Getting around
Foot-bike-cAr-bus-trAin-boAt-AirplAin
What meam of trasportation is the best? Something that is really hard to say. Under a kilometer or mile I guess walking is the best. You are really close to everything - infact a part of it. Though some places are not safe for tourists - so take care where you are walking. Taking a bike is a great way to see some of the larger cities. Many cities out side the western world though are not use to see a bike - so read a book about your destination before you go
car
Today the normal way of transportation. Cars have good and bad sides. The best is of course you can move as freely as you want. In larger cities though it easely can become a night mare. There are lot of one dircetion lanes and finding a parking lot just next to your shop can be as winning in the lottery. Driving for 10 hour in a row can make you really tired - then you maybe only drive frome bed to bed. In this case train or airplains would be better. Especially if you travel alone, an 10 hour trip can feel really lonesome. But cars are great in rural areas where there is no other mean of transportation.
local bus
Most large cities of the world have busses and trams driving many places in the cities. They are especially ment for workers with out cars - so at some places they might not drive sundays or even the entire weekend. Personally I prefer trams or light rail when Im new in a city. Trams need to stick by there tracks. So you will only rarely get really lost. Busses on the other hand some times drive at completley other routes becourse a road is closed. Some of them even are express busses and if you dont go out at the right place, you might have to walk a kilometer back. In Europe many local busses even go out to villages. But make shure you ask the driver to stop the right place. Be aware that many local bus drivers only speak theire native language. So write you village/sight down and the driver knows where to stop.
Intercity bus
For people with out car it can be a great way to get to a larger city, if that has no train staition. You meet travelers like your self and those who want to meet familly. Often its easely to start a conversation here as well, if you want to meet the local people. In the EU and USA these busses often even are cheaper than trains. The bad side is that you have to sit down all the way and at the big bus terminals you often find criminals. Most people can handle 2-3 hours in a intercitybus. But if you go for more than 5 hours a airplaine would be the best or maybe even a night train. Most countries do not have busses where you can lay down to sleep.
Trainstation
Train stations really differ frome each other. In small towns there isnt often a real station, mostly only a platform of some sort. Wile some larger cities have huge modern stations where you can shop 24/7 in hundreds of shops. These large shopping stations often are a combination of mall, train and bus station. In Europe they mostly are safe since there is a police station as well - still the surround neighbour hood often isnt the best. If you have to change frome one bus to a train the toilets at these stations often are more clean than in the bus (if there is any) or the train. Some stations even are made by leading architects or are small castles. If you are at a big station for the first time make shure you have time enough to find your track
metro
The Metro has many names, but commonly called Metro, Subway or U-bahn. It drives beneathe the earth and covers the Main city regularely. Mostly there is a new train every 2nd-10th minute. These kind of trains often are the fastest way around town. But the trains have no facilities, since most costumers only drive for 10 minutes with them. They often are safe since there are allways other costumers and cameras in the trains. The most modern versions do not have a driver
Suburban trains
Most large cities have a Suburban train net work conecting the city center with its Suburbs. Since its mend mainly for those going to or frome work it drives often in rush hour (like every 10-30 minute) but rarely at the other times. Most people only use it for a short drive, so often it hasn't any facilities.
Regional train
Regional trains often called local trains are the most common type of train. They connect cities and villages and stop quite often. Villagges often see them as verry important, since they connect it with the world. Mostly they have toilets. Regional trains are a great way to connect with strangers and see the real country side with its inhabitants.
Intercity
Intercity trains come in three versions. Those who connect the cities with each other (usually with a speed of 100-50 km/h), the Intercity express trains who only stop at bigger towns (with a speed above 150 km/h) and the international trains, only stopping at bigger cities in 2-3 countries. You normally find restrooms, a snack bar or even a dining car. These trains often are better than a car, since they drive faster and you can relax. Usually they come in 2 classes, 2nd and 1st - some times even with a first plus. Traveling first class often gives you free coffee/tea in the train and/or a lounge area in the largest cities at main stations
Night train
Travel by night train and save the hotel. That is the slogan - and yes you can sleep and wake up several 100 km away - some trains even can handle your car. Night trains come in 3 ways: seats - here you have to sit up all night; couchettes - You can lay down and will get a pillow and a blanket (often 4-6 people in a cabin); bed - You get a bed as well as mostly a breakfast (1-3 people in cabin). If you are seating an airplain is to prefer since traintickets often dont come cheap and you can crash at a hostel. Night trains are a good way to meet new people - in some areas according to travel books not safe, but I never had problems my self. If you are traveling alone as a woman most countries have women compartments. Remember to bring some thing to drink and eat, since the journey can be long and not all trains have a bar or dinning car
Ferry
8When you travel a lot you one day might meet a ferry. The small ones only take passengers. The big ones take cars and even (rarely) trains. Ferries come in a lot of standarts depending on how long the journey is. If its only 20-30 minutes there rarely is anything interesting on it except maybe a seat. If its 1-5 hours there often are 1-2 dining places and a tax-free store. More than 5 hours you often have a cabin, several eating places, a pool, a cinema, night shows in bars and other luxurios things. With the last one you just have to think of what you want to have in your cabin, how big it should be - and maybe even what you can afford.
airplaines
Traveling by air is often the cheapest and fastest way. On your way you often get a snack and somethig to drink if its transcontinental. Inside a country you still have the oportunity to buy coffe/tea and a sandwich. You also can buy tax-free. In the airport there are lots of shops and restaurants. Most airports are secure after security. If you travel first class or buisness there often is a lounge included with free coffee/tea and a snack. Be shure to be at least more than 1 hour prior to departure at the airport if you fly inside a country or 2 hours outside a country since check in ends 1-2 hours before departure. Check in at the gate ends often 15 minutes prior to departure.