Sometimes the best part of a trip isn’t where you go, it’s how you get around when you’re there. These 10 cities prove that getting around can be the most memorable part of the adventure. Whether it’s soaring over neighborhoods in a cable car, cruising canals on a ferry, or zipping through bike highways, these destinations make local transit the story.
With Airial, you can easily plan trips that weave these unique transit experiences right into your itinerary – no spreadsheets, no guesswork.
Why This Matters:
For travelers who love the ride as much as the destination, these cities offer iconic ways to explore, with transit options that are the adventure.
10 Cities Where Transit Steals the Show (With Local Tips + Prompts)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Transit Highlights:
- Hop on bike ferries to cross the IJ River with locals.
- Explore the city’s dedicated bike highways and endless canals.
Local Tips:
- Use the free ferries from Centraal Station for fast, scenic crossings.
- Bike lanes are prioritized – you can plan your whole trip around cycling!
Airial Prompt:
Plan a trip to Amsterdam focused on bike ferries, canal crossings, and exploring the city via cycling paths. Prioritize bike-friendly hotels and ferry-accessible neighborhoods.
Medellín, Colombia
Transit Highlights:
- Ride the Metrocable over hillside neighborhoods with panoramic views.
- Connect to Parque Arví for nature hikes straight from the city.
Local Tips:
- Go early in the morning for fewer crowds and great light.
- Pair cable car rides with walking tours of Comuna 13.
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Medellín trip that features the Metrocable cable cars, includes a visit to Parque Arví, and explores Comuna 13 with local transit and walking tours.
Lisbon, Portugal
Transit Highlights:
- Ride the vintage yellow trams through winding city streets.
- Take the Santa Justa Lift for skyline views.
Local Tips:
- Tram 28 is the classic route, but trams 12 and 24 offer less crowded rides.
- Lisbon’s day passes cover trams, lifts, and ferries (perfect for a transit-rich itinerary).
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Lisbon trip that includes tram rides through Alfama and Bairro Alto, a ride on the Santa Justa Lift, and ferry crossings along the Tagus River.
Venice, Italy
Transit Highlights:
- Hop on vaporetto (water buses) for the daily commute.
- Take gondola rides through smaller canals.
Local Tips:
- The #1 vaporetto is the best for scenic rides down the Grand Canal.
- A Venice transit pass covers ferries and water buses, making it ideal for multi-day trips.
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Venice trip focused on exploring by vaporetto and gondola, with ferry rides to Murano and Burano and canal-front stays that prioritize water transit.
Tokyo, Japan
Transit Highlights:
- Experience the legendary Shinkansen bullet trains.
- Zip through the city on Tokyo’s fast, reliable metro lines.
Local Tips:
- Book a reserved window seat on the Shinkansen for views of Mt. Fuji.
- Tokyo’s IC cards (like Suica or Pasmo) make multi-modal trips easy.
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Tokyo trip that includes Shinkansen travel to nearby cities, multi-line metro routes, and cultural day trips reachable by train.
Zurich, Switzerland
Transit Highlights:
- Ride ferries across Lake Zurich with mountain views.
- Explore via trams, local trains, and scenic regional rail lines.
Local Tips:
- Lake ferries double as public transport and floating viewpoints.
- Swiss Travel Passes unlock trains, buses, and boats for flexible journeys.
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Zurich trip that includes ferry rides on Lake Zurich, tram routes through the city, and scenic train rides to nearby alpine towns.
San Francisco, USA
Transit Highlights:
- Ride historic cable cars and vintage streetcars.
- Hop on ferries across the bay to Sausalito or Angel Island.
Local Tips:
- The Powell-Hyde cable car route offers the steepest hills and best views.
- Catch sunset ferry rides for a perfect end to the day.
Airial Prompt:
Plan a San Francisco trip that combines cable car rides, ferry trips across the bay, and streetcar routes through historic neighborhoods.
Bangkok, Thailand
Transit Highlights:
- Ride the Skytrain for fast, elevated views.
- Take Chao Phraya river taxis and iconic tuk-tuks.
Local Tips:
- Express river taxis save time and offer scenic rides.
- Tuk-tuks are best for short hops, and remember you can negotiate fares in advance!
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Bangkok trip that features Skytrain routes, river taxi rides, and tuk-tuk hops between temples, markets, and neighborhoods.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Transit Highlights:
- Ride the world’s best bike highways through the city.
- Hop on harbor buses and the quiet, driverless metro.
Local Tips:
- Rent bikes with cargo baskets for easy family rides.
- Harbor buses are part of the public transit system and are perfect for water-side touring.
Airial Prompt:
Plan a Copenhagen trip centered on cycling, harbor bus rides, and metro routes that connect parks, neighborhoods, and waterfronts.
Istanbul, Turkey
Transit Highlights:
- Ferry rides across the Bosphorus, connecting Europe and Asia.
- Historic trams and steep funicular railways throughout the city.
Local Tips:
- Sit on the upper deck of the ferry for panoramic views.
- Funiculars help you climb the city’s hills without the strain.
Airial Prompt:
Plan an Istanbul trip that includes Bosphorus ferry crossings, tram rides through historic quarters, and funicular railways to key city viewpoints.
Planning Tips / Local Advice:
- Airial helps you surface unique transit options, local passes, and scenic routes in seconds.
- You can prioritize trips that feature bike ferries, bullet trains, gondolas, and other local gems – no extra research needed.
- Want to see all of these experiences in one trip? Build multi-city trips that keep transit experiences at the heart of your adventure.
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