I fully agree. I almost always take public transport where it is a feasible option (and try to arrange things so it is). In fact, I purposely chose the location of my current flat for ease of access to public transport, and sold my car.

And it can be a bonus in many places, too... Just come back from Prague, where the airport to Zlicin (to Metro B) bus service got me to/from my hotel in Andel in 30 minutes - something I've never been able to do in a taxi in rush hour traffic.

You don't necessarily need linguistic skills to do it (and sometimes it can be half the fun), you just need a bit of common sense, experience, and good communication. Buy a day pass where you can, they're much simpler. Don't know how - start pointing at things, gesturing. If they offer a 1 hour ticket, make a 'bigger' gesture until they get there. I don't think there's been anywhere I've failed to figure this out.