How to travel like a local
Travelling like a local means using what residents use: their taxi and delivery apps, their neighbourhood restaurants, their transport, their prices. This page explains how to do that anywhere, and links to what locals recommend in every destination we cover.
Get connected like a local
The eSIM or SIM locals actually buy, and what data costs.
Move like a local
The ride app locals use, real fares, and how public transport works.
Eat like a local
Where locals eat, what to order, and which delivery app they open.
Explore like a local
Things to do that are not tourist traps, plus day trips locals take.
Avoid tourist traps
The specific scams of each city, and what a fair price looks like.
Meet real locals
Verified guides, drivers and community groups in each destination.
Like a local, destination by destination
Pick a country to see what locals actually use there.
- France like a local
- Spain like a local
- United States like a local
- Italy like a local
- Turkey like a local
- Mexico like a local
- United Kingdom like a local
- Germany like a local
- Greece like a local
- Thailand like a local
- Japan like a local
- Portugal like a local
- United Arab Emirates like a local
- Netherlands like a local
- Austria like a local
- Croatia like a local
- Saudi Arabia like a local
- Hong Kong like a local
- Canada like a local
- Indonesia like a local
- Malaysia like a local
- Switzerland like a local
- Egypt like a local
- Czech Republic like a local
- Morocco like a local
- Vietnam like a local
- Hungary like a local
- India like a local
- South Korea like a local
- Poland like a local
- Singapore like a local
- Australia like a local
- Belgium like a local
- Ireland like a local
- Denmark like a local
- Sweden like a local
- Norway like a local
- Israel like a local
- Jordan like a local
- Philippines like a local
- Brazil like a local
- Argentina like a local
- Chile like a local
- Colombia like a local
- Peru like a local
- South Africa like a local
- Iceland like a local
- Taiwan like a local
- Dominican Republic like a local
- Costa Rica like a local
- Cuba like a local
- Maldives like a local
- Sri Lanka like a local
- Cambodia like a local
- Kenya like a local
- Tanzania like a local
- New Zealand like a local
- China like a local
- Romania like a local
- Bulgaria like a local
Questions people ask
- What does travelling like a local actually mean?
- It means using the same tools and places residents use: the local taxi and delivery apps instead of tourist services, the neighbourhood restaurants instead of the ones on the main square, local transport instead of hop-on buses, and asking people who live there instead of reading a two-year-old listicle.
- How do I eat like a local in a new city?
- Eat where the queue is local and the menu is in the local language first. Use the delivery app locals use to see which places are genuinely popular, avoid restaurants directly on the main tourist square, and eat at local hours rather than tourist hours.
- How do I get around like a local?
- Install the ride app locals use before you land — in most countries it is not Uber — plus the local transport or ticketing app. Agree the price through the app rather than at the kerb, and check what a normal fare from the airport should cost.
- How do I avoid tourist traps?
- Learn the two or three scams that are specific to the city you are in, know the correct taxi fare, avoid restaurants with photo menus and touts outside, and pay with the method locals pay with so you are not pushed into a bad exchange rate.
- What apps do locals use in a country?
- Every country has its own default set: a taxi app, a food-delivery app, a payment or bank app, a transport app and an eSIM or mobile operator. Our country pages list the ones locals actually open, with store links.
- Where can I find a local guide or driver instead of a tour company?
- Our local pros directory lists verified guides, private drivers, photographers, translators and teachers by city, with ratings, languages and in-platform messaging so no personal contact details are exposed.