10 Tram Systems Worth The Ride

I previously wrote a list on the world’s largest Metro systems, measured by the number of stations. This time I’ll write on trams, cable cars and light rail systems, but instead of following an objective measurement, I’ll list ten systems that are definitely worth mentioning, or worth the ride, as the title says

1. Vienna 

The Vienna tram network is one of the world’s largest, with around 180 km (111 miles) of rails and more than a 1,000 stations – the system with the most stations in Europe and second in the world only to Melbourne. The trams era in Vienna began in 1865 with Horsecars (horse-drawn trams), later replaced by Steam tram, and eventually went fully electric by 1922

 

2. Melbourne 

Melbourne has the world’s largest urban tramway network: it has the longest rail system of 250 km (155 miles) and the most stations: 1781 stations. The Melbourne tramway started operation in 1884 with Horse tram, and later cable tram, and finally went fully electric in 1940

 

3. Lisbon 

The Lisbon tramway network began its way in 1873 as a horsecar line. In 1901 the first electric tramway was presented and today the network is comprised of 5 lines (all electric, no horses). Out of the 5 lines, the most famous one is tram 28, or electrico 28, a tourist attraction by itself, that goes all around the historical city, some great viewpoints and more. The line begins at Praça Martim Moniz and ends after about one hour in Campo de Ourique. If you buy a 24 hours ticket you can hop on and off  the different points of interest. Click here for the best attractions in Lisbon

 

4. San Francisco 

The Cable Cars in San Francisco are one of its most recognizable features. They were introduced to the city in 1873 to help residents move around between the many hills of the city. The few remaining cable cars are a formal historic monument, but at the same time they are a legit mean of public transportation, even though not the fastest or most efficient one. You can ride the slow moving vehicle up or down the steep San Francisco streets to your destination – they’ll easily get you to Lombard Street or Fisherman’s Wharf, or you can enjoy the famous scenic routes of Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde. Click here for the best attractions in San Francisco

 

5. Geneva 

The Geneva tramway network began in 1862 as a horsecar tramway, which makes it one of the first trams in Europe, if not the very first one. By the 1920’s, the Geneva tramway system was the largest in Europe. Today the system is comprised of 4 lines, known for their high efficiency and frequency. Click here for the best attractions in Geneva

 

6. Hong Kong 

Trams are a great way to travel in Hong Kong. The Honk Kong tramway network has been running since 1904, and currently has 120 stations spread over 6 lines. The Hong Kong tram system is one of the few such systems to operate with double-deck trams, and the only one in the world that operate solely on such trams. The legendary Peak Tram funicular, built in 1888, that leads to Victoria Peak is also a great transportation experience in Honk Kong

 

7. Prague 

The Prague tramway network began in 1875 with horses, and changed to electric trams in 1891. Today, more than 300 million passengers use the 30 lines of the network each year. The trams in Prague are the best way to explore the city as a tourist

 

8. Budapest 

Trams in Budapest began in 1866, and like many other European systems, it began with horsecars. In 1887 steam trams and electric trams were introduced, and from then till 1900 all three methods worked simultaneously: horses, steam and electric. Steam operated trams were neglected in 1900, and horsecars ceased operation only in 1928, leaving the city with only electric trams. The Budapest Metro is also worth mentioning: It’s Line 1 was completed in 1896 which makes it the world’s second oldest electric underground line (after London, 1890). and it was declared as a World Heritage Site. Click here for the best attractions in Budapest

 

9. Amsterdam 

The most common transportation means in Amsterdam are bicycles and trams. Amsterdam has 15 tram lines in its network with a total of 500 stops. If you don’t want to rent a bicycle, trams are your best way to explore the city. The network began in 1875 with horses and began its electric era in 1900. Click here for the best attractions in Amsterdam

 

10. Blackpool, England 

Blackpool is a town in North West England, with a population of just over 142,000 residents. It has a tramway system of a single line, about 18 km (11 miles) long with 37 stops. So what’s so special about it? Well, either than being the first electric tram in the UK (1885), it is one of the few last places in the world (not sure how many there were to begin with) with a double-deck trams