The metro can actually be used for short or long distances, and it's nice because it's fast and direct, so you don't have to worry about dodging pedestrians or cars.
- Regional trains: Long-distance trains are awesome because they usually have giant windows, so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as it passes by. The trains are very clean, and most have little hooks where you can hang your jacket, and tray tables that fold down onto your lap.
- Flying: Yes, people do still fly in Europe when other forms of transportation are inconvenient. However, I've found that flights here are much cheaper than flights in the United States. There are also discount airlines like Ryanair (the equivalent of Southwest or Spirit Airlines in the U.S.) that sell one-way flight tickets for as little as €5.00! Using one of these budget airlines, I was able to fly round-trip from Hamburg, Germany to Paris, France for about $90. (For reference, a round-trip flight from San Antonio to Houston is at least $140--that's for two cities within the same state!)
How did I feel when I tried this way of getting around?: It made me feel very independent. When I lived in Texas, I couldn't drive myself all the time, so I often had to ask people to pick me up or drop me off at places. Having the option of public transportation allows you to create your own plan for the day without depending on others' schedules. But that said, it does take a lot of organization to figure out how to get to your destination, especially if you are traveling a long distance with multiple connections.
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