London
Forever immortalised in classic films such as Alfie and the sinister Hitchock shocker, Frenzy, the River Thames is one of London’s most recognisable symbols. Offering more than touristy pleasures and guided tours, the curvaceous river serves as an ideal commuting path. The city’s river bus service- which is operated by Transport for London and accepts the local travel pass scheme, Oyster- runs from Hampton Court Pier in the west, and through to Woolwich Arsenal Pier in the east. The service runs every 20 minutes during peak hours, and the most common route for business commuters is between London Bridge and Canary Wharf. The journey takes a modest 13 minutes, which saves a great deal of time, not to mention cutting out on pollution, as compared to travelling the same stretch in conventional traffic. To further utilise the convenience of river transportation, culturally inclined folks can board Tate Gallery’s special boat service and travel to and fro Tate Modern and Tate Britain, both of which are situated near the riverside, but at opposite ends of town.
Sydney
Sydney-siders are spoilt with an enviable quality of life, one of the reasons is that many have the option to travel to work on water. Ferries regularly run from Circular Quay, Sydney’s well-renowned harbour, situated next to the landmark that is the Sydney Opera House. Extensive and well-rounded, the ferry network connects to all of 39 destinations and spans approximately 37km. Stops include Watsons Bay Manly, Balmain, Double Bay and Parramatta, as well as more touristy spots like Toronga Zoo. For the business traveller with time to spare for leisurely activities, boat trips to different basins and harbours allows for some extraordinary experiences, such as mingling with the semi-tame Wallabies and Kookaburras at the national park of Pitwater. To get there, catch a ferry from Palm Beach, and get off at the camping ground, Basin.
Stockholm
Stockholm is a city surrounded by water, something that locals take advantage of to the full. There are countless ways to embark on nautical expeditions in and around the Swedish capital, and the plethora of ferries, boats and cruise ships that line the harbours is vast. A trip to Stockholm without hopping on a boat and exploring the city’s extraordinary archipelago is considered something of a sin. If visiting Stockholm on business without much time to spare for sightseeing, a good way to explore the city’s historical centre is to join one of the historical canal tours that travels along the narrow waterways that snake around the Old Town, and continues out on Lake Mälaren.
Berlin
Berlin’s two rivers, Havel and Spree, function as the city’s natural arteries. Berlin’s waterways are perhaps not as sophisticated as those found at the above mentioned nautical prime locations, at least not in terms of commuting. Yet, Berlin still makes the cut as travelling along the river offers some spectacular views and the chance to take in many of the city’s historical sites as well as the cityscape’s more industrial quarters that can be just as intriguing. A wide range of cruises and shorter trips are available, including day and night cruises, as well as shorter journeys designed to transport Berliners and tourists from one end of town to the other.
