Cities with the Best Public Transportation in the World in 2026 Have Been Named

Taipei topped the 2026 global public transportation ranking according to Time Out. Taiwan’s capital received a 95% approval rating from local residents thanks to the cleanliness of its subway, the punctuality of its trains, and its convenient payment system. Singapore and Hong Kong also made the top three. In total, the ranking covered 20 cities worldwide, including seven European capitals. Here’s a look at which transit systems received the highest ratings and what sets them apart.

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How were the world’s best cities for transit quality determined?

The study was based on responses from over 24,000 local residents who evaluated the performance of transit systems in their cities. Participants were asked to rate public transportation on a five-point scale: from 1 (“terrible”) to 5 (“excellent”). The final result was determined by the percentage of respondents who gave positive ratings—4 or 5 points.

Several principles were taken into account when compiling the ranking:

- Ratings from local residents. The ranking reflects the experiences of people who regularly use the subway, buses, trams, and other forms of public transportation

- Percentage of positive reviews. Cities were ranked based on the proportion of residents satisfied with the transportation system

- Geographic representation. Only one city from each country with the highest score was included in the ranking

As a result, 20 cities worldwide made the list. The leaders were predominantly Asian and European transportation hubs. At the same time, the study assesses passenger satisfaction rather than the actual number of delays, ticket prices, or the technical condition of the infrastructure.

In a previous article, we provided a ranking of cities with the most expensive public transportation in Europe.

Why was Taipei named the city with the best public transportation?

Taipei, Taiwan capital, topped the Time Out ranking with a 95% positive rating. Local residents highly praised the punctuality of trains, the cleanliness of stations, and the organization of passenger flow. Metro platforms even feature special lines marking waiting areas to help prevent chaos during boarding.

The backbone of the transportation system is the MRT subway, which carried over 767 million passengers in 2025. That’s approximately 2.1 million trips per day. Despite this heavy volume, the subway remains one of the most convenient ways to get around the metropolis.

Among the main advantages of Taipei’s public transportation are:

- The EasyCard, a universal transit card. It can be used to pay for the metro, buses, YouBike bike rentals, and purchases at select stores

- Organized boarding. Passengers form lines at designated spots and let people exiting the cars pass first

- An extensive transit network. The metro connects central districts, residential neighborhoods, and major transfer hubs

- Infrastructure development. The Circular Line and New Taipei City’s light rail system together recorded a record 30 million trips in 2025

The YouBike city bike-sharing system deserves special mention. On October 8, 2026, the number of trips on YouBike bicycles in Taipei exceeded 500 million since the service began. This confirms the popularity of cycling as a complement to the metro and buses.

For tourists, Taipei’s main advantage is the ability to get around the city without a car, combining different modes of transportation and using a single card for most daily trips.

Learn more about transportation strikes in Europe in October 2026 by following the link.

Top 10 Cities in the World with the Best Public Transportation in 2026

The top ten in Time Out’s ranking includes cities from Asia, Europe, and South America. The results show that high ratings are given not only to megacities with extensive subway systems but also to cities where trams, buses, and even cable cars operate efficiently.

Since Taipei has already topped the ranking with a score of 95%, let’s take a look at the remaining nine cities in the top 10.

2. Singapore – 93.5%

The Singapore Metro has 146 stations and handles approximately 3.5 million trips daily. According to the country’s transportation authority, in 2025, about 99.4% of trains arrived on time. In July 2026, three new stations on the Circle Line opened, finally completing the line as a full loop.

3. Hong Kong – 92.8%

In 2025, the MTR metro system handled nearly 2 billion trips, and 99.9% of passenger trips on the main rail network were on time. The city is also known for its double-decker trams, high-speed trains, and Star Ferry services. The Octopus card is used to pay for most public transportation services.

4. Edinburgh, United Kingdom – 92.4%

The Scottish capital surpassed London to become the top-ranked city in the UK. In 2025, Lothian Buses carried 119 million passengers, while Edinburgh Trams carried a record 12.5 million. Passengers can pay for their rides with a contactless card that automatically caps the maximum cost of trips per day or week.

5. Seoul, South Korea – 91.1%

The Seoul Metro is known for its clean cars, reliable mobile service underground, and affordable fares. The base fare with a transit card starts at 1,550 won. Short-term Climate Card passes, valid for one to seven days, are also available for visitors.

6. Zurich, Switzerland – 90.7%

In Zurich, bus and tram stops are located approximately every 300 meters.

A single ZVV transit ticket allows passengers to use trams, buses, S-Bahn commuter trains, funiculars, and water transport within the fare zones. This allows passengers to plan their routes without having to purchase a separate ticket for each mode of transportation.

7. Vienna, Austria – 90.3%

For 13 years, an annual pass in Vienna cost 365 euros, but in January 2026, the price was raised to 467 euros. Despite the price increase, the transit system has maintained high ratings among residents. In 2025, Wiener Linien’s subways, trams, and buses carried 903 million passengers.

8. Tallinn, Estonia – 85.3%

In 2013, Tallinn became the first European capital to introduce free public transportation for registered residents. This system is still in effect today. Tourists pay for their rides but can use the Tallinn Card, which combines unlimited public transit travel with access to popular attractions.

9. Helsinki, Finland – 83.6%

The HSL integrated ticketing system covers the metro, buses, trams, commuter trains, and ferries. In particular, a standard transit ticket can be used to travel to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2023, the network was expanded with the addition of high-speed tram line No. 15, which connects the eastern districts of Helsinki with Espoo.

10. Medellín, Colombia – 83%

Medellín is distinguished by its Metrocable cable car system, which connects densely populated mountainous areas to the main transportation network. Today, there are six such lines in operation, one of which leads to Arvi Nature Park. In 2025, the city’s metro, trams, buses, and cable cars accounted for over 310 million trips.

We previously reported on how much public transportation costs in European capitals.

Which cities made it into the top 20 of the ranking?

In addition to the top ten, Time Out’s ranking included ten more cities from around the world. Shanghai, China, received the highest score among them, with 82.7% positive ratings. The list also included Warsaw, Osaka, Stockholm, and other major transportation hubs.

Places 11 through 20 were ranked as follows:

11. Shanghai, China – 82.7%.

12. Warsaw, Poland – 81.9%.

13. Osaka, Japan – 81.6%.

14. Stockholm, Sweden – 80.3%.

15. Jakarta, Indonesia – 79.2%.

16. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 78.2%.

17. Hamburg, Germany – 77%.

18. Amsterdam, Netherlands – 76.9%.

19. Vancouver, Canada – 76.7%.

20. Oslo, Norway – 75.9%.

Among the notable results is Warsaw’s 12th-place finish, ahead of Osaka, Japan, and Stockholm, Sweden. Riyadh also made it into the top 20 thanks to the large-scale development of its transportation network and the opening of a new metro system in late 2024.

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We remind you! Skyscanner has highlighted 10 travel destinations for 2027 that have seen a noticeable surge in interest: from Bishkek to Samos, Greece. Read more about the top picks, their main attractions, and the best time to visit.

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