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.
Read This Next
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Apr 30, 2025Discover the Best of the Adirondacks at Schroon Lake
Looking for the perfect summer kick-off trip? The Lodge at Schroon Lake, in the Adirondacks, offers the ultimate vacation for travelers of all ages. Expect outdoor activities, beautiful scenery and lakeside fun — all the necessary ingredients for an unforgettable summer trip. Here’s a closer look at what The Lodge at Schroon Lake has to offer this summer:
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Destinations / North America
Apr 29, 2025Cheapest U.S. Fall Shoulder Season Destinations Revealed
Planning ahead for a fall shoulder season (mid-September–October) trip? If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll want to visit one of the cheapest U.S. fall shoulder season destinations.
Hotel
Apr 29, 2025Fairmont Royal York’s Spring Programming
Take in the Splendor of Spring, a curated selection of activities and events, at Fairmont Royal York.
Slideshow
Apr 29, 20257 Must-See Sites in Sapporo, Japan
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are seven must-see sites in Sapporo, Japan.
Hotel
Apr 29, 20254 Hotels Taking Advantage of Summer Fridays
With summer around the corner, many companies in corporate America gear up for the start of summer Fridays. Summer Fridays can come in handy when making summer travel plans, and can give you some extra time to travel in the afternoon to enjoy a full weekend away. We’ve rounded up some hotels in destinations that are easy to get to and perfect for taking advantage of a summer Friday.
ShareThis