Edinburgh has been named the only UK city to feature in Time Out's global list of the best cities for public transport in 2026, securing fourth place with a 92.4 per cent approval rating from locals.
The Scottish capital outperformed all other British locations, including London, which did not make the shortlist. Time Out surveyed over 24,000 residents across cities worldwide, asking them to rate their local public transport on a scale of one to five.
Secret weapon: Lothian Buses and trams
Time Out credits Lothian Buses as Edinburgh's 'secret weapon'. The majority council-owned operator carried 119 million customers in 2025, while Edinburgh Trams had a record-breaking year with 12.5 million passengers.
The trams had a challenging start in the city, but passenger numbers have soared since the extension to Newhaven through Leith was introduced in 2023. Locals also appreciated the ability to tap on with a contactless card, with fares capped daily or weekly across buses and trams.
Global ranking and other accolades
Edinburgh narrowly missed the top title, finishing behind Taipei (95 per cent), Singapore (93.5 per cent) and Hong Kong (92.8 per cent), who took the top three spots respectively. The city also beat major international hubs including Seoul, Zurich, Vienna and Tallinn.
This is not the only Time Out shortlist Edinburgh has featured in this year, as it was previously ranked among the best places in the world to live for Gen Z, again as the only UK city in fourth place. The survey found that 90 per cent of participants said they were happier living in Edinburgh than anywhere else, with the excellent public transport system cited as one reason.
