Transport guide

Getting around while travelling

Plane, train, bus, scooter, ferry: each mode of transport has its advantages and pitfalls. This guide helps you choose the right option based on your destination, budget, and travel style.

Modes of transport

Each mode has its strengths. The secret: combine them according to the context.

Plane

Finding cheap flights: Skyscanner, Google Flights, 'Explore' mode for flexible dates
Luggage: each airline has its own rules — check before booking (7-10 kg cabin on low-cost)
Layovers: a long layover can save 100-300 EUR — accept a 6-12h stopover
Book 2-5 months ahead for the best fares, except last-minute deals

Train

Interrail / Eurail: flexible pass for Europe, pays off from 4-5 long-distance trips
Asian trains: Sri Lanka (Kandy-Ella), India (Rajdhani), Japan (Shinkansen) — scenic and reliable
Night trains: one hotel night saved + a journey done while sleeping
Book ahead in Europe for the best prices (Frecciarossa, AVE, TGV)

Bus

Long distance: FlixBus in Europe, ADO in Mexico, Cruz del Sur in Peru — comfortable and affordable
Sleeping buses in Southeast Asia: sleeper buses for overnight trips (Vietnam, Cambodia)
Local buses: guaranteed immersion, rock-bottom prices, variable comfort
Always check the company and reviews before booking

Vehicle rental

Scooter: king of Southeast Asia (Bali, Vietnam, Thailand). 5-10 EUR/day.
Car: essential for road trips (Iceland, South Africa, New Zealand, Costa Rica)
International driving licence: required in many countries — get it before you go (free at the DMV)
Always photograph the vehicle before taking it and check the insurance

Boat / Ferry

Essential for archipelagos: Philippines, Indonesia, Greece, Croatia
Fast boats vs slow ferries: 2x faster but 2-3x more expensive and sometimes rough
Book ahead in high season (Greek islands in summer, Bali-Gili in August)
Ferryhopper, 12Go Asia, and Direct Ferries to compare and book

In the city

Taxi: always insist on the meter or use an app (Grab, Uber, Bolt)
Metro: the fastest way in major cities (Tokyo, Bangkok, Madrid, Cairo)
Local apps: Grab in Asia, Ola in India, BiTaksi in Turkey, PickMe in Sri Lanka
Google Maps offline: download maps before each destination — essential without data

Quick comparison

An overview to help you choose the right mode by budget, comfort, and speed.

Transport	Cost	Comfort	Speed	Ideal for
Plane	€€€	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Over 1,000 km, between countries
Train	€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	200-1,000 km, scenic routes
Bus	€	⭐⭐	⭐⭐	Tight budget, overnight journeys
Scooter	€	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Local exploration, Southeast Asia
Car	€€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Road trips, remote areas
Ferry	€€	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	Archipelagos, islands
Metro	€	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Major cities

Essential apps

Tools every traveller should have on their phone.

Orizn

Discover spots from local travellers, meet people around you, and share your adventures. The app that replaces the paper guide.

Google Maps (offline)

Maps, directions, public transport. Download offline maps before each country.

Rome2Rio

Compare all transport modes between two points: plane, train, bus, ferry, carpooling.

Grab

The Uber of Southeast Asia. Taxi, motorbike taxi, delivery. Essential in Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia.

Skyscanner

Flight comparison. 'Explore' mode to find the cheapest destination from home.

12Go Asia

Bus, train, and ferry booking in Southeast Asia. Clear interface, e-tickets.

Ferryhopper

All ferries in Greece, Croatia, Italy. Real-time price and schedule comparison.

Trainline

Train tickets in Europe. Compare Trenitalia, Renfe, SNCF, Deutsche Bahn in one place.

Waze / Maps.me

GPS navigation. Waze for driving (traffic alerts), Maps.me for ultra-light offline.

Transport guides by country

Flights from Europe, local transport, scams, indicative prices, and tips.

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