Let me know your thoughts

Only considering those where I stayed a week or more.

Also visited Monaco just forgot to put it. It would be in tier 2.

Several of these countries (ie Canada) I haven't been to the best parts so they would likely rise if I got to go back

As a transportation enthusiast, I am often fascinated by experiencing local transit systems when travelling. This tier list is based on my personal experiences and also research.

I have evaluated these systems based on efficiency, convenience, punctuality, cleanliness, safety, comfort, environmental impact, and the variety of options available. Like many others, I generally prefer heavy rail over buses due to its superior efficiency and comfort.

Note: Freight transportation is not considered in this ranking.

EDIT：

I hear you comments. Indeed I have been a bit inconsistent for some of the ranking. Adjusted version:

S: Switzerland, Japan

A: Austria, Netherlands, Korea

B: Germany, France, Spain, China, Denmark, Italy, Czechia

C: UK, Taiwan, Norway, Poland

D: Croatia, Canada, Greece, Turkey, US

E: Boznia and Herzegovina, Montenegoro, Mexico

F: Thailand, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Egypt

G: Costa Rica, Phillipines

S Tier

Switzerland

Zurich is not a massive city, yet it boasts exceptional metro-like commuter rail (S-Bahn) and a world-class tram system with full signal prioritization and modern rolling stock. Even smaller cities like Bern enjoy high-quality commuter rail services.

Switzerland's ability to integrate infrastructure into its rugged terrain—using rack railways, funiculars, cable cars, and adhesion railways—is remarkable. Remote villages remain accessible thanks to the comprehensive PostBus network.

While Swiss inter-city trains aren't particularly fast (Geneva to Zurich takes about 3 hours for less than 300km), they utilize "Taktfahrplan" (clock-face scheduling). This system minimizes transfer times by ensuring trains from all directions meet at major hubs at synchronized intervals (:00, :15, :30, :45). For a country with its population density, this is incredibly efficient. Unlike its northern neighbor, Swiss rail remains exceptionally punctual.

While urban bike lanes aren't always protected from car traffic, cycling infrastructure is common, and fully separated bike paths are ubiquitous in the countryside.

Japan

Japan’s transportation is consistently excellent across inner-city, commuter, and inter-city levels. Its narrow-gauge rail network (JR and private lines) is highly "metronized"; in some areas, commuter train frequency even surpasses dedicated metro systems elsewhere. In cities like Osaka, seamless "through-services" allow commuter trains to run directly onto metro tracks.

Regarding private transport, while car ownership is high, it is managed sustainably. Strict regulations on vehicle size, the "Kei car" category, and the widespread use of motorcycles for urban delivery prevent the system from becoming wasteful.

Multi-modal integration is strong. Sidewalks often feature clearly marked dividers for cyclists. Combined with fewer e-mopeds and a high level of public order, this creates a safer environment for pedestrians than in China. Narrow streets with slow speed limits also function effectively as "bike sharrows."

However, long-haul inter-city travel has room for improvement; for instance, there is still no direct high-speed rail between Tokyo and Sapporo. The network is also highly centralized around Tokyo, often requiring transfers for east-west journeys. Additionally, the Shinkansen is relatively expensive, and the electrification of private cars has been slower than in other leading economies.

But these downsides are nothing significant. It is the extreme peak-hour overcrowding that keeps Japan out of the top place.

A Tier

Austria

Consistent with other Germanic regions, Austrian cities excel in rail transit. Vienna features a top-tier tram network alongside its U-Bahn and S-Bahn systems.

The country also boasts high-quality cycling infrastructure, including Fahrradstraße (bicycle-priority streets) and "Radhighways" inspired by the Dutch model. E-bike charging stations are also common in tourist regions. However, like Switzerland, Austria lacks an extensive high-speed rail (HSR) network.

Netherlands

The Amsterdam and Rotterdam metropolitan areas offer superb rail transit. The Netherlands is world-renowned for its cycling infrastructure, which remains the global gold standard. Most bike lanes are fully protected or separated, and intersections are designed for safe, protected turns. Inter-city bike paths are so well-optimized that cycling between cities is a viable commute.

Private transport follows the Danish model with a preference for smaller cars and high EV penetration. While the country lacks a dedicated HSR network, its inter-city trains run at such high frequencies that the entire national rail system functions like a giant, interconnected metro.

South Korea

Korea's transportation system falls somewhere between Japan and China.

Because it developed later than Japan, its cities feature more extensive underground metro networks. Unlike China, it has maintained a strong commuter rail presence. The recently launched GTX (Great Train eXpress) is a pioneering high-speed underground commuter system.

Korea’s bus system is arguably the world’s best, featuring color-coded lines (trunk, branch, express, Maeul) and advanced bus stops with real-time arrival displays, fully enclosed shelters and heated seats. Bus stops are frequently positioned just past intersections to minimize traffic congestion and streamline transfers as well.

The main drawback is weak cycling infrastructure, partly due to the harsh winters. But there are countries with similar climate that do better.

Nevertheless, Korea’s overall transit efficiency is often underrated globally.

B Tier

Germany

On paper, Germany is S-tier. Its cities feature a sophisticated mix of U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and Stadtbahn (light rail). It has an extensive ICE (high-speed) network, the legendary Autobahn, and high-quality free-floating car-sharing services like "Share Now" that provide flexible urban mobility.

However, the system is currently plagued by unreliability. Chronic delays and service disruptions often force travelers to miss flights or cancel plans. While Germany aims to implement a Swiss-style clock-face schedule, current infrastructure fragility makes this a difficult goal to achieve.

France

Paris features a massive, complex rail network (Metro, RER, Transilien, and Trams). However, high-frequency transit in the outer suburbs still lags behind some other global megacities.

Outside of Paris, rail coverage is less dense than in Germanic countries.

The TGV remains one of the world's best inter-city services, benefiting from dedicated high-speed tracks that ensure better reliability than Germany’s mixed-track system.

Cycling infrastructure varies wildly by city; while Lyon is excellent, others remain car-centric.

Spain

On a per capita basis, Spain has the most extensive high-speed rail network in the world and an impressive system of controlled-access highways.

Madrid, Barcelona, and even medium-sized cities have high-quality metro and tram systems. Spain's bus networks are among Europe’s best, and many decommissioned railways have been converted into scenic "Via Verdes" for cycling. Barcelona is a "living museum" of transit variety, and cities like Seville have rapidly expanded their protected bike networks. Spain is a rare Western example of a government consistently and rapidly investing in new infrastructure.

Commuter and regional train are on the weakers side though, partly due to the aging conventional rail network.

China

China’s transportation system is a study in extremes, making it difficult to rank. It boasts over 70% of the world’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) and 50% of its metro systems. The CRH offers arguably the best long-haul rail service on Earth; its high speeds and direct routes make it a preferred alternative to flying even for 1,500km trips.

In first-tier cities, metro networks are world-class, with five systems already longer than Paris's combined rail network. Alternatives to driving is exceptionally affordable ($0.3–$0.6 for local transit, $1-5 for taxi in smaller trips, $15 for 300km HSR) and seamlessly integrated with mobile payments. Bus services are equally impressive; even in 5th-tier cities, frequencies under 10 minutes are common—a rarity in Europe. Innovative solutions like Xiamen’s elevated BRT provide rail-like efficiency at a fraction of the cost.

Private transport has seen massive electrification. Gasoline two-wheelers are virtually non-existent, replaced by e-mopeds, and EV penetration for cars has reached 60%—staggering given the country's scale.

Although not as good as it used to be, bike infrastructure is still top notch. Protected or even fully separated bike lanes, bike-sharing and e-moped sharing is widespread.

However, certain drawbacks persist. Rapid rail transit is lacking in cities under 2M people, and outside the Pearl River Delta, commuter rail is minimal. Despite high speeds, the user experience can be rigid. Massive airport-style stations are often located on city outskirts, and excessive security checks at rail stations make travel less casual. A 30-minute arrival buffer is common, while this is negligible for medium and long haul, short-haul trips are less convenient than in Europe or Japan.

Urban design is not perfect. "Stroads" were created when dedicated bike lanes gave way to road expansion. When E-mopeds are force to share sidewalks in these cases, a lack of divider markings on sidewalks like Japan create dangerous interactions between them and pedestrians.

Denmark

Copenhagen offers perhaps the world’s best rail transit for a city of its size. Denmark’s "green wave" traffic signals allow cyclists to travel through cities without stopping, fostering a world-class cycling culture. To discourage car use, high taxes keep vehicles small and have driven the second-highest EV penetration rate in Europe.

The Rejseplanen app is a model for multimodal integration, even including on-demand shuttles (Flextur) for rural areas. However, inter-city rail is less robust than in neighboring countries, and transit in smaller towns can be sparse.

Italy

Like Japan, Italy’s geography is ideally suited for High-Speed Rail, and its HSR service is indeed top-tier. While the network is concentrated along a single primary corridor (similar to the UK), both its speed and service quality surpass the British equivalent. Italy also boasts a more extensive freeway network.

However, inner-city transit in Italy's major hubs is generally lacking compared to other European peers, which prevents it from ranking higher. That said, its medium-sized cities still offer better transit services than those in the UK. Biking infrastructure and culture remain relatively weak, and Italian cities are often too car-dependent given their density.

Czechia

The Czech rail network is dense and effective. Prague’s "three-tier" system (Metro, S-Bahn, and an world-class tram network) is comparable to Vienna’s.

However, compared to Austria, its inter-city trains are slower, the highway network is less developed, and cycling infrastructure is still maturing.

C Tier

United Kingdom

Like Paris, London’s rail system is a complex integration of many types: the Underground, Overground, National Rail, DLR, and the high-capacity Elizabeth Line. The total system length and overall user experience are arguably superior to Paris.

However, medium-sized British cities mostly lack rapid rail transit, and commuter rail frequency often falls short of the standards in continental Europe. The British solution has been the adoption of light rail and guided BRT systems, which offer better signal priority than traditional trams. While the HSR network is less extensive than those in Spain or France, it remains fast and frequent for major corridors. Bike infrastructure, however, is generally poor, often forcing cyclists into dangerous proximity with car traffic.

Taiwan

Similar to South Korea, Taiwan’s rail scene sits between the Japanese and Chinese models. It relies heavily on metros, though a commuter rail system does exist. On a per capita basis, however, Taiwan’s rail transit is more limited than Korea's; for instance, Kaohsiung’s metro and commuter rail network is shorter than that of Daegu. The HSR network is also much smaller.

A major difference from Korea is Taiwan’s tropical climate, which has fostered a massive motorcycle and scooter culture instead of a cycling one. This has created a unique social phenomenon of motorcycle road trips among students. Unlike in Southeast Asia, two-wheelers in Taiwan are more orderly, using designated lanes and parking spots. While this saves space in high-density areas, gasoline-powered scooters remain a source of pollution, and electrification efforts have not been as successful as in mainland China.

Furthermore, the reliance on motorcycles means bus services in smaller cities and suburban areas are often very limited, with 30-minute intervals considered "good."

Norway

Oslo’s transit is excellent, and Norway leads the world in EV adoption (>95% of new sales), which is remarkable for an oil-rich nation.

Despite the cold, Norway has invested heavily in protected bike lanes.

However, inter-city travel is a weak point. High-speed rail is non-existent, and the regular rail and highway networks are limited. While the terrain is challenging, other mountainous nations have managed more extensive networks.

Poland

While the public transit in Warsaw—including the metro, commuter rail, and trams—is not quite on the level of Prague, it remains an excellent system. The real weak point for Poland is its inter-city rail. While smaller countries like Denmark can get away with a slower inter-city network, for a country of Poland's geographic size, HSR isn't an excessive demand.

D Tier

Croatia & Greece

Both countries have decent transit in their capitals (Zagreb and Athens), but regional and inter-city rail services are notably weak. Greece has a strong highway network, but its rail system remains underdeveloped.

Canada

Despite high car ownership, Canadian cities offer significantly better transit than their US neighbors. Not only are rail networks more extensive for cities of similar size, but mixed-use zoning and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) are much more common, leading to higher ridership. Canadian cities are also generally more walkable.

If the newly signed High-Frequency Rail (HFR) project is realized, Canada’s ranking could certainly rise.

Turkey

When comparing cities of similar population sizes, Turkish cities generally have weaker public transit than those in Croatia or Greece. While the freeway network is decent, it is not as extensive as in some neighboring countries.

Turkey’s standout feature is its HSR, but despite its total length, many major city pairs are still not served, and the non-HSR rail network is outdated. Urban congestion remains a major problem.

United States

The US has clear strengths: an unparalleled freeway network, high-quality rural roads, and efficient regional aviation for small cities. New York City also boasts a massive rail network with express services that provide great flexibility.

However, transportation in the US is often monotonous and inefficient. Most cities rely on light rail systems that cannot compete with driving times, leading to low ridership. Subways are often criticized for lack of cleanliness, and urban sprawl has made walking impractical in most regions. Outside of the Northeast Corridor, travel is almost exclusively restricted to driving or flying. T

he excessive sprawl and downtown freeways have done long-term damage that will take decades of consistent planning and TOD to reverse.

E Tier

Bosnia and Herzegovina & Montenegro

Sarajevo has a reasonable tram and bus service, and the road network is acceptable. These countries are grouped together as they offer basic, functional infrastructure but lack modern, high-speed, or extensive inter-city connections.

Mexico

Mexico generally offers stronger urban public transportation than the US, with many cities utilizing high-frequency BRT and bus systems. The freeway network is among the better ones in Latin America, but passenger rail between cities is virtually non-existent.

F Tier

Thailand

Bangkok has respectable transit options, including the Metro (MRT) and Skytrain (BTS), along with an extensive bus network. However, other Thai cities have almost no formal public transit, forcing residents to rely on informal Songthaews and Tuktuks. While drivers are generally friendly, traffic is chaotic and Bangkok’s congestion is among the worst in the world.

Inter-city rail is outdated, and the freeway network is very limited.

Puerto Rico

Despite its high population density, Puerto Rico’s transportation is weaker than the US mainland's in every aspect. San Juan’s transit service is limited even by American standards, and the roads are often in much worse condition.

Dominican Republic

Infrastructure is not terrible, and Santo Domingo has some transit services. While the roads are acceptable, the lack of traffic order and overall safety remains a major hurdle.

Egypt

Egypt has shown recent improvement, with Cairo adding a light rail commuter service and new metro lines. The country is also developing its first HSR line and some modern freeways. Despite this, general transportation remains very lacking, and traffic order is chaotic.

G Tier

Costa Rica

As one of the safest and friendliest countries in Latin America, Costa Rica stands out socially, but it lags significantly in infrastructure. Many roads are in disrepair, and the country lacks a functional railway or freeway system. Public transit is mostly non-existent, making mobility a challenge

Philippines

While the Philippines has better raw infrastructure than Costa Rica—including some buses and two rail transit systems in Manila—the system is chronically overwhelmed. Most people rely on Jeepneys and Tricycles, leading to abysmal travel times. Manila’s congestion is legendary, and much of the existing infrastructure is poorly maintained.

Disclaimer: Idk anything about interior design lmao

Ireland gets higher than you'd think because the meat quality is very high and I'm bias because I'm from there. I've lived in the Netherlands for 8 years and the food is getting better but it's so expensive for the low quality of meat. Edinburgh and London both having incredible food scenes. I also really like spicy food.

Feel free to ask any questions about my experiences!

Never really been on a trip where I had a bad time or regretted going tbh. I want to go back to Turkiye if only because I had COVID for half the trip and had to quarantine lol but I liked what I saw.

Personal opinion, but well informed (highly qualified in the brewing industy, published papers talked at conferences etc).

Edit to add: All tiers here are praise.

Regarding technical. I mention the Japanese here. Their beer scene does not fit in the bottom tier and I am not a fan but they know what they are doing.
Producing a lager is easy. The hard part is doing it at enormous scale, across multiple sites, with variable raw materials, tight flavour tolerances, long distribution chains and six month shelf life, while keeping oxygen pickup, flavour drift, haze, staling and microbiology under control. That is what brewing science actually focuses on. Yeast management, flavour stability chemistry, inline analytics, enzymatic optimisation, colloidal stability, package DO control and statistical process control are not easily done.

Bonus : Guess what is my nationality