When traveling within a country, it’s important to remember that there are almost always a few different ways to get to where you’re going. If you’re in a city, there are probably cabs, trains, and maybe busses. In a more rural area, you might have to be a little creative–sometimes you can rent bikes or travel via van. Just getting from place to place gets expensive quickly, so it’s important to plan your budget accordingly.

Bike riders – Mekong Delta, Vietnam

There’s nothing wrong with exclusively taking cabs, but it can be costly. In some places, cabs aren’t metered; rather, you and the driver are supposed to arrange a price (through haggling) before the trip. Make sure you know the customs before you arrive.

Taxis – Hong Kong

I’m a strong advocate of public transport because of the low cost. It can be a little bit daunting to walk into a crowded train station and get a ticket when there’s no signage in English, but chances are, you’ll figure it out. You’re resourceful, after all. Another bonus of traveling this way is that you get more than a tourist’s perspective of wherever you are.

Josh and me figuring out a subway map – Kyoto, Japan

But remember, the most important thing is often your comfort level. If you sense that you may be in a shady part of town, or it’s late at night, and you just need to get somewhere without hassle, a cab may be best for you.

-ERV