Public Transportation Passes

Traveling to a new city is a fun, exciting opportunity, but one that takes careful planning nonetheless. Navigating an unfamiliar place, often times in an unfamiliar language, can quickly become overwhelming even for a seasoned traveler. Fortunately, most major cities around the world have impressive and accessible public transportation, making it easy to make the most of even a limited time in town. In order to make using public transportation even easier — and cheaper — consider purchasing an unlimited pass before your trip.

Using subways and buses is a great way to save time and money, and get a taste of local life. It’s also a lifesaver when you lose your sense of direction; hopping into a subway station or on a bus is a quick way to get reoriented. But if you hadn’t already budgeted for fare, a few rides can add up quickly. In Paris, a back and forth trip on the Metro will run you more than €3. Riding the Tube in London can set you back £5 as of January 2015. Although the conversion rate favors Western travelers, subway or bus fare in Asian cities can still take a chunk out of traveler’s budgets.

This is why paying the upfront cost of a public transportation card is such a great way to make travel easier and cheaper. Most cities offer a discount for riders who use prepaid cards, and tourists can take advantage of those reduced fares by simply ordering a card online. Or, if you plan on taking advantage of public transport on a regular basis, an unlimited card can be purchased online for most cities.

If you are heading to London, an Oyster card will save you more than half on Tube fare, while in Hong Kong an Octopus card will make getting around a lot easier, although it does require a deposit of $50 for an adult. The Paris Visitors Bureau offers a few options for unlimited Metro passes, including some that will cover nearby destinations and airports. Other cities, including Dubai, Prague and Buenos Aires all offer similar options for travelers.

When planning your next trip, be sure to do a quick Google search to see what public transportation options are offered in your destination city.