How to Use Public Transit + 5 Pre-Trip Must-do’s
If any of you out there are like I was before I studied abroad, you may have little or no experience using public transportation. Trust me, there is no judgement here! If you want to read about my ridiculous first 24 hours in Spain which involved trial-by-fire transit experience, click here. For everyone else who’s just here for information on how to use public transit to get around Europe or elsewhere, read on.
Start Before you Leave for your Trip…
When you arrive in a foreign country, the first thing many people need to do is find a way to get from the airport to their home for their first night. If you aren’t planning on renting a car, there are often many resources you can use. There are a few things you can do before you leave your home to be best prepared when you arrive.
1. Write down the address where you are staying the first night
This sounds simple, but you need this piece of information to clear customs. You also need this to use transportation to get to where you are staying. Some people think they can look it up once they arrive. However, you may not have access to your electronics (batteries die all the time on long flights), wifi or the internet at the airport to look it up, leaving you in a pickle. Trust me – go analog and just write it down. Also, while you are at it, bring your own pen to fill out customs forms.
2. Research transport options before you leave home
Before you leave, take a look at what is available to you at the time your flight lands or when you need to get/from to the airport. Don’t forget to check what the schedule is for the mode of transport you are considering. For example, there is a great airport shuttle in Dublin, but it wasn’t running when we needed to travel to the airport at 5am on a Sunday. We used the airport shuttle bus pass to leave the airport because it came with access to the general bus and tram system in Dublin. To get back to the airport though, we ended up scheduling a taxi instead.
Also, pay attention to how you need to pay for the different transit options. It’d be pretty embarrassing to hop in a taxi just to realize you don’t have any of the local currency yet. By thinking about this ahead of time, you can hit an ATM or currency exchange business before you leave the airport, so you are covered.
Side Bar: Don’t forget to set travel notifications on your credit card(s) and debit card(s) you want to be able to use while abroad. Coming soon, we will write about the best credit cards to use, and how to get the best exchange rate between currencies.
Some airports have trains/subways that go to and from the airport into the city. This is often a great option, but can take a long time. If you plan to use the train to go to and from the airport, pay attention to how long it takes to get from the airport to your stop, so you have an idea of how much time to leave when you return. Always give yourself a buffer on the return, so you don’t miss your flight due to public transit delays.
If you are staying at an AirBnB, Home Away, or hotel, your host or hotel concierge can often help to answer questions about the best way to get to where you are staying. They may even offer a free option, such as a hotel shuttle. It’s always best to check with them about your options.
3. Download Offline Google Maps of your destination
We are all used to having the internet at our fingertips. While you can sometimes use your existing carrier when you go abroad, this can be prohibitively expensive. There are LOTS of horror stories about $1000 cell phone bills when using roaming, so it isn’t really recommended.
Side bar: coming soon, we will write about what options you may have to communicate with home while traveling.
Back to business: using offline tools to orient yourself may be your best bet when you first land. So we recommend that you download Google Maps offline maps of your destination. You can save them down, and search them like you would if you were online, making them an invaluable resource to help you get your bearings. Click here to access Google’s directions on how to download offline maps. The Google Maps works the same as it would if it were online. This means that it will show public transportation option such as buses and trains as well.
If you don’t have a smart phone, obviously this doesn’t work. Instead, get your hands on a map of the area you plan to visit. Make sure it is detailed enough that you can get around. You may be able to grab this at a Visitor’s Center once you arrive if you forget to do this ahead of time.
4. Download Google Translate and any dictionaries you may need
In the same way you can download offline Google Maps, you can also download Google Translate Dictionaries, so that they are accessible without access to wifi or the internet. There is a really awesome feature in Google Translate where you can hold your phone camera up to a sign and Google Translate shows you what it says in English (or whatever language you prefer).
Again, if you are old school and don’t have a smart phone, you’ll need an alternative option. Check out your local library for potentially free resources such as language dictionaries or phrase books.
Side bar – DO NOT be blasé about joining wifi networks with your phone or personal devices. If you don’t need to join it to communicate or access critical travel information, then don’t join. It’s not worth the risk.
5. Pack sneakers or comfortable walking shoes
When you use public transportation, you will be surprised just how much you still end up walking. Do yourself a favor and make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes so you don’t end up with blisters before you’ve even had a chance to catch your breath at the first place you stay.
If you are arriving while the businesses within the airport are open, one great resource is the Information or Visitor’s Help desk. If you weren’t able to pick what pass works best for you, they may be able to help. For example, we bought a 24 hour bus pass in Dublin which gave us access to the airport shuttle bus and the public transit within the city. That’s what we used to get around. You should consider how much time you are spending in the area covered by the pass, whether you really will take advantage of what you are buying. If yes, do it! Don’t forget to ask where to pick up the shuttle or transit.
If you are not lucky enough to land during the Information center’s business hours, you will want to look for kiosks where you can buy tickets. If you are in a country where you speak a different language, look for buttons with flags; you can often change the language of the machine to English so it’s easier to understand what you are buying. Browse your options, select the ticket you want, and complete the transaction (likely using a credit card). Don’t forget to take your ticket and your credit card!
Alright, so you’ve got your ticket, you are ready to explore. Now what?
Finding the Transportation pick up spot
Most airports, even where the primary language is not English, have recognizable icon symbols for public transportation. If you are looking for a bus, you can look for the symbol for the bus. Most public transportation options are located within the general same direction from the airport. When you are lost, just ask. It’s a lifeline you should never be ashamed to use. It has saved us a number of times.
Also, remember that handy dandy Google Translate you downloaded? There is a function where you can look at the sign with the camera on your phone, and it will provide a translated overlay in whatever language you prefer to read. It is an awesome feature. It does not translate 100% accurately/clearly, but it does at least give you a general understanding of what the sign says. Much like receiving a talk-to-text message that you need to decode, you may need to apply brain power to understand. Still, it is better than not having a clue what the sign says!
Using a Hotel Shuttle Bus
In order to use a hotel shuttle bus, you will need to communicate with your hotel. Sometimes, the shuttle is free. Other times, it may cost. Just ask. If you are okay with the cost (if any) for the shuttle bus to your hotel, go ahead and confirm with the hotel and provide your flight information. It will likely be faster than many of the other transit options. A day or two before you leave home, be sure to confirm that the shuttle will be there to pick you up. Also, be sure to get any instructions you need in order to find the correct shuttle bus. Some hotels outsource the shuttle to a company, so the bus may not be labelled with your hotel’s name.
When you arrive and get through customs, proceed by following the icons for shuttle buses or follow any special directions you received from the hotel (like calling). If you aren’t sure where to find the bus, use the Google Translate app to read the signs. In many places, it is typical to tip your shuttle driver, $1 to $2 per bag. Be sure to research the tipping conventions of your destination before you leave home.
Other Shuttle Bus Options
Sometimes, there are private shuttle options that take passengers to different hotels. We were able to use one in Dublin that took us to our hotel, but was dropping others at different hotels. In Spain, I was able to book one of these shuttles to take me to the airport for a very reasonable cost. I called and booked the pickup from my apartment, but these shuttles can be taken from the airport as well. In this scenario, be sure to get any instructions you need in order to find the correct shuttle bus. When you arrive and get through customs, proceed by following the icons for shuttle buses. If you aren’t sure which way, use the Google Translate app to read the signs. In many places, it is typical to tip your shuttle driver, $1 to $2 per bag. Be sure to research the tipping conventions of your destination before you leave home.
Taxi
Taxis are often the easiest form of transportation to find. They are also often the most expensive option, and the fastest, to get to where you want to go (traffic permitting). Taxis are typically lined up in a specific location just outside baggage claim. Unless there is a unique need to use a larger taxi (ex, you brought too much luggage and can’t fit in a normal car), you should proceed to the first taxi in the line.
Taxi Rip Off Prevention Techniques
Taxis throughout the world are notorious for overcharging unsuspecting tourists way more by taking longer routes, charging extra for airport pickups, etc. If you are using a taxi, buyer beware. Have a general idea of where you are going, and ask the price before you load your bags into the taxi. If you aren’t comfortable for any reason, just walk away. Also, ask for a general price estimate before you get into the taxi. Better yet, if you have the ability to call for a taxi ahead, do it. That is a great practice to prevent overcharging.
Hailing a Cab in Foreign Countries
There is no one common method of hailing a taxi throughout the world. Typically, though, there are two approached. Either the culture will commonly waive down a ride, or they will typically call ahead and schedule the ride. Travel + Leisure posted a great article, last updated in late 2016, describing what to do to get a ride in the Top 25 City Destinations around the world in 2016. To access their article, just click here.
Taxi Safety Tips
The Travel Insurance Review also has a great article describing Safety Tips for using taxis, accessible by clicking here. Some tips included in the linked article include:
- NEVER take a taxi alone when you are drunk
- Look for a meter, a radio, a badge, and a door handle
- Sit in the backseat, not the front
- NEVER enter a taxi if someone is in the backseat, no matter the reason stated
I have a few tips for you as well. Allow the driver to remove your luggage from the car, and always monitor your luggage and personal belongings. This forces the driver to exit the vehicle, and prevents them from driving off before your luggage is actually out of the car. Keep expensive items out of sight. Don’t flash large amounts of cash when paying. Finally, keep your cell phone out of sight but handy, and know who to call for help if you need it.
Public Bus (and how to Ride it)
The first step to riding a bus is to know where you need to go. Then, using the bus map or your google Maps, you can locate what bus to take and where to get off. Buses are identified by their assigned route number, which is shown on the windshield of the bus or on the side. The location listed on the front or side of the bus indicates the last stop in the direction the bus is traveling.
How to know which way the Bus is Going
You need to make sure you are taking the route bus that is headed in the direction you need to go. If you are at the end of a route, that’s easy – the only bus picking up travelers will be the right one for you to take. If you are at a stop somewhere along the route, however, you need to know the last stop on the route you will take, so that you can make sure you are getting on the correct bus. Sometimes, bus routes start as one but fork along the way. If your stop is before the route forks, you can take a bus listing either end of the line in the proper direction. Just make sure your stop is before the route forks. If it is after the route forks, you must only get on the bus that lists the final stop on the forked route that you need to take.
How to Pay your Fare and Ride
When you get on the bus, there will normally be a machine that you can swipe your ticket, or insert your ticket. Alternatively, there may even be a way to pay in cash by inserting cash or coin. You will need to perform whatever action is necessary before moving onto the bus. Because you already researched your options and how to pay, you will already be prepared with knowledge of what to do.
How to Verify your Bus is Going the Right Way
Once on the bus, pay attention to the bus’s progression along the path. Double-check you are on the right bus by checking the name of the first stop along your route, and make sure that the first stop confirms that you are going in the right direction. If it’s not, get off, cross the street/go to the bus stop that goes the other way, and get on going the other direction.
How to Let the Driver know to Stop at your Destination
If you are in fact going the correct direction, great! Pay attention to what stop comes before yours. Once you have left the stop right before yours, hit the button or pull the chord to indicate that you would like to exit at the next stop. If you don’t do this, and no one else is getting off or on at your stop, the bus driver will just keep driving. On the other hand, if someone else hits it, you will likely hear a ding or see some indicator light turn on near the driver showing that s/he will be stopping. In this instance, you do not need to hit the button a second time; s/he already has been told to stop by another rider. You may exit freely when you reach your stop.
Tram/Metro
Riding a tram or a metro are pretty similar to riding a bus. For a metro, you likely use the ticket you purchase at a kiosk or with a cashier in the metro to swipe through the gates to the trains.
Trains are also identified similar to buses, with route numbers and the station at the end listed on the front and side of the trains. Google maps will tell you which trains you can use to go where you enter in the search. Also, there are route maps all over the metro stations and on the trains. You can even use Google maps to track your location. That way, you know the train you are on is going the correct direction. Otherwise, you can use the same method mentioned in the bus section to make sure you are going in the correct direction. You can check that the next station where the train stops is the next one in the direction you are going.
When riding a tram, it’s hop on/hop off. You need to make sure you validate your ticket. Different trams do this differently. In Dublin, there are self-validating kiosks at the platforms where your board the tram. You have to swipe your card before you board, and it records that you are riding that train.
Regional or Long-Distance Trains
For regional trains with open platforms, validating your ticket can be done in different ways. You need to pay attention to the directions when you purchase your ticket. For example, when I traveled using a 3-trip Euro Rail ticket, I didn’t validate before I got on the train because I thought they would do it on the train. After an exhaustive conversation in Spanish complete with some tears, the security guards let us stay on the train as long as we promised to validate when we got off (which we did).
Germany Regional Train Close Call – Example of what NOT to do!
An example of when we didn’t need to validate before riding was with the Bayern ticket out of Munich. However- big caveat – the ICE trains ARE NOT INCLUDED in the cost of the Bayern regional day passes! By some miracle, we cleared the ticket checking process. I suspect they took one look at the three dumb Americans and accepted out tickets without question.
So, what did I do wrong? Unfortunately, I didn’t read the fine print of the ticket until the train was on its way. We got lucky, but the stress was not small when I realized what we had done by accident. So, just make sure that your ticket works for the train you are on and save yourself the heart palpitations.
Final Word of Caution
Trust me when I say this please. Do yourself a favor and do not jump the barriers/ride without a ticket. If you get caught riding any public mode of transportation without a ticket, the price is steep. It is guaranteed to ruin your entire trip if (and when) you are caught. Just stick to the rules, enjoy the ride, and travel safe! Savvy travelers = happy travelers, so wander on, fellow explorers!
