February 22nd, 2010 by admin

Let’s face it: driving around an unfamiliar city is not the most stress-free way to sightsee. Yes, having your own wheels gives you a bit more freedom in terms of scheduling, but that fact can be overshadowed by traffic woes, parking problems, and, if you are in a foreign country,

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Let’s face it: driving around an unfamiliar city is not the most stress-free way to sightsee. Yes, having your own wheels gives you a bit more freedom in terms of scheduling, but that fact can be overshadowed by traffic woes, parking problems, and, if you are in a foreign country, unfamiliar rules of the road.

Urban travelers often have a way around the car issue. Every major city in the developed world has some sort of public transportation system. However, not all cities offer convenient, universally-useful service. Most people would opt for a taxi rather than standing on the corner for 30 minutes waiting for a bus. The resulting problem is that a few unplanned taxi rides could take a major chunk out of your travel budget.

However, if you choose a train and bus-heavy metropolis, you will be able to negotiate the city without a car and will leave all your traffic and parking-related headaches out of the equation. What’s more: most of these major transit systems have week-long passes that cost about as much as a single taxi ride. This makes public transit the most cost effective option for getting from point A to point B (aside from walking).

Here are the best North American cities to go car-less:

New York

The Big Apple’s iconic subway is still the envy of every other American city. Yes, it is over-used and looks grungy, but it is the best way to get around the city, as millions of New Yorkers will attest. It’s cheap too: .25 per ride, regardless of distance.

Chicago

Chicago’s Elevated Train (The El) and bus network make it possible to get around the city relatively easily. The METRA commuter rail service connects the edges of this sprawling metropolis. While New York’s subway is arguably more efficient, anyone who has experienced Chicago’s traffic will consider the train a necessity when it comes to getting around the Windy City quickly.

Washington DC

The nation’s capitol has an excellent system of buses and trains. The five-line rail system converges on downtown and has stops at the most popular tourist attractions. It is clean and safe and an excellent alternative to the city’s perpetually congested roadways. Buses are not confusing to use since they run regular routes that terminate at a central terminal, making them seem more like trains with rubber tires. The prepaid, rechargeable Smart Card, which is available online or at train stations, makes traveling completely convenient.

International

East Asia and Western Europe are both regions with great urban rail systems. Tokyo and Osaka’s subways make cars completely unnecessary, while Paris, London and Madrid boast expansive train networks. Honorable mentions in each region include Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai on the Pacific Rim and Berlin and Munich in Europe.

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San Francisco – Ferry Terminal Building & F-Train: David Paul Ohmer
TO street car: Ozziebackpacker

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