Sometimes trains are late or canceled completely, which can make a mess of your carefully laid plans. There's also the question of finding the right platform and making sure you are taking the train in the right direction, which is not as easy as it might seem, because cities differ in terms of how "helpful" their signs are (or whether there are signs at all!). Overall, though, I have eally enjoyed taking multiple forms of public transportation in Europe, and I think this experience has made me a much more confident traveler.
I've found that using public transport is actually a great way to get acquainted with a new city. Think about it!If you were a tourist and you just drove around a city, getting out only at the main attractions and then climbed back into your car, would you really "see" anything? Or would you only see a polished and shiny facade that the city builds to attract visitors while shielding its real self? I believe taking public transport truly provides a window into the heart and soul of a city, especially in Europe, where a majority of the population uses these transport networks every day. By following routes that locals are able to navigate in their sleep, you learn a lot about their cultural values, and what they think is important in life.
But there's one important thing you have to do to make the most of public transport: put down your phone and observe. If you are distracted by Candy Crush or social media or answering text messages, you'll miss what's happening right in front of your eyes.
