If you’re traveling to a new city, you might be planning an itinerary that’s chock-full of incredible activities. Perhaps you’re going to visit a well-known chocolate factory. Perhaps you plan on hiking a famous mountain. Perhaps you’re going to spend the day looking at statues. These are all great ways to learn about the city you’re in, but here’s another underrated way to truly get to know a city—riding the train.
Be a Local
On the surface level, getting to know a city is about seeing all of its major attractions and ancient artifacts. But when you dig deeper, doesn’t the heart of the city lie in its everyday people? Doesn’t the essence of an area live in the subtle, intangible clues you have to feel to understand? In many ways, riding a train, subway, or bus in a foreign city is one of the best ways to “people watch”. By doing this, you’re truly immersing yourself into the culture—not the flashy touristy stuff, but a nitty gritty raw slice of life.
More Views
Another cool thing about riding the train is the sheer amount of beautiful views you’ll get to see. Whether it’s a majestic landscape or a snapshot of urban lifestyle, this too is another way to take in the essence of a city in an authentic way.