If you are planning on going to Europe this year, you know you need to buy a plane ticket, but have you thought about how to get around once you get there? Often times, transportation can be the most confusing and frustrating element of people’s trips, but it doesn’t have to be. In this two-part post, I’m going to lay out your options and provide online resources that will help. I’ll be focusing on Europe specifically, but much of this information will be applicable all over the world. In Part 1, we are going to look at how to get around within a city. Next, in Part 2, we will explore how to get from one city to the next.

Within a City

Every city is different.  A little bit of research ahead of time can help you feel prepared and reduce stress. Here are some tips for getting around: 

WALKING

I have to put this in here. Most cities in Europe are very walkable and this is my favorite way to get around. It's also... free! Since you will most likely not have working internet on your phone overseas, City Maps 2 Go is a great offline app for finding your way around. Make sure to download the specific maps you need when you do have internet. I generally start by dropping a pin at my hotel so I can always find my way home. This app also comes in handy when searching for alternate modes of transportation, sites, and restaurants. I highly recommend using it.

BIKES

Bikes are a fantastic way to get around many cities! In fact, in some places, like Amsterdam, they are the most popular mode of transportation! 

Bike share programs are in many cities all around the world. I recently found this awesome interactive map that provides links for bike share providers in every city.  

To participate in bike sharing, just pick up a bike, ride it around as long as you want, and then return it to any bike sharing station in the city. There are plenty of stations and most companies have an app that map station locations. If you do plan to use bike sharing, check to see if the pay kiosk requires a credit card with a pin/chip. 

Alternately, you could rent a bike from a traditional bicycle shop if you want to ride for the entire day or multiple days. Prices vary greatly by bike shop and city, so shop around to see what fits your budget.

CARs

I generally don't recommend renting a car in a city. Parking can be very stressful and you need to understand local parking signs. For example, my parents had their rental car towed on their first day in Barcelona for parking incorrectly. In the States, my husband and I love to use a car sharing service called Car2Go. Unfortunately, U.S. based accounts do not work outside of North America yet, even though the program exists in many cities in Europe. So if you see a Car2Go car and feel excited to pull out your card, know that it won't work yet. However, it looks like the company is planning to make this available to U.S. users in the future, which would be awesome! So keep on the lookout for updates if you are interested. 

TAXIS

Generally taxis are more expensive than other options, but sometimes they are the most efficient and comfortable way to get around. I found a taxi app that is great for requesting a cab with just a touch of a button! It's mostly for German cities now, but it also works in some cities in neighboring countries.

In many cities, like Paris, you can only get a cab at a taxi stand. Waiting for a cab to show up can sometimes take up to a half an hour, so don't rely on this in a time-crunch. The City Maps 2 Go app that I recommended earlier, can help you find nearby taxi stands, or you can always simply ask a local.

There is a new app for requesting a cab to pick you up in Paris called Taxis G7 that would be worth trying out if you find that the taxi stands don't work for you. 

When I first arrive at an airport, I usually prefer to take a taxi to my hotel. After a long flight, the last thing I want to do is climb onto a slow and crowded bus. One thing you do need to know at the airport is that if someone is walking up to you and asking if you want a ride, decline, and look for the line at the designated taxi stand. Once it's your turn, make sure you know if you will be charged on the meter or if there is a flat rate from the airport. All prices should be clearly posted.

BUSSES

Busses are generally inexpensive and easy to use. Many times, if you buy any kind of city pass, bus travel is included. If not, you can usually purchase bus tickets at stands or right on the bus. If you aren't used to using city busses, research your specific destination to find routes, stops, and where to buy tickets and passes.           

SUBWAY

You can find all subway city maps on this handy website. You can buy tickets at booths or kiosks in most subway stations, but not all. If you are staying in a city for a while, consider a pass. While the subway is usually very easy to use, keep in mind that you are underground, not enjoying the scenery, and that subway cars can get extremely crowded at rush hour. I loved the efficiency of the subway system in Paris, but after a couple of weeks I got a little sick of being underground and shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers.   

BOATS

If you are on or near the water, some cities have boat taxis and water busses. In Venice, for example, the vaporetti work like any city bus. Maps, similar to bus or subway maps, are posted at stops and on the boats themselves. You can purchase tickets and passes at booths, but booths are only at certain stops and aren't necessarily open every day, so ask around. While the ticket checker usually doesn't have much time to check tickets, these guys run the show and can spot a cheater out of the crowd to yell at and charge a hefty fine. Always validate your tickets before you get on, and if you weren't able to for whatever reason, go straight to the ticket checker on board and buy a ticket from him. 

Getting around cities can be a breeze if you know all of your options. In Part 2, we will explore the many possibilities for traveling to different cities. Don't forget to check it out! 

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