Outside connections in Cities: Skylines explained

How highway, rail, shipping and air connections work, why they matter, and which maps have the most of each.

Outside connections link your city to the rest of the world. Each map has a different number of highway, rail, shipping and air routes, and the number is shown on every map page as incoming and outgoing routes.

What they do

Outside connections let new residents and visitors arrive, and let goods move in and out. That makes them important for growth, trade and tourism. A city that cannot import or export easily is harder to run, so check them before you commit to a map.

Highways

Highways are the main entry point on almost every map. They bring in new citizens and freight trucks. Place your first industrial and commercial areas close to the highway entrance so freight does not drive through housing.

Rail

Railways bring in passengers and freight by train. They are efficient for heavy goods. On a map with strong rail links you can build a rail yard early. The maps with the most rail routes:

1. Arid Plains 4
2. Black Woods 4
3. Desert Oasis 4
4. Frosty Rivers 4
5. Frozenshire 4

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Some maps have no rail connection at all, so you must rely on roads, ships or planes.

Shipping

Shipping channels allow cargo and passenger ships. A cargo harbour on a map with several shipping routes is a strong way to export goods. The maps with the most shipping routes:

1. Cavern Coast 4
2. Eden Valley 4
3. Fisher Enclave 4
4. Frosty Rivers 4
5. Green Peaks 4

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Air

Air routes bring in visitors by plane. An airport lets tourists arrive without crowding the roads. The maps with the most air routes:

1. Arid Plains 4
2. Asanu Beach 4
3. Azure Gulf 4
4. Black Woods 4
5. Cavern Coast 4

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Choosing a map by connections

• For easy growth, look for several highway and rail connections.
• For a port city, look for many shipping routes and lots of water.
• For a challenge, choose a map with few connections and make them count.

See how to choose a map for the full checklist.

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