Travellers Choice top cities for public transport

Good transport options are vital for travellers who want to experience a city like a local. Although taxis are convenient and ordinarily safer, they are more expensive so when you’re travelling on a budget, public transport is a must!

Seoul, Korea

The first city to explore using public transport is Seoul in South Korea. Seoul’s subway system extends out beyond the city centre, and is made up of over 12 colour-coded lines, which make it easy to navigate. Trains start running from approximately 5.30am and finish just before midnight, and it is very rare that any trains are delayed – the Koreans like punctual trains! Travelling by bus is also incredibly easy in Seoul, thanks to the fact that they are colour-coded. Blue buses run between the suburban areas and downtown Seoul, whilst yellow buses circle the city centre, stopping at tourist areas and connecting with the blue buses at major railway stations. Red buses are ‘express buses’ and are heavily used by commuters who travel into Seoul from neighbouring cities.

 

Singapore

Like almost everything in Singapore, the public transport network is incredibly organised and very clean. With five main lines, and more under construction, the train systems; MRT and LRT, are the best way for tourists to explore the city. All stations and trains are accessible to wheel-chair users and families with pushchairs. If you are visiting the city for a few days, then you should invest in a Singapore Tourist Pass. This card offers tourists unlimited travel on the MRT, LRT and city buses for the cards validity period. Card holders can even enjoy free entry into the Chinatown Heritage Centre, which is a must-visit if you are interested in the multi-cultural history of Singapore.

 

London, UK

Home to the oldest underground network in the world, London had to be in our top 5. The tube, as the locals call it, is iconic and covers 402km of the City of London and beyond and there are tube stations within a short walk of every major London landmark, making it a tourist’s best friend. London’s iconic red double-decker buses are also a great way to travel - head upstairs and enjoy some sightseeing, whilst resting your feet. Although the tube is a fast, convenient way to get around, you are underground so don’t see very much, unlike when on a bus! Top tip - ensure that you have an Oyster Card. Like the Opal Card in Sydney, or Smart Rider in Perth, an Oyster Card will make travelling around London easier and quicker. It will even save you money, as Oyster users benefit from lower fares!

 

Zürich, Switzerland

There are three transport options in Zürich; tram, bus or S-Bahn, all off which are clean and easy to navigate, and they travel to, or very close to the city’s main station Zürich Hauptbahnhof (HB for short). Trains here are punctual, with station clocks being some of the most-trusted in the city! When visiting, grab a ZürichCard and you will enjoy free travel across the city’s network including boats and cableways. Valid for either 24 or 72 hours, these fantastic cards make sightseeing as easy as possible, and also save you money. You can gain entry to many of the city museums for free, and receive discounts from selected shops and restaurants.

 

Berlin, Germany

The best thing about getting around Berlin is the ease and the many options that are available; S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses and ferries. Avoid the frequent traffic jams at peak times, and jump on one of these instead. If you decide to enjoy a night out in the city, there is no need to budget for a taxi. During the week night buses run throughout the night, and on weekends the U-Bahn and S-Bahn services also run all night long. Remember that Berlin is split into three zones and the downtown zone is named AB. Make sure you know your zones of travel before you buy a ticket!

Which city have you explored using public transport?