What’s The Best Way To Get Around When Abroad?

Whilst some people never leave their hotel on holiday, others like to venture out and explore the surrounding area. This means walking or taking some form of transport. There are lots of ways to get around – some are more comfortable, some are more convenient, and some are more budget-friendly. Here are just some of the main ways to get around when abroad and the pros and cons of each.

Walking

Walking is great for travelling the immediate area. For many compact cities, it can be a cheap and effective way to get around. However, when it comes to travelling more than a couple miles, you’ll probably want to find another option (unless you’re prepared to hike).

Cycling

Bike hire is cheap and can help you to expand your travel range. However, you’re still probably not going to want to travel more miles on end. Cycling can be a great way to explore the coast or reach a neighbouring village. For the most part, you may want to avoid cycling in cities, as they can be stressful and a little more dangerous.

Driving

Driving gives you unlimited range and total freedom to travel where you want. You’ll need to bring travel documents and you’ll need to save up a little more spending money for fuel, parking and other road costs. You can choose to bring your own vehicle or you can use a hire company such as Bayswater Car Rentals. Most places are suitable for driving, although you may want to avoid built up areas of cities.

Flying

When exploring some countries such as Australia, flying could be one of the most convenient options if you’re trying to get from city to city. Internal flights can be expensive but they could save you time if you’re on a tight schedule. You’re most likely to get deals by booking last minute or booking very far in advance (sites like Skyscanner offer useful tools for getting the best deals).

Buses

Buses are generally the cheapest way to get around, although not always the fastest. If you’re trying to get around a city on a tight budget, the local bus service is a good option. There are even some places in the world with free bus services (Estonia’s capital Tallinn is a notable example).

Trains

Trains can be a fast way of getting around, however prices can vary. Whilst Berlin’s u-Bahn and S-bahn is very cheap, the likes of the London underground are notoriously expensive. Some places may also have trams, which can be cheaper.

Taxis

Taxis are often best avoided unless it’s an emergency – they’re generally the most expensive form of transport relative to the distance that you’re travelling. Some countries do have variants of the taxi such as tuk-tuk throughout areas of Africa and Asia – this can be a lot of cheaper and a convenient way of travelling locally.

Ride-sharing

Another option to explore could be ride-sharing apps such as Lyft. These allow you to get a lift with a driver that is willing to take you – it can be cheaper than a taxi, whilst still getting you from A to B. Not all countries have embraced ride-sharing yet, which is something to consider.