"There are two types of travelers, those that wait in lines and those that don't."
- Rick Steves
- Rick Steves
I'm in Paris. Finally, I can eat Macarons, see the Mona Lisa, and wear those funny hats. I'm fully prepared too. I spent the night before looking at pictures on trip advisor.
First up on the list is the Notre-Dame. When arriving, there is a long line that wraps around the building and down the street. I'm thinking, "Of course there's a long line…this place is a must-see!"
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I finally get in and see the Notre-Dame. I'm in awe; the views are stunning, and I have memories that I'll never forget.
But after waiting 4 hours in line, I'm exhausted. "I want some food and a nap dammit!"
Then dread creeps up in the back of my mind. A whole day was wasted waiting in line. I only have 2 more days left in Paris and there is still so much that I didn't see.
"The lines for the Eiffel Tower and Versailles must be long too…."
I get pissed, and that's when I decide that this will be the last time I wait in line.
Here is a guide on how to skip lines. I use these tricks on all of my trips. That's how I'm able to see so much in such a short period. For example, while others waited hours to see the Colosseum, I just walked up to the entrance.
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Time-Based Tricks: Go when fewer people are likely to be there.
- Go super early or late
- Go during lunchtime while everyone else is eating
- Visit significant sites during the weekday when there are fewer tourists
- Travel to destinations during the off-season.
Planning Based Tricks: Schedule a visit ahead of time, so you don't have to wait in the general queue.
- Book an advanced reservation - For some sites, it's better to book months in advance (e.g. Anne Frank House in Amsterdam) while others can be booked the day before (e.g. Willis Tower in Chicago).
- Get a City Pass. A city pass allows you to see multiple attractions for the price of one. This price is usually lower than if you paid for each museum separately. These passes typically have an option that allows pass holders to skip the line.
Money Based Trick
- Pay additional money to skip the line. Some attractions have a "fast pass" option that allows visitors to skip the lines for an additional fee. When traveling, time is money. Don't be cheap and waste a day of your trip because you didn't want to spend an additional $20.
Smart or Lazy Trick
- Have someone else do the planning. I'm not going to knock your hustle; if you're traveling with a planner, have them do the work. Better yet, have them read this article, and you'll probably be covered in your next trip.
One caveat: offloading trip planning also forfeits your responsibility to criticize if things don't go your way.
What tricks do you have to skip the lines?
