Riding the metro or using public transport can vary from city to city and can be complicated when visiting a new city. There are a lot of similarities to using public transport that can be helpful when visiting a new city. After living in some major cities with great metros, I don’t think I would like to live in a city with out good public transport. I love driving, but it is so much cheaper and convenient to use a metro for transportation. I have put together ten tips to riding a metro or using any public transport!
(The Tokyo Metro is pretty complicated)
1.) There is an app for that- Google maps, Local app, etc
- Almost every major city has a specific app for using the public transport. Some betters than others, often times they include up to date times and connection details. Google Maps also includes some of the best and consistent transport details. You can even load maps offline!
2.) Discounts – multi day pass, tourist passes, etc
- Buying a multi day pass or a tourist pass can save you a TON of money and make it less of a hassle. For example, some major cities like Paris and Tokyo have multi day tourist passes. Most airports or tourist information centers will carry these passes.
- Sometimes the passes cover everything from bus, trams, metro, etc. Check the ticket options! Certain metro passes in Sydney even cover ferry rides out to Manly!
(The Metro in Paris, France)
3.) Organization- all metros are organized in a similar fashion
- Riding metros in any country are very similar. Generally a metro line will have two platforms for each direction. The norm is to display the last stop, next stops, or sometimes just the most popular stops while walking to that platform. One you reach the platform, each side of the metro will normally display the route with every stop. If it just displays one name, then it will either show the end stop or next stop. Make sure to grab a metro map from the info center or use the app you downloaded!
4.) English- Most metros have local language and English
- English signs are generally displayed 90% of the time in overseas metros, so if you don’t know the local language you can still navigate with no problems.
5.) Validate before entering
- Pretty much every metro around the world requires you to buy a ticket and validate it before entering the metro. Sometimes this is in a turnstile or machine outside the metro. If you forget to validate your ticket you can still get a fine. This is common in places like Prague, where there is nothing to stop you from entering the metro with out a ticket. But larger cities normally require a turnstile to enter/validate your ticket.
6.) Check before you enter the train (express trains or off merger)
- Sometimes there are express trains that will not stop at all the stops listed on the map. Also, trains can split courses and fork off into another route if it is on a Y shaped line.
7.) Learn the Local Etiquette
- Where you stand, sit and walk is very particular for what is acceptable. For example, in Korea there are specific areas for elders. Even if these seats are open, it is frowned up to sit there. Also, escalators have a side for standing and walking so make sure you are not holding up traffic. Also, sometimes the elevator is a lot faster in really deep metros. Most metros frown upon drinking, eating etc. In Singapore they are extremely strict about this and you aren’t even supposed to drink water while riding the metro.
8.) Check the closing & opening times
- Most metros will close around midnight or 1am. But don’t worry there are normally night busses or other ways to get back home on a night out.
9.) Every airport has some form of affordable transport
- I have yet to visit an airport without a cheaper way into the city. Trust me the locals are not paying absurd amounts for taxis. There is a bus, shuttle or metro, which will run from almost every major airport or train station. Normally train stations are more centrally located than airports.
10.) Local transport is amazing…but
- Sometimes it is better to walk a city as opposed to taking the metro. For example Prague is an extremely walk-able city; if the weather is nice then don’t miss the beauty by going underground. Walk around or hop on a tram or bus to get a better tour of the city.
- Be careful using public transport since the packed areas make it an easy target for pick pockets
- Sometimes if you have a big group, it might be cheaper to split a taxi