Visiting another country or city can be fun but challenging. Knowing how to get around using the best local transportation is an important piece of the puzzle. Using a variety of local transportation, from your own two feet to taxis to rapid transit usually helps you become increasingly familiar with a place. Driving yourself takes you from here to there and gives unparalleled freedom. If you’re in a city, walking means you never miss the local scene.
We’ve put together these travel tips to help you figure out what local transportation is best for your next trip.
Ask these questions to find the right local transportation for your trip
- Are you in the country or a city? And what’s the geography like? Clearly, cities will have a larger variety of local transportation services available—walking, biking, taxis, buses, often rapid transit (think Tube/London, MTA/NYC, Bart/San Francisco, MARTA/Atlanta, MBTA/Boston, etc.), private car ride hire (Uber/Lyft), or rental cars. Frequently, in larger cities, it’s easier to take local group transportation rather than driving oneself places. If you do want the freedom and flexibility of a rental vehicle, a GPS/satnav is invaluable. Google Maps, Waze, and other mapping apps can be helpful on your smartphone or other mobile devices. NOTE: Data usage adds up quickly, so be mindful, or purchase a local SIM card with lots of data for your mobile when you arrive.
- What’s your fitness level? Consider the average distance you plan to cover each day. Honestly assess your ability to walk or bike that far.
- What’s your personality type? If you really dislike being around others, taking public transportation during rush hour may not be the most comfortable experience. But if you enjoy being around lots of people, it can be an exhilarating experience.
- What’s your budget? Car rental plus gas/petrol in other countries adds up. Rental and gas/petrol in the US is less expensive. Check with your DIYP consultant for the best deals going——we can help you book the right vehicle for the best price.
Different gear is required for walking versus biking versus bus/tube/taxi riding versus driving. Remember how much you want to carry, and choose transportation accordingly. Remember that driving in other countries is quite different from the US in multiple ways – especially in countries with reversed lanes.
If you feel unsure about driving, but know you’d prefer the flexibility, let our DIYP drivers relieve you of the hassle and tension of driving.
Start planning your trip
