It is one of those small inefficiencies that adds up across a trip without you noticing. Multi-day passes and smart tapping options exist in most major cities and most travellers ignore them.
Tokyo: Buy the Pass
In Tokyo, a 24 hour transit pass costs 800 yen. A 72 hour pass costs 1,500 yen. If you are spending more than a day or two in the city, the multi-day pass pays for itself quickly and removes the friction of buying a ticket every single time you board.
London and New York: Just Tap
In cities like London and New York you do not even need to think about it. Tap on with your credit card or device and the system automatically calculates the cheapest fare for your travel pattern. Daily and weekly caps apply, so the more you travel, the better value you get without doing any planning at all.
The Broader Habit
Before arriving in any major city, spend five minutes researching the local transit options. Most cities with decent public transport have some version of a multi-day pass, a tourist card, or a tap and cap system. Knowing which applies before you land saves both money and time every day of your trip.
Do you use transit passes when you travel? Comment below.
