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Rapid Transit is important not only for local residents but it is also important for visitors. Many visitors to cities (including me) relay on public transportation to get around the city. Many people even avoid visiting cities that do have a rapid transit system. Areas that are connected to the system are more likely to have tourists visit the area. This is turn creates more foot traffic and a more vibrant community.

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The Chicago "L" (short for " elevated") is the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

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Do you prefer visiting US cities with good rapid transportation so you don't have to rent a car or walk miles to get from place to place? If so, these cities offer some of the best options for trains and tram transportation for sightseeing and commuting.

New York City

The Big Apple has one of the most extensive rapid transportation networks operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. You can ride the light rail subway with 24 different routes that let you cut across the city in about an hour if you ride a line from end to end. Riding the subway is usually the quickest way to get around New York City. Plus, all bus transfers are free within two hours of entering the subway station!

From New Jersey, you can ride a PATH subway to visit New York City from Newark, Harrison, Hoboken, and Jersey City.

Or, there are three commuter railroads that serve the outlying boroughs: the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Staten Island Railway. You can use these commuter options to visit Montauk or Belmont for a weekend getaway.

When you need to catch an outbound flight from JFK Airport, you can also take AirTrain-JFK which conveniently operates 24/7. AirTrain stops at all nine connecting terminals for easy access.

Tip: Because any subway system has a small learning curve for first-time riders, be sure to use this free New York subway app to easily map your route.

San Francisco

San Francisco is known for their iconic cable cars, but the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) offers a speedy light rail system that also connects you to the San Francisco or Oakland airports and the cities of Oakland and Berkeley. Approximately 99% of San Francisco's population lives within a half-mile of a public transportation access point, so hopping on a train is super easy.

If a BART train doesn't serve your destination, you can also look for a Muni train operated by the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Muni trains are the traditional rapid transit subway option. The SFMTA also operates the cable cars and bus routes within the city limits.

Boston

You can ride the Boston subway or local commuter rail routes to navigate the city and local communities. Buying a CharlieCard gives you access to the subway and free local bus routes within two hours of the original ride. Adults pay a flat rate for all subway rides. Children 11 and younger ride for free when accompanied by an adult.

For commuter trains, your fare is based on the distance traveled. Like the subway, children under the age of 11 rides for free.

Boston public transit is also disability-friendly. With their RIDE program, local and visiting passengers can get door-to-door service that other public transit systems don't offer.

Seattle

The city of Seattle has emphasized their rapid transit network in recent years. The dividends are beginning to show. Your best bet is one of these four King County Metro rail transit options: the Link (light rail), Seattle Streetcar, Seattle Center Monorail, and the Sounder train (commuter rail).

When you ride the Link light rail system, you can also transfer to a Metro or a Sound Transit bus to complete your trip. This rapid transit system is also an option to get you from downtown Seattle to the not-to-distant University of Washington with minimal effort.

Seattle commuting isn't an enjoyable experience due to the rapid city growth. If it's been a few years since you've visited this Pacific city, the new rapid transit offerings are a welcome addition.

Chicago

Chicago is another city where taking the Chicago "L" subway (Chicago Transit Authority) or the commuter Metro trains are your best option. You can use these two options to get downtown, transfer between O'Hare and Midway airports, or visit a surrounding community. If you want to catch a Cubs or White Sox baseball game, hop on the red line.

To save a few bucks, Chicago is also a walker-friendly city. You can easily walk a short distance instead of waiting for the next "L" train to arrive. It's a handy tip to remember if you need to travel during rush hour.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is another locale where it's best to take the metro whenever possible. If you don't know, the nation's capital has one of the worst 10 driving commutes in the country. You can ride within the District or across the river to Virginia and Maryland on the Metro subway too.

If you want to hop onto the train when you fly into D.C., make sure you fly into Reagan National Airport (DCA). Work is currently underway to extend rail service to Dulles International Airport (IAD), but that's still a few years away.

Metro does have a few major capital projects that have impacted service during 2017 and 2018, so it's a good idea to check the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority website for the latest planned outage information.

In addition to riding the Metro subway, D.C. is also home to Amtrak's Union Station (which also doubles as a Metro stop) for domestic train travel. Once you find your way to Union Station, you can enjoy Amtrak routes, such as the Acela Express (D.C. to Boston) and the Vermonter (D.C. to Vermont).

For commuter rail options, northern Virginia is served by the VRE. On the Maryland side, you can ride the MARC train. MARC even operates from Baltimore, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Philadelphia

Philly is another city where you might enjoy riding rapid transit instead of having to find a place to park. Parking can sometimes get creative in this city. The local mass transit authority is SEPTA which serves the following counties:

Inside the city of Philadelphia, there are three primary rail lines: the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, and the Norristown High-Speed Connector.

It's also possible to ride trolley lines that serve various parts of the city that aren't served by the three subway lines.

Atlanta

The population of Atlanta has exploded in the past 20 years. While most southeastern cities don't have much of a public transportation infrastructure, riding the Marta subway is your best option if you're downtown or live in a suburb. You can ride the subway from Atlanta International Airport to the downtown (Midtown area) for convenience.

The most recent transportation option is the Atlanta Streetcar with 12 stops at major locations in the city. The prices are also very reasonable to ride the Streetcar. Each adult only costs $1 each way. Children 46 inches and under are free.

Summary

Rapid transit isn't as prevalent in the United States as in other parts of the world, but there are many benefits of high-speed rail transit. If you don't want to have to rely on taxis, ridesharing, buses, or walking, you can visit these U.S. cities.

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What US Cities Have the Best Rapid Transportation?

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Do you prefer visiting US cities with good rapid transportation so you don't have to rent a car or walk miles to get from place to place? If so, these cities offer some of the best options for trains and tram transportation for sightseeing and commuting.