Transportation

Favorite, Tips

July 22, 2022

Before a trip, the thing that gives me the most anxiety is transportation; not the plane ride there, but transportation within the new country. I’m from Michigan, where almost everyone has a car and public transport isn’t widely used, so my experience with it is limited. Traveling adds a language barrier, a cumbersome backpack, and the fact that I am now a walking target for theft, so I get ~real~ nervous. However, like most things, the anxiety leading up to this is way worse than the actual event. I have only ever had positive experiences with public transportation (knock on wood), but there are also certain precautions I take to keep myself and my belongings safe.

Taxis

When utilizing taxis as a means of transportation, always agree on the price before getting into the car, or make sure the meter is already running. It is common for taxi drivers to take advantage of foreigners by overcharging. It is also a good idea to map out your route beforehand or use the GPS on your phone to ensure the driver is not taking detours to bump up the meter. If your phone’s travel plan doesn’t include data and only works when connected to the internet, you can download the GPS route ahead of time through the offline section of google maps.

In Thailand, I often encountered group transfers. These taxis were usually vans or old party buses loaded with strangers. I like this kind of taxi not only because I feel safer surrounded by other people, it is also less expensive than traditional taxis.

Finding a taxi was nerve-racking so I never hailed one on my own. Instead, I asked someone working at my hostel or hotel to make the arrangements for me. If you are out and about, you can pop into any hotel or hospital and the employees will most likely call one for you. This is generally the safer option because you can count on them to contact someone trustworthy.

Buses

My first experience with public buses was in Ecuador. Buses are significantly cheaper than taxis and, in Ecuador they were very nice. All the buses I rode had air conditioning and usually a movie playing. The movies were in Spanish, but what better time to learn a new language than on a long bus ride?

Before taking the bus, I researched and discovered some common scams so I would know how to keep myself safe. For example, bags on the floor can present an opportunity for “bag slashers” to strike. It may be tempting to set your bag down, but that provides easy access for theft to both the person in front of and behind you. If a predator cuts open your bag, they will typically make off with its contents before you even notice.

Another known scam is thieves acting as bus employees. They will offer to take your bag and put it in the ceiling rack but instead get off at the next stop with it. It is best to keep your bag in your lap at all times. However, if your bag is large or you have more than one, you can place them under the bus in the designated compartment before boarding. I usually put my large backpack underneath the bus and carried a second bag containing my camera, passport, and other important things on my person.

I personally never had any issues with the bus, and of all the people I met in Ecuador I only encountered one person who had: a friend of mine placed her bag on the overhead rack and someone grabbed it. However, after bravely confronting the perpetrator and declaring they give it back, they obliged. Although her story is scary, it is best to remind yourself that these people are likely non-violent and that they lack the opportunity to be violent because they have an audience. It always eases my anxiety to remember that when it comes to bus scams, people aren’t trying to attack you physically – they are opportunists looking for easy targets. In summary, as long as you are vigilant, appear alert, and familiarize yourself with the scams, you’ll have an easy bus riding experience.

Motorbikes

Before leaving for Thailand I decided that despite motorbikes being the most common form of transportation there, I was never getting on one. The thought of thousands of visitors illegally riding bikes combined with the stories I’ve heard of accidents terrified me before I even arrived. Yet, once I reached my destination, I started saying “yes” to these types of escapades. My fear of missing out on an experience far outweighs what my anxiety tells me and within the first week, I got on the back of a bike. I am so glad I did because some of the best memories I have of Thailand are riding on the back of my friend’s motorbike through the country, wind in my hair, while the sun began to set. That being said, there are still precautions to take. The most important is: do not drive drunk or ride with anyone who is. If you wouldn’t drive a car under the influence, a bike should be no different. In most of the accidents I heard about and one that I actually witnessed, the driver was drunk.

“Any time an opportunity scares you that much, you should seriously consider saying yes.” – Rob Lowe

The second most important thing is: wear a helmet! A large percentage of the people you see riding motorbikes are not, but helmets are included with the rentals, so there’s no reason not to wear one. Often I was the only one among my friends wearing a helmet, but I didn’t care what anyone thought because I felt safe.

I never rented my own bike because I wasn’t interested in driving, but most of my friends did so I picked up on some tips while accompanying them, such as asking around about different rental services. There are so many to utilize and some may be less expensive and more reliable than others. When deciding on a service, make sure to avoid selecting one that requires you to leave your passport as collateral. Your passport is the most important thing you own while you’re traveling and it is just not safe to entrust it to a stranger. Once you get a bike, take photos of any dents or scratches you notice before leaving with it. This is important because some places will try to hold you accountable for blemishes that were present when you got the bike and it is smart to have proof later. No one I knew ever had problems with this but people talk and warnings are passed around.

Whether you’re taking a bus, taxi, or motorbike on your next adventure, be sure to stay smart, keep your head on a swivel, and trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t. There’s nothing wrong with taking extra precautions to keep yourself, your belongings, and your friends safe as long as you’re still having fun. Wear your anxiety with pride!