🚆 Top 10 cities with the best public transport
Traveling by car or motorcycle allows you to create your own route and plan your trip. But how to get around without a car? Public transport comes to the rescue.
And while some cities can boast of an almost perfect transport system, others are only striving for it. We have compiled a list of cities where a car will not be needed at all.
Berlin
The famous punctuality of the Germans has not bypassed public transport: it is never late and strictly follows the schedule. Guests and residents of the German capital use buses, trams, electric trains (S-Bahn), commuter trains and the metro (U-Bahn).
The largest public transport organization in Berlin is the BVG. The second largest carrier is S-Bahn Berlin GmbH. The first company is responsible for travel by buses, trams, metro and water transport. The second provides comfortable and safe travel only by train.
Many people find the U-Bahn subway scheme complex and incomprehensible. But the 175 stations are as easy to locate and use as possible, and trains carry passengers from morning to late evening.
Public transport is liked by 97% of Berliners.
Prague
Prague is regularly included in ratings of the most beautiful cities. Public transport helps you see all corners of the capital of the Czech Republic and see many attractions. The routes pass through ancient churches and Renaissance buildings.
There are metro, buses and trams in Prague. You can also travel by funicular to Petrin Hill, ferry, cable car and the only trolleybus line. Tourists can use horse-drawn carts and boats.
The main carrier of the Czech capital is Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy (DPP). ROPID manages the entire Prague integrated transport system.
The Prague metro includes three lines: “A” – green, “B” – yellow, “C” – red. If you want to see Instagrammable bubble facades, take a trip to “A”. “C” is suitable for lovers of modern futuristic designs. “B” crosses the two previous ones, and as a bonus – getting to know the communist districts of Prague.
Public transport is liked by 96% of Prague residents.
Tokyo
Japan is famous not only for anime, sushi and technology, but also for its smooth public transport. Accessible by buses, ferries, metro, trains, trams and monorails.
The public transport system in Tokyo can be compared to a labyrinth – at first glance, everything seems very complex and confusing. Transportation by each type of transport is carried out by several companies at once. But figuring out their route and getting to the desired point is not so difficult.
The Tokyo metro deserves special attention. The metro map can be found at almost all stations. The system is divided into 13 lines and branched out into more than 280 stations. Each is assigned a code value consisting of a letter and a number. The letter is the name of the line, and the number is its number on the route.
Information about train times, entrances and exits is broadcast in Japanese and English. For convenience, there are special applications Tokyo Subway Navigation for Tourists and Toei Kotsu.
Signs guide passengers to exits and carriages. Videos about the Japanese subway have long been breaking all records for views and comments on the Internet. Nevertheless, the operation of this mechanism is adjusted almost to perfection.
Public transport is liked by 94% of local residents.
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Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the most visited city in Canada. You can explore the capital of Denmark by bus, metro, commuter train and waterbus. The public transport system will allow you to quickly move between the main attractions, including ancient houses and the statue of the Little Mermaid from Andersen's fairy tales.
Local buses differ in color and schedule, and are also marked with letters. They literally run 24/7, so you can buy a ticket for both day and night transport.
By the way, we recommend paying attention to Havnebusser – special bus-boats on which you can travel along water canals and water areas of parks.
The Copenhagen Metro was opened only in 2002, but already in 2008 it was recognized as the safest and most stable in Europe. All trains run without drivers – automation eliminates the human factor. The four lines of the Copenhagen metro transport 130 thousand people annually.
Suburban trains in the Danish capital (S-trains) are very popular among locals. This is a unique alternative to the usual trams and trolleybuses. Trains are divided into categories depending on the route and fuel used. The fare is calculated depending on the travel area.
Tourists can buy a Copenhagen Card – this is a single ticket that can be used to pay for travel on any transport.
Public transport is liked by 93% of Copenhagen residents.
Stockholm
Another Scandinavian capital takes a well-deserved place in the ranking of cities with the best public transport. Trams, buses, metro, ferries and trains in Stockholm follow the schedule so strictly that you can plan your travel time down to the second.
The center of the Swedish capital is connected to all areas of the city by 450 bus routes. They work both day and night. If the desired point is located outside the city, commuter routes are available.
A tram ride in Stockholm will certainly not leave you without emotions. The only line passes through all the main museums of the capital. And on historical route No. 7 you can not only admire the exhibit cars of the Transport Museum, but also drink coffee in one of them.
The Stockholm Metro is rightfully considered the longest running art gallery in the world, which includes three lines and 100 stations. The subway is decorated with mosaics, bas-reliefs, futuristic designs, fountains and pop art compositions. These works of art are the creations of Swedish masters.
Train routes allow you to travel not only to remote areas of Stockholm, but also to the suburbs. Ferries are very popular. Still, the Stockholm archipelago includes more than 30 thousand islands, between which you can only travel by water.
Public transport is liked by 93% of Stockholmers.
Singapore
The economic miracle of Singapore has not bypassed the public transport system: buses, subways, monorails, trams and even pedicabs will quickly and easily take you to your desired location.
Day and night bus routes provide 24-hour travel. They are equipped with air conditioning, large windows and soft seats. At stops there are boards with information about arrival times. If you see the right bus, you can give a hand sign and it will stop.
The metro is the most convenient and inexpensive form of transport in Singapore. Six lines and 130 stations carry three million passengers daily. Metro cars, like buses, are equipped with comfortable seats and air conditioning. The fare depends on the distance you travel.
Tram routes pass through areas where there are no metro stations. The Singapore monorail is especially interesting. It connects the city with Sentosa Island. Enjoy the best views of the harbor and coast within an 8-minute journey.
For tourists, there are pedicabs, usually in Chinatown or in the center. We advise you to determine the cost of travel in advance, because a trip on exotic transport is several times higher than the cost of a taxi fare.
Public transport is liked by 92% of Singaporeans.
Hong Kong
Public transport in Hong Kong includes the subway, ferries, trains, buses and trams. Getting around the city will not cause problems.
The Hong Kong subway is one of the fastest but most expensive ways to travel. We do not recommend going down the subway if you only need to go through a few stations. This will cost more than other types of transport. Each station of the 10 metro lines is distinguished by a special architectural design and sincere concern for passengers. This is reflected in the availability of fans, handicapped spaces and toilets.
Double-decker buses are a symbol not only of London, but also of Hong Kong. The fare depends on the distance and the availability of air conditioning in the cabin. By the way, buses stop only at the request of the passenger. To board, raise your hand and pay the fare at the entrance.
More exotic transport is double-decker trams. They are not particularly fast or comfortable, but travel on them will cost the least. In addition, this is also the most budget-friendly way to get to know the city without damaging your wallet.
During your trip by ferry and cable car, you will not only get to your destination, but also get the opportunity to take photos of the best views of Hong Kong.
Public transport is liked by 92% of Hong Kong residents.
Taipei
Taipei takes pride of place in the ranking of cities with the best public transport. The most popular types are metro, trains and buses.
The Taipei metro system is one of the busiest in the world. However, this does not affect its operation in any way. Please note that there are fines for smoking, drinking alcohol and vandalism in the metro. It's better to read the rules in advance.
Trains and buses reduce traffic congestion during rush hour. Moreover, the latter stop only at the request of the passenger. Superfast trains operate on Taipei's most popular rail routes.
Public transport is liked by 92% of local residents.
Shanghai
Getting around one of the largest Asian cities using public transport is not only efficient, but also profitable. There are buses, trams, trolleybuses, subways, ferries and magnetic levitation trains.
In terms of the number of stations, the Shanghai metro is second only to the New York subway. The system consists of 19 lines and more than 400 stations, with a total length of 802 kilometers. All information about entrances and exits, names and numbers of stations is duplicated in Chinese and English. The carriages are air conditioned in summer and heated in winter.
The bus is the cheapest public transport in Shanghai. The number of lines has long exceeded 1000. All salons are equipped with air conditioning, monitors and screens with a ticker.
Shanghai's trolleybus system is the oldest in the world, but this does not prevent transport from meeting the latest technology and comfort. There are only two tram lines in the city, which include 42 stops at road intersections.
In Shanghai, you can use the Shanghai Public Transport Card, which can be used to pay for travel almost everywhere. It is sold in stores, banks, subways and official sales points.
Public transport is liked by 91% of Hong Kong residents.
Amsterdam
Residents and guests of Amsterdam have access to the metro, trams and trolleybuses. GVB manages almost all transport in the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is relatively small. It is divided into zones, which can be viewed on a special map.
The most popular form of transport in Amsterdam is trams. Firstly, they can easily be reached from the center to any area of the city. Secondly, they work according to a strict schedule and are never late. Agree, excellent arguments for those whose time is scheduled literally by the minute.
Buses, on the contrary, do not follow the schedule and are often late. At the same time, they provide passengers with comfortable travel conditions and operate around the clock.
The metro is perfect for those who need to get to remote areas of Amsterdam. The paradox of the metro in the capital of the Netherlands is that most of the tracks are located above ground and resemble trams. The train carriages are decorated with photo wallpapers of city views, KLM aircraft and futuristic designs.
Before traveling to the capital of the Netherlands, we recommend downloading the GVB app to plan your route in advance.
Public transport is liked by 91% of Amsterdam residents.
