. Ask them for Chinchawa and thank me later!&nbsp;

<a id="event" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Events</h1>
<h3 dir="ltr">SEMANA SANTA</h3>
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Mexico is a huge cultural and religious celebration leading up to Easter. In Mexico City, it&rsquo;s marked by solemn processions, dramatic reenactments, and deep traditions. One of the most famous events is the Passion Play in Iztapalapa, where locals reenact the crucifixion in an intense and detailed performance. Churches hold special services, and processions wind through the streets with statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.&nbsp;
Even if you're not religious, it&rsquo;s an amazing way to experience Mexico&rsquo;s blend of faith, history, and culture.&nbsp;
It is one of the busiest times to travel for Mexican families, so if you&rsquo;re more of an introvert, you&rsquo;ll probably want to avoid planning your trip for this time of year.
<h3 dir="ltr">INDEPENDENCE DAY (D&Iacute;A DE LA INDEPENDENCIA)</h3>
Forget Cinco de Mayo&mdash;September 16 is the real deal. The entire country bursts into life with music, fireworks, and an electric atmosphere, all to commemorate the start of Mexico&rsquo;s fight for independence from Spain in 1810.
The heart of the action is in Z&oacute;calo, Mexico City&rsquo;s main square. On the night of September 15th, thousands of people gather to witness "El Grito de Dolores" (The Cry of Dolores), a reenactment of the moment when Miguel Hidalgo, a priest, rang the church bell and rallied the people to rise up. The President of Mexico steps out onto the National Palace balcony, waves the Mexican flag, and shouts &ldquo;&iexcl;Viva M&eacute;xico!&rdquo; three times. The crowd roars back, the sky explodes with fireworks, and the party kicks into full gear.
The next day, September 16th, the streets fill with parades&mdash;expect to see everything from military processions to folkloric dancers twirling in traditional dresses. Bands play lively mariachi tunes, and the air is thick with the smell of street food like elotes (grilled corn) and tacos al pastor.

<h3 dir="ltr">DAY OF THE DEAD (DIA DE MUERTOS)</h3>
D&iacute;a de Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico is one of the most visually stunning and heartfelt celebrations you&rsquo;ll ever witness. Taking place on November 1st and 2nd, it&rsquo;s not about mourning&mdash;it's a joyful, colorful tribute to loved ones who&rsquo;ve passed, celebrating their lives with food, music, and elaborate altars.
The most iconic part of the celebration is the ofrendas&mdash;altars set up in homes, streets, and public spaces. These are adorned with photos, marigold flowers (known as cempas&uacute;chil), candles, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods of the departed, inviting them to return and celebrate with the living. You'll find incredible public displays, especially at places like the Z&oacute;calo, where large-scale altars and installations are on full display.
Mexico City also hosts a massive D&iacute;a de Muertos parade, complete with giant skeleton floats, performers in full calavera (skull) makeup, and traditional dancers.
It&rsquo;s not all about the spectacle, though&mdash;there&rsquo;s a deep sense of reverence in the air. People visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, spending time with their ancestors in a beautiful blend of celebration and remembrance. Even if you're just a visitor, the warmth of this tradition will draw you in, and you'll leave with a more profound understanding of how Mexicans view life, death, and the unbreakable connection between the two.
<h3 dir="ltr">THE DAY OF THE RACE (D&Iacute;A DE LA RAZA)</h3>
D&iacute;a de la Raza in Mexico City is a unique mix of history, culture, and modern-day reflection. It&rsquo;s celebrated on October 12th, marking the day in 1492 when Columbus first landed in the Americas. But in Mexico, it&rsquo;s less about celebrating Columbus and more about honoring the rich indigenous cultures that existed long before European colonization.
In Mexico City, the day kicks off with vibrant parades, where you&rsquo;ll see people dressed in colorful indigenous costumes, dancing to traditional music. These events are all about reclaiming and celebrating the pre-Hispanic roots that are so integral to Mexico&rsquo;s identity.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s also a day for reflection. You'll notice many gatherings and speeches dedicated to social issues, particularly around indigenous rights and the legacy of colonization. It&rsquo;s a blend of celebration and a reminder of the struggles that indigenous communities still face today.

<a id="rec-res" style="position: relative; top: -100px; display: block;"></a>
<h1 dir="ltr">Recommended Resources</h1>
<h3 dir="ltr">Coworking &amp; Digital Nomads</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.wework.com/mx/en/l/mexico-city">WeWork Mexico City</a> &ndash; Coworking spaces across the city.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://nomadlist.com/mexico-city">Nomad List (Mexico City)</a> &ndash; Digital nomad tips and reviews.</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Transportation &amp; Ride-Sharing</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.uber.com/">Uber</a> &ndash; Most popular ride-hailing app.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.didi.mx/">Didi</a> &ndash; A cheaper alternative to Uber.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://cabify.com/">Cabify</a> &ndash; Another reliable ride-hailing option.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.ecobici.cdmx.gob.mx/">Ecobici</a> &ndash; Bike-sharing system (requires registration).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://metro.cdmx.gob.mx/">Metro CDMX</a> &ndash; Official metro website with maps and updates.</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Public Transit &amp; Navigation</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://moovitapp.com/">Moovit</a> &ndash; Best app for metro, bus, and transit routes.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://citymapper.com/mexico-city">Citymapper</a> &ndash; Great for real-time transit directions.</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Safety &amp; Emergency Info</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://mx.usembassy.gov/">U.S. Embassy Mexico City</a> &ndash; Travel alerts and emergency assistance.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.gob.mx/sectur">SECTUR (Mexican Tourism Board)</a> &ndash; Official tourism info and safety tips.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.locatel.cdmx.gob.mx/">Locatel</a> &ndash; CDMX emergency &amp; assistance hotline (dial 5658-1111).</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Food &amp; Dining</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://eater.com/maps/best-mexico-city-restaurants-38">Eater Mexico City</a> &ndash; Best restaurants &amp; food guides.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://resy.com/cities/mex/mexico-city">Resy</a> &ndash; Book tables at top restaurants (like Pujol).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.opentable.com/mexico-city-restaurants">OpenTable</a> &ndash; More restaurant reservations.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.eltenedor.com.mx/">Tenedor</a> &ndash; Discounts at restaurants.</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;Travel Communities &amp; Blogs</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MexicoCity/">Mexico City Subreddit</a> &ndash; Real-time traveler Q&amp;A.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mexicocityexpats/">CDMX Travel Facebook Groups</a> &ndash; Immigrants/digital nomads.</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">&nbsp;Culture, Events &amp; Tickets</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.tiqets.com/en/mexico-city-l147634/">Tiqets</a> &ndash; Skip-the-line tickets for museums (Frida Kahlo, Anthropology Museum).</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com.mx/">Ticketmaster MX</a> &ndash; Concerts, sports, and events.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.timeout.com/mexico-city">Time Out Mexico City</a> &ndash; Events, nightlife, and pop-up experiences.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.meetup.com/cities/mx/mexico_city/">Meetup</a> &ndash; Find expat/digital nomad events.</li>
</ul>

JFC's Guide To: Mexico City

As a popular beach getaway and iconic Spring Break hub, Miami welcomes a lot of visitors. And we mean a lot &mdash; try <a href="https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/miami-s-tourism-sector-is-setting-record-numbers-and-gaining-momentum">27 million a year</a>, for a city with a population of under half a million.
Fortunately, our team lead Allan is part of that half a million! I sat him down for the insider scoop on how to avoid crowds and gnarly weather, how to easily get around town, and more.
So read on to get the most out of your Miami trip!

A quick note on the links in this guide:&nbsp;we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any external sites we&rsquo;ve chosen to include, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you make a decision on whether this destination is for you.

<h3 dir="ltr">Getting There</h3>
Getting to Miami couldn&rsquo;t be easier. There are two major airports in the area:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Miami International (MIA), about 15 minutes by car from downtown Miami.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ft. Lauderdale International (FLL), which is about a 45 minute drive north of downtown Miami.</li>
</ul>
If you spot a deal elsewhere in Florida, you can arrive in Miami via the new high-speed <a href="https://www.gobrightline.com/">Brightline trains</a>.

Here's about what we expect to see for flights into Miami:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &euro;300-&euro;450 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 5-10</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &euro;213 RT</li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &pound;250- &pound;350 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 5-10</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &pound;239 RT</li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range:$100-$200 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 10+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $85 RT</li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $150-$350 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 2-5</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $142 RT</li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Visas</h2>
Whether you need a visa to enter the United States depends on your country of citizenship. Visitors from Canada, most European countries, and some Asian countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, though you will need an ESTA. Visit the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html">US State Department website</a> for more information.&nbsp;
The state of Florida and the city of Miami have no local requirements for entry.

<h3 dir="ltr">Cash and Currency</h3>
As you&rsquo;d expect, USD is the only accepted currency in Miami. Most places accept both cash and cards.&nbsp;
If you plan to use public transit, bring some back-up cash. Officially, the buses accept contactless cards and digital wallets, but they don&rsquo;t always work correctly. More about transit under &ldquo;Getting Around Town.&rdquo;

<h3 dir="ltr">Getting Around Town</h3>
Miami is car-centric. Fortunately, rideshare apps are pretty cheap and convenient, and should have all your transportation needs covered. If you have time to wait around a while, you can also try <a href="https://ridefreebee.com/">Freebee</a>: Miami&rsquo;s free rideshare service. It works like Uber, but can be hit and miss with wait times.
A rental car will be necessary if you want to visit the Everglades without a tour, but if you plan to stay in the city, you&rsquo;ll be fine without one. More about that in the next section.
Allan also recommends making use of the&nbsp;<a href="https://citibikemiami.com/">Citi Bikes</a>. These are app-based bike rentals found all over the city, and they&rsquo;re especially convenient for getting up and down Miami Beach.

As for public transit, there are buses, the Metrorail, and the Metromover. Buses and rails are $2.25 per ride, and the Metromover is free.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Buses cover the entire county, but can be unreliable and inconvenient. <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/transit/library/system-map-brochure.pdf">This map</a> shows how often each route runs, but don&rsquo;t expect them to follow the schedule.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The Metromover connects a few major areas like Brickell, Downtown, and the MacArthur Causeway (the vehicle bridge to Miami Beach). <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/transportation-publicworks/movertracker.asp">Here&rsquo;s a map of the Metromover</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The Metrorail is your best bet for <a href="https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/plan-your-trip/transportation/how-to-get-to-downtown-miami-from-the-airport">airport transit</a> because it goes straight into the city from the airport. It&rsquo;s also good for getting into Coconut Grove, South Miami, and Coral Gables. Here&rsquo;s a map of the <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/transportation-publicworks/metrorail-stations.asp">Metrorail</a>.</li>
</ul>
If you know you&rsquo;ll be using public transit a lot, you can purchase various transit passes <a href="https://transitstore.miamidade.gov/">here</a>.

<h3 dir="ltr">Getting to the Everglades</h3>
Everglades National Park is the biggest Miami attraction that sits outside the main metro area. This massive wetland ecosystem is an incredible place to spot Florida wildlife like manatees, spoonbills, and alligators. If you&rsquo;ve never seen a good old-fashioned swampland before, this is your chance!

Like a lot of National Parks, the Everglades are sprawling, wild, and inaccessible except by car. Drivers can enter through one of three entrances and chart their own course through the park.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/guide-to-everglades-national-park-8550803">Here&rsquo;s some information</a> to help you start planning.
Alternatively, you could book a tour with pickup in Miami. You&rsquo;ll likely want to take a boat tour through the wetlands anyway, so you can simply shell out a bit more for one that will drive you to and from the park.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm">Here&rsquo;s some tours</a> recommended by the National Park Service.

<h3 dir="ltr">Best Beaches in Miami</h3>
That South Florida coastline is easily the biggest reason people visit Miami, so here&rsquo;s a quick briefing on your options. Note that where there are popular beaches, there&rsquo;s typically also popping nightlife.

<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">South Beach: Famous and full of art deco, but extremely crowded.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Mid-Beach and North Beach: Also on the same island as South Beach, but with significantly fewer people.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Key Biscayne: Allan&rsquo;s most recommended beach, about 25&ndash;40 minutes away from Miami Beach by car.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Surfside and Bal Harbor: Upscale areas north of North Beach. Known for its Jewish culture and small town feel.</li>
<li>Matheson Hammock Park: This park has a manmade atoll with shallow, calm water. It&rsquo;s ideal for young children.</li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">When to Visit</h2>
Timing can make or break your trip to Miami, so here&rsquo;s the rundown!
Pro-Tip:&nbsp;The ocean on Miami&rsquo;s beaches stays warm year-round. Your toes won&rsquo;t freeze even in winter, but don&rsquo;t expect to cool off from the heat by taking a dip.

December-February
Winter is best in Miami, weather-wise! The Florida heat cools to around mid-70s F (or mid-20s C), and the rain is minimal. Unfortunately, a lot of folks know this is the best time, so hotel pricing tends to be surged.
March-May&nbsp;
Lower pricing than peak winter. Temps will be a little toastier (around 80s F, or high 20s/low 30s C), but most of the winter crowds will have died down, with the exception of spring breakers. This is the perfect time to visit, as long as you avoid those weeks &mdash; usually around Easter. And outside of Miami Beach, you&rsquo;re not likely to run into the crowds of drunk students, anyway.

Pro-Tip: If you&rsquo;re coming for spring break, don&rsquo;t set your sights on South Beach. It&rsquo;s overcrowded and can get dangerous. Allan suggests heading up to the beach along 30th Street or higher instead. The popular nightclubs are inland, anyway.
June-August
Absolutely not! Summer in Miami is unbearably hot, humid, rainy, and under hurricane threat. There&rsquo;s a good chance you won&rsquo;t even be able to go to the beach. Unless you feel like walking into a sauna to save a few bucks on hotel fees, these are black-out dates.&nbsp;
September-November
Temps start to cool off, but hurricanes remain a threat and rain stays frequent. It&rsquo;s not ideal, but if you really want those off-season budget rates, late October and November are far better than summer or early fall.

<h2 dir="ltr">Travel Style</h2>
If this is your first trip to the US, you&rsquo;ve chosen the right city! And if it&rsquo;s your fifteenth time, or if you&rsquo;re an American, you&rsquo;ve got a pretty laid-back trip ahead of you. Miami makes itself easy to visit. Hotels are abundant, easy to book, and often right on the beach. Everything is set up with tourists in mind.
If you do want a more active vacation, Miami can still deliver &mdash; hit the bike trails, or head over to the Everglades.

JFC's Guide To: Miami

Formerly known as Saigon (a name still used by locals and hashtags alike), Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam&rsquo;s most populous city, and the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Alongside Hanoi, it&rsquo;s one of the two major international hubs that you&rsquo;re likely to arrive at on a trip to Vietnam, however few tourists take the time to visit the city itself. 
During 2024&rsquo;s Black Friday sales, I managed to make my Vietnamese dreams come true and grab a really great fare from London to Ho Chi Minh City for &pound;454 return. Before heading north to Hoi An, I spent 4 days moving to the beat of Saigon&rsquo;s drum. Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know to get yourself sipping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lordlucy.com/post/vietnamese-iced-coffee">c&agrave; ph&ecirc; sữa d&aacute;</a> in no time!
 A quick note on the links in this guide: we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any external sites we&rsquo;ve chosen to include, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you make a decision on whether this destination is for you.

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting There</h2>
Ho Chi Minh City is a relatively easy city to reach by air from all over the world.&nbsp;
Vietnam&rsquo;s national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, operates non-stop routes to major hubs in Europe, like London, Paris, Frankfurt and Munich. They also offer connections to major cities across Asia and Australia, as well as one non-stop route across the Pacific to San Francisco.
Connecting flights are even easier to come by, with cheaper fares taking you via China and India, or fancier airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific offering layovers at their hubs.

Here&rsquo;s a handy JFC guide on what to expect when booking your flight to SGN:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average JFC price range: &euro;480&ndash;&euro;580 rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &euro;306 rtn</li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average JFC price range: &pound;420&ndash;&pound;480 rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: &pound;330 rtn</li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average JFC price range: $650&ndash;$850 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $483 RT</li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average JFC price range: $900-$1000 RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 6+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: $750 RT </li>
</ul>
Of course, you might be into the idea of ticking off a few more places in Southeast Asia during your trip, like Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. There is a huge range of flights available between Ho Chi Minh City, the rest of Vietnam, and other Asian hubs, both with budget airlines such as Vietjet, and with the national carrier, Vietnam Airlines.
When planning any international transfers, allow plenty of time to navigate security and immigration at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The lines are long and checks can be quite thorough &mdash; the whole process took me around 1 hour without any complications.
The Domestic terminal is a different story &mdash; check-in/bag drop, security, and finding your gate is all very straightforward. You&rsquo;ll probably find that arriving in this terminal is the more time-consuming part, especially if you need a bus transfer to the terminal or have checked luggage. There are so many domestic flights here that it can take ages for things to move and your bags to be delivered (and the air conditioning in the baggage hall is not cut out for the heat!).

Pre-book an airport transfer, regardless of which terminal you arrive at &mdash; this will take at least some of the chaos out of navigating an otherwise hectic and poorly signposted arrivals area! I got mine via Booking.com after making my hotel reservation, which made the whole transfer process seamless. If you want a cheaper option once you arrive, the local ride-share app, Grab, felt safe and easy to navigate.&nbsp;

Katy's Pro Tip

Ho Chi Minh is also well-connected via bus and rail. Vietnam itself has an extensive rail network running the length of the country, from the Chinese border in the north, all the way to Ho Chi Minh City in the south.&nbsp;
Sleeper trains and <a href="https://vinpearl.com/en/sleeper-bus-in-vietnam-ultimate-comfort-for-your-journey">luxury sleeper buses</a> offer lots of comfortable options that&rsquo;ll help you avoid short-haul flights across SE Asia. From HCMC, you can reach Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in around 6 hours by bus, where there are onward rail connections towards Thailand. If you want to visit Laos, you&rsquo;ll first have to head north from HCMC to Hue, or all the way up to Hanoi.
For context, the train between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi takes around 35 hours and stops off at all the major cities along the coast, including Nha Trang, Da Nang (for Hoi An), Hue, and Ninh Binh. If you enjoy the journey as much as the destination, this is a great way to see the country. Just make sure you book a <a href="https://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#what-are-vietnamese-trains-like">&lsquo;soft sleeper&rsquo; cabin</a>, otherwise you might be in for a rocky ride.
We recommend the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#hanoi-hue-danang-saigon-by-train">Man in Seat 61</a> for up-to-date info on trains in Vietnam and onward connections to other parts of Southeast Asia.

<h2 dir="ltr">Visas</h2>
Whether or not you need a visa to visit Vietnam will depend on the passport you hold. From the UK and much of Europe, you can stay for up to 45 days without a visa, while visitors from the USA and Canada are usually eligible for an e-visa. These should be requested in advance, and cost 25 USD for a single entry or 50 USD for multiple entries at the time of publishing (May 2025).
The rules for each country are updated regularly, so it&rsquo;s important to check your own government guidelines before travelling.
Note: The palm-fringed island of Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand is <a href="https://vietnamvisavoa.com/phu-quoc-visa-waiver-for-foreigners-updated-2024-a252">exempt from all Vietnamese visa requirements</a> for up to 30 days. This only applies if you travel directly to and from Phu Quoc without visiting any other area of Vietnam (connecting flights on the way there or back within Vietnam are allowed).

<h2 dir="ltr">Cash &amp; Currency</h2>
The currency in Vietnam is the đồng (VND), though you&rsquo;re unlikely to ever see one đồng on its own. At the time of publishing (May 2025), $1 USD was worth around 26,000 đồng &mdash; just enough for a local beer in a comfy bar.
Your money will likely go a long way in Vietnam, with a bed in a hostel dorm costing less than 200,000 VND per night ($8/&pound;6/&euro;7.50), and 5-star accommodations for under $100/night.
Vietnam is generally a cash-based society. You&rsquo;ll be able to pay by card in hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and chain stores like 7-Eleven, but you definitely need cash for shopping at local independent businesses or street vendors.&nbsp;
Vietnamese đồng is not a closed currency, meaning you can purchase it outside the country by ordering from your local bank or exchange office before your trip. However, ATMs and exchange services are widely available in the big cities in Vietnam, so you don&rsquo;t need to bring large amounts of VND with you.&nbsp;

Head to jewelry and gold shops to exchange your USD &mdash; they usually offer the best rates! If you need to withdraw cash from a local ATM, use Tpbank and VP Bank to avoid extra fees.

<h2 dir="ltr">Seasonality</h2>
Vietnam is a very long country, so the weather and climate can vary quite a lot from north to south. There are two main seasons in Ho Chi Minh City: wet and dry. But of course, it&rsquo;s not that clear-cut, so let&rsquo;s break it down:
<h3 dir="ltr">December&ndash;February</h3>
You can expect pretty stable weather conditions during the winter months &mdash; daytime temperatures average around 30 &deg;C/86 &deg;F, falling to around 22 &deg;C/72 &deg;F at night. There may be a little rain, but it won&rsquo;t last long. In fact, you&rsquo;ll be glad of a little respite from the humidity!
Lunar New Year (aka Tết) is a major event in Ho Chi Minh City. The date changes every year, but it usually takes place sometime between late January and mid-February.&nbsp;
The two weeks following Tet tend to make the city a little quieter than usual, with many local businesses closing for staff to spend time with their families. Aside from Lunar New Year&rsquo;s Day itself, though, the usual visitor attractions remain open throughout.
Streets, shops, bars, and restaurants across the city are all decked out in red lanterns and yellow trees adorned with traditional red envelopes.&nbsp;
The celebrations on Lunar New Year&rsquo;s Eve itself involve a huge fireworks display, which you should absolutely enjoy from one of the city&rsquo;s many rooftop bars. If you&rsquo;re looking for somewhere central, I recommend <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g293925-d5774553-Reviews-The_View_Rooftop_Bar_Eatery-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html">The View</a>, tucked away atop a hotel, above the madness of Bui Vien Walking Street.

<h3 dir="ltr">March&ndash;May</h3>
The temperature starts climbing in March, with April typically being the hottest month of the year. You can expect it to get up to 38 &deg;C/100 &deg;F during the day. May stays pretty toasty, but it&rsquo;s also when the major downpours start. The humidity definitely starts picking up in April as it moves towards the monsoon season.
<h3 dir="ltr">June&ndash;August</h3>
The summer months are that hair-frizzing combination of hot and humid, sitting around 30 &deg;C/86 &deg;F. You&rsquo;ll likely be in for some rain showers, but they tend to come hard and fast, then clear quickly, so lounging by the pool is still an option.
<h3 dir="ltr">September&ndash;November</h3>
September and October are the wettest months of the year in Ho Chi Minh City. The average rainfall doubles, and skies tend to be pretty cloudy. It&rsquo;s the ideal time to pack your rain jacket and grab an off-season hotel bargain, avoiding the usual tourist crowds at the major sights. Don&rsquo;t be fooled, though &mdash; the city is always busy!
Vietnam&rsquo;s Independence Day celebrations take place on September 2nd each year. If you&rsquo;re in Ho Chi Minh City during this time, you&rsquo;ll be able to catch a day of parades, street performances, and fireworks displays.&nbsp;

2025 marks 50 years since Ho Chi Minh (or "Uncle Ho," as they call him) declared independence from France, so expect these celebrations to go bigger and better!

<h2 dir="ltr">Travel Style</h2>
Ho Chi Minh City is big and buzzing.&nbsp;But despite the hubbub, the city vibes are pretty relaxed on the whole &mdash; street-front coffee and tea shops are the go-to meeting places, usually overflowing with caffeine-seekers lounging by the roadside.&nbsp;
Solo (female) travellers should feel pretty safe going it alone in Ho Chi Minh City. You&rsquo;ll rarely find yourself alone on a darkened street, and despite the hustle and bustle, people rarely invade your personal space here.
LGBTQ+ travellers in Vietnam, particularly in a large city like Saigon, are unlikely to face particular discrimination. Same-sex relationships have never been criminalized in Vietnam, and the ban on same-sex marriage was lifted in 2015.&nbsp;
That said, Vietnam as a whole is a fairly reserved country, so public displays of affection are uncommon and will probably draw stares, regardless of your gender or sexual orientation.&nbsp;
Ho Chi Minh City&rsquo;s gay scene is small but lively. Keep an eye on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fulldisclosure_vn/?hl=en">Full Disclosure Entertainment</a>&rsquo;s regular schedule of comedy, music and drag nights, or head to one of the <a href="https://housingsgn.com/top-10-vibrant-lgbt-bars-to-explore-in-saigon/">many LGBTQ+ bars</a>. Bonus points for a roof terrace!

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting Around</h2>
I&rsquo;ll be honest, getting around Ho Chi Minh City can be pretty hectic. The roads are packed with mopeds, and just <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/travel-hub/vietnam-where-learning-to-cross-the-road-isnt-childs-play">crossing the street on foot can be a whole ordeal</a>.&nbsp;
Public transportation in the city is not the most elaborate. <a href="https://hochiminhcitymetro.com/line-1/">Ho Chi Minh City&rsquo;s first metro line</a> opened in December 2024, connecting the downtown area of District 1 with the very north of the city. There&rsquo;s not much that would take visitors all the way up there, other than <a href="https://english.suoitien.vn/">Suoi Tien Theme Park</a>, self-proclaimed as the &lsquo;most weird park in Vietnam.&rsquo; However, the metro is pretty convenient for getting between the more central sights without breaking a sweat.
Being pretty new, the stations are shiny and modern. There are three ways to <a href="https://vinpearl.com/en/ho-chi-minh-city-metro#2.3.+Buying+the+metro+tickets">buy your tickets</a>:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tap your contactless bank card at the ticket gate, and the fare will be automatically deducted.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Download the HCMC Metro app and purchase a ticket. You&rsquo;ll get a QR code ticket to scan on your phone.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Purchase a paper ticket from the counter in the metro station &mdash; both cash and card payments are accepted.</li>
</ul>
The city is currently building a network of 6 metro lines, 2 monorails, a tram line, and a light rail airport link. But until those are completed, public buses are your best bet. There are over 150 different lines, but thankfully Google Maps knows where they all go and will tell you the best route to take to your destination.
While the buses are cheap, you should expect them to be busy, and often a little slow. You&rsquo;ll need to pay in cash once you board &mdash; usually 6,000&ndash;7,000 VND &mdash; and the driver can give you change if necessary.
With the heat and traffic getting quite intense at times, I&rsquo;d recommend downloading the <a href="https://www.travelvietnam.com/traffic-transportation/grab-in-vietnam-uber-alternative-of-vietnam.html">Grab ride-share app</a> and using that to get around when you&rsquo;re travelling longer distances.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll need to provide personal details, including a passport number, when you sign up. But after that, it works just like the ride-share apps you&rsquo;re used to back home. As a bonus, you can even opt for the full Ho Chi Minh City moped experience and request a GrabBike &mdash; don&rsquo;t worry, the driver will provide a helmet!

<h2 dir="ltr">Useful Links</h2>
Local Vietnam <a href="https://localvietnam.com/travel-guide/things-to-do/ho-chi-minh-city/">Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide</a> &mdash; great all-rounder site for any extra info and destination inspo you might need
<a href="https://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#hanoi-hue-danang-saigon-by-train">The Man in Seat 61</a> &mdash; primarily info on trains in Vietnam and beyond, but also mentions where to grab onward bus connections

JFC's Guide To: Ho Chi Minh City

<h1>Paris Travel Dupes</h1>
This article was originally published in the Detour in January 2024

I&rsquo;m not a big one for leaning into travel trends&mdash;go where your heart truly desires, I say! But if your heart&nbsp;reeeeally wants to go &ldquo;somewhere like Paris but not so touristy,&rdquo; then maybe the travel dupes trend is actually for you.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s be clear, I&rsquo;m not talking about going somewhere that looks exactly like Paris&mdash;short of a visit to Vegas, you&rsquo;re not going to get a selfie with the Eiffel Tower anywhere else. TikTokers jumping on the bandwagon are all about finding somewhere &ldquo;better&rdquo; than the original destination, but for me, it&rsquo;s more about getting to the heart of what you want from a trip and looking for places that offer a similar experience.&nbsp;
So, what is it that visitors want from a trip to Paris? Romantic sunset strolls along the Seine, world-class art and stunning architecture&hellip; some really tasty baked goods and great wine? Unsurprisingly, these are all things you can find elsewhere, too.

We&rsquo;ll start with a suggestion to satisfy anyone wanting to practise their French: Rouen, the capital of Normandy. At first glance, it&rsquo;s a little more industrial than Paris, but stick with me&mdash;it still checks a bunch of boxes!&nbsp;
For those leisurely strolls, you&rsquo;ve got the Seine running through the centre of town. But here, I&rsquo;d say it&rsquo;s best enjoyed as part of the panorama from atop&nbsp;<a href="https://en.visiterouen.com/heritages/nature/the-sainte-catherine-hill-in-rouen/?lid=16g46ynjyt1i">Saint Catherine&rsquo;s Hill</a>. Even&nbsp;<a href="https://arthive.com/claudemonet/works/324044~General_view_of_Rouen_from_the_hill_of_St_Catherine?lid=sttgycdmn1sl">Monet</a>&nbsp;found the views inspiring!
The steeple towering above the rest of the old town belongs to none other than Rouen&rsquo;s own Notre-Dame Cathedral, which spends its summer evenings&nbsp;<a href="https://en.visiterouen.com/heritages/history/the-cathedral-intimate-and-flamboyant/cathedral-of-light/?lid=mgwjjzgs6r0x">bathing in illuminations</a>. And then there&rsquo;s the Gothic church of Saint-Laurent, worth a visit for its unusual museum packed with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clarkart.edu/microsites/the-art-of-iron/exhibition-(4)?lid=1kppg9ufbm2d">wrought iron works of art</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Just walking through the medieval cobblestone streets will keep you entertained, though. You can hunt down the spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, admire the city&rsquo;s astronomical clock from inside and out, and duck in and out of cheese shops (or&nbsp;<a href="https://rouen-bouge.fr/en/fromagerie-bar-bickett-le-premier-bar-a-fromage-de-rouen/?lid=7c1buui4kcaf">cheese&nbsp;bars</a>!) along the way. It&rsquo;d be rude not to sample&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/calvados-a-norman-tradition?lid=c6qz0tgyl3zl">the local tipples</a>, too!

My second suggestion takes us a hop northeast to the Belgian city of Antwerp. This one has already popped up on social media as a suggested Paris &ldquo;dupe&rdquo;, but I actually think it fits more for Amsterdam. That said, I can definitely get behind it from a more historical destination angle.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;<a href="https://aviewoncities.com/antwerp/meir?lid=gv26bcxfilcb">grand boulevards</a>&nbsp;lined with historic buildings, luxury shopping galleries, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1977614/worlds-most-beautiful-train-station-antwerp-belgium" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO-protected train station</a>&nbsp;all play a major role in setting the tone for the city. Add in the&nbsp;<a href="https://rubenshuis.be/en?lid=t7w2lwhzp3yz">Italian-style palazzo</a>&nbsp;surrounded by lush gardens and stuffed to the brim with Baroque art, and you&rsquo;ve probably got a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Don&rsquo;t worry, Antwerp also has a&nbsp;<a href="https://aviewoncities.com/antwerp/cathedral-of-our-lady?lid=66rfuoyvo8l3">Cathedral of Our Lady</a>&nbsp;for you to visit, complete with more works of art by Rubens and an effigy of Isabella of Bourbon. Bonus activity for anyone who isn&rsquo;t claustrophobic or afraid of heights: free guided tours of the cathedral include the opportunity to climb the small cathedral tower. For the full belfry experience, you&rsquo;ll need to stop by the&nbsp;<a href="https://museumvleeshuis.be/en?lid=jxxel7fzludw">Museum Vleeshuis</a>&nbsp;interactive music museum.
Antwerp also takes care of you boat-trip fans. The Scheldt River is teeming with life&mdash;between the waterbuses connecting the city and the tours that take you around the harbour, you won&rsquo;t lack an opportunity to get on the water. The sunset strolls may&nbsp;<a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/activities/belgium/walking-the-quays?lid=stf13yveldwv">look a little different</a>&nbsp;here than Paris, but they can definitely still be romantic.

My final Parisian alternative is Bucharest, Romania. You can probably surmise from its nickname, &ldquo;Little Paris of the East,&rdquo; that I&rsquo;m far from the first person to suggest that Bucharest might indeed remind you of the French capital.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ll get the most obvious reason out of the way first: the&nbsp;<a href="https://visitbucharest.today/arch-of-triumph/?lid=848le7bda3sc">Arcul de Triumf</a>. In fact, much of the architecture in Bucharest wouldn&rsquo;t feel at all out of place in Paris. As well as an old town packed with cafe-lined cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards, you&rsquo;ll soon encounter the imposing tree-lined boulevard that was specifically&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulevardul_Unirii?lid=r5k2goalrxk9">designed to rival the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es</a>.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/muzeul-micul-paris-little-paris-museum?lid=mqb4ptyey4d1">Muzeul Micul Paris</a>&nbsp;(Museum of Little Paris) is a good place to get a feel for where the nickname came from. It celebrates Bucharest&rsquo;s golden age in a staged bourgeois house that&rsquo;ll take you right back to the late 19th century.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But Bucharest does have remarkable landmarks of its own as well! Located at the end of Bulevardul Unirii, the&nbsp;<a href="https://visitbucharest.today/palace-of-parliament/?lid=5hcqn3bipel2">Palace of the Parliament</a>&nbsp;is hands-down one of the most jaw-dropping buildings I&rsquo;ve ever seen. It&rsquo;s the largest civilian building in the world, and apparently also the heaviest and most expensive.
There are loads of excellent spots to stop around the city for a browse or a bite to eat, like the beautiful&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Som5Do3VU/?hl=en&amp;lid=5wjr5drihwe8">Carturesti Carusel</a>&nbsp;bookshop and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carucubere.ro/en/venue/?lid=8gs68s5eupwo">Caru&rsquo; cu bere</a>&nbsp;restaurant. And come the evening, you can pop into a&nbsp;<a href="https://draculasguidetoromania.com/2023/10/15/wonderful-wine-bars-bucharest/?lid=i0iuwb5l64s3">cosy little wine bar</a>&nbsp;and find out just how well the local produce rivals Paris&rsquo;.
Now we&rsquo;ve got a few options lined up instead of the City of Lights, your brain might be ticking away thinking about &ldquo;dupes&rdquo; for other destinations. Here are a few ideas to consider:

<ul>
<li>Switch the Maldives for Malaysia. Already popular with diving enthusiasts, the white sand beaches and overwater bungalows of Sipadan and Langkayan just scream relaxation. Or for more budget options, pick the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timetravelturtle.com/malaysia/perhentian-islands/?lid=bmlbh6zoeah1">Perhentian Islands</a>.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Want the big city vibe without the Big Apple price tag? Head to Chicago. Walk&nbsp;<a href="https://www.the606.org/?lid=trh43lwi3ros">The 606&nbsp;</a>instead of the High Line, sip a cocktail while taking in the views at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uxcxDLcxE/?lid=k7176azc4l0y">Cindy&rsquo;s</a>, catch a show at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.secondcity.com/history?lid=x9wzz5t5cgtk">Second City</a>. And of course, treat yourself to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/november-2023/chicago-25-best-pizza/?lid=opq344i9pwwk">slice</a>&nbsp;(deep-dish or otherwise).</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>The busy temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are high on many lists, but Indonesia&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/unusual-place-of-the-month-borobudur/?lid=onhk8ub8xkdl">Borobudur</a>&nbsp;deserves just as much attention. It&rsquo;s the largest Buddhist temple compound in the world and which took 75 years to build. Its 3-tiered stupa is made from over 2 million stones and surrounded by 72 smaller shrines. Unsurprisingly, sunrise is a popular time to visit.</li>
</ul>

Paris Travel Dupes - alternative destinations to the City of Light

Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Its name will likely conjure up images of uniquely gothic architecture, ferocious football matches, and sun-soaked sandy beaches.
While it&rsquo;s one of the most visited destinations in Europe, you can&rsquo;t ignore that it&rsquo;s also beginning to appear more frequently in headlines due to the impact of tourism.&nbsp;
Over the years, many of our JFC team have visited Barcelona, and a few have even called it home, so we&rsquo;re in a good place to tell you what&rsquo;s what in the city. While we&rsquo;ll be sharing our own tips along with those from other members who have visited, our aim is to provide you with unbiased information to help you make decisions about your own visit. 
<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXft0qZkbLGcrC15ev0zP0lvqWh2Nyw0DkpTmiyo4OY5D74j6kpXrkV7Gnh8YtpF4dReNAr_1y8V3fMbfha_5wbwT8qS8Cko5p1FUkM4UVubyJMoSA4Wm7XFLY71pw30vQSdDDl28A?key=CWkV_WYRThqICg1sfg8OZg" width="383" height="383" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
A quick note on the links in this guide:&nbsp;we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any external sites we&rsquo;ve chosen to include, so we&rsquo;re not getting any freebies or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you make a decision on whether this destination is for you. 
<div style="background: #f9f9f9 none repeat scroll 0 0; border: 1px solid #aaa; display: table; font-size: 95%; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 20px; width: auto;">
Quick Reference
<ul>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_91728132448191746012977970">Pre-trip preparation</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_69043587276271746014344740">Cash and currency</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_40104367382501746014602254">Barcelona by season</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_18931801887541746014710373">Getting around Barcelona</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_74168563490791746014762544">Internet and cell service in Barcelona</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_75080099893511746014805881">Travel style</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_26392595142371746019307363">Area Guides</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_70297290447181746019584290">Markets in Barcelona</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_89286655052771746023733338">Recommended links</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_13715699555981746023771632">Barcelona food</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_63417743858831746023832209">Festivals and events in Barcelona</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_18322787361731746023870310">Gaud&iacute; buildings in Barcelona</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_96763719164391746023915429">Parks in Barcelona</a></li>
<li style="list-style: outside none none !important;"><a href="jfcs-guide-to-barcelona#h_49319333067281746023984952">Barcelona day trips</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

<h2 dir="ltr" id="h_91728132448191746012977970">Pre-trip preparation</h2>
&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Visas</h3>
Due to being in the Schengen zone, visas here are fairly simple for most travelers:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">If you&rsquo;re travelling on an EU, or Swiss passport, you won&rsquo;t need a visa at all.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">If you&rsquo;re travelling on a UK, US or Canadian passport, you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period at the time of writing. E-visas will soon be introduced for travelers from these regions (the planned start date is mid-2025), you&rsquo;ll find more info about this on the ETIAS website <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en">here</a>.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">For travelers with any other passports, you can find some more in depth information <a href="https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa_en#who-needs-to-apply-for-a-schengen-visa">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vaccines and Medication</h3>
Disclaimer: We aren't medical experts, so always check which medications and vaccines are recommended by your local healthcare service before travelling. Here are a few links to get you started:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">UK: <a href="https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations">NHS Fit for Travel</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">EU: <a href="https://consular-protection.ec.europa.eu/travel-advice_en">Travel Advice for EU citizens</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">USA: <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list">CDC Travelers' Health</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Canada: <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories">Canada.ca Travel Advice</a></li>
</ul>
Most travelers are unlikely to need any vaccinations before heading to Barcelona, but you may want to pack some more general items such as anti-histamines, painkillers etc. just in case they&rsquo;re needed during your trip.

<h3 dir="ltr">Other Essentials&nbsp;</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sunscreen &mdash;&nbsp;In peak summer, you&rsquo;ll experience around <a href="https://thespiritedexplorer.com/summer-in-barcelona-survival-guide/#:~:text=Sun%20protection%20is%20key.">10+ hrs of sunshine per day,</a> with high-level UV rays to match, so you&rsquo;ll need some SPF 50+ to avoid any nasty burns.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Mosquito repellent &mdash; A high-level DEET repellent (at least 50%)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Any higher % DEET typically only increases how long it&rsquo;ll be effective for, rather than offering &lsquo;better&rsquo; protection from biting insects. Applying a 50% DEET should last you 10&ndash;12 hours.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">FYI, when you wear sunscreen and DEET repellent together, it can limit the sun protection of your sunscreen, so give it 30 minutes after you&rsquo;ve applied your sunscreen (or until it&rsquo;s fully absorbed) before spraying your repellent.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3 dir="ltr">Clothing&nbsp;</h3>
Barcelona is generally a very relaxed city, where you can dress how you would at home. As with many historical European cities, roads can be steep, uneven, and cobblestoned in places, so you&rsquo;ll need a sturdy pair of shoes. A cross-body bag or waist bag will also be useful for storing metro passes and phones, while discouraging pickpockets. A wrist strap for your phone will also be useful if you need to use your mobile on the go.
On the beach, people wear swimsuits, bikinis, go topless and occasionally ditch clothes altogether. But before you decide to bathe in your birthday suit, make sure to<a href="https://www.foreverbarcelona.com/best-barcelona-city-beaches-area-guide/"> research the beach you're on</a>, as not all are nudist-friendly.
<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdEpQrdRBeD91zs8pLVIsjt-PRLCyAF1RYjYaaw0DnmCltqs3R5iRuqgG2BCtVeMGSlFVJmdD0vuL8T-3Oszh_X7hACuPyvLl9O9zfW-HNX-h_8KYvhF9teHWwo1Rbko8eTAOCXuA?key=CWkV_WYRThqICg1sfg8OZg" width="387" height="387" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">

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JFC's Guide To: New Orleans

Surviving Istanbul's Airports

JFC's Guide to: Tokyo

JFC's Guide To: Mexico City

JFC's Guide To: Miami

JFC's Guide To: Ho Chi Minh City

Paris Travel Dupes - alternative destinations to the City of Light

JFC's Guide To: Barcelona

JFC's guide to: Zanzibar

An insider’s travel guide to Trinidad and Tobago

The Lazy Planner's Guide to New Zealand

JFC's Guide To: Toronto

JFC's Guide To: Kraków