This past month, I have been living in the city of Chicago dancing at a summer intensive known as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Everyday, I get to the studio by taking the public buses in Chicago. Here are a few tips on how to master public transportation in big cities.

1. Get the App

I highly recommend getting the App called “Transit.” You can add in the location to where you need to go and it will tell you what buses you need to take and when they will come! This way you are not lost or waiting for a bus for too long.

2. Bring hand sanitizer

So many individuals use public transportation everyday. You never know if anyone is sick, so better safe than sorry!

3. Leave early enough, just in case they’re running late

Sometimes you just don’t know when the bus will come. It may be super early or it may be running really late. So if you have an appointment or work you can’t be late for, you should leave earlier than you think!

4. Pay attention and know that the bus doesn’t stop at every stop; you have to pull the wire

The buses don’t stop at every stop (I learned that the hard way). You have to be paying attention and pull on the wire before the bus reaches your stop.

5. Bring a book or download a game on your phone

Last but not least, if you are on the bus for awhile, or commute to work every morning, you should definitely bring a book or download games to your phone (such as Pokémon Go). This way you will keep yourself busy and the commute won’t seem as long!

Public transportation is very convenient, yet can also be confusing. The more you use it, the more you get the hang of it! So if you are in a big city and are using public transportation for the first time, don’t forget these tips!