EuroCheapo's City Transportation Articles

New York City Subway: Which type of MetroCard is right for you?

MetroCard machine
Don't forget there's now a surcharge on MetroCard purchases. Photo: Suzanne Russo

Mar 12 Last week, a (not so) funny thing happened on the way to work. When I went to renew my 30-day MetroCard, the usual $104 fare had gone up to $112, as part of the subway and bus fare increases that went into effect on March 3, 2013. Many “straphangers” are incensed about yet another fare » Read more

Posted in City Transportation, New York, News, tips, United States

Orbiting London: Going Underground and Overground

Orbiting London: Going Underground and Overground

Dec 12 If your idea of fun is traveling in circles, then London’s Circle Line was made just for you. In truth, the trains don’t orbit forever and with each 360 degree circuit you’ll need to change trains to continue your orbit. Edgware Road is the usual changeover point. The Circle Line: Barely subterranean Like many points » Read more

Posted in City Transportation, hidden europe, London, transportation, United Kingdom

London’s Heathrow Express: 15 minutes of theatre

London’s Heathrow Express: 15 minutes of theatre

Feb 15 Railways breed euphemisms. We always smile when we hear railway staff at London’s Paddington station refer to “the lawn.” There is nothing green about the lawn, but that’s what they call the concrete concourse where travelers gather, scanning the list of upcoming departures, at the inward end of the platforms. Another old Paddington euphemism, one » Read more

Posted in Airports, City Transportation, Europe, hidden europe, London, Practical Info, Train, transportation, United Kingdom

London: 4 ways to save on public transportation

London: 4 ways to save on public transportation

Jan 10 By Nina Derham in London— London is a costly city in many ways, but public transport prices are really ludicrous. For Londoners and commuters alike, January is an especially sore point and outrage spreads on an annual basis when the January 2nd price hikes come into force. 2012 is no exception, as this year the » Read more

Posted in Alternative Transportation, City Transportation, London, Practical Info, transportation, United Kingdom

Bus and Coach Travel in Europe: Understanding the difference

Bus and Coach Travel in Europe: Understanding the difference

Nov 23 Okay, most folk at EuroCheapo HQ just love trains. And so do we. Exploring Europe by rail is generally civilized and convenient, but there are occasions when it just makes sense to hop on a bus or a coach. Several coaches each day speed from Riga to Tallinn in less than five hours. Just once » Read more

Posted in Bus, City Transportation, hidden europe, Practical Info, transportation, United Kingdom

Florence by Bike: Rentals and bike tour options

Florence by Bike: Rentals and bike tour options

Oct 24 By Marc Justin in Florence— Unless you’re that guy I see once in a while on his unicycle circling the Duomo, chances are you ride a bike. And since you’re reading this, chances are you have some remote interest in visiting Florence. So why not combine the two? Join a bike tour before it joins » Read more

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Bikes, City Transportation, Florence, Italy, transportation

San Francisco: Public transportation survival guide

San Francisco: Public transportation survival guide

Jul 21 By Spencer Spellman— If you’re spending most of your time in San Francisco itself, you’re not likely to be renting a car. The expense of parking mixed with the difficulty of finding a parking spot are reasons enough to bypass a car rental in favor of public transportation. You’ll likely be ready for a ride after climbing » Read more

Posted in Bus, City Transportation, San Francisco, Train, transportation, United States

Dublin: 5 ways to save on food, drinks and getting around

Dublin: 5 ways to save on food, drinks and getting around

Jun 16 by Jessica Colley— Dublin used to have a reputation as a wildly expensive city. All of that changed in the last few years, as the financial crisis has pushed prices down. Now there are more ways than ever to save money in the Irish capital. If you’re traveling on a budget, there’s no time like » Read more

Posted in City Transportation, Dublin, Free Stuff, Ireland, Money Matters, Practical Info, tips

Paris: Cheap bike rentals, when Velib’ won’t do

Paris: Cheap bike rentals, when Velib’ won’t do

May 10 By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— (Updated June 28, 2011 to reflect new Velib’ policies) Tourists coming to Paris look with desire at Vélib‘, the city’s public bike-share program. Until recently, when tourists asked me how to rent one, I was forced to dash hopes. For, until recently, you couldn’t hop on a bike unless you » Read more

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Bikes, City Transportation, France, Outdoors, Paris, Sports, transportation

London’s Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries: Top 5 ways to cross the Thames

London’s Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries: Top 5 ways to cross the Thames

May 04 You probably saw the recent news that London’s civic authorities are pressing ahead with a plan to span the River Thames with a cable car. This new public transport service across the river will connect two important Olympic venues and should be up and running by this time next year. It is not the first » Read more

Posted in City Transportation, Free Stuff, hidden europe, London, monuments, Practical Info, United Kingdom