Whether you plan a vacation or need to relocate to a new city, choosing a city from the top finest cities with mass transit can ease your journey. Vacationing in a city with a superb public transit system, whether trains, buses, or trolley cars, offers a way to explore the city without much risk of getting lost since you can always ask a driver or conductor at which stop you should get off of the ride. You’ll be amazed by how much you can get around without the need for a car.
In this article, we’ll consider the top locations to visit. Our not so lengthy list only includes the top finest destinations with an impressive public transit system that proves easy to learn and offers access to most, if not all of the city. Following this list, you won’t need an Uber for your forays through the city.
1. New York City
New York City, New York in the U.S. ranks number one on our top finest list of cities with impressive public transit. This city chock full of private schools offers an amazing interlinked bus and subway system that means most schools don’t need their own buses because if students need to travel from one borough to another to reach their private or charter school, they zippily arrive there on the subway.
Vacationers from near and far ride the subway to reach their intended famous sights, such as Chinatown, the Empire State Building, the fashion district, and top restaurants like Tavern on the Green. Transit cops patrol the subway and bus stations to help keep residents and visitors safe. In New York City, the city that never sleeps does indeed run its transit all night long. That means if you need to commute to a night shift job, you can enjoy the same terrific subway service as a person who works bankers hours, although some out-of-the-way locations don’t run 24-hour service.
2. Chicago
Another of the top finest cities known for its public transit, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., services its city and suburbs with buses and trains. Residents can take commuter trains from nearby Hammond, Indiana to downtown Chicago. The commuter lines serve many other outlying areas, too.
Since so many individuals ride its trains, you might spot some seemingly quirky things, such as someone toting plastic bags full of aluminum and metal recycling materials to the recycling bins. A mass transit pass offers an affordable way to reach everywhere in the metro, so people tend to use it for every errand. On weekends, commuters sometimes use their mass transit passes to return to the city for an evening out on the town. Taking the elevated train or L as it gets called and buses in the city let them avoid driving and leaves them free to drink without worrying about the expense of a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to remain safe.
3. Tokyo
Of course, not all of the top finest destinations with superb transit systems reside in the U.S. Tokyo, Japan, known for its Honda motorcycles, cars, and trucks boasts one of the most impressive subways and train systems in the world. While you can’t take your motorbike with you on the train for Honda repairs, you can shuttle yourself across Japan using transit from Tokyo.
Within the city, trains run consistently, delivering people to every crevice of the city and its suburbs. For a real treat, try riding one of the city’s bullet trains. These high-speed trains serve the suburbs of the city and offer expeditious travel at speeds of up to 249 miles per hour. Grab an ALFA-X bullet train if you find yourself running late for anything.
4. Beijing
While you visit Beijing, China, shop for some of the silk and tapestry draperies for which the city became famous. In modern times, the city also constructed one of the top finest public transit systems. China quietly competes with Japan for the best bullet train design, having constructed its Fuxing bullet train using the same design as Japan’s ALFA-X, but traveling about six miles slower.
The Beijing transit systems offer easy access to the Imperial Palace, the Forbidden City, Beihai Park, and other top city destinations. Take the train to the nearby Great Wall of China, located about an hour from the city’s center traveling at normal speeds. Although you may enjoy the rollercoaster-like speeds of the trains, don’t miss this opportunity to walk on the 16th-century marvel. The government of China opened a portion of the wall to tourists in the 1950s and continues to maintain this wonder of the world, so visitors can walk on it just as the country’s residents did centuries ago.
5. Berlin
In Berlin, Germany, known for its architectural design, shingling, and house trim, visitors and new residents also discover how easily they can navigate the city via public transit. Home to one of the top finest multi-modal transit systems in the world. Use its S-Bahn, or elevated trains, U-Bahn, or subway trains, buses, trams, and metro trams to explore the city, suburbs, and outlying areas. The system provides night buses that run on different schedules and routes than the daytime ones.
The same integrated system offers ferries, so you can explore the city’s waterways while traversing its sights. Taxis round out the options if you want to get somewhere without seeing the sights along the way. The massive Berlin transit system essentially links most of the country together, so it proves invaluable to the intrepid traveler.
If you don’t trust your pronunciation of German and would rather not butcher their lovely language, consider purchasing your tickets using an automated kiosk, branded VBB Fahrkarten (season ticket or passport). These machines accept cash or credit cards, making purchases simpler. The machine prints your ticket and you can board your favorite method of transit immediately.
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong, known as one of the great party cities of the world requires careful budgeting. Using its top finest transit system won’t cost much, so no one will need to be wiring you money. Hop on the MTR to enjoy a ride on one of its nine train lines that provide island access, reach all points in the city, and serves the Disneyland resort.
The city of Hong Kong offers one of the most efficient and safe transit lines available. Most of its trains run every two to five minutes, but some only run every 15 minutes. Use the MTR website to plan your travels and schedule.
7. Seoul
The city of Seoul, Korea may tempt you to contact an immigration attorney. Known for its bustle, hubbub, and beauty, this top finest city offers plenty to do and see. Its mass transit system gets you there quickly and efficiently. The system combines trains and buses to service all corners of the city.
Instead of cash, you need to purchase a T-Money or Cash-Bee card to use the transit. Do this at a convenience store, subway station, or using an automated touchscreen kiosk. Once you’ve purchased your transit pass, you can use any train or bus, but learn the Korean ways first.
Respect Korean culture, which tends toward orderly ways. Always enter the bus using the front door, scan your card for payment, and then find a seat. Ring the bell when you reach your stop and exit the bus using the rear door. Using its transit system, you can visit Lotte World Tower, N. Seoul Tower and its cherry blossom trees, the national museum, and Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village, among other sights.
8. Madrid
The breathtaking gardens and landscaping of Madrid, Spain make it a real joy to visit. Among the top finest cities for transit, its massive system ranks 14th in the world in size, covering 182 miles. The Madrid Metro offers single-ride tickets and multi-trip passes, starting at 10 rides. Explore all that the city offers using this fine mass transit system, including the museum The Prado, the Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and the National Archaeological Museum. The extensive system offers a way to explore the suburbs and outlying areas of the city, too.
9. Copenhagen
The Danish capital of Copenhagen offers another of the top finest mass transit systems, one that offers access to all points of this colorful city. The Danish transit system spends its efforts catering to the needs of residents and visitors. The system delivers visitors to the Little Mermaid Statue which honors writer Hans Christian Andersen and the city’s many museums, plus its fabulous palace.
The city’s system combines trains and buses with some buses specially designated as harbor buses. Choose from purchasing single-trip tickets, small multi-trip passes, or a monthly pass. Each option affords travelers access to all the city has to offer.
10. Zurich
You won’t need wheel repairs on this option among the top finest mass transit systems. Whether you visit the city to shop for a watch or to enjoy skiing nearby, easily navigate the city using its transit system. Switzerland built its Zurich transit system like it builds its watches – precisely. The well-mapped system lets you explore all that the city offers.
A multi-modal system of boats, trains, buses, and taxis provides access to every area. They also offer a non-touristy way to explore the city and its sights without making it obvious that you’re a tourist. Boats service both Lake Zurich and the Limmat River in season. From November to March, the boats do not operate.
Systems of Honorable Mention
Many smaller cities offer impressive transit systems, too. You don’t have to be a megacity to offer great public transportation. Where can you find a great system?
Oklahoma City offers a wide-ranging bus system that serves the city itself to its edges and runs commuter service to the neighboring cities of Edmond, Moore, and Norman. Its service ties in with the bus systems of Edmond and Norman, to provide consolidated coverage that spans three of the state of Oklahoma’s largest cities. It runs buses from about 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., so you would need to take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft after that.
The national railway, Amtrak, brings Oklahoma City together with another growing transit system, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. In Dallas, Amtrak drops people off at a consolidated transit station, letting them access the DART immediately without other transportation. The DART buses serve the city and its suburbs, running regular buses to each of the city’s colleges and universities. Anywhere the transit system does not visit, taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts, do. San Francisco offers one of the most adorable and extensive systems, running throughout the city, all the way to the coast. The trolley cars offer a cooler experience than any train and equal bullet trains, not in speed, but in uniqueness.
In New Orleans, Louisiana, the municipal government installed free trolleys to shuttle visitors and residents from the famous party districts to hotels and motels along the city center. Buses and water taxis serve all other areas of the city, but cost money. Trolleys cost nothing regardless of the time of day, a project of the city that works to reduce drinking and driving.
Traveling Where Transit Abounds
Traveling the world or your own region becomes simpler when you learn which cities offer the best transit options. Buses, trains, trams, and boats that comprise the mass transit system of a city provide an opportune manner of transportation. Riding a city bus or train provides a sense of place that a tour bus full of other vacationers cannot.
Riding the mass transit of any of these cities offers you the opportunity to experience the community and culture of the city without revealing your tourist status. It also affords an opportunity to talk with residents, ask for tasty restaurant recommendations, or learn where they like to shop. Exploring these hidden gems in a famous city can offer a glimpse of what it is like to live there, instead of the vacationer’s touristy experience. Enjoy these cities without breaking the bank on Ubers.
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