In & On; Prepositions for Transportation

Do you know why we say the following?

Get in a rowing boat. BUT, Get on a ferry. (both sea)

Or

Get in a taxi. BUT, Get on a bus. (both land)

Or

Get in a fighter jet. BUT, Get on a 747. (both air)

Many students learn that you get ON a bus or ferry but IN a car or taxi.  However, when they come across an unfamiliar form of transportation they are not sure what the correct preposition to use is. (Even many high level, or advanced students have some difficulty)  This is because they have never been taught the rules about when to use in & on with transportation.  Instead, they have just memorized example sentence patterns.  So, here I will give you the rules.

Rules for using ON

If passengers can stand up, use on.

*skateboard

*train

*bus

*tram / streetcar / trolley

*coach

*cruise liner

*ferry

*surfboard

*escalator

*plane

Rules for using IN

In is used for enclosed spaces that are impossible, or difficult to stand up in.

*car

*taxi

*limousine

*kayak

*Toyota Prius

*jet fighter

*helicopter

I hope this helps!  Oh, and if your looking at the picture at the top of the page and thinking about the bicycle...can you stand up when riding a bicycle, or a motorbike, or even a horse?