10 Unique Transport Modes Around the World

10 Unique Transport Modes Around the World

Sailing on an ancient junk boat in Vietnam, riding a rickshaw in Japan or seeing the pyramids on camels – there are thousands of strange and oddly intriguing forms of transportation around the world. Inspired by my hero Charley Boorman who travelled from Ireland to Sydney using 112 modes of transport on TV series ‘By Any Means’, I’m piecing a post together on the 10 most unique transportation means.

1. Bamboo Train, Cambodia

Between Battambang and Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, you’ll find this interesting train, cobbled together with a wooden frame, bamboo planking, an upright engine and reused military tank wheels. As basic it looks, it can haul passengers and cargo from one city to the next. Known as ‘norry’ in Khmer, it uses the spur lines, which means when a real train comes puffing, get ready to jump off your ride!

Photo by el Floz

2. Tuktuk, India

These motorized three-wheelers are used all over Asia – originally in Thailand, then spread to Laos, Cambodia, Pakistan and India. Although Bangkok is the pioneer in the tuktuk industry, it’s India where traffic-swerving drivers and chaotic road conditions make it a thrilling ride. Whether you are in Bangalore or New Delhi, hop on for some fun. A tuktuk can usually accommodation two persons and a suitcase.

Photo by nakwoodford

3. Junk Boat, Hongkong

Along Hongkong’s Victoria Harbour, the nation’s signature junk boats float against a backdrop of skyscrapers. These Chinese sailboats date from ancient times, specifically the Han Dynasty. Today, they are converted into sunset boats and booze cruises for tourists and locals seeking a breathe of fresh air. If you’re on holidays in Asia, don’t miss out this traditional junk ride.

Photo by avlxyz

4. Elephant Trekking, Thailand

Before Phuket was developed into a tourist hub, wild elephants used to roam its dense forests and rolling hills. Today, their numbers are dwindling. Instead of lounging by the beach all day, travelers can explore the area inland on elephant tours.

These elephant trekking tours offer a much-needed lift to the tourism industry, and generate the funds to assure the survival of thousands of elephants in a dignified manner. Phuket holidays can encompass fun under the sun and an adventurous way of seeing Asia.

5. Zorb, New Zealand

The zorb is the sport of rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball, cushioned by a thick layer of air. New Zealand first brought us bungee-jumping, white-water raftin, skydiving and now this! There’s a range of rides to choose from – from wet to dry, individual to multi-person or zigzag rides. As the kiwis call it, globe riding sure is an interesting way to find your way round New Zealand.

6. Dog Sleds, Norway

There aren’t many places where you can do this. In Northern Norway, close to the Arctic Circle, you can embark on dog-sledding trips that bring you through gorgeous winter landscapes. Every participant will lead your own team of four or six dogs, and swish across scenic routes. Many trips are organized in the Saltfjellet – Svartisen national park and Jotunheimen National Park, where overnight stays in wooden lodges can be included.

Photo by De Kleine

7. Totora Boat, Peru

On the floating islands of Lake Ttiticaca, the Uros tribes weave their homes and transportation with reeds – or totora in their tribal language – found in the lake. Built to resemble the shape of a dragon, it is said that the boats were used to ward off evil in ancient Inca times. These incredibly light but resistant boats sail out swiftly on the calm lake, making transport for the locals easy and convenient.

8. Chicken Bus, Guatemala

Guatemala’s public buses are nicknamed the ‘Chicken Bus’ for the hectic and tight conditions where passengers are crammed into these old U.S. school buses alongside chicken and goats. For the intrepid travelers seeking a little adventure, it’s quite an interesting way to get under the skin of the country. Some chicken buses are decked out in neon signs or voodoo posters, but all pose the same thrill. Be warned – petty crimes have been reported on these buses.

9. Felucca, Egypt

These traditional Egyptian sailboats have remained, over the centuries, the primary transportation of the Nile River. Its ancient form still graces the river as it has done since the time of the Pharaohs.

These days, both locals and foreigners enjoy a relaxing ride on the felucca, basking under the sun or catching the sunset. Travelers can also take a multi-day felucca ride from Luxor to Aswan and back.

10. Camel back, Jordan

Riding on a camelback through the red-rose deserts of Wadi Rum is one of the highlights of Jordan. Since ancient times, camels have always been the one of the most useful transport tools in the Jordanian history. Travelers can go on a 3-day camel safari trip that includes camping with Bedouins and exploring archaeological sites.

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There are many more quirky modes of transport that I’ve missed in this piece, stay tuned for more next week. Meanwhile, share with us your experience below: Have you tried any of these transportations? Are there any other transport mode that you’ve been on?

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February 25, 2010 · Adventure Travel, Asia, Cambodia, Central America, China, Egypt, Guatemala, HongKong, Jordan, Peru, South America, Uncategorized

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25 Responses to “10 Unique Transport Modes Around the World”

JoAnna on February 25th, 2010 6:51 pm

I have never seen a zorb, but I absolutely MUST check one of them out now. That looks like so much fun!!
Keith on February 26th, 2010 10:45 am

Tuk-tuk actually first appeared in Italy, called the 'Ape' (=bee) … 3-wheeled version of the Vespa (=wasp) scooter, usually with a little truck-bed.

Future lists MUST include Madeira toboggans!
Migration Mark on February 28th, 2010 4:18 pm

That Zorb device looks to be a thrilling ride. One of my favorite things to ride are local “matatu” mini buses in Nairobi outfitted with blaring bass filled hip hop music, murals of random famous people, and flashing disco lights.
SpunkyGirl on March 1st, 2010 6:10 pm

Some great transport options. I think I may want to give a couple of these a try when I''m in Asia later this year. I'm really curious about the bamboo train… haha
Nellie on March 5th, 2010 4:44 pm

I've never heard of toboggans in Madeira, gotta read up on that! I researched abit on tuk-tuks but couldn't really find where it originated from. The Italian Ape definitely resembles the tuktuk, first appearing in 1948. Well thanks for the info, good to learn more!
Nellie on March 5th, 2010 4:46 pm

hey Mark yes these matatus sound kinda similar to the public buses in La Paz, Bolivia. Dala dalas in Tanzania are slightly different, with old Japanese school buses being used as public transport.
boldlygosolo on March 5th, 2010 4:58 pm

I've done the tuk tuks in Bangkok, camel ride and felucca in Egypt, elephant ride in Thailand, top of a train in Ecuador, dog sledding and pony trekking in Iceland. Saw zorbing on the Amazing Race way back. Would love to try that! I never thought to compile this kind of list. But I DO write about solo travel adventures at http://www.boldlygosolo.com and it includes a lot of these kinds of adventures. A future post will have to focus on transportation!
Ce am citit 09.03 | Blog de turism on March 10th, 2010 8:36 am

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Motorhome Australia on March 22nd, 2010 2:21 am

The Chicken bus in Guatemala and the Jeepneys in Manila are almost similar. Great travelling on a campervan in Australia
Sleepless In KL on March 22nd, 2010 2:30 am

How about jeepneys in the Philippines? Rickshaws in India? And 'ojek' in Indonesia?
Stephen on March 22nd, 2010 3:50 am

Is zorb for real?
admin on March 23rd, 2010 1:17 am

Yes! I’ve never tried it myself actually, but I’ve got friends who told me how it feels to be in it. I’m definitely going to New Zealand to try it for myself too!
admin on March 23rd, 2010 1:18 am

Oh yes, I was going to include the jeepneys in the Philippines but my list was getting too long. Could you tell me more about the ojek in Indonesia? I’d love to learn more about it.
Michela on March 23rd, 2010 11:49 am

the Zorb is really impressive, I would love to try it myself when in my next visit to Oceania!! There is one more odd transport mode it came into my mind which I experienced a few years ago, …but can't think of the name now…will add it later…
Dina VagabondQuest on April 9th, 2010 7:31 pm

I'm happy to see somebody mentioned Madeira toboggan sled ride! I've been on it and it was so much fun! Pretty much we sit on a wicker sled for 2, and 2 guys will stand behind us for stirring. Sometimes they ran, sometimes they just stand on the back wicker platform (don't know what it's called). It's going downhill in roads, including passing intersection (thank goodness cars stopped for us), moving through wavy alley, so much fun. It's one direction journey though, it can't go uphill

I actually wrote a Madeira story a while ago http://www.vagabondquest.com/portugal/madeira-a-b...

Dina
Dina VagabondQuest on April 9th, 2010 7:38 pm

Since I'm from Indonesia originally, I've been in the Indonesian Tuk Tuk. We call it helicak. There we also have many other unusual means of transportation, nearly everyday I used "becak". You might be familiar with this since you are from Singapore? (I read that from your profile).

I've rode Camel in Egypt, very weird sensation when the camel changed position from lay down to stand up. I thought it was going to throw me off!

I've rode an elephant, surprisingly it was in Canada!
Dina VagabondQuest on April 9th, 2010 7:50 pm

Might as well commenting again, I love this article of yours! I've rode an Indonesian ojek before. It's pretty much a motorcycle ride, you pay the driver to take you somewhere. One customer only per ojek.

In Santorini, people usually approach by water. The city is on much higher elevation than the dock. One of the options how to go up is by donkey ride. I don't have other donkey ride experience, but these donkeys of Santorini have this annoying hobby to walk really close to the road edge. Your choice is between having your knees scraped by the stone road wall or wondering whether the donkey will fall the cliff when it walks on other road edge. It sometimes also slips on donkey droppings that pretty much cover the whole way. But I love it
admin on April 11th, 2010 3:55 am

LOL I had the same donkey experience, but it was in Jordan, visiting the Petra. The poor donkey had to carry my weight up and down steep rocky slopes and many times, I thought we were both gonna fall! But it turned out to be an amusing experience.

Santorini is so pretty, isn’t it? We rented a car to get around instead, some of the best times I’ve had.
Dina VagabondQuest on April 11th, 2010 3:16 am

Yea, so apparently donkeys behaving the same here and there!

Santorini was indeed gorgeous. We rented a four wheeler and explore the main island. The sunset was one of my favourites ever!
robert on April 23rd, 2010 5:38 pm

this is stuiped website
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Tom Volpe on May 18th, 2010 3:44 pm

What a great post! I love using weird and wonderful forms of transport, its one of the things that travelling is all about!
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Charlotte on June 23rd, 2010 3:45 am

Riding elephants up into the jungle of Thailand and then camping on the river. I mean on the river in a house boat is a dream weekend. It is challenging and exhausting, though when you return to your homely comforts this trip will remain in the memory forever. A bit like an elephant.
Maddalena on June 30th, 2010 1:09 pm

I am so disappointed to see that you have listed elelphant riding in Thailand as a desirable activity. Some research would have uncovered that elephants used for riding are often badly mistreated, their handlers (or mahouts) using sharp picks to jab at the elephants to keep them in line. An elephant's spirit is broken in a frightful ritual in which they are beaten and are deprived of food, water and sleep. This is a terrible life for an elephant and elephant riding, while profitable for the owners, is not so rewarding for the elephant that does all the work. Might I recommend shifting the focus towards saving elephant rather than exploiting them – see http://www.elephantnaturepark.org for what one group is doing in order to improve the way in which elephants are treated. Please do go to Thailand – it's a beautiful country with lovely people but stay off the elephants.