Are you going to be traveling to a part of the country that you’ve never been to before? Or better yet, are you going to be traveling to a different part of the world to see what it’s all about?
Either way, you should consider using public transportation throughout the course of your travels as opposed to renting a vehicle. It could very well turn into the most effective mode of travel transport for you when you’re trying to get around to different places.
Before you commit to using public transport, though, you should find out about the pros and cons of doing it to ensure you’re up for the challenge. Utilizing public transport when traveling is a great idea for a lot of people, but it’s not for everyone.
Here are the pros and cons of using public transportation while traveling.
Pro: Public Transportation Is Usually Your Most Cost-Effective Option
You are going to have to pay at least some money to use public transportation in most cities throughout the country and world. But that money will often be nothing compared to what you would have to pay to rent a vehicle.
If you’re on a relatively tight budget while traveling, the last thing you want to do is waste a bunch of money on a car rental when public transportation is an option. You’re better off using public transport to your advantage and saving your money so that you can spend it on more worthwhile experiences.
Con: It Can Be a Little Confusing Using Some Public Transportation Systems
If you live in a place where you use public transportation all the time, you probably know your specific public transport system like the back of your hand. But that doesn’t mean that you’re going to pick up on another system right away.
Using public transportation systems in some cities can be a very confusing experience. From figuring out where to catch a subway to finding out where a bus route travels to, it’s going to require a decent amount of research on your part.
You might end up spending more time trying to make sense of a public transport system than you do using it. That’s time that could be better spent on exploring everything in a new place.
Pro: Public Transportation Allows You to Experience Everything a City Has to Offer
When you use public transportation in a place that you’ve never been to before, it’ll allow you to rub elbows with all the locals. They’ll all be using the public transport system, too, in most cases, which will give you a unique look at how a city operates.
You’re going to miss out on this experience when you choose to rent a car. You’re not going to cross paths with locals as often as you would otherwise.
If your ultimate goal is to immerse yourself in a new place and soak up everything it has to offer, taking public transportation is the best way to do it. You’ll feel like you were really a part of a place for a few days.
Con: It Might Prevent You From Making Your Way to Certain Places
One of the biggest drawbacks of using public transportation is that it’s going to limit you somewhat as far as where you can travel to in a city. There are no doubt going to be places that you’ll want to see off the beaten path that you won’t be able to get to easily by using the local public transport system.
You might be able to get to them by getting off public transportation at a certain stop and walking a great distance. But that might not prove to be worth all the time and effort you’ll have to put into it.
Pro: Public Transportation Is Great for the Environment
Anytime you visit a new city, you should go to great lengths to ensure that you don’t do anything to leave a mess behind. That means not littering in the city and, if possible, using public transportation as opposed to renting a car.
A car is going to put out emissions that will pollute the environment that you’re visiting. Public transportation will also pollute it to some degree, but it’ll limit the carbon footprint that you leave in a city while visiting it.
You should be especially mindful of not polluting the environment when you’re visiting a city for an extended period of time. You shouldn’t spend days, weeks, or even months driving around in a rental car if you don’t have to.
Con: It May Stop You From Traveling Around at Different Times of the Day or Night
There are some public transportation systems around the country and world that operate on a 24/7/365 schedule. But there are others that shut down at certain times of the day and night.
If you happen to try and use one of these systems while traveling, you could find yourself in a position where you can’t use it at different times. This could limit your ability to see everything that you want to see in a city.
This could be particularly problematic if you need to find a way to get to the airport. You’ll want to think about using an airport transportation company instead of public transportation to guarantee you don’t miss a flight.
Is Using Public Transportation While Traveling Right for You?
There are so many great benefits that you’ll get to enjoy when you use public transportation while traveling. But as we’ve mentioned a few times here, it’s also not an option that’s right for everyone.
Consider whether or not you want to use a public transport system while visiting a new place. It could make or break the experience that you have there.
Would you like to get your hands on more great travel tips prior to taking a trip? Check out the articles on our blog to find some.