Terrified of being stranded, stuck or lost in a new city

[mary_poppins]

Hi all.

How are you all doing?
I am currently travelling to a new city and tomorrow I'll take a bus back to the city where I live.
Anyway, when I was looking for a train, I couldn't find one. Apaprently, trains are not working on the second day of Christmas. That scared me a bit because I started imagining what it would be to have no way of going back to my own home. I eventually found a bus but I'm still pretty anxious about the trip.
The thought of being lost or stranded in a new city where I don't know anyone terrifies me. Is this something that you can relate to?

As a child/young adult I was not allowed to travel or go places so, every time I do this now, my anxiety goes through the roof. I'd imagine terrible things that could happen as I travel (accidents or terrorist attacks especially if I have to catch a plane). I assume it's a symptom of cPTSD?

I know millions and millions of people are travelling the world as we speak or move from one city to another without any fear or anxiety. I wish I was more like them. Today I had these thoughts of losing all the buses from tomorrow and having to spend my night out in the freezing cold or in a crappy, old bar, surrounded by weird men and strangers. I know, ridiculous, right?

Please let me know what helped you ease this anxiety. Being on your own, going places, having to trust yourself..how do you do it?

[notrightinthehead]

I sounds to me that you already have the solution, you are going to get home. You probably are not without means, so if you were unable to get away, you probably would find a hotel/B&B to be safe and warm.
I can relate to your fear - I have felt it whenever I exposed myself to situations, previously unknown or not having experienced for a long time - and the way I have dealt with is the 'Feel the fear and do it anyway' method. Being compassionate with myself and accept that I feel an unpleasant feeling, at the same time do what needs to be done and with small steps crossing the fearful situation.
Good luck to you! You might feel stronger and proud of yourself afterwards!

[1footouttadefog]

When I travel to a new place, I make a list of phone numbers for emergencies.

 Police non emergency number.  My hotels number.
  Transportation numbers.

 
I also get and download navigation app to my phone and get maps of the area.

Some cities have apps with bus schedules and metro schedules.   

[walking on broken glass]

Hi Mary Poppins,
I am very bad with orientation and I constantly lose myself even in familiar places, so going somewhere unknown is also scary for me! I get this irrational fear when something goes wrong. Have you watched the movie Still Alice? It shows the protagonist's life after she gets a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, how her life and relationships are impacted etc. At the beginning of the film she goes out for a run in her neighbourhood and suddenly she finds herself completely lost; even though it's her neighbourhood, she has no idea where she is and she is terrified. This is how I feel when I am in a new place! Logically I know I have the means to help myself, even if something goes horribly wrong. I have money, resources, a phone, I won't be in any kind of grave danger. But I am still scared. And it's the sensation of feeling helpless that unsettles me. I wonder if it goes back to childhood experiences, when we felt we should have been sheltered and protected and we weren't, and whether being in new surroundings triggers that. For me, the feeling goes away when I travel with company.

[mary_poppins]

When I travel to a new place, I make a list of phone numbers for emergencies.

 Police non emergency number.  My hotels number.
  Transportation numbers.

 
I also get and download navigation app to my phone and get maps of the area.

Some cities have apps with bus schedules and metro schedules.   

Wow, what a nice tip. I'll try this next time I travel (which is this year). TY!

[mary_poppins]

Hi Mary Poppins,
I am very bad with orientation and I constantly lose myself even in familiar places, so going somewhere unknown is also scary for me! I get this irrational fear when something goes wrong. Have you watched the movie Still Alice? It shows the protagonist's life after she gets a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, how her life and relationships are impacted etc. At the beginning of the film she goes out for a run in her neighbourhood and suddenly she finds herself completely lost; even though it's her neighbourhood, she has no idea where she is and she is terrified. This is how I feel when I am in a new place! Logically I know I have the means to help myself, even if something goes horribly wrong. I have money, resources, a phone, I won't be in any kind of grave danger. But I am still scared. And it's the sensation of feeling helpless that unsettles me. I wonder if it goes back to childhood experiences, when we felt we should have been sheltered and protected and we weren't, and whether being in new surroundings triggers that. For me, the feeling goes away when I travel with company.

Hi. Yes, I've seen that movie.

It does go back to our childhood, being terrified of our own home and not knowing how to get out and escape-and even if we did get out, where would we go without resources and people to help? I think, deep down I wanted to run away as a child, to be 'anywhere else but here' but the dread of the unfamiliar sights stopped me from doing this.

I am so glad I'm not alone.

I need to travel to Turkey this year and omg, I am already dreading it. Not knowing the language and being in a totally unfamiliar place is terrifying. Of course I want to travel there but the fear..

[1footouttadefog]

I was in Turkey in 1996.  It was great.  I enjoyed it.  I was fascinated about how Istanbul ( we were in Taksim square area) went almost around the clock.

Use the same common sense tactics you would use in any American city.  Watch out for the small kids selling things sometimes they are slowing you down so someone else can try to pic pocket. You should be able to get Google maps downloads and directions and such.  I carried a thin wrap around skit and a scarf to put on when visiting religious buildings.