Traveling like a local means experiencing a city's public transport system — those everyday networks that can reveal so much about a place. But beyond just getting you from A to B, these systems can be attractions in their own right, and at prices the everyday traveler can afford.

Subterranean marvels

Stockholm's art-filled metro, Sweden

Often called ‘the world's longest art gallery’, Stockholm's T-bana subway system transforms the daily commute into a cultural experience. More than 90 of the network's 100 stations feature installations from different artists, with dramatic cave-like platforms carved from bedrock and adorned with mosaics, sculptures, and paintings. Don't miss the electric-blue vine patterns at T-Centralen or the blood-red caverns of Solna Centrum.

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Toledo metro station, Naples, Italy

Naples' stunning Toledo station – part of the city's ambitious ‘Art Stations’ project – consistently ranks among the world's most beautiful metro stops. A mesmerizing blue mosaic design flows through the station, creating an immersive oceanic experience as commuters descend 50m underground. The ‘Light Panels’ installation uses light wells to bring natural sunshine deep below the surface.

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Elevated experiences

Wuppertal suspension railway, Germany

Dating back to 1901, this hanging monorail (Schwebebahn) dangles over the Wupper River for most of its 13.3km route. Carrying around 25 million passengers annually, this charming relic of transportation history has become the symbol of the city. The swaying sensation as you glide above the water has an almost gravity-defying feel. 

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Roosevelt Island tramway, New York, USA

Gliding 76m above the East River, this aerial tramway connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island in just 4 minutes. Originally built as a temporary solution in 1976 before subway connections were established, the tram proved so popular that it became permanent. The stunning views of Midtown's skyline and the 59th Street Bridge make it worth the price of a MetroCard swipe.

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Waterborne wonders

Vaporetto, Venice, Italy

Venice's water buses (vaporettos) run along the arteries of this car-free city, with Line 1 offering an incredible budget ride that’s a great alternative to a Grand Canal tour. For less than €10, you'll float past centuries of magnificent architecture, passing under the Rialto Bridge and alongside dozens of historic palazzos. It's public transport that doubles as a sightseeing experience.

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Star Ferry, Hong Kong

Operating since 1888, this iconic crossing between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon delivers one of the world's most spectacular harbor views for pocket change. The 10-minute journey offers the perfect vantage point for Hong Kong's famous skyline, especially dazzling during the Symphony of Lights show each evening.

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Istanbul ferry, Turkey

Istanbul's ferries crisscross the Bosphorus strait, connecting Europe and Asia while offering stunning views of the city's skyline dotted with minarets and Byzantine domes. These workhorses of the city's transport network carry commuters between continents daily, giving visitors an affordable way to see the city's two sides from the water. The crossing between Eminönü and Üsküdar is particularly scenic, passing historic waterfront palaces and Ottoman-era wooden mansions.

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Mountain movers

La Paz cable cars, Bolivia

At 3,500m above sea level, La Paz has turned to the skies to solve transportation challenges in this mountainous city. Its Mi Teleférico network forms the highest cable car system in the world and has revolutionized how residents navigate the dramatic topography. Spanning over 33km with 10 lines, it offers breathtaking views of the city and the snow-capped Andes beyond.

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Valparaíso funiculars, Chile

This UNESCO-listed port city is backdropped by steep, Pacific-facing hillsides, whose neighborhoods are connected to the port by wooden funiculars (ascensores) that have been in operation since the late 1800s. Buy a ticket to experience the same ride that generations of porteños have used for their daily commute

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Medellín cable cars, Colombia

Medellín's innovative cable-car system (Metrocable) transformed urban mobility in this mountainous city by connecting previously isolated hillside neighborhoods to the metro network below. Originally built to serve the city's informal settlements, these gondolas have become a symbol of urban renewal and social inclusion. 

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Repurposed rides

Jeepneys, Philippines

These flamboyant vehicles began as ex-US military jeeps after World War II and evolved into the Philippines' most iconic form of public transportation. Hand-painted by their owners with elaborate designs, religious messages, and pop-culture references, jeepneys can squeeze up to 20 passengers on facing bench seats. Passengers pass their fares forward to the driver, and the vehicles make quick stops for boarding that aren't anywhere near official stations.

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Chicken buses, Guatemala

These Central American icons of budget travel began life as yellow US school buses that were then decommissioned, sold to Guatemala, and given a dramatic makeover with kaleidoscopic paint jobs, chrome embellishments, and roof racks for transporting everything from market goods to livestock (hence the nickname). Each bus has its own look/style, with drivers and assistants decorating their vehicles with flair.

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Planning on visiting one of these destinations? Use the Polarsteps app to create your trip itinerary and add notes about these unique public transport systems so you don't forget to take a ride. Whether it's walking through Stockholm's art-filled metro stations or catching a jeepney in Manila, these affordable experiences are worth building into your plans.

Cover image: HTWE/SHUTTERSTOCK