Getting around in Asian cities: Grab, trains, jeepneys or tuk-tuks? Share your tips

Getting from the airport to your hotel, or across town to meet someone for coffee, can be one of the most stressful parts of a trip in Asia, especially the first time.

Every city has its own mix: ride-hailing apps like Grab, metro and light-rail lines, buses, jeepneys, tricycles, tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis, and regular metered taxis. Some tips that tend to help:

• Save your destination address in the local language so you can show it to a driver.
• Use an app with upfront pricing when you can, and agree on the fare first when you can't.
• Get a local SIM or eSIM on arrival so maps and ride apps work right away.
• Keep some small bills for buses and tricycles that don't take cards.

What's your go-to way of getting around in the cities you've visited, and what would you tell a first-timer to avoid?