Use my 20 hacks to keep yourself safe while traveling on public transit at your destination cities.
If you’re traveling in one of the large cities of the world, one of the most convenient and economical ways to get around is public transportation. That said, traveling in an unfamiliar urban area in buses, light rail, trains and subways can pose safety risks you wouldn’t encounter at home because of your familiarity with your home territory. However, for the most part, travelers can control their own safety as long as they stay away from the less safe areas of the city they’re visiting.
In my home city I walk and take public transportation almost daily. I do the same across the globe, but I don’t use public transportation blindly, either at home or while on the go. Here are my 20 hacks to safely use public transportation while visiting the great cities of the world. Whether using buses, light rail, trains or subways, there are many actions you can take to enhance your safety while using public transportation.
Empty or near empty public transportation is to be avoided, as is showing off any valuables like showy jewelry while using public transportation.
Don’t ride on empty or near empty cars or buses:
Whether it’s a bus, a train, light rail/trolley or subway, don’t choose an empty one to ride on. You never know who might enter the car at the next stop. Choosing a bus or train car with other people, instead of riding alone or with just one or two others, can help you ensure a safer ride. Public transportation carries a cross section of the local population. The old axiom, “There’s safety in numbers,” seems particularly appropriate for public transportation.
Never “advertise” you’re traveling with valuables:
Pickpocketing is a serious issue in crowded transit hubs, significantly packed buses, trains, light rail and subways, stops and stations. Showing off your valuables while riding public transportation is akin to painting a target on your back alerting thieves to your rip-off value.
Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by any means, including playing loud audio through tight fitting earphones or earbuds that block out ambient noises while on public transportation.
Stay alert. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted:
While waiting at stops and stations, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings to remain safe. This is particularly important when in crowded spaces that you’ll often find while using public transportation. If you’re trying to pass the time while waiting, resist becoming too engrossed in games and other apps on your smartphone. Those who get too distracted could even miss their stop or station.
Beware earphones and earbuds:
Wearing earphones and earbuds can separate you from your surroundings by blocking outside sounds and filling your ears with music, video audio, and game sounds, taking your essential attention from your safety while using public transportation.
Plan your route in advance:
Particularly if you don’t take public transportation often, plan your route, as sometimes it can get complicated. Public transportation schedules can also be confusing and difficult to interpret. Many of the world’s public transportation systems have smartphone apps that can make navigating easy.
Know the schedule to minimize wait times:
Waiting at stops or station platforms, particularly if you’re alone or with just a couple of others is to be avoided. You’re too vulnerable during the day and especially at night. Know what the transit schedule for your route is so you can minimize your wait times and thereby increase your safety.
Only use well-lighted and busy areas to wait for or exit public transportation. At night, ensure it’s easy for others to see you and note where you are.
Use well-lighted and busy areas to wait for and to exit public transportation:
If possible, avoid poorly lighted and low use stops and stations. A stop a few blocks away from your initial choice might be better, since knowing what stops and stations to avoid is generally local knowledge. When possible, get local help to use public transportation. One great local knowledge resource can be your hotel concierge.
Make yourself easy to see at night:
Sometimes, you can wait at well-lit stops and stations. The next best plan is to wear clothing that helps your visibility at night. Wear light-colored or brightly colored clothing and carry a flashlight. Don’t use the flashlight continuously, as that could attract unwanted attention.
Make sure you can call the police at every destination you’re visiting. Never hesitate to call the police if your gut says call.
Know the police phone number of every city you’re visiting:
If you run into trouble you want to be able to quickly contact the police. It’s essential to know each phone number. I enter them all as contacts in my smartphone.
At your stop, if you feel you’re being followed, get help:
Trust your gut. If you believe you’re being followed, immediately go into the nearest occupied building, if possible. And definitely call the police instantly.
Have your fare ready:
You don’t want to fumble around for the right fare or a usable fare payment method whether you’re paying at a station or on board. While it may slow you down and get riders behind you angry, the real problem is that you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.
On buses, trains, trolleys and subways, don’t sit next to a door so thieves can’t “grab-n-go” with your belongings. Try to sit on the aisle to avoid being boxed in at the window.
Don’t sit next to a door:
By sitting next to a door, you make it too easy for “grab-n-go” thieves. They can grab your bag or other belongings and get out of the bus, trolley, rail car or subway fast and get away.
Try to sit on the aisle:
You want to be able to exit the bus, train, subway or trolley quickly if necessary. An aisle seat or standing in the aisle enables that. In addition, by not sitting at a window you can avoid being boxed in your seat by someone giving you unwanted attention.
Be aware of your surroundings. Beware noisy passengers causing a commotion. Beware not keeping your belongings close to you and secure.
Observe the behavior of others around you:
If anyone on the bus, trolley, train, or subway makes you feel uneasy or threatened, change your seat. Do it immediately and seriously consider alerting the driver or conductor. Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated into inaction.
Be aware of noisy passengers arguing or causing a commotion:
Too often passengers making a commotion on public transit are staging the to-do as a diversion to distract you while others try to steal your valuables.
Keep your belongings close and secure:
Use a cross-body or anti-theft backpack to hold your belongings while using public transportation. Don’t place your belongings in a pickpocket jacket or in the back pocket of your pants.
On train or light rail platforms, mind the gap:
There is often a gap between rail cars and the station/stop waiting/discharge platform. Be careful of it.
On train or light rail platforms, stand back:
When waiting for your train, make sure you’re standing an adequate distance from the tracks and platform edge. This is particularly important if express trains go past you. They often run at speed through stations.
Use your Street Smarts and trust yourself.
Use your Street Smarts:
Situational awareness when using mass transit is just as important as walking through cities.
Always keep a hand free:
Keep one of your hands free at all times. It will help you maintain your balance and potentially fend off unwanted attention.
Following these hacks will help keep you safer. But they aren’t absolute preventatives, so always take precautions and have a great trip.
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(Image: Diesel locomotive, Amtrak, Copyright © 2016 NSL Photography. All Rights Reserved.)
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
