7 Proven Strategies to Avoid Long Lines on Your Next Trip

"If you can afford it, the foolproof way to get in and out without spending time in a line is to go with a private guide on a tour that offers VIP access. For example, I recently visited the Giraffe Centre, Nairobi's second most popular tourist attraction according to Tripadvisor. Most travelers spent more time waiting in the ticket line and giraffe food line than they did interacting with the center's majestic and endangered Rothschild giraffes."

"Meanwhile, in London, if you have around $3,000 and you book at least six weeks in advance, you can spend 90 minutes admiring the crown jewels at the Tower of London without having to spend a single minute waiting in line. At The Edge, one of New York City's best attractions, you can get escorted to the top in a "New York minute" if you opt for priority access. At $88, it's about 2.5 times as expensive as general admission ($34)."

Long waits at popular attractions can consume limited vacation time and cause discomfort or health risks. Major cities such as New York, Paris, and Rome frequently produce queues that stretch blocks and hours. Private guides offering VIP access enable immediate entry and shorter waits, illustrated by a Micato Safaris day trip at Nairobi's Giraffe Centre where visitors bypassed ticket and feeding lines. High-cost private or priority options exist at landmark sites, including exclusive Tower of London visits for around $3,000 and priority access at The Edge for $88 versus $34 general admission. Multiple strategies can reduce waiting time.

Read at Travel + Leisure