Growing up in a small town in Puerto Rico and Western NY, I rarely traveled by public transportation. It wasn’t until I left for college that I started taking the bus. While at my alma mater, SUNY Albany, I made many friends from NYC who taught me the importance of using public transportation while traveling. Since then, I’ve navigated public transit in every habitable continent from Santiago, Chile to Seoul, South Korea. Here’s what I learned along the way.
Tip 1: Get a Good Orientation Before Your Journey
I am fortunate that I have roaming included on my T-Mobile plan so I can use my data to navigate with Google Maps. But sometimes the connection doesn’t work, or it’s super slow. I take the time to study the metro/transit maps in advance and ask the hotel concierge or a friend about my route. Depending on how often I am using public transportation while traveling to a specific destination, I may download their public transport app on my phone.
Tip 2: Stay Informed
When I first moved to Brussels in 2006 for grad school, I did not have a car. Brand new to Brussels, I did not follow the news. I recall sitting at the bus stop for 30 minutes, and the bus did not show up, and I ended up missing class. Only then did I become familiarized with the French word “grève” which means strike. The bus drivers were on strike so alas, no bus! Not being aware of public transportation strikes can be a big deal if you’re counting on the bus to go to the airport or an important meeting.
Lately, in Washington, DC, there’s been a lot of repairs going on the Metro lines. Sadly, the metro line near my house is currently down. The local transit system is offering alternate routes via bus which take longer to get to my destination.
Tip 3: Follow the Locals
Ok, I am going to go ahead and say it: Tourists drive me nuts here in DC when I am rushing to get to work, and they are in the way. One of the things I’ve learned while using public transportation while traveling is having a sense of urgency. You may be on holiday, but consider that 80% of the folks on the train or bus are probably on their way to work. Don’t block entrances to the subways, tram or buses. Also, don’t just stand on the left side of the escalator. Grumpy commuters will tell you to move!
Tip 4: Don’t Be Afraid of Getting Lost
I know it can be overwhelming to be in a new country in which you may not know how to speak the language. I recall when I lived in Seoul, the first few days were so overwhelming getting to work. However, the experience taught me so much about self-reliance and fearlessness. I had to work up the courage to ask locals for directions (this was back in 2006, so no google maps app for me) and the experience took me out of my comfort zone.
Also, using public transportation while traveling can be an inexpensive way to discover a new city. My friend Nina and I found some cute local neighborhoods in Paris while traveling by bus many years ago. I love to travel by bus to a new destination; it’s like a cheap hop on-hop off tour!
Tip 5: Find Out About The Specials
One of my travel buddies, Carla from SpicyCandyDC says “I like public transportation while traveling because it saves you money and sometimes even time.” A way to save is finding the deals. One of the things I’ve discovered while using public transportation while traveling is that many cities and brands host promotions with their transit systems. For example, in Vienna, you can purchase a Vienna Card. It provides you not only unlimited public transportation access but discounts to their most popular museums. Prices start at 17 Euros per day. That’s the cost of one taxi ride!
Another example is the #TransitTuesday promotion that Dunkin’ Donuts has done for the last few years in the Washington, DC Metro Area. You can buy their coffees (iced or hot), any size for $1.69 when you present your metro card on Tuesdays during the summer. Whether you’re traveling or a commuter, that’s a great deal! Again, ask your local friends, concierge, or hotel staff if they know of any specials. You can even reach out to your favorite bloggers on social media (hint, hint).
Tip 6: Don’t Limit Yourself to the City
Cynthia, a food and travel writer with the website What a Girl Eats says:“I love to travel by train in Europe, it’s a great way to see the countryside!” I completely agree. I believe that Europe has the best train system for tourists. Beyond the faster Thalys, Eurostar, and ICE, look into the national train systems. For example, you can get from Brussels to Amsterdam for around 30 Euros on the national Belgian and Dutch Railways.
Using Public Transportation While Traveling… The Verdict
Whether you’re exploring Tokyo by subway or the Italian countryside by train, using public transportation while traveling always makes for an adventure. Throughout the years, it has opened my eyes to a different culture and given me a glimpse of how locals live. Also, it’s not only an affordable way to see a new destination but a sustainable one as well. Jenna, a travel writer with This is My Happiness Blog, says “I’ve always connected trains with adventure. When I started traveling solo in my early 20s, trains equaled freedom. Anytime I wanted to go somewhere; a train could get me there. I took all kinds of trains, from Europe’s most famous cities to villages in Eastern Europe, without a care in the world because on a train I felt safe.” I cannot agree more! Now, go, buy yourself a Metro card or a bus pass and see the world!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, however, opinions are my own. Also, I think I spent enough money at Dunkin’ Donuts during my years working at the Pentagon to put a shareholder’s kid through school!
