Which “thank you” do you usually say when traveling in Japan?

I always say ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) because I want to be polite. But sometimes, strangers reply with just ありがとう (Arigatou), which sounds more casual and friendly.

Is ありがとう more common among locals in casual situations? When should I use one over the other while traveling?

Would love to hear your experiences!