Be honest: On a scale of unbothered to pure panic, how would you feel if you were traveling in an unfamiliar place and your phone died? Most of us would probably be uneasy, at best. We rely on our phones for navigation, communication, restaurant recommendations, transportation booking, boarding-pass storage and more. But it wasn’t always this way. I started traveling just before tech took over, and at the risk of sounding ancient, I miss those days! Sure, mobile phones and apps have made travel easier in many ways (printing maps and lugging around an actual guidebook could be a hassle), but not being tethered to a device or always knowing where we were going was truly half the fun.
Some of my favorite travel experiences have sprung from moments when I allowed myself to get lost. Stumbling upon the tastiest curry of my life—cooked to order in a local home and served at a tiny roadside table—while wandering in rural Thailand. Sloth-spotting and toucan-watching while on a quest to find the best cup of coffee in Costa Rica. Boarding a train in Japan with no set plan, just picking a stop to exit and explore, and ending up on an impromptu hike. And aside from the obvious adventures, there are some science-backed benefits to getting “lost” that could make a big difference in your life, not just your trip.
But before you ditch Google Maps and hit the open road on foot, you need to know a few things first. To find out how to get “lost” safely and maximize your experiences, I spoke with travel psychologist Michael Brein, licensed clinical social worker Kristin Miyoko Papa and travel expert Ann Storey. Read on for some of the most fun you’ll likely have on your next trip—and how to do it the right way.
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What are the benefits of getting lost in a new city?
Letting yourself get lost can give you a mental boost and lead to delicious restaurants, cool attractions away from the typical tourist track, and perhaps best of all, interesting interactions. “Meeting kind and hospitable people can give you a unique and personal perspective [of a new place],” says Papa, the founder of Living Openhearted Therapy and Wellness. “This also builds community and connection.” And that’s an antidote to tech-fueled isolation and divisive news. Plus, if you’re traveling solo, even microconnections, like chatting with a shopkeeper, can alleviate loneliness.
Embracing curiosity and navigating uncertainty can also trigger dopamine and give our brain a nice little workout. “Research shows that new and unfamiliar situations can give us a mood boost while also allowing us to build psychological flexibility,” Papa says. “This flexibility is the very skill that researchers link to resilience and protection against anxiety and depression.”
And getting purposefully off track means you might stumble on something that sparks a sense of awe, “such as a stunning view or a hidden medieval cathedral,” Papa says. “Research indicates that by experiencing moments of awe, there is an increase in positive emotions and a decrease in distress. As a result, getting ‘lost’ while traveling may be the most mentally nourishing thing you do on your trip.”
Why can getting lost be the most memorable part of your trip?
It’s not just the cool experiences, though that’s a definite perk! Getting lost forces you to pay attention, in a way we don’t usually do when we’re tethered to our phones. “When we wander through an unfamiliar environment, we’re naturally pulled away from everyday stressors and drawn into the present moment,” Papa says. “New surroundings allow us to tune in to our senses and truly absorb our experience. In a sense, wandering is mindfulness in motion.”
Figuring things out on the fly is more than just an adventure; it’s also an accomplishment that increases your self-confidence. And, explains Brein, who coined the term “travel psychology” in the late 1960s, getting “lost” creates opportunities to reap the rewards for your good decisions—such as finding the correct bus or stumbling on an off-the-beaten-path restaurant—immediately.
Problem-solving without relying on technology can be exhilarating, terrifying and addictive. Those dinosaur days of travel when I was lugging around a guidebook and hopping on and off buses and trains without a set plan or GPS in my hand? That’s when I got hooked on traveling, and more than 20 years later, getting purposefully “lost” is still a big part of my travel style.
How do you get lost the right way?
You don’t need to completely ditch your devices, and you definitely shouldn’t abandon your common sense. You can also do this solo or share your adventure with someone else. Getting lost together is just as much fun! For a safe and meaningful experience, keep your wits about you and set some guardrails.
Set some parameters
“Create a little structure while still being spontaneous, curious and free,” Papa says. “Structured spontaneity may look like exploring a general neighborhood or setting a time frame, rather than simply abandoning all situational awareness.”
Before settling on a neighborhood or area, do some research in advance to ensure it’s a safe place, and plan your visit during the daytime. “It’s easier to orient yourself and identify visual landmarks [in daylight] to prevent becoming hopelessly lost,” Papa notes.
Personally, I’d recommend giving yourself around four to five hours to start—it’s enough time to enjoy the experience without constantly checking the clock, but not so much time that you feel overwhelmed. So maybe start with a coffee shop and then explore the neighborhood until lunchtime, or start by scouting a good lunch spot and then go get lost for the afternoon.
Listen to the locals
When deciding on an area to get lost, ask for recommendations. “Getting feedback from someone who is familiar with the environment can give you some assurance that you’re wandering in an area where you can explore while also being safe,” Papa says. Pre-trip, you can join destination-specific travel communities on social media where fellow travelers and local people offer tips, or consult online travel guides and the destination’s tourism board or chamber of commerce. You can also ask your hotel staff for suggestions. One of my favorite ways of deciding where I will wander? Join a locally led walking tour to get acquainted with the city when I arrive, then take note of areas I want to revisit on my own.
While you’re out on your adventure, you should also be open to insight from local people. “Always ask local people where they eat and spend their time,” says Ann Storey, a travel expert and destination product specialist at Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid Company. “Most people are proud of where they live and are excited to share stories of their town if you take the time to ask.”
One of the best unplanned experiences I’ve had was on a trip to Puerto Rico. It started with a day of wandering around Old San Juan, which led to a chat with the owners of Casa Sol Bed & Breakfast about the history of music and resistance in Puerto Rico, which then led to them inviting me to a batey—a space where people play, sing and dance bomba! One unplanned day and two local people who were so generous with their knowledge and time taught me more than I could ever have learned if I’d had a set itinerary.
Share your location
At the very least, tell someone (a trusted friend, family member or even your hotel) the general area where you’re going and approximately what time you plan to return. This provides what Papa calls a “safety thread.” If, for some reason, you don’t return, they will know where to look for you.
And definitely bring a fully charged phone. Even if you don’t plan on using it, it’s good to have it on hand for emergency calls and tracking and location capabilities. You can also use a location service, such as Life360, that shares your location with a trusted friend or family member you designate in the app.
Pack supplies
In addition to your fully charged phone and power bank for backup, bring the following basics: cash (in the local currency, if you’re traveling abroad), water, snacks, sunscreen and rain gear. Don’t do what I did while on my 21st birthday road trip from New York to Florida: head out for an exploratory jog in a new-to-me city with nothing but the clothes on my back. I got unintentionally lost that day, but thankfully, I had a friend with me, and we eventually used some landmarks and a bit of luck to find our way back to our hotel before dark. (Not one of my best travel moments, but in my defense, I was only 21!)
Pay attention
While I recommend keeping your phone with you for safety purposes, I don’t advise having it out unless you absolutely need it. If you’re staring at your screen, you’re missing out on the scenery, landmarks you may need to find your way back and opportunities to connect with the place and the people. Being glued to your device can also make you a target or, at the very least, a nuisance for other people to navigate around. If you do need to pull out your phone, just pop into a shop or cafe, or at least step out of the way.
Paying attention means also tuning in to your own instincts. “If a street, neighborhood or situation feels wrong, it’s important to take note of that,” Papa says. “These gut signals are often processing real environmental cues, so wandering safely means staying curious and staying attuned to yourself.”
Embrace the uncertainty
So much of our lives is scheduled down to the minute, but getting “lost” is a chance to enjoy each moment and see where it takes you, without any set schedule or expectations. Follow your nose to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or a beautiful botanical garden. Sit down at an outdoor cafe and people-watch or journal. Stop at a viewpoint to take photos or enjoy a sunset over the city. Try something you might not attempt in your day-to-day life, and you might even develop a new hobby.
I wasn’t a fan of thrift shops when I lived in the U.S., but in my wanderings around Amman, treasure hunting while chatting and bartering with shopkeepers has become a favorite activity. Those multicultural, multilingual interactions have led to dinner invitations, friendships and lots of laughs.
How much should you use devices when getting lost?
You can certainly use your device to research safety, culture, weather and general neighborhoods before you set out, but to really immerse yourself in the experience, try to limit your screen time when you’re out and about, and only use your phone when necessary. And it’s definitely a good idea to keep your phone with you for general safety—for example, sharing your location, using the GPS if you are actually lost, making a phone call or using a translator app if needed in an emergency.
But don’t use it as a crutch. Fight that urge to reach for it when you come to a fork in the road or you’re sitting alone or deciding on a restaurant or activity; remind yourself to stay in the moment, trust your instincts, strike up conversations and try something new instead.
Can you reap the rewards of getting lost even if you’re not taking a “real” trip?
Absolutely! It’s equally fun to get “lost” closer to home. And this could actually be a good trial run if you’re not ready to wander in a completely new place. “One of the great benefits of travel,” Brein says, “is the growing appreciation of lasting benefits that one can ‘discover’ more closely at home.”
Whether you’re in a nearby city or half a world away, you can apply the same approach—pick an area, pack supplies, share your location, put your phone away, wander with an attitude of openness—and reap the same rewards. You’ll have an instant adventure and maybe find your new favorite restaurant or a few new friends along the way.
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Michael Brein, travel psychologist and author; interviewed, March 2026
- Ann Storey, destination product specialist at Wildland Trekking; interviewed, March 2026
- Kristin Miyoko Papa, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and the founder of Living Openhearted Therapy and Wellness; interviewed, March, 2026
- National Library of Medicine: “Dopamine Modulates Novelty Seeking Behavior During Decision Making”
- National Library of Medicine: “Exploring the Relationship of Leisure Travel with Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults”
- University of California, San Francisco, Weill Institute for Neurosciences: “‘Awe walks’ boost emotional well-being”
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