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11 Public Transport Rides That Feel Like Attractions Themselves
Have you ever been crammed on a bus, clinging to a pole like your life depends on it, wondering if public transport could ever be glamorous? Spoiler: it actually can. Because somewhere out there exists a world where you don’t just endure the commute, you savor it (like dessert after a sad lunch).
Think sweeping views, quirky vehicles, and the kind of ride so unique you’d send postcards about it (if postcards were still a thing). Why settle for mundane when you could travel like someone living in a movie travel montage?
Kuranda Scenic Railway – Australia
Imagine a train ride that feels like stepping directly into a nature documentary, complete with dramatic rainforest backdrops, plummeting waterfalls, and gorges so deep they make your knees wobble a bit – this is the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Built in 1891, this marvel snakes through Queensland’s lush greenery. The air smells of earth and greenery, accompanied by the distant roar of waterfalls, as you pass through 15 hand-carved tunnels and cross 37 precariously placed bridges. Heart-stopping views? Check. A history lesson on wheels? Double-check.
Roosevelt Island Tramway – New York City, New York
Tired of being squished into the subway? Trade stale underground air for the Roosevelt Island Tramway, a ride that feels like flying over NYC’s chaos. This aerial tram connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island and offers skyline views to make your friends jealous.
Opened in 1976, when cable cars were apparently the height of innovation, it’s still the fastest way to escape Manhattan traffic. Hear the faint hum of the tram gliding along its cables and snap up those unbeatable views of the glittering East River. Who needs bridges when you can hover?
Tren A Las Nubes – Argentina
“Train to the Clouds” sounds awfully cool, and this one completely delivers. The Tren a las Nubes clatters its way up to 13,800 feet, making it one of the highest railways in the world.
Built in the 1930s to connect the Andes with the rest of Argentina, this engineering masterpiece combines hairpin turns, staggering altitude, and endless Andean vistas. Picture towering peaks shadowing vast valleys and skies so close they could high-five you, and you are on the right track. The thin air might leave you lightheaded, but hey, it’s a small price for a ride through the heavens, right?
Floibanen Funicular – Bergen, Norway
Why hike when you can soar? The Floibanen Funicular doesn’t do subtle. It instead drags you nearly straight up Mount Floyen to panoramic views so stunning they might ruin you for regular scenery.
Since debuting in 1918, this ride has dutifully hauled both tourists and locals up its impossibly steep tracks. You’ll pass through quaint neighborhoods before the city of Bergen suddenly morphs into a picture-perfect scene spread below you. Crisp mountain air? Heart-pounding views of the harbor and fjords? Absolutely. All without breaking a sweat.
Chamonix Aiguille Du Midi Cable Car – France
This isn’t just a cable car ride; it’s an express ticket to 12,600 feet of French Alps majesty. Since 1955, the Chamonix Aiguille du Midi has been zipping passengers from a charming alpine village to dizzying heights that redefine breathtaking.
The ascent feels like a series of gasp-worthy reveals: sheer cliffs, jagged snow-capped peaks, and the kind of silence that’s so profound, it’s eerie. But don’t get too cozy; the ride’s pretty brisk. And once you’re up there, you’ll have the Mont Blanc massif towering around you like a glacial cathedral.
Schwebebahn – Wuppertal, Germany
An upside-down train? Yep, the Schwebebahn in Wuppertal has been hanging over this German city like a whimsical industrial chandelier since 1901. Gliding above streets, rivers, and unsuspecting pedestrians, it delivers a surprisingly smooth ride with a side of quirky charm.
Originally designed to outwit Wuppertal’s narrow streets, it now serves as both a historical wonder and a practical transit option. The screech of wheels on the tracks above, combined with the surreal view below, makes it feel less like commuting and more like riding through an alternate reality.
Powell-Hyde Cable Car – San Francisco, California
What’s better than a moving antique? A moving antique that serves up cinematic views of Alcatraz and Nob Hill, of course. Born in 1873 to conquer San Francisco’s ridiculously steep hills (seriously, who decided to build a city here?), this cable car clanks along its streets like it’s hardly working.
The wooden benches and brass fittings give it a charming “grandma’s living room on rails” vibe, while the occasional lurch reminds you that this cable car is ancient. If you’re lucky, you will get a chance to snag a spot on the outside platform… wind in your hair, anyone?
Maokong Gondola – Taipei, Taiwan
Tea, mountains, and… wait, is the floor see-through? That’s the Maokong Gondola for you. It’s a serene glide over Taipei’s tea plantations with the added thrill of possibly feeling like you’re suspended in mid-air.
Originally launched in 2007, it’s part scenic escape, part adrenaline rush, and wholly unforgettable. The views of lush green mountains blend with the rich scent of oolong tea wafting from the hills below. And yes, there’s a standard-floor gondola option too (for those who prefer their vertigo-free zen moments). Either way, it’s definitely not your average ride.
Petrin Funicular – Prague, Czech Republic
Need to climb a hill in Prague? No problem; this funicular’s got you covered since 1891. It’s not just transportation; it’s a ride to the top of a hill that flaunts an Eiffel Tower wannabe.
And while the cabin creaks its way upward, you’ll get perfect views of the city’s medieval spires, as if Prague hired the funicular to be its personal tour guide. When you reach the top, the lush park and Petrin Tower greet you, daring you to climb even more stairs (as if you weren’t exhausted enough).
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway – Cape Town, South Africa
If you’re reinventing the phrase “on top of the world,” this rotating cableway is the place to do it. Since 1929, it’s been hoisting visitors up to Table Mountain’s famous flat-topped summit with the kind of 360-degree views that silence even the most talkative riders.
Below, Cape Town’s coast glitters like someone spilled diamonds, while the wind dances around your ears. Why the rotating cars? To eliminate any chance of FOMO as you climb into the clouds. Who says you can’t have your view and savor it, too?
Peak Tram – Hong Kong
Imagine being launched almost vertically into the Hong Kong skyline. The Peak Tram, operating since 1888, does exactly that as it defies gravity and common sense alike. The steep ascent feels like a magic trick, pulling you straight through a time-lapse of skyscrapers, jungle, and misty harbor scenes.
Creaky and charming, it’s a slice of history that still insists on being the coolest ride in the city (literally, you’re riding up to one of Hong Kong’s breeziest spots). And no, taking a taxi up the hill isn’t the same. Don’t be that person.
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