Mastering public transportation: travel hacks for getting around like a local
Public transportation is one of the best ways to explore a new city. It can also be a real headache if you're not prepared. The time you spend planning and preparing can make your trip so much easier and more pleasant!
Plan your route ahead of time.
It's important to know your route and schedule before you get on the train or bus. If you're unfamiliar with the area, it may be helpful to use a map to plan out your trip. The app will also tell you when the next train or bus is coming, so if one isn't going where you want it to go (or isn't running at all), then look for another option instead!
You will want to know which station(s) are along your route so that if something goes wrong later on in the day--such as an accident on one line causing delays throughout service across town--you can still make it home safely by taking another mode of transportation instead of waiting around forever hoping things get better soon enough without any guarantee whatsoever that they ever will...
Download the app for the city you're visiting.
It's a lot easier to figure out where to go and how to get there when you have the right information at your fingertips. To get started, download the app for the city you're visiting before leaving home. This will give you an idea of what public transportation options exist in that area, including bus routes and schedules.
Once on location:
Open up the app and type in your destination (or ask Siri).
Tap "Routes" in order to see all available options for getting from point A to point B by public transportation.
Use filters if necessary--for example, if we want a route that takes us through Central Park rather than around it; or if we only want bus stops close enough together so as not waste time walking between them!
Know the fare system, including types of tickets and discounts.
Before you start using public transportation, it's important to know the fare system. The best way to do this is by reading up on your city's website or asking an employee at your local bus station.
There are multiple types of tickets available for purchase, including single tickets and multiple tickets (which are usually sold in packs). Single tickets allow you to use public transportation for one trip only; multiple-ride passes allow you to take as many trips as possible within a set amount of time--usually 24 hours--and generally offer discounted rates compared with paying individually each time you ride. Some cities also offer discounts on certain days or times (for example, half-price fares on weekends). It's always worth checking out these options before buying your ticket!
When purchasing tickets online or at kiosks near bus stops, make sure that whatever option is offered matches what type(s) exist locally: there may be different systems depending on where exactly in a city someone lives/travels through regularly enough that using buses becomes necessary!
Make sense of all the lines and stations.
There are a lot of lines and stations to keep track of, but don't worry--you can make sense of it all.
First, find out which lines you need to take. Next, figure out what stations they're going through and where they stop. Finally, think about how much time you have between transfers (and whether or not there are any special discounts available). Once you've got all that information in hand, it's time for the next step: buying tickets!
Check before you go out if there are any planned disruptions.
To avoid getting stuck in traffic, it's always a good idea to check before you go out if there are any planned disruptions.
The best way to do this is by checking the website for your public transportation system. You can also search online or on social media for any news articles or tweets about planned disruptions in your area that day--this is especially useful if the public transportation system doesn't have its own app (which many don't). And if all else fails and you're still not sure what's going on, give them a call!
Be prepared for a few surprises on public transportation -- like delays or crowded buses and trains, especially during peak hours or bad weather.
You may have heard the phrase "it's not the destination, but the journey." That's true for public transportation as well. While you might have a specific destination in mind when you leave your house or apartment, there are plenty of adventures that can happen along the way. You might run into someone interesting on your bus or train ride and strike up a conversation with them; maybe they'll give you some insider tips on where to go next! Or maybe there's an accident along one of your routes that causes delays -- this gives more time for exploring what's around you rather than just rushing through it all like most people do when they're late for work or school!
Whatever happens while taking public transportation will always be memorable because it wasn't planned ahead of time; these experiences help make traveling by bus/train fun again instead of boring routine tasks done everyday by millions around world every day (and night).
The time you spend planning and preparing can make your trip so much easier and more pleasant!
Before you go, make sure you know the following:
How to get from point A to point B. It's important to research your route and plan accordingly. If there are multiple ways of getting from one place to another and you're not sure which one is best, check out this map tool for help!
What payment system will be used at each station or stop along your route (if applicable). Some cities have started using contactless cards instead of buying tickets or tokens for individual rides, so make sure to bring any necessary cards with you before boarding public transportation.
What lines operate during off-peak hours? Some cities have night buses that run after midnight--these can save people money if they're traveling late at night but don't want taxis or Ubers because they're too expensive!
We hope these tips will help you get around town like a pro, and have some fun in the process. The best part about public transportation is that it can take you anywhere--and it's free! If you're not sure where to start with these hacks, try out one or two of them on your next trip. You might just find yourself falling in love with public transportation all over again (or if you never did before).
