After visiting London for the first time, we got to thinking… which city is better? I’m sure that this article will incur the wrath of those who are passionate about one or the other, so let me say at the outset, these are just our opinions. This is not a comprehensive analysis of the two cities. Ok, with that cleared up, here’s what we think.
Transport
Both cities have impressive and reasonably efficient public transport systems, especially given the number of passengers they have to carry each day. Here are the highlights and lowlights of each system.
- New York’s subways are cheaper (US$2 no matter how far you go or how many times you transfer), and the stops are closer together, so it feels like you get there quicker.
- London underground rides are charged based on how far you go, and prices start at £1.40 or roughly US$2.80. Stops are reasonably far apart, so the journey reminds me more of a suburban Brisbane train.
- Admittedly, this extra expense buys you the kind of clean, new, quiet and comfortable transport that New Yorkers can only dream of.
- If New York’s subway system doesn’t take you close enough to your destination (ha, unlikely!) you can transfer for free to a city bus.
- I’m not aware of any such service in London, but with such cool looking double decker red buses, it’s worth paying for a ride!
- With station names like 23rd Street and 28th Street it’s not hard to tell where you are in New York. By contrast, station names like ‘Cockfosters’ sound remarkably like insults and don’t give tourists many clues as to where they are!
- Bonus points go to London for their transport’s likeness to Harry Potter movies. When a double-decker came hurtling towards me on Oxford Street, I had visions of Harry Potter’s night bus and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that there’s a Heathrow (Hogwart’s) Express to the airport…
So in terms of transport, the winner is… New York. As a resident, the most important things are getting close to your destination and not spending an arm and a leg to do it. But as a tourist, you’ll probably be a lot less frightened, confused and grossed-out in London.
Stay tuned, more comparison categories to come!
13 comments
Thems fighting words
<br><br>They’ve just increased London’s tube prices this last week. Ridiculous.<br><br>Also, because NY were late to the underground game they could learn from London’s mistakes and hence made all the subway lines with two tracks. This means that the NY metro can run 24 hours a day. They can close one track and maintain the other without disrupting service.<br><br>London on the other hand has it’s last trains around 1pm and don’t reopen until 5am.<br><br>But the real comparison should be to Brisbane, as this is the only true way to get a big argument happening 
<br><br>You never have to wait more than about 2 minutes for public transport in NY or London compared to the 30 minutes between trains and buses you often find in Brisbane.<br><br>But to be "fare" (pun intended, not a spelling mistake), you can still drive a car in Brisbane city with out major gridlock or a $20 congestion fee for entering the city.
I thought it was a fair assessment, it highlights the pros and cons of each system. Realistically, it’s a very close call, as the London underground is certainly a nicer experience than the NY Subway, and you just can’t go past a red double-decker bus.<br><br>As wifey said though, both systems are remarkably good, and resonably efficient, but I think $2 to go anywhere (that’s only 1 quid, less than even the shortest journey on the London Underground) is hard to top. And, over the Christmas period the price dropped to only $1!
I must agree that the London Underground is seriously overpriced. Last week they hiked prices up another 70p – most people are so reliant on it that they have to just pay the prices. <br><br>You’re right. The London Underground provides a much nicer ride, but the price can’t be justified – particularly taking a look at this <a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_504022.hcsp" target="_blank">Underground comparison chart</a> I found which shows just how similar they are.
I don’t think you are going to get any fighting words out of Brisbanites – we know our public transport system is crap!
Great find on that article Michelle! The comparisons in electronic message boards and fatalities were particularly striking. Other than that, they seem to be, statistically, very similar.
I disagree with Ben’s comment on congestion in Brisbane (it’s generally ok). Ann street, the City and Coronation Drive is horrendous easily between 8 and 9 and 4 and 6 in the evenings!
Whilst you’re entitled to compare two great cities, you mustn’t forget the public transport system of Paris – perhaps one of the most sophisticated in the world! My husband raves about its efficiency and ability to get you anywhere in Paris quickly and cheaply. Let’s not forget the opportunity to listen to the dulcet tones of the seductive french language.<br><br>And you thought the Brisbane City Cats were exciting.
The Washington subway is very clean and Jetson like.
The coolest thing about the Paris metro is the trains with rubber tyres! <br><br><a ref="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_tired_metro" target="_blank">Wikipedia – Rubber tired metro</a>
I think NY is much cleaner than London. Londonites burn far too much oil and coal in there fires so middle of winter is pretty dirty. The public transport in UK sucks big time mainly due to privitisation, and teh tube has endless problems.<br><br>Food in UK sucks compared to US, except maybe for curries I mean where do you get fish and chips cooked six hours before, coated in mayonaisse or deep fried mars bars being the closest thing to gourmet.<br><br>Of course its hard comparing somewhere like Brisbane. Public transport is not cost effective in a city with only 1 Million so obviously you cant have the same infrastructure as a city with 10 million.<br><br>Summer in London is sweet, nice weather, great shopping etc. London is def less threatening than NY.<br><br>All in all NY rocks…the question is how does it compare to say Melbourne (given that I hate Sydney)?
I’m sure all those points about London Ian were accurate 100 years ago when you were last here but things may have changed.<br><br>Burning fires? I’ve never seen one yet. No one has fireplaces anymore. And the London boroughs have in place clean street programs now, so it’s very, very clean. <br><br>Still, the transport system does always have problems, mainly because it’s working with technology over 150 years old. If only they could tell people to walk for a year, they could shut it all done. Rip it all up and start again.<br><br>Oh well.<br><br>NY rocks. London rocks. Melbourne rocks.
My personal favourite part of the Paris Metro is the overwhelming smell of urine in the stations and tunnels.<br><br>Also the London Tube map is a piece of art.<br><br>And Bender, stop saying "rocks". You sound like the Perm.
Great photos of London guys!! Brought back heaps of very fond memories from my time with Aaron.<br><br>With the competition just wondering if there are bins in New York? There is definatly a huge shortage in London. Also there are day passes for rail in London so you can catch a bus or a train…. very pricey though! I can’t believe how expensive public transport is over there though the fact that they came all the time is a bonus!<br><br>Hope you guys are staying cool. Talk to ya soon.<br><br>Love Jane