Left: VW Beetle in Oaxaca, Mexico. Right: View from above Mexico City.
Use Public Transport
Most large cities have efficient and affordable large-scale train or bus networks connecting the airport with the city center. (Even Delhi has a great air-conditioned metro train system.) Take a local bus instead of a taxi to the bus/train station or airport for 1/10 of the price. Daily and weekly passes are a good deal if you travel frequently. (ALWAYS get the 7-day pass in NYC.)
Many parts of the world have a system of pickup trucks with seats in the back that have routes just like buses. They will drop you anywhere for next to nothing. In Thailand, they are called songthaews. Take advantage of them!
Night Buses/Trains
Night buses/trains are my favorite form of transport. For long journeys, both help save time and accommodation costs. Most overnight trains include options for beds. The sleeper trains in Thailand, Spain and India are pretty comfy and affordable. Plus, you don’t waste a day traveling. Aside from specific areas of Central and South America, night transportation is extremely safe.
One of my favorite street photography shots from a train station on the outskirts of Delhi, India.
Rail Passes
England, mainland Europe, Australia and Japan have great rail pass options for travelers and students. Check prices of individual tickets to see if it’s worth it for your planned route. Plan in advance because most rail passes have to be purchased BEFORE you leave your home country. Students receive a significant discount on passes so take advantage!
Local Buses
VIP Tourist buses are an overpriced scam with blaring TVs and are often a target for thieves. Most countries have cheaper, comfy local buses for half the price. In Thailand, I always take second-class buses for half the cost. They still include large comfy seats, air conditioning, a bathroom and a free bottle of water/meal. There are even cheaper open-air “chicken” buses. These can be rough for long trips but are great for short day trips. These are completely safe in Southeast Asia, but women traveling alone should be cautious in other parts of the world.
Left: La Piedra in Guatape, Colombia. Right: Agra, India
Taxis & Tuk Tuks
Agree on a price in advance or ask to use the meter. Ask locals the fair/standard price for your route beforehand then negotiate accordingly.
Compare costs. Tuk tuks are a great deal in India but outrageous in Thailand. A metered air-conditioned taxi will be a ¼ of the cost in Bangkok. Taxi fares increase during rush hour, late at night and for airport routes. Drivers might also charge exorbitant flat rates on weekends and near tourist spots. Sometimes it’s best to negotiate a taxi to the nearest public transport station instead of your final destination then take a train/bus.
Research reputable taxi companies in countries with safety concerns. In India, I only use Meru or a private taxi provided by my hotel. In Bogota, I use the Tappsi app for safe taxis.
Flights
– Research local budget airlines. They don’t always show up in big travel search engines. (I find Kayak and Skyscanner are the best search engines with the best deals and airline options.) Book with the airline directly if possible. Some won’t accept foreign credit cards so book through sites like Cheaptrip.com for airlines like Indigo in India.
– Consider flying to the closest major city to your destination. Then, take public transport or a budget airline flight. I always bus/train combo to Southern Thailand from Bangkok to save flight costs.
– Check for luggage fees and pay them in advance. Some budget airlines increase luggage fees significantly on the day of the flight and charge heavily for overage. Print your boarding pass because some also charge if you don’t!
– If a city has several airports, consider transportation costs to the city from both airports. Budget airlines can fly into the smaller, domestic airports with less transport options.
– Be aware of arrival times. Is affordable/safe transport available at 3 a.m.? It’s better to sleep in the airport for a few hours and catch the first train into the city than fork out a fortune for a taxi in the middle of the night in a strange city. It also saves accommodation costs. Considering paying a little extra to fly in at a more reasonable time if transport is outrageous during the night.
– Keep track of your frequent flyer miles. Sign up for the FF mile programs for the major airlines in your country/area. Most major airlines are part of global alliances allowing you to earn miles on another carrier’s flight. I fly at least once a year on miles. (Don’t worry – I’ll post a guide to FF miles soon.)
– Government-owned airlines in third-world countries are notorious for being unreliable and can have sketchy safety records. Do your research. Foreign owned airlines are usually nicer, safe and more reliable. (Indigo is my favorite budget airline in India, and they fly to other parts of Asia as well. Interjet is the best in Mexico and Central America. Both are super nice!)
Wooden Long-tail boats in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
General Transportation Tips
1. Buy tickets in advance
Purchase tickets directly at the stations. Travel agencies and hostels add commission. Prices can also be significantly lower in advance. You also get first choice for seats, which is ideal if you are prone to motion sickness. (The front row on the right side usually has the most legroom.) When you arrive in a city at a station, consider buying your departure ticket before you leave the station.
2. Get it in Writing
If you change a ticket, ALWAYS do it in person and get it in writing. Always get a printed copy of any ticket. If you only get a receipt, be sure to have the contact info for the person you bought it from if an issue arrises.
3. Consider Transport Options
When deciding between different forms of transport, factor in the cost and difficulty of getting from the airport/station to your destination. Your arrival time will be the main factor. Consider the total cost of getting to your accommodation, not just the cost of getting to the city.
4. Ride Shares
Share rides with other travelers to airports/border crossings. Make friends and ask their final destination. Ask local travel agents for available ride shares and compare with taxi rates. Sometimes it’s a better deal and less hassle to go with a travel agent.
5. Skip Airport Taxi Surcharges
Grab a taxi at the departures hall in the airport to avoid paying the extra airport taxi fee at arrivals. The minute someone gets out of a taxi, I ask the driver if I can have a ride. (This worked well for me at Bangkok’s main airport (Suvarnabhumi) and saved a ton of time.)
6. Take a Boat
Ferries are totally reliable method of transport and a fraction of the cost of flying. I recently took a ferry from Panama to Colombia. There’s no land crossing between the two countries due to political unrest and jungle terrain. Flying from Panama City to Cartagena was close to $370 ONE-WAY for an hour flight. (This is ridiculous considering a friend flew one-way from San Francisco to Cartagena to meet me for less than $300!) The 18-hour ferry was $150 for a private cabin and $100 for a seat. (I did the cabin.) Considering I’m technically unemployed and living on my savings, I figured 18-hours of my time was worth saving the $200. Plus, I got a ton of work and reading done. And, I met some new amazing friends!
In coastal towns, water taxis and boats are the best and fastest option. Negotiation is key. Ask people at the port if they are going the same area to help reduce the cost for everyone.
7. Take Advantage of Free Ride Promos
Sign up for mobile taxi services with Uber and Lyft. Your first ride is free, and you get a free ride for each person you refer. Refer anyone traveling with you so you both benefit with all the free rides. You’d be surprised how many cities in the world use both services!
Do you have any tips for cutting costs on transport? Share them in the comments below!
