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Local Transport

Whether you are travelling on a budget, want to head off the beaten track or just fancy a change of scenery, using local transport is one of the most exciting ways to see a country. Travelling like a local is likely to be a fraction of the cost of using international tour operators and of course, using local transport is also a great way to limit your carbon footprint, contribute to the local economy, experience local culture and no doubt accumulate some interesting public transport stories. Which can only be good. Once you're home…not while you're crammed in a chicken van in Bolivia for 8 hours.

While using local transport is a fun way to experience a country, it's always worth considering any cultural or religious differences that might provoke reactions from locals, such as travelling as a couple or as a female traveller.

Air

Depending on where you are travelling and what your route is, you may be able to find internal flights. Using internal flights is ideal if you have planned an extensive tour of the world or want to include several continents in one trip.

In smaller countries or less developed countries, airports may be very small and only offer flights a few times a week so if you are relying on flights to get you to your next destination, always plan accordingly otherwise you could find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere for several days until the next flight.

However, a word of warning, don't expect internal flights to always be the cheap option, since most locals would get around by bus or train there's not always much of a market for internal flights and as such you'll sometimes find they are extortionate.

You can book internal flights in local travel agencies or online by finding out the leading airline operators in that region.

Rail

Like in the UK, the trains you're likely to use on your travels tend to be graded according to their comfort, facilities and, of course, price. You'll find that trains are sometimes separated into slow trains, fast trains, commuter trains, sleeper trains and even tourist trains! What all these options mean is that by travelling by rail, it's easy to find a train to meet your criteria, whether it's budget or route related or you simply want a journey with a fantastic view.

Some countries have extensive train networks, like India, whereas others rely more on road, like the Middle East. Do your research before you get there, there's no point spending money on a rail card if you won't be able to get to any of your planned destinations by train. Certain routes will undoubtedly be more popular than others and so will offer a more frequent service while lesser used routes may only run once a week.

Timetables can be erratic in some countries so, just like you would when booking travel at home, always go to the train station and pick up a timetable and ask someone about your options. Speaking with other travellers or locals might be able to give you a bit more information about the likelihood of trains leaving on time or the more temperamental routes.

Many countries offer different class accommodation which can vary significantly in price but also in amenities ranging from buffet carriages and reclining seats to a packet of crackers and a wooden bench. If you opt for the real budget options, be prepared to get angry, squashed and sweaty; air conditioning in economy class is likely to be an open window and you could be in the carriage with your new companions for a long time. Meanwhile those who opt for first class might be treated to airconditioning and bathrooms in their cabins, however, on a another train, in another country, first class could be surprisingly similar to economy. Some countries also have single-sex carriages and many night-trains don't allow mixed cabins so check the regulations before you book.

The Man in Seat Sixty-One has all the information a train traveller could ever want when navigating the world by rail, from timetables and reader reviews to photographs of trains and website links where you can book your ticket, this should be your first stop when planning your route.

Also Rail Choice is the UK's leading European and International rail pass and ticket supplier including an online booking service, timetables and route maps covering Europe all the way to USA and Asia and Pacific.

Road

After a few hours in a new city, you'll soon realise that road rules overseas tend to be a little different, if not non-existent. With tuk-tuk's, cows, elephants, camels, cyclists and any motorised vehicle you can imagine to contend with at any one time, your best move is to act like the locals and just jump aboard.

You'll find using local buses and taxis are a fantastic way to see new places and meet some interesting people on your travels and one of the best things is that each country will have its own different types of transport. In Madagascar, you will ride alongside the locals and possibly local wild stock in a taxi-brousse while in South America, you can jump in a collectivo, usually a white mini bus you'll see parked all over the place that will stay there until it's full or the driver wants to leave. As far as timetables for these types of transport- your guess is a good as ours. The heady anticipation wondering what time, or even if, you are going to leave is all part of the fun. Just be wary about booking connections to another place. However, always check the car you are getting into is a public taxi, don't just jump in if someone offers you a lift. Be sensible and see what the locals are doing and if in doubt, follow them!

Long distance bus services will probably be your salvation no matter where in the world you end up travelling. Like trains, in some countries you'll find different types of buses ranging from basic buses to double-decker air-conditioned buses with surround sound. Of course, the price varies accordingly and they usually go on the same route, you just travel in more comfortable surroundings. Again it comes down to personal preference and budget. You'll probably find that most bus companies will operate the same route from the same place and as such, the big bus stations can be quite intimidating. Shop around a few days before you travel and investigate the different prices and times without having to lug your baggage round with you at the same time. You might even find if you stop-over somewhere en route you could get a cheaper price.

Ask at your hostel or tourist information office if there is one for more information about local bus timetables. They'll also be able to tell you if you need to pay extra for luggage, book in advance or buy tickets on the day and other useful information.

Sea

Just like trains and buses, if you plan to take to the seas and use ferries to get from one place to another, always head to the port a few days before to find out about schedules and prices. In some countries, fuel for ferries is expensive so if the ferry isn't full, the ferry isn't leaving. Be prepared for long waits, long queues and long journeys when you sail.

This is obviously not the case for everywhere; Europe is renowned for its reliable ferry network while Egypt is also renowned, but for all the wrong reasons. Ask at local tourist information offices or hostels around the coast- they are the most likely to know if a ferry is going to be leaving today or indeed this week.

If you are heading for the jungle, make sure you try one of the local boats, usually handmade out of reeds or other materials from the rainforest. Cruising down the Amazon on a manmade boat is an experience you aren't likely to forget and if you want to head deeper into the jungle, it's probably the only way you'll be able to reach the more remote communities. Not surprisingly, roads are quite sparse in jungle areas so the highway tends to become river networks. Like other local transports, timetables don't exist so as far as planning your jungle routes, unless you are using pre-arranged tour operators, you'll have to wait until you are there.

Staying Safe on Public Transport

As long as you have your wits about you, you are usually no more at risk on public transport than anywhere else in the country. Any routes with a significant risk of robberies or crime will be known by locals or hostel staff so if you're concerned, ask around.

Here's a few pointers on how to keep you and your belongings safe: