The world's best city for trains and buses named - London number 6 and top in Europe

By Jennifer Pinto, Audience writer

TimeOut has named Hong Kong as the best city for public transportation (Image: Getty)

For many of us, public transportation is an integral part of daily life, often influencing the course of our day. Whether it’s a bus or the tube, we’ve all experienced how disruptions or delays can alter our plans or how an overcrowded train ride can quickly change one’s mood.

TimeOut has just revealed the best city in the world for public transport, based on a global survey spanning over 50 countries worldwide. In this survey, more than 18,500 transport users shared their opinions, ranking their cities’ systems as "good" or "amazing." Hong Kong emerged as the top city, with an impressive 98% of locals expressing satisfaction with the public transport.

The Airport Express takes just 20 minutes from the city centre of Hong Kong (Image: Getty)

Hong Kong's public transport system includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), a comprehensive 10-line network that connects the city to Kowloon, and the New Territories, extending all the way to the mainland China border. 

TimeOut also highlighted the city's air-conditioned buses, minibuses, and iconic double-decker trams as key features that make its transport system stand out.

Hong Kong boasts one of the world’s most efficient and safest public transport systems, featuring 98 railway stations as well as a comprehensive network of buses, minibuses, trams, ferries, and water taxis.

The MTR reportedly has an incredible 99.9% punctuality rate with trains running every two minutes during peak times. 

London was named sixth best in the world for public transport (Image: Getty)

London, with the oldest transport network in the world, was named the sixth best globally and ranked first in Europe, receiving an approval rating of 86% for its extensive network and various modes of transport, followed by Vienna at 84%. 

Despite London’s high ranking, it has also recently been crowned the most expensive transport system in the world due to its recent rise in prices. 

TimeOut wrote: "The tube – as the Brits say – spans 402 kilometres in total, and was supplemented three years ago with the opening of the swish, squeaky-clean, high-speed Elizabeth Line.

"But there’s a lot going on above ground, too: the overground, which has recently had a tourist-friendly rebrand, Lime Bikes, which are popular (it’s thought there are around 30,000 kicking about the place) and 675 bus routes (97 of which operate through the night).

"If you’re in the city for a while and possess a UK railcard, attach it to your Oyster card for a third off all off-peak journeys."

1. Hong Kong - 98%
2. Shanghai, China - 94%
3. Beijing, China - 91%
4. Abu Dhabi, UAE - 88%
5. Taipei, Taiwan - 88%
6. London, England - 86%
7. Vienna, Austria - 84%
8. Seoul, South Korea - 84%
9. Mumbai, India - 83%
10. Doha, Qatar - 83%
11. Delhi, India - 83%
12. Singapore - 82%
13. Zurich, Switzerland - 81%
14. Brighton, England - 80%
15. Edinburgh, Scotland - 80%
16. Oslo, Norway - 79%
17. Jakarta, Indonesia - 79%
18. Warsaw, Poland - 79%
19. Tallinn, Estonia - 77%