QUESTION: How to use the metro in an unfamiliar city?

Using the subway in an unfamiliar metropolis may seem like a daunting task, but the basic navigation principles are practically the same everywhere. The first step before your trip is to download an offline subway map to your smartphone, for which specialized apps like Metro or CityMapper are well-suited, as they work without an internet connection.

To pay for rides, it is most cost-effective to buy a multi-day tourist pass, as it can save you a significant amount compared to buying single tickets for each trip.

When entering the platform, carefully study the signs so as not to confuse the direction of travel, navigating by the name of the terminal station of the line, which is always indicated on the information boards.

Try to plan your movements taking into account the local rush hour schedule, which usually falls between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, and from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, when the subway experiences the highest passenger traffic and crowding.

Modern mapping services such as Google Maps or Apple Maps do an excellent job of building complex routes involving subway transfers in most major cities around the world.

While at the stations, always observe the unwritten rules of local etiquette, for example, stand on the right side of the escalator, leaving the left side free for passengers in a hurry.