Alright, let’s talk about getting around safely when you’re in some unfamiliar country. I learned a few things, mostly the hard way, about not getting into dodgy transport situations.
My Wake-Up Call
It wasn’t one single dramatic event, more like a bunch of smaller annoyances and one slightly scary moment. I remember haggling with taxi drivers who clearly saw me as a walking wallet. Meters ‘broken’, sudden detours, you name it. The worst was probably hopping into what I thought was a cab late one night in a city I didn’t know well. Driver seemed off, took a weird route. Nothing bad happened, thankfully, but it spooked me. Made me realize I was being way too casual about just jumping into any car.
What I Started Doing Differently
So, I changed my whole approach. It starts way before I even leave home now.
- Pre-Trip Homework: Before I go anywhere, I spend some real time researching the transport situation. Not just looking up train schedules. I dig into forums, travel blogs, even expat groups online. I specifically look for stuff like: common taxi scams in that city, reliable local ride-sharing apps, which areas have sketchy transport options, and what official taxis should look like (color, markings, etc.). I make actual notes on my phone.
- Airport Arrival Plan: Landing used to be chaos. Now, I have a plan before I get off the plane. Usually, I try to pre-book an airport transfer through my hotel if it’s reasonably priced. If not, I find out where the official airport taxi stand is. I ignore anyone shouting “Taxi! Taxi!” inside the terminal or right at the exit doors. I head straight for the designated queue or dispatcher. Sometimes, I’ll fire up a ride-sharing app I downloaded beforehand, but only if I know there’s a reliable pickup spot. Getting a local SIM or eSIM sorted quickly helps with this too.
- Daily Rides: For getting around town day-to-day, ride-sharing apps (like Uber, Grab, Bolt, whatever’s big locally) became my default. Why? Simple: price agreed upfront. You see the driver’s details, the car plate. You can track the route on your phone. Reduces the chance of getting ripped off massively. If I have to take a regular taxi? I look for official markings. I always, always insist the meter is turned on before we start moving. If they refuse or say it’s broken? I just get out. Politely say “No thanks” and find another one. No point arguing.
- Public Transport Smarts: I actually started using public transport more. Buses, subways, trams. Usually cheaper and you get a better feel for the city. But I still keep my wits about me. Check routes beforehand, know my stop. Avoid super crowded carriages if possible (pickpockets love those), and keep my valuables secure, not waving my fancy phone around.
- Extra Precautions: If I’m heading out late or going somewhere unfamiliar, especially alone, I share my live location from my phone with a friend or family member back home. Just takes a second. I also make sure my phone is always charged before I head out. And I try to avoid looking obviously lost or vulnerable, even if I am. Confidence, even faked, helps deter opportunists.
Did It Work?
Absolutely. It sounds like a lot of steps, but it quickly becomes habit. The biggest change? My stress levels plummeted. No more constant low-level anxiety about getting ripped off or ending up somewhere weird. I saved money too, avoiding inflated tourist prices from shady drivers. Knowing I had reliable ways to get around just made the whole travel experience way more relaxed and enjoyable. I could focus on seeing the place, not battling for a fair fare every time I needed to go somewhere. It’s just common sense stuff, really, but actively putting it into practice made all the difference for me.
