How to Save Money on Transportation When Traveling
Savvy travelers know that it’s important to figure out ahead of time the best way to get around at their destination. They take their time to research what the best options are for them so that they are prepared to get to where they need to go no matter which city they are visiting. Here’s are some thing to think about when considering which transportation options can save you money when traveling.
Public Transportation
Advantage: Cheap
Disadvantage: Schedules
Most destinations will have some sort of public transportation. This usually is in the form of busses or trains. They do tend to be very inexpensive and will probably be your cheapest option. However, with public transportation comes schedules. Do you really want to have to deal with waiting for a train or bus to get you where you want to go? In some destinations it may not be a problem as their public transportation is very efficient, but in other places it’s not uncommon to have to wait at least an hour for a bus to arrive.
Hop on Hop Off Buses
Advantage: Great Way to Get Around the City
Disadvantage: Runs Only Certain Times of the Day & possibly not in the direction you need
These buses are quite comfortable and offer the flexibility to get on and off whenever you want. It can save you a lot of money over using taxis or Uber but you would need to plan your day in advance to coincide with the route and pick up times. A good post to read is should you plan out your travel days or go with the flow?
Metered Taxis
Advantage: Doorside pick up and drop off
Disadvantages: Pricey and not always safe
It’s pretty uncommon for a destination to not have some sort of metered taxis driving about. Using them isn’t always a good thing for travelers because they might not be regulated. This means that they can charge unsuspecting tourists hefty rates. Also, some drivers can be pretty unprofessional and will not have undergone any type of background check or training. What this means is that these vehicles can be pretty unsafe. Still though, many travelers do choose metered taxis as a way to get around at their destination as it is often convenient.
Uber/Lyft
Advantage: Reasonably priced
Disadvantage: Not always available
Rideshare is becoming quite popular throughout the world. Uber and Lyft are fairly well known. They can be reasonably priced, but you have to watch out for things like surge pricing where the rates will go up. If you will be going to multiple destinations and plan on using Uber or Lyft, pay attention to whether or not they are available at all of your destinations. You may find that they are available in one area, but not in another.
Rental Cars
Advantage: Convenient
Disadvantage: Price
Out of all of your options, rental cars may be the most convenient. You don’t have to wait on others to pick you up and can go to wherever you are willing to drive too. They can be pricey though, especially if you won’t get a lot of use out of renting one. Now, if you plan on going to a destination where some sort of transportation is needed and you won’t be doing a lot of walking, a rental car may end up being cheaper than other forms of transportation, even after factoring in gas. If price is more of a factor for you than convenience then you really need to do the math ahead of time so that you can figure out which one is the best option for you.
Bike
Advantage: Low cost & helps you stay in shape
Disadvantage: Not knowing your way around a city & the dangers of high traffic areas
New York, Washington DC, Chicago Austin, Boston and other large cities in the US have bike rental programs for as little as $3 for a 30 minute trip and an average of $12 per day for 24 hours. Some bikes offer a motor as well. Biking rentals are also available throughout Europe including Copenhagen, Barcelona, Vienna, Paris and Amsterdam.
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