How to Survive on Public Transport Abroad
When you travel, you often have many opportunities to get around. Public transport is the best way to save money and experience the local lifestyle, but navigating foreign transport systems can be challenging. Here’s what you can do before and during your trip to make it a little easier.
Examine how the system works
Do a little research before you travel to understand how the public transportation system at your destination works. Some things are important to know, while others are useful to know if you have time.
Critical :
- Identify your options. Not every place has buses or subways, so know which one you can use.
- Know how to pay and when to pay. It may depend on the mode of transport – the bus may be different from the metro, etc.
- Understand the consequences if you are caught without a ticket. You should also find out if scams are involved in order to avoid paying the fine to the uniformed fraudster.
- Prepare yourself with a map and schedule of the systems you plan to use.
Good to know :
- Learn proper etiquette. For example, in Japan it is considered rude to talk on the phone or with strangers on the subway.
- Learn the phrases “sorry” and “thank you” to use when trying to break through the crowd to get off at your stop.
- Know what types of public transport are a tourist trap – for example, the cable cars in San Francisco (in fact, you can take another line to the same place without crowds and additional fees). If you’re doing this for fun, that’s fine, but some modes are more effective than others.
- Find out if there are ways to save money, such as the Japan Rail Pass, which can only be purchased outside the country.
You can probably find most of this information on government websites for your country or city.
Protect yourself and your belongings
Crowding on public transport also poses a risk of pickpockets and other criminals. Here are a few things to keep in mind to protect yourself and your belongings:
- Always keep the bag in front of you and in your hands for as long as possible to prevent people from bumping into it, cutting the strap or stealing it.
- Do not put valuables in pockets where they can be easily carried away .
- When boarding, pay attention to where you are. Will it be difficult for you to get off at the bus stop in time? Is there someone suspicious / creepy behind / next to you? Can you quickly get out if something happens?
- If you are in a group, will everyone know when to leave and will they have time to make it?
- Are there any sketchy places that you might not like to travel by public transport?
Just try to be aware of what surrounds you and what is in common where you are traveling .
Make a backup plan
Before leaving your home, find out what alternatives you have if you get stuck somewhere. Once I returned to where I was staying, because I did not know that the bus on which I was traveling to the restaurant stopped at a certain time. It wasn’t fun, but at least I was within reasonable walking distance of my apartment – or maybe not.
If you are staying somewhere with helpful staff or hosts, ask them for the safest and most reliable options. They probably know everything that is available and also know how to request such services (app, phone, etc.).
By using public transport abroad, you will save money, see your destination in a new way, and immerse yourself in the lives of the locals. Follow the guidelines above to stay safe and use public transportation with ease.