In a recent TripAdvisor survey of more than 2,000 travellers globally, London was voted as having the best public transportation system and best taxis in the world. However, London was also regarded by the panel as having the most overpriced public transportation system in the world.

Commenting on the poll, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said:

"Through sustained investment over the last six years London's public transport has seen significant improvements after decades of decline. London now has better bus services - which are now more frequent, reliable and extensive - combined with reduced congestion, smartcard ticketing and a big growth in cycling.

Livingstone continued: "We are now investing £10 billion over a five year period to meet London's transport needs, constituting the biggest investment in London's transport at any time since the Second World War."

Public transport appeal

Seventy-one percent of travellers said they use public transportation while on holiday in a city away from home, and 19 percent said they use it to commute to work.

Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents said a city’s public transportation system is a consideration when determining where to visit. Forty percent of travellers said the most important quality of a transportation system is that it goes everywhere they need to go, which was considered even more important than safety (30 percent.)

“Despite being considered the most expensive public transportation system, it’s intriguing that London was also voted best transportation system in the world by travellers,” said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. “The fact that nearly 75 percent of travellers take public transit into consideration when planning their trips suggests that a quality system is of great importance to a city’s tourism industry, not just its commuters.”

Fourteen percent of travellers said that the recent rise in fuel prices has inspired them to use public transportation more often, while nine percent said they avoid using public transit because of recent concerns about terrorist threats.

When asked if a taxi driver has ever taken them on a longer or incorrect route to increase the cab fare, 58 percent of travellers claim to have been ripped off by a taxi.

Top Five Public Transportation Systems in the World:

  1. London 
  2. New York City 
  3. Paris 
  4. Washington, D.C. 
  5. Hong Kong 

Worst Public Transportation System in the World:
Los Angeles

Most Overpriced Public Transportation in the World:
London

Safest Public Transportation System in the World:
Washington, D.C.

Cleanest Public Transportation System in the World:
Washington, D.C.

Best Taxis in the World:
London

Worst Taxis in the World:
New York City