The Most Bizarre Public Transport From Around the World

Toboggan Run - Funchal, Portugal

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

In the city of Funchal, built on the side of a volcanic island, there are plenty of hills. And what do you do when you have hills? You set up a toboggan ride to get people down at fast speeds, of course. This dates all the way back to the 1850s when it was the primary way of getting back down the hill.

Suspension Railway - Germany

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Local subway systems are pretty normal in large cities, but the German city of Wuppertal has gone one step further by literally turning its subway system on its head. Instead of being underground or on traditional train lines, this train floats over the city on a monorail.

Bamboo Train - Cambodia

Image Source: theculturetrip.com

One of the oldest forms of public transport on this list, the norry or bamboo train transports people across Cambodia. Almost entirely public-operated, they can reach speeds of up to 30mph and for many years, these little carts did not have any brakes at all.

Mokoro - Botswana

Image Source: blog.rhinoafrica.com

A mokoro is a traditional form of transportation in Botswana, crafted from a hollowed-out tree trunk. They function almost like a canoe, except for the steerer, who stands in the boat and pushes the riverbed with a pole. It's just about the only way to navigate the endless wetlands in the Okovango Delta.

Bicycle Lift - Norway

Image Source: boredpanda.com

In Norway, they've devised a clever way for cyclists to get around the very hilly city of Trondheim - and that's with a bicycle lift. Cyclists place their left foot on the moving track while sitting on their bike to essentially get pulled up the hill. It's not just commuters that love it - tourists are known to come and see it too.

Gondola - Venice

Image Source: expertvagabond.com

You really can't go to Venice and not take a trip on a traditional gondola. When your city is literally built on top of the water, this is the only way to get around while also being able to take in the sights and sounds of this unique city. It's steered by a gondolier, who uses a giant oar to push the boat around the tight canals.

Chiva Express - Ecuador

Image Source: stuff.co.nz

The Chiva Express is described as not only a method of transportation but an adventure in itself. Essentially, the Chiva is a bus that travels on a railway line and even has standard coach facilities like a toilet. However, passengers can climb to the roof of the bus/train hybrid for unparalleled views of Ecuador's country.

Maglev Train - Shanghai

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Maglev stands for magnetic levitation, something that sounds hyper-futuristic and even a little bit magical. This train actually floats over the top of its track thanks to a strong electromagnetic field. The Maglev in Shanghai is the oldest maglev train still around, and the fastest commercial electric train in the world.

Ice Angel - Wisconsin

Image Source: matadornetwork.com

The Ice Angel connects two islands in the state of Wisconsin. During this time of the year, a giant ice field connects the two as the lake freezes over, which often cannot hold the weight of a conventional vehicle. This is where the Ice Angel comes in - an air-propeller vehicle that can tackle the ice with ease, allowing people to travel between the islands.

Amfibus - Netherlands

Image Source: newatlas.com

Humans have been dreaming of amphibious transport for decades, but did you know that one actually exists? The Amfibus in the Netherlands is a clever transportation system for people wishing to get around a country that literally lies below sea level. The bus can even reach speeds of 62mph on land and 9mph in water.

Moving Escalator - Hong Kong

Image Source: wikimedia.org

We've all ridden escalators, maybe in a shopping mall or an airport. However, the largest outdoor covered escalator in the world exists in Hong Kong, where it allows commuters to get from the Central to the Mid-Levels areas of the city quickly and easily.  Nowadays, there are also shops and restaurant along the line, allowing you to jump off and grab a snack on your way through the city.

Party Bike - Germany

Image Source: berlinstag.com

Definitely one of the most fun modes of public transport, the party bike was developed in Germany to allow visitors to get a taste of the national drink (beer) while getting around the city. Passengers all help with pedalling the huge bike while the tour guide deals with steering.

Cocotaxi - Havana, Varadero & Trinidad

Image Source: cubantravelagency.org

These rickshaw-like vehicles are one of the most popular ways of getting around the Cuban cities of Havana, Varadero and Trinidad. They're cheap, fun, and fast, and make travelling around the cities super memorable. However, some travel agencies warn you of them as they can cause accidents easily...

Underground/Overground Train - Isle Of Wight

Image Source: atlasobscura.com

Apparently, the Isle of Wight is where old London Underground trains go to die. Here on the south coast of England, you can see decommissioned Underground trains still in action, as they transport passengers across the island and even all the way along a pier out to see.

Jeepney - Philippines

Image Source: theculturetrip.com

The Jeepney might be one of the most colourful and out-there public transport options in the world. These pimped-up vans will take you around the Philippines for super cheap, and every jeepney is different so you'll have no end of entertainment just seeing all the different styles.

DUKW - London

Image Source: visitlondon.com

Don't know what a DUKW is? Pronounced like 'duck', this amphibious vehicle dates back to the Second World War but they've now been completely modernised and function as a way of seeing all the sights in London from both the road and the river Thames.

Dog Sleds - Alaska

Image Source: alaskaautotransportation.com

What do you do if you need to get around in the snowy outback of Alaska? Tie some huskies to your sledge and go dog sledding, of course. This traditional public transportation method is still just as widely used now as it was way-back-when and makes for an unforgettable adventure.

Barco de Totora - Peru

Image Source: pinterest.com

Fishermen in Peru have been using these outlandish reed boats to get around for thousands of years, and now it's one of the most popular ways of getting out onto the waters of Lake Titicaca. However, they're not always used for public transport - it's also worth seeing how the Peruvians use them to surf on the waves of the lake.

Underground Funicular - Istanbul

Image Source: insideoutinistanbul.com

Funiculars are old news - plenty of old cities have them. However, Istanbul's funicular is special for one reason, and that's because it's entirely underground and the second-shortest railway in Europe. It travels just 60m between Beyoglu and Karakoy, but it's an important commuter line in the morning and evening.

Reindeer Sled - Norway

Image Source: santaclausvillage.info

What's more exciting than a dog sled? A reindeer sleigh! That's how the Sami people have been getting around for literally thousands of years, and there's a reason for it. The sleigh glides easily over the snow, and though you might have put it with the whims of the reindeer (stopping for no reason), it's a fun way to get around.

Felucca Boats - Egypt

Image Source: encounterstravel.com

Felucca boats are a traditional method of transportation along the Nile in Egypt. They might not be the fastest mode of transport - relying entirely on the wind in their sails - they are a magical way to travel and see some of the best sights in the Land of Pyramids.

Cable Car - Bolivia

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

The cable car in La Paz is famous for a reason. It was originally constructed to ease congestion on the roads between La Paz and El Alto, it's now one of the largest cable car systems in the world. A ride on the cable car costs just 33p, and will take you more than 400 metres into the air to explore the interesting neighbourhood of El Alto - or, it's a cheap way to get closer to the international airport.

Roosevelt Tramway - New York City

Image Source: rioc.ny.gov

The Roosevelt Tramway is a classic sightseeing destination in New York City, but first and foremost it's a public transport system. In fact, it was the first commuter aerial tramway in North America and takes travellers across the East River from Roosevelt Island to the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Private Ferry - San Francisco

Image Source: wired.com

This one can hardly be called public transport since it's entirely exclusive. In 2014, Google launched their own private ferry service to carry employees from San Francisco's ferry terminal to the port in Redwood City, where Google's headquarters are based. It's free and has WiFi - as you'd expect from a tech company.

Chicken Buses - Guatemala

Image Source: greenglobaltravel.com

Actually, this form of public transport has almost nothing to do with chickens. English-speaking tourists in Guatemala dubbed the buses 'chicken buses' after seeing how many people they can carry - like chickens in a truck. But these buses are a popular way of getting around Latin America, and are often made out of retired American school buses.

Tuk Tuks - India

Image Source: theculturetrip.com

We couldn't make this list and not add the iconic tuk-tuk. Anyone who's travelled to India has probably taken a ride on the little auto-rickshaw, which can sometimes take the form of a bicycle rather than a motor-powered rickshaw. They're cheap and fun, and a great way of seeing the sights.

Pousse-pousse - Madagascar

Image Source: madamagazine.com

What happens if you take the engine away from a tuk-tuk? You get a pousse-pousse. This is a traditional form of public transport in Madagascar and happens to be extremely cheap, making it highly popular. However, always remember to negotiate the price if you're a tourist - you can often get a great deal.

The O-Bahn - Adelaide, Australia

Image Source: unisa.edu.au

Is it a bus? Is it a tram? Is it a train? Nope, it's the O-Bahn, a unique form of public transport in Adelaide, Australia. It was conceived as an efficient way for buses to share tram or train tunnels, as they wouldn't need a separate track. Nowadays, it's just an effective way for Adelaide residents to reach the city centre in no time.

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) - West Virginia

Image Source: wikimedia.org

If the O-Bahn only carried a few people at a time, it would come close to being a personal rapid transit (PRT). These dinky vehicles hold less than a regular bus service and can reach speeds of 30mph. This system helps students get around West Virginia University campus.

Horse Tram - Isle Of Man, Great Britain

Image Source: loveexploring.com

We've had dog sleds and reindeer sleighs, but now it's time for something a bit bigger - a horse tram. Originally called a horsecar, this redundant public transport method doesn't exist in many places, but you can still ride one on the Isle of Man in Great Britain.