Tips for Getting the Bus

It seems easy enough. Getting the bus means finding out where it stops and having correct change or your MetroCard ready. It's not quite what it seems in other countries, though.

This mild warning also goes for trains, planes, and automobiles when you're traveling abroad. Language barriers are part of the problem, but so are somewhat shady business practices. Often times, if you ask a driver or ticket taker if they're going to the place you need to go, they will say that they are even if it's not on the itinerary. That's because independent carriers are responsible for their own expenses, and can go out of the way to drop you off somewhere if they can still make money. So if you're going to Point A from Point B, you may actually have to make 15 stops in between and add hours to your travel time. Always ask what other stops there are when boarding, instead of only asking if they stop at your destination. Keep in mind that it is possible, though rare, for there to be multiple towns or cities that share a name, or have similar names. Avon could be a different town that Avon-by-the-sea or Avonshire, and when you're dealing with totally different travel situations than you're used to, it's easy to get flustered.

That said, there's a great many adventures to be had when traveling around the world. Enjoy the ride!