Best Public Transportation in The World
The best public transportation in the world can be a lifesaver for many reasons. It is often more affordable than owning and driving a car. It’s more convenient, especially in densely populated urban areas; and it’s clearly the easiest way to get around in an environmentally conscious way. And although buses, subways, trams and even bike lanes can get a little busier at certain times of the day, there’s no doubt that they’re the best and most authentic way to experience a city like a local.
So to find out which city has the best public transportation system, we asked more than 18,500 city dwellers from over 50 countries to rate their city’s public transportation system. The following ranking represents cities with the highest number of locals who would describe the public transport network as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, including buses, trains, trams and everything in between. After all, who can trust them more than those who are busy with their morning commute day after day?
Asian cities dominate the list this year, with some iconic public transport networks, such as New York’s sprawling subway and Istanbul’s intercontinental ferry, failing to make the list. But from Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi, Brighton to Beijing, many cities have done just that – read on for the best cities in the world for public transport.
Paris, France
The romantic city of Paris takes the top spot in our global transport index, with a score of 10 out of 10. According to Statista 2022 data, nearly 70% of residents living in the French capital use the metro, bus or suburban train to commute to work, while 40.7% of employees in Lyon, France’s third most populous city, do so.
Public transport in Paris is cheap, with the average ticket costing just £1.85, which is relatively cheap considering the city has the highest cost of living in the world.
Paris’ numerous transport options make it easy to travel around the city. There are ten electric scooter schemes available in Paris including; Lime, Dott, Bot, Flash, Tier, Uber’s new Jump, Voi, Bird and Wind, Hive. These schemes are recent, first launched by Lime in 2018. The innovative new e-scooters are free-floating, meaning tourists can rent them and leave them anywhere without the need for a docking station.
Singapore
In the 2024 Urban Mobility City Rankings, Singapore has taken the top spot in public transport, earning recognition as having the best public transport system in the world.
At the heart of Singapore’s success is its extensive Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network, which has been a global leader in automation since 2003. As a world pioneer in automated rail systems, Singapore now operates six MRT lines spanning over 200 kilometers, providing extensive coverage of the island — from residential areas and commercial centers to major tourist attractions.
A well-organized bus network has been developed to complement the MRT to ensure uninterrupted communication across the city. Bus services are often reliable, with designated lanes to prioritize movement during peak hours.
Looking ahead, Singapore is working to further improve its public transport system. The government has set a target of 75% of journeys being made by rail or bus by 2030, further strengthening its commitment to creating a more accessible, efficient and sustainable urban transport system.
Japan
Japan’s public transportation system is legendary – and for good reason. The trains are not only clean and punctual; they are also endlessly obsessed with arriving on time. The Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, can travel at speeds of 320 km/h and yet is delayed on average by only a few seconds each year. Tokyo’s metro system may seem overwhelming at first but once you master it, it becomes impressively reasonable. Everything runs like clockwork, the signage is clear (often in English). The staff is very polite and helpful. If you’re used to crowded, sweaty commutes, traveling on public transportation in Japan will literally feel like a breath of fresh air.
Conclusion
Public transport is an important part of the world that not only provides transportation but also connects cities to each other. The best examples of public transport in the world are Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul and many other cities.
They are using technology to manage public transportation through trains and buses, which is making travel very easy. Other cities can see and adapt. Investment in modern technology and infrastructure helps you have the best public transportation system.
