Navigating public transport in foreign cities can feel like the hardest part of arriving somewhere new. We’ve all had that moment: standing in a station, trying to match a map to a platform, and wondering if we’re about to go the wrong way.
The good news is we don’t need to “know everything” to get it right. With a small amount of prep and a few habits, we can move around almost any city with confidence—whether it’s a metro in Tokyo, a subway in New York, the Tube in London, or a tram network in Melbourne.
Below is the approach we use, step by step, to make navigating public transport in foreign cities less stressful and far more enjoyable.
If your trip also involves travelling between cities by train, it’s worth planning those journeys before you leave home. For European itineraries, we often check timetables and fares on Rail Europe so we know roughly what our long‑distance trains will cost and whether a rail pass makes sense.
Learn the local transport “shape” first
Before we worry about ticket machines or platform numbers, we try to understand what kind of system the city runs on. That “big picture” makes every decision easier.
Questions we ask when we arrive
- Is the metro/subway the main way people move around?
- Are buses the backbone instead?
- Do trams cover the centre and suburbs?
- Are ferries a normal part of commuting?
This one step stops us from overthinking. In some cities, the metro will cover 90% of what we need. In others, we’ll use a mix—like metro plus bus, or tram plus walking.
If we’re arriving by plane, we also check the “airport to city” options early. It helps to know whether there’s an express train, a standard line, a bus, or a fixed‑fare taxi system. When we’re still in the planning stage, we often use KAYAK not just for flights, but to get a feel for airport locations and basic transfer options.
Read maps like a local (colours, codes, connections)
Most transport maps are designed to be simple once we know what to look for. Instead of trying to read every detail, we focus on a few key elements.
What we look for on any network map
- Line colours: Each line is usually a colour, and that colour shows up on signs at stations.
- End‑of‑line direction: Platforms are often labelled by the final station on the line, not by “north/south”.
- Transfer points: Big interchange stations are where we change lines. We look for the “dots” where lines cross.
- Station codes/numbers: In cities with non‑English names (or names that are hard to pronounce), station codes can save us. Tokyo is a classic example where codes make navigation faster.
A quick tip: we screenshot the network map (and our route) before leaving Wi‑Fi. Even if our phone drops out underground, we can still follow the plan without panicking.
Use apps for real-time directions and disruptions
Maps are great, but apps help with the parts that change: delays, closures, platform changes, and weekend works. This is where navigating public transport in foreign cities becomes much easier.
Apps we use most
- Google Maps for step‑by‑step directions and live ETAs: https://www.google.com/maps
- City‑specific transit apps (often more accurate for that city’s timetables and alerts)
When apps are especially helpful
- The system is complex (lots of lines and transfers).
- Trains run with different patterns (express vs local).
- There are service changes (weekend trackworks, strikes, weather disruptions).
We also turn on alerts where we can. Getting a notification about a line closure before we walk into a station can save a lot of time and frustration.
Tickets, fares, and what to buy
Ticketing is where many travellers get stuck, because every city prices things differently. A few minutes of research can save a lot of money over a week‑long stay.
Common fare styles we see
- Flat fare: one price per ride, no matter the distance.
- Distance‑based fare: the further we go, the more we pay.
- Zone‑based fare: price depends on zones crossed.
- Peak/off‑peak pricing: higher fares at busy times.
Our “day one” ticket checklist
- Check whether a day pass makes sense for our planned activities.
- Check whether a stored‑value card is cheaper than single tickets.
- Confirm whether we need to tap on and tap off.
If we’re unsure at the machine, we slow down and read it properly. Many machines have an English option, and if not, we use a translation app for the key buttons (like “single ticket”, “top up”, “destination”, “confirm”).
To avoid foreign transaction surprises when topping up cards or buying passes, we like using a low‑fee travel card such as Wise, which gives us good exchange rates and helps keep small everyday costs under control.
Tap-on cards and contactless systems
Contactless cards are often the simplest way to travel, and they usually come with small savings compared with paper tickets.
Why we like contactless systems
- Faster entry through gates
- Easier transfers
- Less time dealing with ticket machines
- Simple top‑ups at stations and convenience stores
Things we watch for
- Minimum balance rules: some systems won’t let us enter if the balance is too low.
- Tap off requirements: forgetting to tap off can trigger a higher charge or penalty fare.
- Card sharing rules: some systems don’t allow multiple people using one card at the same time.
If the city uses a well‑known card (like Oyster in London or Suica/PASMO in Tokyo), we try to buy it early—often at the airport station—so we’re set from the start.
Different rules for buses, trams, and ferries
In some places, buses and trams don’t work exactly like the metro. Ferries can be part of the normal network—or treated as something separate.
Questions we check for each mode
- Do we tap on at the front door or at a reader inside?
- Do we need to tap off?
- Do we need to validate a paper ticket before boarding?
- Are seats reserved on some services?
- Is there a separate fare system for ferries?
This matters in cities where multiple operators run services. It’s also common for ferries to have their own ticketing rules, even if they feel like part of the same network.
Etiquette: how to blend in
Transport rules aren’t just about fares—they’re also about behaviour. Following local etiquette makes the whole trip smoother, and it helps us avoid awkward moments when we’re navigating public transport in foreign cities.
Habits we stick to almost everywhere
- Stand to the side so people can exit before we board.
- Keep our voice low on trains, trams, and buses.
- Avoid speakerphone calls or loud videos.
- Keep bags off seats when it’s busy.
- If eating and drinking is discouraged, we don’t do it (especially in places like Tokyo and Singapore where quiet carriages are normal).
When we’re not sure, we copy what locals are doing. It’s usually the best guide.
Safety: stay alert without stressing
Public transport is generally safe, but we use a few simple rules that work in most cities and help us feel more relaxed.
Our go-to safety habits
- Avoid empty carriages late at night; choose a busier carriage, often closer to the driver or conductor area.
- Keep valuables low‑key. We don’t flash jewellery, and we keep phones secure in crowds.
- Use zipped bags; in packed stations, we keep backpacks in front of us.
- Watch the doors, as crowded doors are where quick snatches can happen.
- Know our stop by tracking progress on the app so we’re not distracted right before we exit.
If something feels off, we move carriages at the next stop or get off where it’s well‑lit and populated. It’s better to pause and reset than to push through feeling uncomfortable.
Backup plans for late nights and service changes
A small backup plan prevents big headaches when navigating public transport in foreign cities, especially at night.
Our standard backup checklist
- Screenshot our hotel address (and keep it in notes, not just in an app).
- Save a local taxi number or ride‑share option in advance.
- Check last train/bus times before going out for the evening.
- Know at least one “safe return” option (night bus line, main station route, or pre‑booked transfer).
In many cities, services run less often on weekends or stop earlier than we expect. We always check this before we commit to a late dinner across town.
For late‑night arrivals or early departures—especially when we’re tired—we sometimes book a simple transfer or use a reliable ride option we’ve budgeted for in advance. When we’re planning overall trip costs, tools like Wise help us keep track of these extras in local currency.
Make transport part of the experience
Some transport isn’t just a way to get somewhere—it is part of the trip. Once we relax into that idea, local buses and trains start feeling like a window into everyday life, not a hurdle.
Transport experiences we love
- Water buses in Venice
- River boats in Bangkok
- Ferries in harbour cities
- Trams that cut through historic city centres
When we treat transport like an activity, we slow down and enjoy it rather than rushing through it. Occasionally, the best views are from the “commuter” ride, not the official sightseeing tour.
With a bit of preparation, the right apps, and a couple of simple safety habits, navigating public transport in foreign cities becomes far less intimidating—and can even become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
Watch Our Video On Navigating Public Transport In Foreign Cities
