I also pick Tokyo as the best public transportation system. I first went to Tokyo in Summer 1975, and went into the subway system as soon as we checked into the hotel. Almost all of the stations were marked in Japanese and English, so it was sometimes necessary to do some counting and pattern-matching. I've been there many times since then, and it's still the best.
I'm also a fan of the creaky old NYC and Paris systems. Even with their well-known problems, they are so much better and faster than the surface streets that it's worth the hassle. And the availability of public transportation to JFK, CDG, and Orly is a huge plus if you don't have too much luggage.
I think Beijing and Tokyo vie for the best public transportation system in the world. The move millions of people safely and efficiently every day.
We spent two weeks in Beijing last fall. We used the subway a lot. During peak times, the trains are very crowded, but the run as little as 2 minutes apart. They are easy for a foreigner to navigate. Payment can be made by phone, stored value card or a foreign credit card. I could swipe my card at the origin station and then at the destination and I would be charged, typically about 60¢. Stops are announced in Mandarin and English and route maps are also bilingual. There are 26 lines and they are continually expanding. The bus system is extensive, but not easily used by an English speaker.
Tokyo has subways, commuter trains and buses. The subway and trains are easy for a foreigner. Crowded, but orderly.
Airline safety is disturbingly chaotic right now. I am a nervous flyer and my expectations are low. I am happy if the plane lands upright and I can walk off.
Vancouver, BC. 1970s. Buses ran every 10 minutes or so, in a grid around the city. Each bus developed it's own community, which you were invited to share. What shopping deals you made, what songs were being sung. Problems and advice were shared. It was awesome and friendly.
Ever since Covid, the answer is none. Prefer bipedal ambulation and maybe the random bus. I will add that we have not been to the cities mentioned so I can’t rule it out in the future.
I love Sydney! My two visits there were spectacular! Hope to be back there in the next few years! Go to the Blue Mountains and get up to the Great Barrier Reef (long way away but...) - it's so worth it! We did a naturalist catamaran cruise for several nights about 25 years ago and it was amazing - fresh caught food, swimming with the clams, fish, and other creatures, trekking through the little uninhabited islands - loved it!
Berlin. The excellent mass transportation is quiet and so abundant that the city escapes traffic jams and rush hours. They also do not have a lot of parking lots because they are unneeded. Oh and many of the bahnhofs have very good food.
I think the best metro/train system is in Singapore. Have you been to Cooper Pede? Underground houses, sand golf courses, opal area. Have you climbed the bridge? Jenoline caverns are amazing, Bungle bungles, underwater restaurant,Koala bear reserve, rain forest up north of Townsville. Also in New zealand, the Glow worm caves, amazing,jet boat ride.
I also pick Tokyo as the best public transportation system. I first went to Tokyo in Summer 1975, and went into the subway system as soon as we checked into the hotel. Almost all of the stations were marked in Japanese and English, so it was sometimes necessary to do some counting and pattern-matching. I've been there many times since then, and it's still the best.
I'm also a fan of the creaky old NYC and Paris systems. Even with their well-known problems, they are so much better and faster than the surface streets that it's worth the hassle. And the availability of public transportation to JFK, CDG, and Orly is a huge plus if you don't have too much luggage.
I think Beijing and Tokyo vie for the best public transportation system in the world. The move millions of people safely and efficiently every day.
We spent two weeks in Beijing last fall. We used the subway a lot. During peak times, the trains are very crowded, but the run as little as 2 minutes apart. They are easy for a foreigner to navigate. Payment can be made by phone, stored value card or a foreign credit card. I could swipe my card at the origin station and then at the destination and I would be charged, typically about 60¢. Stops are announced in Mandarin and English and route maps are also bilingual. There are 26 lines and they are continually expanding. The bus system is extensive, but not easily used by an English speaker.
Tokyo has subways, commuter trains and buses. The subway and trains are easy for a foreigner. Crowded, but orderly.
Airline safety is disturbingly chaotic right now. I am a nervous flyer and my expectations are low. I am happy if the plane lands upright and I can walk off.
The metro in Doha, Qatar, is my favorite. Inexpensive, ultra clean metro cars and stations.
Second favorite is Sydney's network of ferries, trains and bus.
Public transportation is, to me, best way to discover a city.
Vancouver, BC. 1970s. Buses ran every 10 minutes or so, in a grid around the city. Each bus developed it's own community, which you were invited to share. What shopping deals you made, what songs were being sung. Problems and advice were shared. It was awesome and friendly.
We walked on top of the Sydney Bridge a couple of weeks ago and went to the Opera. A wonderful city.
Ever since Covid, the answer is none. Prefer bipedal ambulation and maybe the random bus. I will add that we have not been to the cities mentioned so I can’t rule it out in the future.
I love Sydney! My two visits there were spectacular! Hope to be back there in the next few years! Go to the Blue Mountains and get up to the Great Barrier Reef (long way away but...) - it's so worth it! We did a naturalist catamaran cruise for several nights about 25 years ago and it was amazing - fresh caught food, swimming with the clams, fish, and other creatures, trekking through the little uninhabited islands - loved it!
Berlin. The excellent mass transportation is quiet and so abundant that the city escapes traffic jams and rush hours. They also do not have a lot of parking lots because they are unneeded. Oh and many of the bahnhofs have very good food.
Wow - almost nothing about Sydney in the chapter about Sydney. BTW - it is North Sydney, not 'northern'.
We had to cut part of the podcast because it got a little too NSFW. We'll have more on the Sydney experience in the next podcast.
NSFW? What is the 'F'? Chris
I think the best metro/train system is in Singapore. Have you been to Cooper Pede? Underground houses, sand golf courses, opal area. Have you climbed the bridge? Jenoline caverns are amazing, Bungle bungles, underwater restaurant,Koala bear reserve, rain forest up north of Townsville. Also in New zealand, the Glow worm caves, amazing,jet boat ride.
What's the coffee scene like?
I hear it's pretty decent. So far, I've been limited to my Nespresso machine in my apartment.