Act like a local to see the sights
Commuter routes are a low-cost way to see a city’s tourist hotspots.
I’m still not a convert to those flashy, chugging tour buses that clog the central boroughs of London and the boulevards of Los Angeles, even though some people swear by them. Likewise, I’m not a runner who shakes off the out-of-sync sleep cycles with a sweat around the neighbourhoods of their hotel. I do however, recommend getting to know a city like one of its commuters at least once or twice.
What’s more, if you choose the right methods and routes you can get your own tour, passing some of each cities’ famous sites.
London
For a tour-bus-beating £1.50 on your tourist Oyster card, board London’s heritage red Routemaster bus No 15 at Tower Hill, beside the famous Tower of London, heading towards Trafalgar Square. Snag a seat on the second level to take in the journey’s views of the Monument to the Great Fire of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Fleet St, before finally alighting next to Trafalgar Square to see Nelson’s Column and the area’s galleries and museums.
Lisbon
Famous for its steep terrain and trundling yellow trams, avoid one and embrace the other in Portugal’s capital. The city is one of western Europe’s warmest and cheapest – a winning combination. Make it even better value by catching the canaryhued No 28 tram for 2.90 euros onboard or 6.10 euros for a city-wide day pass to tackle the hills and see the view. From its start at Square Martim Moniz in central Baixa, through past the narrow alleys and tiled houses of Alfama to the castle near the stop for Portas del Sol, the screeching around corners and heavy braking is all part of the fun. A red tram follows a similar route with more guidance and a higher fare. Both are busy with tourists, so head out early in the morning or in the evening and beware of pickpockets who target the route.
Hong Kong
A trip to Honkers isn’t complete without a cross-harbour journey between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on one of the little green Star Ferries that run from 7am to 11pm between Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui piers. For HKD$2.70 the harbour hop is a bargain and the views are spectacular. This Asian metropolis might have efficient and modern subways and rail networks but the little green boat service launched in 1888 is what you’ll remember.
New York
The Big Apple is awash with tourist hustlers and hop-on, hop-off tours, but avoid them by riding Manhattan’s bus route No 1. With a pay-per-ride MetroCard and for about US$5.50 you can enjoy a massive loop stretching from Harlem, past Central Park down to Midtown and Friends-esque Greenwich Village. It uses famous streets Fifth Ave and Madison Ave so you’ll pass plenty of chi-chi boutiques and big-name stores. Keep an eye out for the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) and crane your neck skywards to see the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre. As Fifth Ave bisects Broadway, grab snaps of the Flat Iron building before hopping off at the route’s most southerly point to enjoy the grub served up in Chinatown and Little Italy. Or walk a few blocks to stroll the New York High Line – a disused elevated railway-turned-urban garden walkway.