5 Ways to Reduce your Time Standing While Traveling

For many, hesitations about travel are not due to flying or lots of walking, it’s all the standing. Standing in place puts a lot of pressure on your low back. For people with low back pain, tolerance to standing in place can be quite limited. Other issues such as peripheral neuropathy, leg muscle weakness and those with knee, foot and/or ankle issues can also can experience limitations in standing tolerance. I have had many patients through the years that start physical therapy able to stand for 5 minutes at a time before they search for a seat or something to lean on. If you have not already mentioned standing limitations to your physician, please do so. Please also consider physical therapy if your standing tolerance is limited. In this post, we are talking about ways to reduce time standing in place while traveling and ways to increase your standing tolerance.

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Crowded scene of the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, a famous historical landmark and tourist attraction.

1 – Buy Tickets in Advance

Aside from losing valuable time, standing in ticket lines is a lot of take one step and stand there, take two steps and stand there, and repeat. You will likely also stand on hard flooring while you wait which can further limit your standing tolerance. The large majority of tourist sites offer online ticket purchases and likely purchasing for a time slot. Buy tickets from the official site’s website ahead of time, even if it is the morning of before you leave your lodging. Your body will thank you! You will likely need to go through security lines but they usually move quickly compared to ticket lines.

A large crowd gathers at the historic Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, basking in the sunlight.

2 – Avoid Sites at Peak Times

The more crowded the place, the more likely you will have to stand in one spot. This may mean standing in long security lines or having to wait your turn to see certain artworks/artifacts in a museum or waiting for the perfect picture with a desired backdrop. Cities and sites that are popular with day trips from cruise ships and large bus groups see a significant influx of people between 10am-4pm. Reserving your entry time for before 10am or after 4pm can make a large difference in crowds. This has worked well for me in large cities the past couple years, including London, Rome, Florence and Vienna.

Classic London scene featuring a red double-decker bus passing by Big Ben on a clear day.

3 – Utilize Public Buses or Hop on/Hop off Tours to see Sites instead of Walking Tours

Walking tours can involve a lot of starting and stopping. If this is problematic for you, consider a hop on/hop off bus tour or use a public bus that goes by sites you want to see. This will allow you to see a large area and give you the flexibility to get on and off where you want. This also allows you to make instant modifications in how much you do depending on how you are feeling. Note, depending on frequency of buses, you may need to stand and wait for the next bus for a while. Keep the schedule with you or take a photo of the schedule listed at the bus stop to help you better organize your time.

Picture inside Trinity College Library in Dublin showing example of crowds

4 – Do your Research on Museum Seating

Museums do offer seating throughout galleries and rooms of museums. More museums are also offering folding stools or chairs for you to use during your visit. The folding chairs you see in the corners of rooms are likely for museum staff. To check if a museum you want to visit offers seating to borrow, visit their website. Look for an accessibility page or search the FAQ section. You can always email the museum if you are unsure. For example, in our Physical Requirements for Visiting London’s Top 3 Sites post, I mention that folding stools are available at the British Museum. If you know your standing tolerance will be quite limited in a museum, another option would be to borrow a wheelchair from the museum. This needs to be arranged ahead of time with the museum.

5 – Bring an Assistive Device with a Foldout Chair

Note: The links in the two pictures above are affiliate links to Amazon.com. I earn a commission when you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you.

Another option to reduce time standing while traveling is to bring a chair with you. If you do not require a wheelchair but would prefer to avoid constantly searching for a seat, a cane with a foldout chair could be a good option for you. It folds out tripod legs with a plastic seat to sit on. There is no backrest but you can use the handle of the cane for assistance to stand up. If you feel significantly limited with how long you can stand, you may want to consider buying or renting a rollator. This is a 4-wheeled walker with a seat. Check out our travel and mobility gear resource page for what I recommend or click on the photos of the cane or rollator above for to take you to Amazon.com for more information.

Ways to Increase your Standing Tolerance

While it is important to reduce time standing while traveling as mentioned above, there are some things to do to increase your standing tolerance. If you feel significantly limited with how long you can stand, you may want to consider renting a rollator (4-wheeled walker with a seat) or buying a cane with a fold-up seat we mentioned earlier. Below are some ideas of how you can improve how long you can stand. These are mostly aimed at addressing musculoskeletal limitations and not neurological causes. It is still best to consult your physician to relay your limitations so they can assist you with how to address them.

Wear Shoes with Extra Cushion

If you have limited standing tolerance and you wear thin, unsupportive shoes when you travel, it’s time for a change. Shoes with cushion and support will significantly help improving your standing tolerance. There are lots of different options out there. Hoka provides some of the most significant cushion out there. Brooks and On also offer good support. Brooks and Hoka offer most shoes in narrow, medium and wide and Brooks offers some styles in extra wide. All three of these brands offer free returns within 30 days.

Do remember, the softer, more “pillowy” shoes may make your balance feel challenged. If you have decreased sensation at the bottom of your feet or have difficulty balancing, shoes with significant cushion may not be the best option for you. This is another reason to test out shoes first and buy shoes with a generous return policy. For more about this and other considerations, see my Best Shoes for Travel post.

Try Physical Therapy

If your limitations in standing are due to leg weakness or joint pain, physical therapy can help! A physical therapist will perform an assessment and discuss with you what areas are important to work on and why. They will also give you exercises targeted specifically for what you need and will likely be able to give you advice on shoe wear, body mechanics, etc to further help with your upcoming travels. If you do not already have a physical therapist, see who your physician recommends or visit ChoosePT.com.

Join a Fitness Class that helps Build your Core and Leg Strength

Lastly, if muscle fatigue and weakness seem to be your main limiters for prolonged standing, joining a fitness class or working with a personal trainer can be a great option! Seek out aquatic fitness classes if you have joint pain or feel that you would be unable to stand and move about for a full exercise class. Chair-based exercise classes are another good choice if you are concerned about your stamina or balance.

Tip: If you are in the United States, check if you are eligible for Silver Sneakers. This fitness/wellness community is geared for those 65+. They offer in-person and online fitness classes. It is included through several Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplemental plans. United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage and supplemental plans have their own version: Renew Active.