For more than 1.5 centuries, subways have been an important means of transportation in many countries. Below are the top 12 best subway systems in the world according to CNN.
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| Modern underground train system in London. (Source: AP) |
London Underground
The London Underground is the oldest and largest subway system in the world.
In January 1863, the first steam railway ran under the streets between Paddington and Farringdon, marking the birth of a new convenient passenger transport system.
More than just a public transport system, the London Underground is a global cultural icon. Today, the system spans 272 stations on 11 lines and a network of 400km of track, providing over 4 million British citizens with easy access to almost every corner of the city.
Despite the name “Underground,” 55% of the rail system is built above ground.
The underground system has helped Britain lead the world in architecture and transport systems for more than a century, contributing to London's development into one of the world's greatest cities.
Beijing Metro
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| Beijing is home to one of the longest and busiest subway systems in the world. (Source: Getty Images) |
Opened in 1971, despite being a century later than London's underground, the Beijing (China) subway has quickly grown to become one of the longest and busiest systems in the world.
According to CNN , the system includes 27 lines (6/27 lines are fully automated with driverless trains) stretching 836 km across the Chinese capital and surrounding areas with 490 stations. Serving more than 10 million trips/day before the Covid-19 pandemic (3.84 billion trips in 2018).
Beijing is planning to expand its subway system by more than 1,000 km to accommodate 18.5 million trips per day by 2025, to deal with traffic congestion.
With ticket prices starting from only 0.4 USD/trip and free policies for some groups such as children under 1.3 meters tall, people over 65 years old, people with disabilities, etc., this subway system is trusted and widely used by people.
Copenhagen Metro
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| The metro system makes it easier and more convenient for people to move around Copenhagen's inner city. (Source: stateofgreen) |
Repeatedly voted “Best Metro System in the World” by international railway experts, the Copenhagen Metro is famous for its 24/7 automated trains, connecting 39 clean and beautiful stations, carrying more than one billion passengers since the first line opened in 2002.
The Copenhagen Metro, designed in a simple Scandi style, is renowned for its cleanliness and punctuality. Although the trains are short by international standards, they operate with an impressive frequency of one train every two minutes during peak hours. Outside of peak hours, trains depart every three minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night.
Paris Metro
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| The Paris Métro's art nouveau entrance canopy, designed by Hector Guimard. (Source: CNN) |
Like the London Underground, the Paris Métro is part of the cultural identity of the French capital, connecting world-famous landmarks, museums and art galleries. With 308 stations on 16 lines, most of them located within the city, the Paris Métropolitain has been one of the most iconic structures in the world since 1900.
The Paris Métro is unique with its signature art nouveau awnings by Hector Guimard. Underground stations like the Jules Verne-inspired steampunk Arts-et-Metiers on Line 11, the charming Cité on Line 4 or the brutalist tropical garden at Gare de Lyon on Line 14 create a fascinating contrast to the standard white enamelled tunnels.
Paris is investing billions of dollars in new and upgraded automated metro lines to improve mobility, with the city aiming to have stations serving 1.5 billion people a year by 2040.
Tokyo subway
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| Tokyo's subway runs 24/7. (Source: Getty Images) |
Tokyo is a large metropolis, famous for its modern and complex urban transportation system. The subway is a quick and easy way to move around the city.
The Tokyo Metro is one of the busiest subway systems in the world, serving over 8 million passengers a day, and consists of 13 lines operated by Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Trains run from early morning until late at night, up to 24 times an hour, and many stations operate beyond their rated capacity – some at 200% of their design capacity.
Seoul Metro
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| The Seoul Metro system is considered one of the best in the world for factors such as efficiency, technology, and safety. (Source: ceodestinations.com) |
If the thought of losing your phone and Wi-Fi connection on the subway scares you, head to Seoul, South Korea, for some incredible conveniences. In keeping with the hyper-modern city’s high-tech orientation, Seoul Metro users can continue to make phone calls and browse the web completely free of charge without interruption even while underground, or watch TV on screens throughout the train cars.
Not stopping there, the trains are all equipped with air conditioning and even have heated seats to make winter travel more comfortable for passengers. Clean, efficient, safe, affordable and serving most areas of the city, Seoul Metro is considered by many experts to be the best subway system in the world.
Since the opening of Line 1 in 1974, the Seoul Metro is now one of the largest subway systems in the world, carrying nearly seven million passengers a day. The subway network has 22 lines, 746 stations, and covers the entire Seoul metropolitan area, the Incheon area, and several cities in Kyunggi Province.
New York City Subway
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| Although it is called a “subway,” the majority of NYC’s system runs above ground. (Source: capturetheatlas.com) |
The New York City subway system is one of the oldest in the world and the busiest in North America. Dubbed the “train that never sleeps,” the 1,070-km long, 25-line, 472-station system is integral to the social, cultural, and economic life of the city. Every day, the system carries more than 3.5 million passengers.
Although called a “subway,” much of NYC's system runs above ground, often on sturdy steel bridges spanning streets, an image familiar from movies like The French Connection and Saturday Night Fever .
Not only that, the city government always sponsors and organizes music and art activities in this system. Competitions and art festivals attract the participation of many talented artists right in the heart of the New York subway system.
Mexico City STC Metro
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| Mexico City's STC Metro network has been operating since 1969. (Source: Alamy) |
Mexico City is notorious for its severe traffic congestion and pollution, but fortunately, residents and visitors have the option of getting around via a fast, extensive, and efficient transit system that offers some of the cheapest fares in the world.
Opened in 1969, the STC Metro System is now the second largest subway system in North America – after New York City – with 12 lines, 195 stations (115 underground) and over 140 miles of track. Instead of using conventional steel wheels on steel tracks, the STC Metro uses a system similar to many Paris Métro lines with rubber tires on steel wheels, providing a smoother and quieter ride over Mexico City’s unstable and earthquake-prone terrain. This decision proved to be a wise one as the STC Metro system continued to operate normally after the 1985 earthquake.
What's special is that Metro STC trains have the cheapest tickets in the world. At only 5 Pesos (about 0.25 USD) per trip, this is the fastest and cheapest way for tourists to travel around this vast metropolis.
Singapore MRT
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| Singapore MRT is a modern high-speed public transport network in Singapore. (Source: vietnam.vn) |
Although only put into operation in 1987, the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore MRT) is the oldest and busiest metro network in Southeast Asia.
Due to high land prices at the time of construction, Singapore MRT became the most expensive subway system in the world with a construction cost of up to 111.5 billion USD in 2021 with a length of 225 km, 6 lines, a fully automated network built above ground, some recently built sections are underground and designed as public shelters against air raids.
The MRT is known for being clean and efficient. To maintain that, smoking, drinking and eating are banned at stations and on board – including durian, a favourite fruit of many locals.
Berlin U-Bahn
With over 3.7 million inhabitants, Berlin boasts one of the densest and best-integrated urban transport systems in the world. The 120-year-old structure has witnessed tumultuous periods in history, as Berlin became the epicenter of World War II and the Cold War.
First opened in 1902, Berlin's first U-Bahn lines were similar in style to those in Paris and New York City. Bright yellow trains rumbled through suburban streets, crossing over old-fashioned steel overpasses before plunging into small tunnels beneath the city center.
Today, the Berlin metro network consists of nine U-Bahn lines with 174 stations (90% of which are underground), transporting more than 1.5 million passengers every day.
In addition to the U-Bahn underground network, Berlin's S-Bahn system of 16 arterial lines connects the city's most important locations with the wider area. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains connect with local buses and trams in the centres, creating an excellent transport network that reaches every corner of Berlin.
Moscow Metro
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| Many Soviet-era stations of the Moscow Metro system were designed as palaces for the people. (Source: AP) |
The magnificent Moscow Metro is one of the greatest engineering feats of the Soviet Union. It is best known for its extravagantly decorated stations that pay tribute to the working class, peasants, and soldiers. The network was designed to protect people from nuclear attack as well as keep traffic moving.
Today, these metro stations have become tourist attractions with their architecture and décor inspired by Tsarist palaces.
The Moscow Metro network now has 14 lines radiating from the city center. The Moscow Metro has become one of the busiest and most extensive metro systems in the world, with 432 km of track and 258 stations, transporting more than 8 million people every day.
Shanghai Mass Rapid Transit
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| Shanghai continues to plan to expand to 1,000 km and 25 lines by 2025. (Source: railway-technology.com) |
If Beijing is the political center of China, then Shanghai is the country's vibrant financial, commercial and creative hub. Public transportation has played a key role in Shanghai's incredible growth over the past 30 years.
Opened in 1993, the Shanghai Metro Rail Transit System (SMRT) has rapidly expanded to become the world's longest and busiest metro network. It now has 19 lines serving 14 of the city's 16 districts and a metropolitan area of nearly 40 million people.
Competing with Beijing for the title of the world’s longest and busiest metro network, with over 800km of track, SMRT has 408 stations and currently carries over 10 million passengers a day. The most impressive record set by the public transport system was 13.3 million trips on March 8, 2019.
However, it does not stop there, Shanghai continues to plan to expand to 1,000 km and 25 lines by 2025. By that time, no place in central Shanghai will be more than 600 meters from a subway station.
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