Buzz
Whether in San Diego or Singapore, everyone aims to reach their workplace swiftly and conveniently. For most, the daily commute involves enduring crowded underground spaces or being trapped in endless traffic jams.
Naturally, this routine doesn’t suit everyone. Whether for speed, comfort, or simply to stand out, the following list highlights how some individuals have abandoned the mundane for their own unique and extraordinary commutes.
10. Paramotor
On most workdays, Paul Cox arrives at his office carrying a four-stroke motor in a suitcase. Paul isn’t a mechanic or an aspiring engineer; he simply uses a paramotor to fly to work when the weather permits. His 10-mile journey in Anglesey, Wales, allows him to soar above traffic as he heads to Holyhead Boatyard, where he works for the Royal Navy.
Preparing his £8,000 motor each morning can be time-consuming, but Paul insists the breathtaking coastal views make it all worthwhile. However, paramotoring to work isn’t without its dangers. In 2019, Tom Prince, who had taken up paramotoring specifically for his commute, tragically lost his life after colliding with a power line.
9. Rail Cart
A simple online image search of the Philippines reveals stunning tropical islands and dense forests. Beyond the glossy tourism campaigns aimed at the western world, the country faces stark realities, with over 4.5 million homeless residents and 21.6% of its population living below the poverty line.
In Manila, many homeless individuals offer a widely used but perilous transportation service. Known as ‘trolley boys,’ they push makeshift rail carts—often wooden benches fitted with train wheels—along the city’s intricate train tracks. For some, these carts double as beds after grueling 16-hour workdays.
Costing just 2 cents per kilometer, this service is significantly cheaper than buses or trains. It’s also more direct and avoids traffic entirely. However, these benefits come with serious risks. The train lines remain operational, and fatalities are not uncommon, with near-misses happening regularly. The trolley boys depend on their familiarity with train schedules to ensure safe journeys for themselves and their passengers. Nearly every trolley boy and many commuters have a harrowing tale of a close call.
8. Climbing
As children, most of us reached school by walking a short distance, riding a bus, or being driven by our parents. However, for the kids of Zhang Jiawan village in southern China, the journey to school resembles an extreme adventure. A precarious system of wooden ladders assists the students, some as young as five, in scaling the Badagong mountains to reach their school perched at the top. One might wonder if the person who chose this location was having a particularly bad day or simply lacked foresight.
The ladders are not fixed in place but instead lean against the rocky terrain. With no safety precautions, the children are simply told not to look down as they climb. Despite efforts to persuade the government to construct a safer route, the estimated $10 million cost means the 100 residents of Zhang Jiawan will have to wait much longer for a solution.
If the ladders aren’t appealing, there’s an alternative: a four-hour cross-country detour.
7. Wicker Sledges
During the 19th century, wicker sledges, similar to toboggans, were employed to carry residents down the slopes of Monte to Madeira’s city center. Operated by two ‘carreiros,’ who still don traditional white cotton outfits and straw hats, this was the preferred transportation method for local businessmen.
Today, these toboggan sledges are mainly a tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors gliding down the roads annually. The popular 2km route to Livramento takes about 10 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 48km/h. A ride costs approximately €30, and it’s still possible to spot local businessmen occasionally using this historic mode of transport.
6. Swimming
If someone suggested swimming through a river filled with water snakes to get to work, you’d likely refuse. Yet, for Abdul Malik, a teacher in Kerala, India, a 1.5km swim is the preferred alternative to a 24km road trip. Since 1994, Malik has been swimming across the river to reach the Muslim Lower Primary School, using an inflatable tube for buoyancy and carrying his supplies in a plastic bag. After emerging from the water, he changes into dry clothes and walks the short distance to school.
Even during monsoon seasons, Malik continues his aquatic commute, prioritizing time efficiency. He explains that the conventional route involves traffic, multiple bus transfers, and a longer distance. Additionally, he takes his students swimming, and together they collect plastic and debris from the river during their trips.
However, for the past two years, Malik has been forced to take the longer route to school due to increased responsibilities following the headmaster’s retirement.
5. Kayaking
Anyone who has endured the London Underground during rush hour understands the true meaning of confinement and discomfort. Since its opening in January 1863, the Tube network has served approximately 2 million daily commuters. With London’s population steadily increasing since 1988, the system is more overcrowded than ever. Despite numerous upgrades over the years, the capacity remains limited by the original dimensions of the underground tunnels.
George Bullard is one individual who decided to abandon the Tube. Having kayaked across the North Atlantic, George is no stranger to unconventional choices. After becoming disillusioned with life at sea, he traded his hour-long Tube commute for a serene 90-minute kayak journey along the River Thames. However, this alternative comes with its own set of challenges, including tides, weather conditions, and navigating around larger vessels, leaving no opportunity for a pre-work nap.
When it comes to London’s unpredictable weather, George simply accepts it as “part of the deal.”
4. Zip Wire
When you think of zip wires, images of James Bond or action heroes might come to mind. However, for the families of Acacías, located 40 miles southeast of Bogota, Colombia, a 1,300-foot steel zip wire is the fastest way to reach the opposite mountainside, where the nearest town lies. Children use this method to travel to school, reaching speeds of up to 64km/h while suspended 365 meters (1,200 feet) above the Rio Negro river. They control their speed by pressing a wooden fork against the cables. Younger children who cannot travel alone are carried in jute bags.
This system isn’t new. In 1804, German explorer Alexander von Humboldt first observed locals using hemp ropes for transportation. Although a hiking trail was recently established, taking about 2 hours, the zip wires remain the preferred choice due to their speed and convenience. Beyond transporting people, locals also use the cables to move goods across the valley.
3. Private Jet
For most, flying in a private jet is a distant dream. For Curt von Badinski, however, it’s his daily commute. Traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco, a distance of over 568km each way, von Badinski spends six hours every day on his journey to and from work.
By undergoing a background check, von Badinski can bypass the standard security procedures required for regular travelers. So, what’s the cost? Each month, he pays $2,300 to Surf Air, granting him unlimited flights on a single-engine turboprop plane.
Aware of the significant carbon footprint associated with his mode of transport, von Badinski uses a hybrid vehicle for the drive from Oakland Airport to San Francisco to ease his guilt over the environmental impact of his commute. He also makes a point to check San Francisco’s weather daily and dress accordingly, as it often differs drastically from the climate in Los Angeles.
One can’t help but wonder if he’s ever thought about relocating closer to work.
2. Swimming
Another individual who has embraced swimming as a daily commute is 42-year-old Benjamin David. Tired of Munich’s congested streets, David packs his essentials—laptop, suit, and shoes—into a waterproof bag, dons a wetsuit, and dives into the Isar River. Since he works at a riverside bar, his unique commute takes him directly to his workplace.
Mr. David attributes the ease of his commute to the river’s current. His nearly 2km journey takes just 12 minutes and involves more floating than swimming, aided by the inflatable waterproof bag he carries. David insists his route is both quicker and more relaxing than traditional commuting methods. However, he wears rubber sandals to shield his feet from any hazards on the riverbed.
1. Rowing
From 1997 to 2016, 74-year-old Gabriel Horchler rowed to work every morning as the Head of the Law Cataloguing section at the Library of Congress. The idea struck him while stuck in traffic on his motorbike, gazing at the Anacostia River. His commute, bookended by two 15-minute cycling trips, totaled 90 minutes door-to-door.
Horchler chose biking and rowing for the tranquility, health benefits, and the wildlife he encounters along the way. But the primary motivation was avoiding traffic and other commuters. Like others on this list, his unconventional choice isn’t without challenges. Sudden rainstorms and shifting winds have caused him to capsize three times.
In 2016, Gabriel retired from his role at the library, though he can still occasionally be seen rowing along the Anacostia River.
+ Paddleboard
A bonus spot goes to Scott Holt, who paddleboarded across the Hudson River in a suit to make it to a meeting. When Holt discovered his train was delayed due to signal issues and the ferry was too costly, he did what any resourceful person would do—grabbed his paddleboard. Photos of his crossing went viral on social media, capturing widespread attention.
A comedian by profession, Holt had a crucial meeting with a potential manager that he couldn’t afford to miss. Since this was a one-time event, Scott doesn’t earn a permanent spot on the list, but his feat remains incredibly impressive nonetheless!
