In water-side cities, people often use ferries to commute, go out with friends or take day trips.
For tourists, such water transport services give you all you might want on a city break, being affordable, calm, plus providing you with a glimpse into the lives of locals. Try the ferries in these seven cities for a new angle on the skylines.
Stockholm: Tranquil archipelago
The Swedish capital is spread across 14 islands. Surrounding it lies the archipelago, with tens of thousands of small islets plus the unique idyll of the Baltic Sea. Everywhere you look, you see woodland and picturesque wooden houses.
From the central piers at Stromkajen or Slussen, passenger ferries sail out into this archipelago, so you can leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind in minutes. For a day trip on the water to the archipelago, head for the line 83 from Stromkajen to Vaxholm.
If you’re just looking for a brief break on the water, take route 82 from Slussen to the island of Djurgarden, home to the Vasa Museum and the Grona Lund amusement park.
You can take SL ferries with a local transport ticket and this also covers some routes operated by the largest ferry company in the archipelago, Waxholmsbolaget.
A 75-minute ticket costs 43 kronor (RM18).
Hamburg: A harbour tour
Fancy a chatty cruise through the harbour in one of the many barges?
Those are the standard offering for tourists but you can also see the docks, the Elbphilharmonie and the Landungsbrucken from the water on Hadag ferries for significantly less money.
Single tickets cost less than €5 (RM23).
The classic route is line 62 from the Landungsbrucken via the fish market to Ovelgonne and the Elbe beach, where many passengers disembark.
You can stay on and head for the terminus at Finkenwerder, where Airbus has a massive factory plus its own airfield.
New York: Skyline views
The world’s most iconic skyline from the water – most tourists in New York experience this on the ferry from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
There is only one authorised operator for this – Statue City Cruises. The ferry ride and entry to the island cost from US$26 (RM106).
However, if the view of the Statue of Liberty (and the skyline) is enough for you and you don’t want to walk around Liberty Island, you can do as so many New Yorkers do and take the free Staten Island Ferry, which passes by the island.
And there are even more exciting ferry routes in New York City.
If, for example, you’d like to sail under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, you can take the East River Route operated by NYC Ferry from Pier 11/Wall Street from US$4.50 (RM18.30).
Istanbul: Between continents
The Bosphorus cuts through the vast metropolis, marking the boundary between Europe and Asia – and is a must-see for visitors to Istanbul.
The most authentic and affordable way to cross the strait is on the city ferries operated by Sehir Hatlari. Some 40 million people a year make this journey, the operator says.
For a crossing with spectacular views, take the ferry from the Karakoy or Eminonu piers on the European side to Kadikoy on the Asian side. The cost per journey is 59 lira (RM4.80).
Sydney: Sightseeing, surfing
Take the ferry past the world’s most famous opera house and the legendary Harbour Bridge to the beaches at Manly Wharf.
The Manly Fast Ferry, which departs from the central Circular Quay, offers sightseeing and a taste of surfing in 20 minutes.
The fast ferry is one of several ferry routes and forms part of Sydney’s public transport network.
Adults pay just over AU$10 (RM28.60) for a single journey.
Hong Kong: Inexpensive ride
A ferry ride through Hong Kong Harbour is well worth taking, especially in the evening, when the metropolis sparkles. Star Ferry’s boats run frequently between the terminals at Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. A single journey costs around HK$4 (RM2.10).
If you have a day to spare, you can also head out to one of the islands scattered around Hong Kong in the sea. Boats depart daily from Central Station to islands such as Cheung Chau or Peng Chau, where beaches and leisurely walking trails beckon.
Venice: Through the canals
Water buses – known as “vaporetti” – run through the lagoon city. They’re not only a practical way to get around, but also an affordable alternative for anyone who can’t afford a gondola ride through the canals.
A 75-minute ticket costs around US$11 (RM45), and day tickets cost around US$27 (RM110).
Line 1 is a classic route – you can board right at the entrance to the old town at Ferrovia station, then the journey takes around 40 minutes along the Grand Canal, past the Rialto Bridge, to St Mark’s Square. – TOM NEBE/dpa
