Modes of Transportation in Europe, Ranked

As I near the end of my study abroad experience, I’ve been reflecting on all the travel I’ve been able to do. I have accomplished way more travel over the course of 4 months than I expected, which is exciting (I have now been to 14 countries in the world!). 

While contemplating my journeys, I noted the huge variety of modes of transportation I have taken. In my most recent trip to Hvar, Croatia, my friends and I traversed by foot, tram, bus, plane, Uber, and ferry, all before arriving at our final destination!

That sparked me to write this blog and rank all the modes of transportation I have used while studying abroad. Warning: My rankings are very dependent on personal experience and enjoyment (and not necessarily on cost or efficiency). Still, I hope this post is informative and offers a wider perspective on the transportation options in and outside of Freiburg.

#1. Walking

No matter where I am, walking will always take my number one spot for ways of getting around a city. I love listening to music, calling friends, or people-watching while I walk. Freiburg is designed by the “15-minute rule”, which means you should be able to access all your daily needs within 15 minutes of travel time - ideally walking, but also by tram. The sidewalks are well-established and there’s a lot of outdoor restaurants, nature, and downtown activity to pique your interest while you walk. Everything is usually well-lit at night, too. I have never felt unsafe walking home after a night out in Freiburg (but I would still recommend walking in a group!). The best part about walking is the feeling of satisfaction from getting exercise and fresh air at the same time as reaching my target destination. 

#2. Tram

When I go back to the U.S. I will never shut up about the trams in Freiburg. I just adore how reliable, fast, and clean they are. They reach every district of the city and run from around 6am to 12am on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends. As a student, you can buy a semester ticket for around 90 Euros and take all of the trams in Freiburg for your entire study abroad experience. The ticket isn’t necessarily the best option, though… I chose to get a Deutschland Ticket, which I will cover later. 

#3. High speed train

In Germany, the main high speed train network is the ICE (Intercity-Express). The EC and IC trains are also fast, but they make more stops between cities, so they are slightly less efficient. The trains have functional Wifi, comfortable seats, and a restaurant car. There’s always a scenic view to look at while you are traveling.

Yes, delays are common, so that’s something to watch out for. But overall, if you are willing to pay for the ticket, I find train travel in Germany very peaceful (10/10). 

#4. Regional train

The rest of the regional trains in Germany are slower and connect many smaller cities. I bought the Deutschland Ticket so that I could access all of these trains at any time. The Deutschland Ticket covers all regional trains, buses, and trams in Germany for 63 Euros/month. It is an investment, but it’s worth it if you think you will be traveling to any other cities in Germany, especially in Baden-Württemberg. You can also travel to Basel, Switzerland with the regional ticket. 

Regional trains are also super comfortable and I have always been able to get a seat! 

Outside of Germany though… It's a different story. I have traveled on some trains where we didn’t reserve seats (maybe partially our mistake) and had to sit on the floor with our luggage for 4 hours. I have also been on some trains, particularly in Italy, that were noticeably old and clunkier, so I have come to appreciate the smoothness of German train travel.

#5. Uber/taxi

In my college town in the U.S., I Uber or Lyft relatively often because I don’t have a car. So how does it work in Europe? Long story short: It depends on where you are. Uber and Bolt (another similar service) can be very expensive in some European cities, so I would recommend taking an alternative bus or metro. However, taking an Uber is sometimes the best option if you are traveling. In a foreign city, it is usually safer to take an Uber and have the payment go through a trusted third party than flagging a taxi, because some drivers try to scam foreigners who don’t know the area well.

#6. Bike

Freiburg is known for its bike-friendliness, and cars here respect bikers much more than in the United States. There are more rules, though, and the city has a complex system of bike-only roads, bike-friendly roads shared with cars, bike lanes alongside roads, and bike lanes on sidewalks shared with pedestrians. Bikes are also treated more similarly to large vehicles than pedestrians by German law, so it’s important to follow road signs to stay safe. 

I personally felt uncomfortable biking in Freiburg - let’s just say I’m not the most confident cyclist. However, it is a great option and you can bike across the entire city in around 25 minutes.

#7. Plane

This one is contested among my friends. I was really surprised by how affordable it is to travel by plane within the EU using budget airlines (think EasyJet, RyanAir, WizzAir, etc.) That being said, you get what you pay for. It may come as a disappointment but you won’t be getting any free drinks, cookies, or movies on your flight. Apart from the environmental guilt I feel surrounding plane travel, I personally haven’t had any bad experiences with budget airlines in Europe. I have also never had issues with airport security. If you are okay with a slightly louder environment and chaotic check-in process, then flying should be no problem. 

#8. Bus

I personally didn’t use buses in Freiburg until very recently. I would consider myself lucky in that regard, because it means that the trams worked well enough to get everywhere I needed to go! 

#9. Ferry

This one is just a fun addition because I didn’t expect to travel by water while I was in Europe. Studying abroad offers so many opportunities to try things that you might not have imagined for yourself. Say yes to new experiences!