How to Use Public Transportation Abroad
If you are anything like me, your car is more of an extension of your house than a vehicle.
For many Americans, having a car while traveling abroad is like having a safety blanket, an element of the familiar in a very unfamiliar setting. However, the obstacles of traveling by car in Europe often outweigh the benefits. If a car is a safety blanket, then Europe is Kindergarten: it’s time to let go.
As with any time of loss, parting with the idea of having a car in Europe may send you through the five stages of grief:
Denial - “I’ll save money by renting a car. We’re going so many places, and we won’t have to pay for train tickets/public transportation.”
^ You, clutching your car…
With a few exceptions, traveling by car will end up costing WAY more than traveling by public transport. Most European rental cars have standard (stick-shift) transmission, so if you only know how to drive an automatic, you’ll have to pay more. Far more than in the US, fuel is EXPENSIVE. Even if you do find a good price on the rental itself, fuel costs alone may end up costing more than you would have spent on other forms of transport. Other small fees will add up as well. Parking is almost NEVER free, and many of the major highways in Europe have tolls. These expenses are hard to estimate accurately ahead of time, so it may seem like a good deal before you leave, but your wallet may be hurting by the time you come back.
2. Anger - “You’re a doo doo head. Getting a car is going to be super convenient. We’ll be able to get around the city so much faster. And then we can pack more, too!”
Listen, there’s no need for name-calling, I’m trying to help. Many European cities have limitations on who can drive into the historic centers, a.k.a.- the part where everything that you want to see is. You will almost definitely make some navigating errors and end up getting a ticket (the rules are different there, and the signs are NOT in English…). Even if you are able to drive into the city, you’ll probably end up having to park far away and take public transport within the city center. As for the luggage, when the closest parking spot to your hotel is 6 city blocks away and you are wrestling your three giant suitcases across a cobblestone road, this will no longer feel convenient AT ALL. See my post about packing in a carry-on for tips!
3. Bargaining - “Ok, fine, but what if I use public transit within the city and just get a car to drive from one destination to another?”
If you are going primarily to very small towns, this might, MIGHT, be worth it, but even then, you should crunch the numbers and see if you are actually saving money. If your budget is your highest priority, renting a car is pretty much never the best option, but when you weigh the time savings, it can be worth it if you’re spending a lot of time outside big cities. However, if you’re only visiting a couple small towns close to the big cities, you will probably still be better off using public transport. We made it out to the tiny towns of Ronda, Toledo, and Montserrat using only trains and buses, and saved a ton of money! In most of Europe the public transportation system is well-maintained and surprisingly cheap. And if you are only going from big city to big city, trains and planes are the way to go, no doubt about it.
4. Depression - “Public transportation is so confusing. I will NEVER be able to figure this out.”
Yes, public transport can be intimidating at first, but you can totally handle it! Almost all city transportation systems have an app you can download to help you figure out which system (bus/metro/tram) will work best for you, as well as maps to show you how everything is connected. Google Maps also has a public transportation option, and it will tell you exactly how to get from point A to point B. Be aware - this feature only works if you have cellular data or WiFi. If you don’t have data, map it and screenshot it before you leave a WiFi spot.
For many people the scariest part of public transportation is getting from the airport to their accommodations. You’re new to the city and you’re carrying all your luggage, so it can be a challenge, but it can be done! Most of the time airports are on the outskirts of town, but connected to the center by bus or metro. Do your research before you arrive and don’t be afraid to ask! Airport employees usually speak English and are glad to help. This will save you SOOOOO much money over using a taxi or renting a car. The only exception to this rule is if your flight leaves SUPER early or you arrive SUPER late after public transport stops running. In these cases, it may be best to bite the bullet and take a taxi/Uber. I’m all for saving money, but safety first.
One other random tip: when you’re on the bus/train, put your backpack on in front. Yes, this will help prevent theft, but more importantly, it will help keep you from clotheslining small children with your backpack.
5. Acceptance - “This is for the best. Where do I start?”
Apps like Citymapper make it simple to find the best route from one sight to another, but you will need an international data plan to use it away from WiFi. If you don’t have room for another app on your phone, Google Maps will allow you to download maps for offline use. Before you leave on your trip, download the maps for everywhere you will be travelling. Even off of WiFi, these maps will show you where all the public transportation stops are. Also (creepy), GoogleMaps knows your location even in airplane mode! As mentioned above, when you have WiFi, map your route from one destination to another and screenshot it so you have a reference of which bus/metro/tram line to take and which stop to get off at. There will be free public WiFi at almost any attraction you visit, and if there isn’t, look for a Starbucks. They are truly EVERYWHERE and you can count on them for free WiFi and just a little touch of the familiar. Maybe you can keep your safety blanket after all…
