Check out the 12 best subway systems in the world

For over 1.5 centuries, subways have been one of the most important modes of transportation in many countries. Below are the top 12 best subway systems in the world , according to CNN.

Điểm danh 12 hệ thống tàu điện ngầm tốt nhất thế giới

A modern underground train system in London. (Source: AP)

London Underground

The London Underground is the oldest and largest underground railway system in the world.

In January 1863, the first steam-powered railway line ran through the streets between Paddington and Farringdon, marking the birth of a new and convenient passenger transport system.

More than just a public transport system, the London Underground is a global cultural icon. Currently, the system has expanded to 272 stations across 11 lines with a network of 400km of track, allowing over 4 million people in the UK to easily travel to almost anywhere in the city.

Despite its name, "Underground," 55% of the railway system is built above ground.

The Underground system has helped Britain lead the world in architecture and transport systems for over a century, contributing to London's development into one of the world's largest cities.

Beijing Metro

Beijing has one of the longest and busiest subway systems in the world. (Source: Getty Images)

Opened in 1971, despite being a century later than the London Underground, the Beijing Metro (China) has quickly developed into one of the longest and busiest systems in the world.

According to CNN , the system comprises 27 lines (6 of which are fully automated with driverless trains) spanning 836 km across the Chinese capital and surrounding areas, with 490 stations. It served over 10 million passengers per day before the Covid-19 pandemic (3.84 billion passengers in 2018).

Beijing is planning to expand its subway system to over 1,000 km to accommodate 18.5 million trips per day by 2025, in order to combat traffic congestion.

With fares starting from just $0.40 per trip and free rides for certain groups such as children under 1.3 meters tall, people over 65, and people with disabilities, this subway system is trusted and widely used by the public.

Copenhagen Metro

The subway system makes it easier and more convenient for people to travel around downtown Copenhagen. (Source: stateofgreen)

Repeatedly voted "World's Best Metro System" by international railway experts, the Copenhagen Metro is renowned for its automated trains operating 24/7, connecting 39 clean and beautiful stations, and transporting over one billion passengers since the first line opened in 2002.

The Copenhagen Metro system, designed in the simple Scandi style, is renowned for its cleanliness and punctuality. Although the trains are shorter than international standards, they operate with impressive frequency during peak hours, with a train every two minutes. Outside of peak hours, trains depart every three minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night.

Paris Metro

The entrance canopy is in the Art Nouveau style of the Paris Métro, designed by Hector Guimard. (Source: CNN)

Like the London Underground, the Paris Metro is an integral part of the French capital's cultural identity, connecting world-famous landmarks, museums, and art galleries. With 308 stations on 16 lines, mostly within the city, the Paris Metropolitain has been one of the world's most iconic structures since 1900.

The Paris Métro boasts a unique character with its contemporary art-inspired awnings, a hallmark of Hector Guimard. Underground stations like Arts-et-Metiers on Line 11, with its steampunk style reminiscent of Jules Verne, the charming Cité on Line 4, or the brutalist tropical garden at Gare de Lyon on Line 14, create a captivating contrast to the standard white, glazed tunnel sections.

Paris is investing billions of dollars in new and upgraded automated subway lines to improve mobility, with the city aiming for stations to serve 1.5 billion people annually by 2040.

Tokyo subway

Tokyo's subway system operates 24/7. (Source: Getty Images)

Tokyo is a large metropolis, renowned for its modern and complex urban transportation system. The subway has become a quick and easy way to get around the city.

The Tokyo Metro is one of the busiest subway systems in the world, serving over 8 million passengers daily across 13 lines operated independently by Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Trains run continuously from early morning until late at night, with frequencies up to 24 times per hour, and many stations operate beyond their rated capacity – some even reaching 200% of their design capacity.

Seoul Metro

The Seoul Metro system is considered one of the best in the world due to factors such as efficiency, technology, and safety. (Source: ceodestinations.com)

If losing your phone and Wi-Fi connection on the subway scares you, head to Seoul, South Korea, to experience some incredible conveniences. In keeping with the high-tech orientation of this ultra-modern city, Seoul Metro users can continue making calls and browsing the web completely free of charge without interruption, even underground, or watch TV on screens installed throughout the train cars.

Furthermore, the trains are equipped with air conditioning and even heated seats to make traveling in winter more comfortable for passengers. Clean, efficient, safe, reasonably priced, and serving most areas of the city, the 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 world's largest subway systems, transporting nearly seven million passengers daily. The subway network comprises 22 lines, encompassing 746 stations and covering the entire Seoul metropolitan area, the Inch area, and several cities in Gyeonggi Province.

New York City Subway

Despite being called the "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," this 1,070-kilometer-long railway system, with 25 lines and 472 stations, is intimately connected to the city's social, cultural, and economic life. Every day, it transports more than 3.5 million passengers.

Despite being called the "subway," much of NYC's system runs above ground, often on sturdy steel bridges spanning streets—a familiar sight in films like The French Connection and Saturday Night Fever .

Furthermore, the city government consistently sponsors and organizes music and art activities within this system. Competitions and art festivals attract a large number of talented artists right within the New York subway system.

Mexico City STC Metro

Mexico City's STC Metro network has been operating since 1969. (Source: Alamy)

Mexico City is notorious for its severe traffic congestion and environmental pollution, but fortunately, residents and tourists have the option of traveling on a fast, extensive, and efficient transportation system with 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 225 km of track. Instead of using conventional steel wheels on steel tracks, the STC subway uses a system similar to many Paris Métro lines, with rubber tires on steel wheels, providing a smoother and quieter ride on Mexico City's unstable and earthquake-prone terrain. This decision proved wise, as the STC Metro system continued to operate normally after the 1985 earthquake.

Remarkably, Metro STC trains offer the cheapest fares in the world. At just 5 pesos (approximately $0.25 USD) per trip, it's the fastest and most affordable way for travelers to get around this vast metropolis.

Singapore MRT

The Singapore MRT is a modern, high-speed public transportation network in Singapore. (Source: vietnam.vn)

Despite only being operational since 1987, the Singapore MRT (Singapore Rapid Transit) is the oldest and busiest subway network in Southeast Asia.

Due to high land prices at the time of construction, the Singapore MRT became the world's most expensive subway system, costing $111.5 billion in 2021. Spanning 225 km across 6 lines, the fully automated network is built above ground, with some recently constructed sections located underground and designed as public shelters against air raids.

The MRT is renowned for its cleanliness and efficiency. To maintain that, smoking, drinking, and eating are prohibited at stations and on trains – including durian, a favorite fruit of many locals.

Berlin U-Bahn

With over 3.7 million inhabitants, Berlin boasts one of the world's most densely packed and integrated urban transport systems. This 120-year-old infrastructure has witnessed turbulent periods in history, as Berlin served as a focal point during World War II and the Cold War.

First put into operation in 1902, Berlin's early U-Bahn lines had a classic style similar to those in Paris and New York City. Bright yellow trains rumbled through suburban streets, crossing classic steel overpasses before hurtling through narrow tunnels beneath the city center.

Today, Berlin's subway network comprises 9 U-Bahn lines with 174 stations (90% of which are underground), transporting more than 1.5 million passengers daily.

In addition to the U-Bahn subway network, the S-Bahn system comprises 16 main lines in Berlin, connecting the city's most important locations with the wider region. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains connect with local buses and trams in the city center, creating an excellent transport network reaching every corner of Berlin.

Moscow Metro

Many Soviet-era stations on the Moscow subway system were designed to resemble palaces for the residents. (Source: AP)

The magnificent Moscow Metro is one of the greatest engineering feats of the Soviet Union. This transport system is most famous for its incredibly grandiose subway stations, lavishly decorated to honor the working class, peasants, and soldiers. Furthermore, the network was designed to protect the population from nuclear attacks while also maintaining transportation.

To this day, these subway stations have become tourist attractions with their architecture and decor inspired by the palaces of the Tsars.

The Moscow Metro network has now expanded significantly, with 14 lines radiating from the city center. It has become one of the world's busiest and most extensive metro systems, with 432 km of track and 258 stations, transporting over 8 million people daily.

Shanghai Mass Rapid Transit

Shanghai continues to plan for expansion 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 vibrant center of innovation, commerce, and finance for the country of over a billion people. Public transportation has played a crucial role in Shanghai's remarkable development over the past 30 years.

Opened in 1993, the Shanghai Metro (SMRT) quickly expanded at a breakneck pace to become the world's longest and busiest metro network. Currently, the system has 19 lines serving 14 of the city's 16 districts and a metropolitan area with nearly 40 million inhabitants.

Competing with Beijing for the title of the world's longest and busiest subway network with over 800 km of track, the SMRT boasts 408 stations and currently transports more than 10 million passengers daily. The most impressive record this public transport system has ever set was 13.3 million trips on March 8, 2019.

However, Shanghai is not stopping there; it continues to plan for expansion to 1,000 km and 25 lines by 2025. By then, no place in central Shanghai will be more than 600 meters from a subway station.

Source