One essential truths about visiting European cities is that not every city is walkable and ubers can be quite expensive. The solutipn to this is utilizing the public transit systems that majority of the major cities in Europe will have. From Paris to London to Rome, these trains are an essential part of getting around. And with a few tips, are fairly easy to navigate.
The first thing to note is that you should utilize direction apps. If you select the public transport option, it will give you directions to the station, which line you need to catch, and even provide when it will arrive. The things to pay attention to are catching the line going in the right direction and remaining aware of which stop you should be getting out on. All stations should have maps of every line posted, which provides additional help in finding which lines you need to take and for how long.
The second thing is to remain aware of your phone battery. Not only is your phone your source of directions, but it is often what you use to “tap” in and out of the station. I highly recommend investing in a high-quality portable charger as this was essential, especially when we had long travel days.
The final comment is that you will make mistakes, and it is important to realize those quickly. It is easy to get on the line heading in the wrong direction or get out at a stop too late. The good thing is that you can often backtrack without any additional cost, and it will not add much time to your journey. The important thing is to keep watch of the stops and know your stops before you start on your way.
Using public transit is an essential part of any study abroad experience and is a great way to limit costs, remain efficient, and gain perspective of how locals get around. You’ll be an expert after just a few rides!
