Transportation Abroad

The cheapest way to get around a city is to walk. But let’s face it, walking (although healthy) can be exhausting especially if you are planning on a summer long backpack trip. You don’t want to waste all your energy getting from place to place and then not be able to enjoy those places.

 Public Transportation

We love public transportation. It's a great way to experience local life and save lots of cash. But it may not be for everyone, especially if you're not familiar with the location or the language. Although, our travel rule of thumb is: never take the bus until you’ve spoken with a local! Try that cute barista at the local coffee shop first. Sometimes even local law enforcement will help you out if they speak English.

Of course, if you’ve never taken public transportation in your life we suggest you do so before your trip. Get used to what a city bus is supposed to smell like, for instance. If nothing else, it’ll help you become familiar with how public transportation works.

You should also think about what type of ticket you’ll need to travel the system. Many cities offer a combo pass that will let you travel any mode of public transportation for a designated period of time. This is your best option if you are going to stay in one city for a longer amount of time. Read: a weekend or longer. Otherwise you should just pay for single ride fares as you need them. Sometimes you can purchase tickets on the bus, sometimes you need to buy tickets before you get on the bus. Take as much time at the ticket machines as you need – don’t let the locals intimidate you. And ask for help if you need it. You’ll find that many employees speak English if you look helpless enough.

And while we’re speaking of fares, keep in mind that many fares to and from the airport cost more then normal. If you get caught without an “airport ticket” you might end up paying more then if you had purchased the ticket ahead of time.

Be sure to check out The Subway Page which has links to just about every world transit system and other transportation resources.

 Train

To get between cities trains are a great option. But if the cities are close enough together you might want to look into local bus schedules/fares. Sometimes the train is cheaper, sometimes the bus. It all depends.

The train is much more simple to figure out. Just go to the train station and ask for a schedule. Then sit down with your Frommers guidebook and plan the next leg of your trip! Be sure to do this a day or two before you plan on leaving so you feel comfortable with your plan. Just be careful when you buy your ticket because, much like an airplane, there are different classes of purchase on a train. Don’t pay for first class if you don’t want to. In fact, don’t pay for first class ever. There are much better things to spend your money on. Food, for example.

And always, stay safe. Put your money, your passport, and all important travel documents in a money belt and hide that under your clothes. I don’t care if you live in a city back in the US, pickpockets target tourists. And you are, above all else, a tourist.

 Taxi

If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe don’t worry about the money - take a taxi to somewhere more familiar. Taxis are a viable form of transportation. And many taxi drivers speak English although be prepared to have them pretend not to. Be sure the taxi is clearly marked and from a reputable company. Ask how much the fare is BEFORE you get in and, if culturally acceptable, bargain to have the fare reduced. And don’t let them cheat you. If they say it’s going to cost a certain amount hold them to it. In fact, offer to pay them before you reach your destination.