International Subway Safety - Tips To Ensure You Have a Good Ride Home

Subway travel is a wonderful way to commute to different locations in a metropolis without getting lost, opting for expensive taxis, and hunting around for shuttles in the heat. Moreover, in cities like Paris and London, subway systems are well maintained, function more like cozy retreats, and are excellent places to people-watch!

Are you safe in the subway? Though subway systems are not as prone to violence and pilfering as in other transport systems, it is better to skim through these tips and rather, be safe than sorry.

Things To do:

Make sure you have a fair idea of subway maps. Visit the Tourist Board beforehand to ask them about routes and timings. Download the subway schedule and keep a copy on you always. If you're early, wait only in the designated waiting areas. Remain alert and keep an eye on your baggage and purse.

Things To avoid:

Do not travel during peak hours - why would you want to be part of the conundrum when you can travel at leisure later? Do not travel in the dark. Do not get into empty subway cars. In case you wait for your train on the platform, do not stand really close to, or worse, lean toward, the tracks.

Women-centric advice:

Being a woman, you are at higher risk when you travel unguarded in a subway car. Though there are cities with 'pink cars' like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Tokyo in Japan, and Mexico City in Mexico, most other metropolises do not have gender-specific cars you can board. As such, stay away from supposed hooligans. Trust your feminine instincts and keep away from men with inviting gestures, especially in third-world countries. You also might want to keep a check on local customs and dress modestly.

As a last word, do not attempt to 'stand out'. Try blending in as much as possible. Buy bags from the local grocer's, avoid glancing too much at the subway map in the car, and try appearing as calm and unflustered as possible to draw less attention. This way, you can have a happy ride home and enjoy exploring the city you are in.

Do you have anything else to share with regard to subway safety? Tell us about a certain not-so-pleasant subway incident you were involved in and how that impacted your vacation, so our readers can be more alert when they use the subway! Thank you.

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