The Top 10 Public Transportation Systems Around the World

Moving abroad to teach English? The thought of navigating a foreign public transport system can be daunting—long waits, confusing routes, and unfamiliar payment methods. But here’s some good news: some of the most efficient, reliable, and user-friendly transportation systems are great destinations for teaching English abroad. Here are our top choices!

1. Seoul, South Korea

Almost a no-brainer, it’s safe to assume that the home to Hyundai and LG Electronics would probably boast a pretty impressive transportation system. With about 3.4 billion riders per year at the cost of $ 1.01 per ride, one might assume it’s overused and undermaintained. International TEFL Academy (ITA) Advisor Cassie Wells who taught in Korea for a couple of years had this to say about it:

“The KoRail, or subway system, in South Korea is one of the things I miss most about living there. It’s so clean that you could probably eat a meal off the floor and feel okay about it. The trains also run on schedules, so you’re typically not waiting around long for the next train. Traffic in Seoul can be pretty crazy, so taking the subway is always the way to go.”

2. Santiago, Chile

While I can say from personal experience I don’t think people will be eating off the floor of the metro anytime soon, Santiago has one of the most advanced and convenient transportation systems in Latin America. For starters, Student Affairs Director Karen Crone found that the luxury of having air conditioning on the subway was enough to make her stay awhile. With over 100 stations in operation currently, the Santiago line of commuter rails is the best way to beat the heat and the traffic.

3. Tokyo, Japan

Spanning a mind-blowing 195 kilometers, the public rail system in Tokyo is arguably the top 5 in the world for being fast, clean, punctual, and navigation-friendly due to its stops' numbering and color coding. Getting around Tokyo will start around $1.14 and increase depending on the distance to your destination. As many know, Japanese cities can be densely populated. Don’t think that the trains are any different!   Here is a great mental image from long-time JET Program Teacher and ITA Advisor Chelsea Hendrickx:

“It’s totally overwhelming at first but once you get the hang of it you’ll love it. The trains are clean, quiet and on time. Just beware of the rush hour insanity - those videos you’ve seen of train attendants literally helping push people onto the train like sardines is totally real.”

4. Madrid, Spain

Expansive doesn’t even begin to cover this system, which includes metro, light metro rails, commuter rails, and buses. In addition to being safe and clean, public transportation is quite affordable in Madrid as a single ticket for Zone A starts at €1.50. ITA Advisor and former teacher in Madrid Michael Kunik had this to say about it:

“On an English teacher's salary, affording an all-access monthly pass to the Metro and bus lines is no problem. You can literally get clear across Madrid (a city of 3 million people) in about 20 minutes, all on public lines. Try doing that in Los Angeles, for example.”

5. Shanghai, China

If we are talking distance, Shanghai’s metro is the largest in the world. Besides its expansive metro, Shangi transportation includes buses, maglevs, and ferries that will get you to your destination. With such a large transportation in another country, it can be daunting, to say the least, but here is what a former teacher in China has to say:

”I never thought I would be a big city person until I moved to Shanghai, China, to teach English. In Shanghai, I discovered how incredible it was to live in a happening city in which every corner is connected by metro trains and buses...EVERYTHING was accessible. I could ride my bike to a train, then catch a bus, a ferry, a moving walkway, to another train....catching city sights the whole way. I LOVED IT! It was very affordable too. About 100 RMB/month, which is $14! I could rarely justify getting into a taxi to go anywhere. When I returned home, I almost resented how quickly I could get somewhere because I missed the enjoyment of the journey getting there.”

6. Paris, France

Oh yes, the city of lights and romance. While most people picture their time in Paris strolling on foot while holding a coffee or a significant other’s hand, it’s also known for its fantastic public transportation, probably the best in Europe. With over 300 stations across 16 lines, it seems a bit overwhelming to imagine mastering this system, but former teacher there and Student Affairs Advisor Erin set the record straight. She told me it is one of the best-designed metro lines ever. It is so easy to navigate, and you can literally get anywhere and everywhere. On a more Parisian romantic note, she also mentioned that

“One of the best views you will ever see is riding line 6 (ligne 6) - you are just passing the beautiful buildings, as it is an elevated line, and BAM there is the Eiffel Tower and the seine. Couldn’t be better.”

7. Taipei, Taiwan

Next on this list of best public transportation in the world, is Taiwan. As an island off mainland China, don’t be fooled to think that Taiwan is in any way behind China in the technical advances of transportation. Used by more than 40% of locals, the complex system is labeled according to color and number in order to make it navigation-friendly for locals and travelers alike. One veteran teacher in Taipei had this to say:

"You’ll feel like you’ve entered the future when you experience Taiwan’s public transportation system. The 'MRT' is the local subway system in Taipei that connects the entire city. It’s clean, modern, extremely efficient, and easy to understand and navigate with English signs posted everywhere."

8. Berlin, Germany

Out of all the staff feedback from those who lived abroad in some of these great locations, the quotes about Berlin are some of the most memorable. Particularly what former German resident and ITA advisor Matt Birgy has to say about transportation in Berlin, in his words, one of the best public transportation in Europe:

“Don't be surprised if the U-Bahn feels more like a pub than a train on a Friday night, with passengers clutching their half-liters of beer, socializing, and watching Football highlights on a small flat-screen. Beer is cool, but booze is Verboten! It's the honor system here, so purchase your ticket before hopping on the train; Schwarzfahren" (riding without a ticket) will land you a 60 Euro fine, and the trains are patrolled regularly. If you're traveling more than three stops, you have to pay the regular fare, but if traveling a short distance (3 stops maximum), a "Kurzstrecke" ticket will suffice and cost half the amount.”

9. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

One thing that makes Dubai so unique for public transportation is the simple fact that it has so many options for connecting people with places. For example, it’s common to grab a water taxi to navigate you around the Arabian Gulf. Traveling by water not your thing? Not to worry, you can take the monorail, the tram or simply the many buses connecting the city. ITA staff member and 15-year resident of the Middle East, John Bentley, chalks it up like this:

“Cairo has a fairly substantial subway system, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to open an 85-station metro in 2024 and 2025, as is Doha, Qatar. Perhaps the nicest system in the region belongs to the Dubai Metro, which opened in 2009.”

10. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City's public transportation system serves over 21 million residents and has an extensive network that includes everything from metro systems to cable cars. The largest Metro system in Latin America spans 225.9 km with 12 lines and 195 stations and costs 5 pesos per ride. Another popular transportation method that helps reduce traffic congestion, Metrobús, launched in 2005, has seven dedicated bus lines that will cost you 6 pesos, less than $1 USD. 

Here you have it! The 10 best transport systems in the world!