As an American living in Rome, I’m surprised when tourists are hesitant to take public transportation here. Like many European cities, Rome has an extensive public transit network, comprising three metro lines, commuter trains, and countless trams and buses that crisscross the city. Public transit may not always be the most comfortable way to get around, especially during rush hour, but it’s definitely less expensive and often faster than taking taxis, which can get blocked by traffic or road closures.

Unless I’m visiting a place that’s small enough to be fully walkable or a rural area without public transportation, I opt for these systems to get around in European cities . I’ve navigated the Tube in London, the metro in Milan, Naples, Paris, Vienna, and Berlin, and hopped on the vaporetti that ply the canals of Venice . In some cities, like Lisbon , riding the vintage trams is part of the fun of visiting. That said, there are some common mistakes tourists make when taking public transport in Europe.…