TRANSPORTATION
Travel ,Live, and Spend Like a Local
Why you should take shared transportation whenever possible:
1) Cheapest option (except for walking, cycling, sailing). Make your funds last longer, then travel longer.
2) Save our earth, reduce your pollution, share resources.
3) Meet locals, have a laugh, look out the window. Chances are you'll make locals laugh and even get offered a cup of tea, or (if you're really lucky) some dried yak curd.
I remember riding a local Chinese train in Inner Mongolia. I was about 4 days into China, by myself, and the only foreigner in the train car. I decided to practise my (very poor) Chinese with my neighbours. Soon the whole car was roaring with laughter (I must have said something very funny by accident) and most of the passengers crowded around my row to have a laugh. We shared as much English and Chinese as we all knew (not much) and minutes later I was offered endless cups of green tea and biscuits. For the rest of the journey my new friends took pictures, shook hands, and shared endless smiles. Why I take the train...
AVOID TAXIS - they are expensive and create enormous amounts of pollution. Taxis are an incredibly selfish form of transport. Make the time in life to use subways, buses, trains, ferries, and form of (often subsidised) transportation.
WALK: Whenever possible use your legs - free, easy, and will extend your life. You will be amazed once you get in good shape how much ground you can cover walking. PS, ALWAYS take water (and your water filter if in a developing country)! Walking = sweating = dehydration. Don't buy water bottles and create more plastic trash.
BIKE: In Europe, New Zealand, North America, Australia and other expensive countries no better way to get around. Free (except for the cost of the bike and occasional repair), healthy, you can cover ground (40-100 kms/day once you get fit), everyone will be curious about the strange cyclist and reward you with endless hospitality and smiles. See "CYCLING" section for more details.
1) Cheapest option (except for walking, cycling, sailing). Make your funds last longer, then travel longer.
2) Save our earth, reduce your pollution, share resources.
3) Meet locals, have a laugh, look out the window. Chances are you'll make locals laugh and even get offered a cup of tea, or (if you're really lucky) some dried yak curd.
I remember riding a local Chinese train in Inner Mongolia. I was about 4 days into China, by myself, and the only foreigner in the train car. I decided to practise my (very poor) Chinese with my neighbours. Soon the whole car was roaring with laughter (I must have said something very funny by accident) and most of the passengers crowded around my row to have a laugh. We shared as much English and Chinese as we all knew (not much) and minutes later I was offered endless cups of green tea and biscuits. For the rest of the journey my new friends took pictures, shook hands, and shared endless smiles. Why I take the train...
AVOID TAXIS - they are expensive and create enormous amounts of pollution. Taxis are an incredibly selfish form of transport. Make the time in life to use subways, buses, trains, ferries, and form of (often subsidised) transportation.
WALK: Whenever possible use your legs - free, easy, and will extend your life. You will be amazed once you get in good shape how much ground you can cover walking. PS, ALWAYS take water (and your water filter if in a developing country)! Walking = sweating = dehydration. Don't buy water bottles and create more plastic trash.
BIKE: In Europe, New Zealand, North America, Australia and other expensive countries no better way to get around. Free (except for the cost of the bike and occasional repair), healthy, you can cover ground (40-100 kms/day once you get fit), everyone will be curious about the strange cyclist and reward you with endless hospitality and smiles. See "CYCLING" section for more details.
Buses
Buses are often the only way to get around in countries without train infrastructure or tough terrain (lots of mountains).
In India & Nepal they are usually Tatas (made in India and rebuilt for 20-30+ years). They will go to places you never thought a bus loaded with people, bags of grain and dozens of chickens and sheep could ever go.
In Nepal the cheapest (and most fun) place to ride is on the roof. Have warm clothes handy and make sure you sit facing forward, as roof passengers facing back sometimes get whacked by tree limbs and/or power lines.
On buses, your main pack normally gets tossed on the roof. ALWAYS carry with you at all times your small day bag containing: water, snacks, passport, cash, bank cards, camera.
Best bus countries: Malaysia, Thailand, China (sleepers!), Laos, Morocco, Italy (Eur10 across Italy!)
Tough bus countries: Mongolia (very few), India (always packed), Nepal (tough roads), Spain (expensive)
In India & Nepal they are usually Tatas (made in India and rebuilt for 20-30+ years). They will go to places you never thought a bus loaded with people, bags of grain and dozens of chickens and sheep could ever go.
In Nepal the cheapest (and most fun) place to ride is on the roof. Have warm clothes handy and make sure you sit facing forward, as roof passengers facing back sometimes get whacked by tree limbs and/or power lines.
On buses, your main pack normally gets tossed on the roof. ALWAYS carry with you at all times your small day bag containing: water, snacks, passport, cash, bank cards, camera.
Best bus countries: Malaysia, Thailand, China (sleepers!), Laos, Morocco, Italy (Eur10 across Italy!)
Tough bus countries: Mongolia (very few), India (always packed), Nepal (tough roads), Spain (expensive)
Hitching
Hitching success depends on the country and the perception of hitch hikers.
Typically more developed countries offer less opportunities for hitching for obvious reasons - everyone has their own car and can be fearful of hitchhikers.
But with some patience and a big smile, it can work almost anywhere.
BEST COUNTRIES FOR HITCHING:
New Zealand (it is legal and accepted), Canada, China, Nepal, India, Morocco, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Samoa. Really anywhere cars are a luxury and a guy with a beard on the side of the road is not a perceived threat.
WORST COUNTRIES FOR HITCHING:
Mongolia, US, Western Europe (although possible), Singapore, Hong Kong, any big cities really where there are transportation options and locals are in a hurry.
Tips: Smile, wave, look excited to get a ride, make a sign with your destination, try to get out of cities (or at least to the edge of a city).
Typically more developed countries offer less opportunities for hitching for obvious reasons - everyone has their own car and can be fearful of hitchhikers.
But with some patience and a big smile, it can work almost anywhere.
BEST COUNTRIES FOR HITCHING:
New Zealand (it is legal and accepted), Canada, China, Nepal, India, Morocco, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Samoa. Really anywhere cars are a luxury and a guy with a beard on the side of the road is not a perceived threat.
WORST COUNTRIES FOR HITCHING:
Mongolia, US, Western Europe (although possible), Singapore, Hong Kong, any big cities really where there are transportation options and locals are in a hurry.
Tips: Smile, wave, look excited to get a ride, make a sign with your destination, try to get out of cities (or at least to the edge of a city).
Train
Train info is easy: Ask the man in Seat 61! www.seat61.com
One of the best travel resources on the web. No point re-inventing the wheel. This is one of the most comprehensive travel site I've come across. If you have a question about trains in the world, chances are the Man in Seat 61 has the answer!
Best train countries:
Thailand, Malaysia, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Italy (go on the old, slow, local trains called Regionale).
Worst train countries:
Mongolia (not many), France (expensive), Spain (expensive), USA (poor coverage and expensive).
One of the best travel resources on the web. No point re-inventing the wheel. This is one of the most comprehensive travel site I've come across. If you have a question about trains in the world, chances are the Man in Seat 61 has the answer!
Best train countries:
Thailand, Malaysia, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Italy (go on the old, slow, local trains called Regionale).
Worst train countries:
Mongolia (not many), France (expensive), Spain (expensive), USA (poor coverage and expensive).
Ferries and boats
Ferries can be one of the most enjoyable ways of getting around!
INDONESIA: Don't fly, go local style on the Pelni. It is government subsidised (so notoriously delayed) but it has an extensive network and can be very cheap, depending on your class of service. If you have come to the world's largest archipelago, enjoy the seas and take ferries around. This is Indonesia, so expect delays, crowds, and difficulty booking tickets. But this is all part of the adventure. You can travel with the ducks, chickens and locals eating instant noodles in Kelas Ekonomi (Economy) where mats and space is 1st come-1st served, 2nd Class in a shared cabin, or go 1st class in a private cabin with your own TV for all of your Indonesian favourites (it won't work) and a shower. In 1st class meals are included (and sometimes live music)! A holiday within a holiday. The website can be tricky to figure out but you'll succeed.
MEDITERRANEAN
Italy to Croatia:
The cheapest option is Blueline, but beware it often cancels. If so, you are given a free upgrade to Croatian government owned Jadrolinija (more expensive but more reliable). Jadrolinija is also your only option for getting around the islands in most cases. It is reasonably cheap without a vehicle, but beware if cycling - your bike may cost more than you do! Expensive, but so worth cycling the islands of Croatia.
INDONESIA: Don't fly, go local style on the Pelni. It is government subsidised (so notoriously delayed) but it has an extensive network and can be very cheap, depending on your class of service. If you have come to the world's largest archipelago, enjoy the seas and take ferries around. This is Indonesia, so expect delays, crowds, and difficulty booking tickets. But this is all part of the adventure. You can travel with the ducks, chickens and locals eating instant noodles in Kelas Ekonomi (Economy) where mats and space is 1st come-1st served, 2nd Class in a shared cabin, or go 1st class in a private cabin with your own TV for all of your Indonesian favourites (it won't work) and a shower. In 1st class meals are included (and sometimes live music)! A holiday within a holiday. The website can be tricky to figure out but you'll succeed.
MEDITERRANEAN
Italy to Croatia:
The cheapest option is Blueline, but beware it often cancels. If so, you are given a free upgrade to Croatian government owned Jadrolinija (more expensive but more reliable). Jadrolinija is also your only option for getting around the islands in most cases. It is reasonably cheap without a vehicle, but beware if cycling - your bike may cost more than you do! Expensive, but so worth cycling the islands of Croatia.