Moving Like a Local: The Art of Public Transportation

Mastering the public transportation of a foreign city is one of the most valuable skills a traveler can develop. Not only does it save you significant money compared to taxis and private transport services, but it allows you to experience the city as its inhabitants live it. From the iconic New York subway to Malta's efficient bus system, each system has its peculiarities and secrets that this guide will reveal.

New York: The Subway That Never Sleeps

The New York subway is one of the most extensive transportation systems in the world, with 472 stations and 24/7 service. For travelers, the MetroCard or OMNY card is essential. The 7-day unlimited ride card costs around 34 USD and is extremely cost-effective if you plan to use the subway more than twice a day.

Key tips for the New York subway: express trains skip stations (always verify if your train is local or express), overnight service may have route modifications, and the MTA Subway Time app will show you real arrival times. Lines are identified by numbers and letters, and colors indicate the main avenue they travel along.

Beyond the subway, New York features an excellent bus system, the Staten Island Ferry (free with spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty), and Citi Bike, the bike-share system perfect for touring Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Sao Paulo: The Brazilian Giant

The transportation system of Sao Paulo is the largest in Latin America. The Sao Paulo metro, although with only 6 lines, moves more than 4 million passengers daily and is complemented by an extensive commuter rail network (CPTM) and thousands of bus lines. The Bilhete Unico card allows free transfers between metro and bus for three hours, making it indispensable for any visitor.

Sao Paulo also offers "frescoes," executive air-conditioned buses connecting Guarulhos airport with various city points at a much lower price than taxis. For travelers, the metro is the fastest option during rush hours, when Sao Paulo traffic can be truly chaotic.

If you are planning to visit Sao Paulo or any other major city, on Encontrable you can discover the best establishments and points of interest near transport stations, optimizing your route and making the most of every stop.

Malta: Small Island, Great Connectivity

The public transportation system of Malta surprises with its efficiency in such a compact territory. Malta Public Transport operates a bus network connecting virtually every corner of the main island and Gozo. The Tallinja Card is the system's smart card: with it, each trip costs only 1.50 EUR in winter and 2 EUR in summer, significantly less than the price without the card.

Buses depart mainly from the central terminal in Valletta, making the capital the natural hub for getting around the entire island. The most useful routes for tourists include line TD2 to Marsaxlokk (the picturesque fishing village), line 44 to Mdina (the silent city), and lines X1-X4 connecting to the main beaches.

A peculiarity of Malta is that it has no metro or train, but the small size of the island (316 km2) means bus travel times are very reasonable. Ferries connect Malta with Gozo and Comino, with crossings of just 25 minutes.

Other Cities: Notable Systems

The Mexico City metro is one of the cheapest in the world (5 pesos per trip, less than 0.30 USD) and covers much of the city. In Miami, the Metrorail and the free Metromover downtown are practical options, although the city remains car-dependent for many areas. Bogota has TransMilenio, a bus rapid transit system that moves millions of passengers daily, and will soon open its first metro line.

Using public transportation instead of taxis can save you between 60% and 80% of your transport budget during a trip, according to data from the International Association of Public Transport.

Universal Tips for Public Transportation

  • Buy rechargeable cards: Almost all cities offer transport cards with significant discounts compared to single tickets
  • Download local apps: Every city has its official transport app with maps, schedules, and real-time alerts
  • Avoid rush hours: Generally 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM, systems are at maximum capacity
  • Carry exact change: In some systems, machines only accept exact cash or contactless cards
  • Watch your belongings: In any mass transit system, keep your valuables secure and in sight
  • Google Maps is your ally: In most cities, Google Maps integrates public transport routes with updated schedules

Essential Apps by City

  1. New York: MTA Subway Time, Citymapper
  2. Sao Paulo: Moovit, SPTrans
  3. Malta: Tallinja (Malta Public Transport)
  4. Mexico City: Metro CDMX, Moovit
  5. Bogota: TransMilenio App, Moovit

To discover what is near each station and stop, use Encontrable as your local guide. Find more practical tips in our traveler tips section and keep exploring our guides to master every aspect of your travels. If you are interested in how technology improves urban mobility, visit our technology section.