Hi all, I'm looking to do some work trips to cities in Europe next year and I'm wondering about anyone's experience staying outside of city centers, is this a good idea or not?
In other words, what are the pros and cons to staying in suburban or neighborhood areas if I don't mind a longer commute to where I will work for a few days?
Locations are London, Paris and Barcelona.
Hi.
Will you be mostly hanging around the hotel during your evening hours? Or, taking a taxi to some sort of fancy nightlife or restaurant?
I like to have "stuff" to walk to during my evening free time.
I'd stay in the centre of those three cities for the reason given by Karazyal. Lots of things to see and do (even if you finish too late for e.g. musums & galleries), a zillion places to eat & drink ...and all 3 are safe enough as long as you take normal city precautions against pickpocketing, petty theft (e.g.don't walk with your phone in hand or back pocket!), only use official taxis (Uber might be ok but I've never used it) and don't wander unlit and/or deserted areas after dark. It's best not to get drunk when alone too!
Another factor to consider:
It's one thing not to mind a longer commute but quite another to have your commute massively delayed because of e.g. road construction, engineering works on rail/metro/tram, collisions, weather conditions etc etc. Do you want that niggle of worry hanging over your trip?
If it's essential that you're at work on or around the right time during the trip then imo staying somewhere with easy access to work is essential too. All 3 cities have decent, safe public transport and all 3 cities are also eminently walkable. Walking to/from places is regarded as perfectly normal within the 3 cultures..
[ Edit: Edited on 2 Oct 2024, 07:33 GMT by leics2 ]
Do you have to stay in a hotel?
Quoting greatgrandmaR
Do you have to stay in a hotel?
Not necessarily, what's the best alternative?
Quoting leics2
I'd stay in the centre of those three cities for the reason given by Karazyal. Lots of things to see and do (even if you finish too late for e.g. musums & galleries), a zillion places to eat & drink ...and all 3 are safe enough as long as you take normal city precautions against pickpocketing, petty theft (e.g.don't walk with your phone in hand or back pocket!), only use official taxis (Uber might be ok but I've never used it) and don't wander unlit and/or deserted areas after dark. It's best not to get drunk when alone too!
Another factor to consider:
It's one thing not to mind a longer commute but quite another to have your commute massively delayed because of e.g. road construction, engineering works on rail/metro/tram, collisions, weather conditions etc etc. Do you want that niggle of worry hanging over your trip?
If it's essential that you're at work on or around the right time during the trip then imo staying somewhere with easy access to work is essential too. All 3 cities have decent, safe public transport and all 3 cities are also eminently walkable. Walking to/from places is regarded as perfectly normal within the 3 cultures..
I guess I wondered if staying local might be a more authentic experience.
Also, it's interesting to think about the safety aspect because tourist traps can be crime hot spots also.
What's your thoughts on this?
Quoting karazyal
Hi.
Will you be mostly hanging around the hotel during your evening hours? Or, taking a taxi to some sort of fancy nightlife or restaurant?
I like to have "stuff" to walk to during my evening free time.
- I did have a nice time in these three locations. (But was a long time ago!)
Not sure what I'll be doing socially yet but interesting thoughts, thanks.
>staying local might be a more authentic experience.
I don't know what you mean by 'more authentic'? 'Locals' live in the centre of those 3 cities too. European city centres may have sites and sights which are popular with visitors from all over the world but they aren't Disneyland! 'Authentic' real life goes on in and around those sites & sights.
Obviously life in the centre of London, Paris and Barcelona isn't quite the same as life in e.g. a small town or village but both are equally 'authentic'.
>tourist traps can be crime hot spots also.
Of course. And, as I said, the major issues are pickpocketing (often using distraction techniques) and petty theft. Both are very easy to guard against and both are just as likely to occur outside the centre/on public traansport etc.