Many “straphangers” are incensed about yet another fare hike, and some have gone so far as to start a SwipeBack campaign, in which riders leaving a subway station offer a swipe of an unlimited card to a fellow commuter entering.

Pay (more) as you swipe

But what does this all mean for travelers?

Well, the per-ride fare has jumped from $2.25 to $2.50, and the pay-per-ride bonuses (added to your card based on the amount you put on it) have dropped from 7 percent to 5 percent.

In short, you’re paying more to get around the city. The bright side, though, is that public transit still costs far less (and is often quicker, given traffic) than cabbing it everywhere. And, you have options.

Click the map to download a PDF map of the New York City subway. Photo: MTA

A little background

Before I go on about making the most of your MetroCard, let me give a little love to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”), which runs the subway. Yes, it has its flaws, but on the whole New York’s subway system is a wonder—extensive, reliable (for the most part) and affordable, even with the fare hikes.

It’s pretty impressive that, in an age of rampant inflation, fares have increased less than $3 total in the subway’s 109 years (in 1904, rides were $0.05). And at $2.50 a ride, regardless of distance traveled, they are among the cheapest transit fares worldwide. (Compare, for example, to £4.50 for a one-way fare on the London Underground).

To walk or ride? That is the question.

New York’s public transit system differs from many throughout the world in that it charges a flat fare rather than a charge by distance. So whether you travel one stop or 21, you’ll still pay the same rate. This means that long distances are an especially good value, but short distances are best avoided.

New York is an immensely walkable city, and hoofing it provides the added bonus of sightseeing as you go. For example, instead of taking the train a few stops from Union Square to Soho, you can take a nice stroll stopping to watch some street performers in Washington Square Park and cruising through the adorable streets of the West Village along the way. The journey, not much longer than the train would take, becomes half the fun, and you avoid waiting on the subway platform and crushing into a crowded car.

General rule

My general rule, given bearable weather conditions (anything but raining or freezing): If the subway journey is two stops or fewer, always walk.

That number will obviously go up on the local lines that stop every few blocks—or depending on your energy level. Just keep in mind that 20 street blocks (north-south) equals a mile. Avenue blocks are longer, and it can thus feel a bit longer when walking east to west. The two-stop rule, however, still holds relatively well.

Which MetroCard is right for you?

You get to the card kiosk and the big dilemma hits: Do you pay as you go or purchase an unlimited card? It all depends on how much you plan to use public transit.

Pay-as-you-go is exactly as it sounds. You load a card up with a desired amount, and $2.50 is deducted every time you ride. Conversely, a seven-day MetroCard costs $30 and is good for unlimited rides on the subway and non-express buses.

The verdict? To maximize value, pay as you go if you’ll make fewer than 13 journeys. For 13 or more rides, an unlimited will equal savings.

The MTA’s website is quite helpful when it comes to figuring out which card to purchase. For example, this table breaks down the options:

Pay-as-you-go bonus and MetroCard surcharge

Another part of the new fare increases is a standard $1 surcharge for every new card purchased.

Note to groups: Buy one MetroCard to share. A pay-as-you-go card can be swiped for up to four people at a time. (If you go with an unlimited card, however, you’ll each need your own.) That means you save on three surcharges, and, given the five percent bonus added to whatever you put on your MetroCards, groups can save a (very teensy) bit by sharing one card.

Let’s say, for example, that your family of four puts $50 on a MetroCard. That’s 20 rides total, or five rides per person (you’ll take at least that if you’re in the city two to three days). On top of that, the 5 percent bonus means your $50 card is worth $52.50, adding an additional “free” ride to your total. And you said there’s no such thing as a free ride in New York City.

Your New York City subway tips

Have some advice or questions about riding the New York City subway? Ask away in our comments section below.

The post New York City Subway: Which type of MetroCard is right for you? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Several coaches each day speed from Riga to Tallinn in less than five hours. Just once a day there is the option of doing the journey by train. You change trains at the Estonia / Latvia border and the whole rail journey takes over eight hours. You can see why coaches have cornered the market in traffic between the two Baltic capitals.

“Bus” versus “coach”

Yet we stumble already. Bus or coach? In American English, the word “bus” tends to prevail and may refer to any form of public transport by road, be it a short ride through New York City or a coast-to-coast marathon with Greyhound Lines.

Things are a little different in European English. A “bus route” is essentially a local service, geared to local traffic. You cannot normally reserve seats in advance. A “coach service,” by contrast, is usually a longer-distance service, often one where advance booking is recommended (even if often not absolutely necessary) and usually operated by a vehicle that has more comfortable seating than you would find on a local bus service.

Buses stop often, express coaches less so

Buses stop frequently: usually at every bus stop along their route. But coaches stop infrequently, often only once in any particular city and then more commonly at the central coach station (or near the train station). Note that in some European cities the “central coach station” may not be particularly central.

This distinction between buses and coaches (as defined above) must be something in English genes. When an Englishman says “I took the Oxford to Cambridge bus” he means he took the X5 Stagecoach which is not a whole lot faster than the horse-drawn carriages that once plied between the two university cities. Okay, slightly faster, but the X5 still takes 3 hours 20 minutes for the 80-mile ride.

And he means a bus, not a coach, even though the vehicles used by Stagecoach on their X5 service are pretty comfortable single-deckers with leather seats, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. This is luxury stuff for what is essentially a limited-stop local bus service, albeit one that plies a longish route – and, a little improbably for a “bus,” it does not actually stop at every stop along the way. So, yes, the X5 is a little unusual. It’s frequent (half-hourly, every day of the week), you don’t need to pre-book, but it has coach-like qualities with its propensity to skip stops.

Linguistic subtleties

Shift to other European languages and the fine distinction made by Brits between bus and coach may not be sustained. Germans refer to a bus to allude to the short ride to the shops or the 24-hour journey from the Rhineland to a Mediterranean sunspot.

Horses for courses

Local bus services come into their own for shortish journeys within cities or into the rural hinterland of a city. They serve small villages and rural areas that are often well beyond the nerve ends of the rail network. Many routes are done and dusted in just an hour or two. That Oxford to Cambridge run is unusually long for a bus service.

Many buses are short on creature comforts. Don’t hop on a London omnibus and ask the way to the rest room. There isn’t one. Yet these local bus services fill a niche in the market, and there is even a new travel guide for Britain that celebrates the merits of such local journeys. (Yes, yes, we have to come clean here and admit that we edited the book. It is published by Bradt Travel Guides).

By contrast, long-distance coaches can be very comfortable indeed. Reclining seats are the norm. Some offer the chance to buy coffee or snacks. On some premium services, such as the new Eurolines Business Class network, you’ll find a level of comfort that begins to match first class on a train. But of course you just don’t have quite the chance to move around. That’s the big plus of rail.

We shall return to the question of long-distance coach travel in Europe in further posts over the winter. Sometimes it’s a credible alternative to rail travel and it is often great value. In the next post on this theme (in December), we’ll look at those areas of Europe where canny travelers know that the express coach is the top choice.

The post Bus and Coach Travel in Europe: Understanding the difference appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

BVG, Berlin’s public transit authority, runs an efficient network of trains, buses, trams and ferries all over town. Use them for cheapo-style sightseeing: A 2-hour ticket goes for €3, a day pass for €8.80. (more prices here) Hop on, hop off. Enjoy. Here’s how:

By bus #100 and #200: The Tourist routes

Veritable BVG institutions, the “tourist” routes served by yellow double decker buses hit all the guidebook-worthy sights. You may have to elbow your way up to the front seats upstairs, but the view’s worth it. Both buses depart every ten minutes from the Zoo station.

On #100, you’ll go past the Reichstag, and then cruise by the Brandenburg Gate before heading down the stately Unter den Linden.

With the #200, you get to marvel at the Berlin Phiharmonic and then Potsdamerplatz (where you’ll see remnants of the Wall on display).

Both routes stop at the Museum Island and Berliner Dom (cathedral) before ending up at the TV tower in Alexanderplatz.

By train (S-3, S-5, S-7)

The overground suburban train lines 3, 5 and 7 offer fantastic views as they travel east to west straight through the heart of Berlin. The 20-minute ride between Savignyplatz and Warschauer Strasse is a good introduction to the city and its changing landscape.

Get your camera ready as the train crisscrosses over the Spree and canals where you’ll see some choice architectural jewels like the Bode Museum.

The M1 tram in action. Photo by fazhil

By the M1 tram

Start from the business district of Friedrichstrasse after a day of shopping. The M1 tram line will take you over the river to the Oranienburger Strasse neighborhood, where bars, restaurants and galleries abound. Resist the urge to stop for a coffee, because two stops later at Rosenthaler Platz, you’ll have even more cafes to choose from.

From there, the tram travels uphill to Prenzlauer Berg, which needs no elaboration. Just follow the crowd off the tram and you’ll find yourself in some place very cool.

By the F10 ferry

For those of you who want to get off the beaten path, take a breather from the city with this 20-minute ferry ride. Every hour, the F10 ferry sails from the cute, well-to-do suburb of Kladow to Wannsee, one of the most beloved lakes in Berlin. It’s a great way to unwind and mingle with the locals, (very) far away from the bustle of the city.

The post Berlin Transportation: See the sights by public train, ferry or bus appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve been fans of Paris’ Vélib’ bike program since it debuted in July 2007. But how’s it faring three years later?

In many respects it’s been a big hit with both locals and tourists (at least those lucky enough to have the right type of credit card). Read on to get our Cheapo assessment of the city’s bike share program.

Getting a bike

A Vélib’ station. Photo: Tom Meyers

The Vélib’ system, which until 2011 required a credit card with a puce (a special microchip), was mostly unattainable to Americans since it launched in 2007.

However, that changed in spring 2011 when the program opened, at least online, to a wide-range of cards (including MasterCard, Visa and American Express). Tourists can now register for a one or seven-day subscription on their Web site with these credit or debit cards. You will then be given a code to tap into the kiosk at any of the city’s 1,200 Vélib’ bike stations.

Note that a €150 “hold” will be placed on your card when you subscribe. This will be in place until your subscription expires. Read more on the Vélib’ Web site.

After purchasing a daily or weekly pass (one-day subscription costs €1.70 and a seven-day subscription costs €8), riders take a bike from any stand and can ride for 30 minutes before parking at another station. Additional time is billable in half-hour increments.

Improvements to the Vélib’ program

Thanks to an initiative by the mayor’s office passed in June 2010, improvements in bicycle parking, traffic signals and paths are on their way. The biggest change, however, has been the legalization of bikes riding on a one-way street.

One-way streets that had permitted only one-way bike traffic are now also painted with bicycle paths going against automobile traffic, opening up the city’s meandering and confusing network of streets and alleys. According to Le Monde, about 90 percent of streets are now accessible in both directions for cyclists. (Granted, my heart flutters a bit when a truck comes barreling down what its driver feels is a one-way street. But at least the police won’t stop and fine me for breaking the law while riding my Vélib’.)

The downsides of using Vélib’

While the streets are opening up to bikers, the Vélib’ system still has its faults, starting with finding a bike. Popular stations often lack sufficient functional cycles.

A seat turned backwards is a sign from a friendly rider that a bike is faulty. Always check the tires, breaks, gears and handle bars before riding. In addition to being an inconvenience, a bike with wobbly handle bars and poor breaks is a hazard. Fortunately on the road, cars are surprisingly respectful of cyclists (even though Parisians are known for their erratic driving).

Finding a parking spot can also be difficult. All too often, major stations in popular neighborhoods are full, forcing riders to wait for a spot to open up. Fortunately, you can obtain a 15-minute extension from the terminal in order to find another station. The map on the terminal’s screen will locate the closest free spot.

The bottom line

For Parisians, having their own bike is preferable to relying on the Vélib’ system. After two years, fed up with daily Vélib’ hassles, I purchased a used bike. Still, I kept my subscription to the Vélib’ because many occasions call for a one-way bike ride. (For example, you get to a bar and then enjoy a few too many glasses of Bordeaux.)

With nearly 20,000 bikes and inspiring programs from London to Mexico City, Vélib’ remains the world’s most successful biking system. While not perfect, it still may be one of the most magical experiences available in Paris for just a few euros.

Bonus: This fun little video gives you a feel for the Vélib’ experience.

The post Paris Vélib’ Update: How’s the bike share program working out? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Since late 2008, BikeMi has operated stations around the city, allowing locals and tourists to explore the city on two wheels for just a few euros. BikeMi currently boasts over 100 pick-up and drop-off stations throughout Milan, with around 1,400 bikes in total. The program is set to expand to well over 200 stations and 5,000 bikes by the end of 2010.

How it works

To hop on, you’ll first need to register. On the BikeMi Web site, choose a temporary or annual subscription and provide your credit card information. Once your card is approved, you will be e-mailed a user code and password to be used at any bike station.

Simply type in your code at the station keypad and take a bicycle. And don’t forget to watch the time—bikes must be returned to any BikeMi station no more than two hours after they’ve been checked out. (Exceeding the limit three times will get your subscription cancelled.)

The daily rate for using a BikeMi bike is €2.50. A weekly subscription costs €6. On top of these flat fees, you’ll be charged €0.50 for every 30 minutes (following the first free half-hour).

All in all, we think BikeMi provides plenty of incentive to slip off the D&G stilettos and get riding through the streets of Milano.

The post Milan: Get moving with the BikeMi public bike share program appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Taxi

There is of course the classic taxi option. It tends to cost about about 500 SEK to take a taxi from the airport into central Stockholm. I don’t suggest it for a variety of reasons, one being the risk of black taxis that are more than willing to relieve you of your money in the 45 minutes it takes to get into town.

Bus

Another option into town is the bus. Flygbussarna takes about 45 minutes for the trip, but costs only a quarter of what you’d spend on a taxi. For 119 SEK, an adult can make the one-way trip into town. The cost is 89 SEK for a youth (under 25) ticket.

You can also save a bit of money by purchasing the round-trip ticket and buying the ticket online. The bus leaves on a pretty regular basis depending on the hour of the day. During heavily trafficked hours, the bus leaves every ten minutes. In the middle of the night, it departs every 30 minutes.

The Arlanda Express Train

Finally, there is the Arlanda Express. This is my favorite option (probably because I still qualify for the youth ticket!). The super-fast (200 km per hour) train will get you into Stockholm’s Central Station in 20 minutes. Adult tickets are 240 SEK, but watch for group deals where you and a buddy can travel one way for 280 SEK total. Youth and students pay only 120 SEK. Check the timetable to be sure, but the train leaves every 15 minutes for most of the day.

Public Transportation

And finally, public transportation. With a mixture of buses and trains, you can get from the airport into town for about 60 SEK. Of course, it will take you about one hour, but it is a good option if you’re willing to take the scenic route.

Getting into Stockholm from other airports

If you did fly into one of the other airports surrounding Stockholm (Ryanair to Skavsta for example), take the bus. Seriously. It will take you just over an hour and costs 75-99 SEK one way. The price depends on which company you choose (Flygbussarna or FlybyCoach) and whether you book online or not. Watch out for taxis: They’ll cost you well over 1000 SEK.

For more info on getting into Stockholm, view this article in our city guide. With the stress of getting from the airport to town out of your system, you’ll be able to enjoy and explore all that Stockholm has to offer. And with the money you saved on your way in, you’ll be off to a great start.

The post Stockholm Airport Transportation: Cheap ways to get in from Arlanda appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, there are a few key things to keep in mind when planning how to get around Montenegro:

Avoid trains, unless you’re heading for the mountains

Unlike Western Europe, the local train system in Montenegro doesn’t cover much ground and makes rail travel difficult. The line is from northeast to southwest, starting in Bijelo Polje and ending in the coastal town of Bar. Trains are a good option when heading into the mountains, but pointless when staying on the seaside. Cheaper than the buses but not as efficient (and some would argue not as safe), railways are to be used at your own risk.

The wheels on the bus go ’round through town

Planes fly in and out of the capital of Podgorica and the touristy town of Tivat, though the most common way to enter is via bordering countries (Croatia or Serbia, for example) by bus. What the train system lacks in broad coverage, the country’s bus system makes up for in frequency and destination choice.

Buses in Montenegro, like in many countries in Southeast Europe, are not the newest, but they are reliable and get travelers from Point A to Point B in a timely manner (around 80 kilometers per hour on the highways). Smaller shuttle buses are also available at bus stations and sometimes cost less.

We didn’t find the bus stations to be terribly confusing or too large, although the local language doesn’t make things simple for foreigners. It’s quite easy to figure out which bus goes where and when, so make a match and stay alert for the departure call. When people begin to board your bus, that’s a good notion for you to do the same.

Avoid taxis

In short, buses are the best way to get from town to town, and travelers won’t have to deal with fretting over fair prices. This is not the case with taxis, and it won’t be easy to find a driver willing to give you a “local price.” Montenegro runs on the euro, and bus transit prices run cheap at €5 to €10 for a two to five-hour journey. A taxi driver will easily ask for twice as much without blinking an eye, so either be smart when bargaining with private transportation or hop on a bus and enjoy the ride.

The post Montenegro Transportation Tips: Trains, buses, and taxis appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The lowdown

Stockholm is a very walk-able city, but if you’re less interested in wandering around than getting around efficiently (or if you just want to get out of the cold on your way to your next destination), public transportation is really the way to go. Subways, buses, trains, and even boats and street cars are covered by the SL umbrella, and every single one of them is clean and on time.

SL offers a smorgasbord (pun absolutely intended) of ticket options. Luckily, the SL website gives a great rundown of everything that is available. Some of the options are perfect for a short trip to Stockholm.

Standard and prepaid tickets

SL offers standard one-trip tickets. These are not worth your money if you plan on using public transportation more than once or twice, but they are worth explaining. Stockholm is broken up into three different zones according to SL. Zone A will cost you two tickets, Zone B will cost you three, and Zone C will cost you four.

Really, if you’re just staying in the city all you need to worry about is Zone A and the two ticket price. These tickets are only valid for an hour after you use them. If you plan on using public transportation more than four times during your stay in Stockholm, consider a pre-paid strip of tickets or a day pass.

The prepaid strip of tickets is 16 single tickets for the price of 180 SEK. This gives you eight trips within the city and ends up being about half the price of the standard one-trip tickets. You’ll get a stamp which, unfortunately, is only good for an hour after stamping. But remember, you’ve got seven more trips before you need to think about paying for transportation again.

Day passes

There are also day passes. The 24-hour pass costs 100 SEK, the 72- hour pass is 200 SEK, and the seven-day card is 260 SEK. Day passes are valid at any time and can be used as many times as you wish. Depending on your length of stay, day passes are a great way to save money and still get everywhere you want to go.

The Stockholm Card

Finally, there is Stockholmskortet, The Stockholm Card. The Stockholm Card ranges from 375 SEK for 24 hours to 595 SEK for 72 hours. It allows you free entrance to over 70 museums in Stockholm and gives you free access to public transportation.

Buy your ticket before boarding the bus

Note that you cannot buy tickets on the bus. Bus drivers stopped carrying money a couple of years ago in hopes of speeding up service and keeping everyone safer. There are plenty of places where you can buy tickets though, including SL service centers, most subway and train stations, Pressbyrån (a Swedish convenience store), and, if you happen to have a Swedish cell phone provider, with your cell phone.

The post Stockholm Public Transportation: Bus and Metro explained appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The right cycle

So, what’s new about the program? No, they haven’t exactly reinvented the wheel, but they’ve kept up those same low prices, especially for the one-time booking fee. If you reserve ahead of time, you’ll pay €1, and it gets returned to you when you pick up your bike.  A €2 borrowing fee still applies.

With more than 54 rental stations throughout the city (there were only 50 at our earlier press time), hitching a ride is easy. The first hour of pedalling is free, 2 hours will run you €1, 3 hours = €3, and anything after 4 hours is charged at a rate of €4 each.

Get movin’!

For more info, you can visit the Citybike Wien program (only in German), or check out the Vienna Tourism Board‘s section on bike rental. Happy cycling.

***Above photo of Citybikes courtesy of sustainablerotterdam

The post Vienna Tip: Update on the Citybike program appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.