Edinburgh named Europe's best city for public transport

Edinburgh has overtaken London to become the top-ranked European city for public transport, according to a global survey by Time Out involving over 24,000 participants. The Scottish capital secured fourth place globally, trailing only Taipei, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with a 92.4% approval rating from residents.

Key drivers for Edinburgh's success include the Lothian Buses network, which maintained a consistent fare structure and recorded 119 million trips in 2025, and a growing tram network that saw 12.5 million passengers following its expansion to Leith and Newhaven in 2023. The city also benefits from contactless payment options and automatic daily spending caps.

Other high-ranking European cities in the study include Zurich, Switzerland, which ranks sixth globally with 90.7% approval due to its high frequency and integrated ZVV network; Vienna, Austria, which ranks seventh with 90.3% approval; Tallinn, Estonia, noted for its free public transport for residents; and Helsinki, Finland.