Common ways to navigate and use public transportation in international cities include familiarizing yourself with route maps and schedules, purchasing appropriate tickets or travel cards, using navigation apps, and following local etiquette and safety practices. Most major cities publish official public transport maps online and at stations showing metro, tram, bus, and train routes with color-coded lines and numbered stops, and travelers should download these maps as PDFs or screenshots for offline use, or use apps like Citymapper, Google Maps, or local transit apps that provide real-time schedules, route planning, and platform information in multiple languages. Ticketing systems vary widely: some cities use single-ride paper tickets bought from machines or kiosks, others require reloadable smart cards or contactless payment cards that are tapped on entry and exit, and many now accept direct payment via credit cards or mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. For visitors staying several days, buying a day pass, multi-day pass, or stored-value card is usually more convenient and economical than purchasing single tickets repeatedly, and these passes often cover multiple modes of transport including buses, trams, and ferries. Before boarding, travelers should check that they are at the correct platform or stop, confirm the direction of travel by reading line maps and signs, and validate tickets where required by tapping or scanning at validators near entrances, because many systems enforce fines for traveling without valid tickets. On metro and train systems, doors may open and close automatically, so passengers should stand clear and allow people to exit before boarding, move to the center of the carriage during rush hours, and be aware of priority seating reserved for elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers. Buses require more attention because stops may not be announced clearly or in English, so following your route on a map app and signaling the driver when you want to get off (by pressing a stop button or pulling a cord) are essential, and exact change or prepaid cards may be required as drivers do not always give change. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber, Grab, or Bolt are widely available in cities and offer convenience and safety when public transport is unavailable or impractical, but travelers should verify the driver's identity and vehicle details, sit in the back seat, agree on fares or ensure meters are running, and share trip details with trusted contacts. Understanding basic local customs, such as queueing behavior, whether eating or talking loudly on transport is acceptable, and how to politely ask for help, makes journeys smoother and more comfortable.