Traveling? Don’t rent a car. Try public transit!
During the holiday season, millions of people travel to visit relatives and to take in some much needed vacation time.
As a budget conscious traveler, I like to employ various modes of public transit when I travel. In Chicago I've used the L train, in DC and NYC the subway. Most recently in Miami, I used buses and a commuter train. Of course, the simplest and most pedestrian method of getting from point A to B is sporting a pair of comfy shoes and going on a walk.
On each of these trips, I've learned a lot about the city I was visiting. Things that I may have missed if I were behind the wheel of a rental car or in the backseat of a taxi or Uber. Beyond that, public transit is dirt cheap! On my most recent trip, to Miami, it would have cost me close to $40 for an Uber to take me from the Ft Lauderdale airport to my hotel. When I did the math, catching two buses cost about $6.
I've also picked up a couple tips along the way of some do’s and dont’s when it comes to trying public transit while traveling.
Do your research
If you're going to move about on a bus or subway or train, please don't just head out with no plan. If you don't have it already, download Google Maps onto your iPhone or Android. The spot where you get directions to and from destinations also had an option for transit in the form of a bus-shaped button. Click that to see what time your ride comes and where to catch it. This will help prevent getting lost and wasting time.
Here’s a good YouTube video that shows the process in action
Outside Google Maps, there are a host of other cool transit applications you may want to try out.
Keep your phone charged
Though I am guilty many times over of running around without a fully charged cell (right now I'm at 16% LOL) it is imperative that you keep a charged phone at all times. There may be moments where it makes sense to be spontaneous and just go with the flow but overall, its a bit easier (and safer) to travel this way.
Buy bus/train passes ahead of time
On a trip to DC, my friend who organized everything bought our subway passes online before the trip. Each pass had enough money loaded on it to get us where we needed to go and this was extremely helpful. Do a search online to see if this is an option in the city you plan on visiting.
Have fun
The best part of traveling is having an opportunity to broaden your horizons. Don’t be too caught up in a predetermined minute by minute itinerary. Allow some time for cool experiences and exploration!
Happy Holidays and Bon Voyage!
If you’d like to share your public transit while traveling story, email me at [email protected]
