The top subway systems in the world have one thing in common: they offer a convenient way to traverse the world’s cultural capitals. These top 20 subway destinations were ranked by the top travel app Visited. With the Visited app, you have the world at your fingertips, including personalized travel maps that allow you to browse bucket list destinations across the globe. You can mark off where you’ve been and plan your dream getaway with Visited. Download the Visited app today to optimize your travel plans.
These are the top 20 subway systems in the world, according to Visited travelers:
1. London
London, England’s iconic Underground, is instantly recognizable. The London subway system is known for its striking red trains and deep subterranean levels. It originally opened in 1863, making it the oldest in the world. The extensive network offers 272 stations across 11 subway lines that whisk travelers to sites throughout the Big Smoke. From Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, and the British Museum to Heathrow Airport, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, and Regent Street, the Tube – as it’s called by locals – puts all of London within reach. Over one-third of Tube stations are step-free, offering elevators and ramps to platforms.
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2. New York City
Just below Manhattan’s towering skyscrapers lies an interconnected world that makes it easier to explore the Big Apple. Serving the city since 1904, the NYC Subway is a global icon featured in countless films and television series. Known for its 24/7 operating schedule, express trains, and talented buskers who perform everything from “Showtime” dance moves to cello solos, New York’s subway is a unique experience. With 472 subway stations and 28 subway lines connecting the five boroughs, the subway is the most extensive rapid transit system on the planet. Whether you’re visiting Central Park, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square, or seeing a Grand Slam Final in the U.S. Open and taking in a Broadway show, the subway will get you there. The system also offers connections to Penn Station for AMTRAK intercity rail and commuter rail service, Grand Central Terminal, and JFK International Airport.
3. Paris
The Paris Metro – known as the Métropolitain – has served Paris, France, since 1900. The City of Light’s impressive system is easily reachable, offering stations every 300 to 500 meters (about 0.3 to 0.4 miles). The 300 subway stations are served by 16 subway lines. The stops are marked by Art Nouveau signage that stylishly complements the city’s breathtaking architecture. The Paris Metro is a magical way to explore the city. Whether you want to people-watch in Le Marais and shop at Galeries Lafayette or check out Montmartre and visit Sacré-Cœur, you can do it all with the help of the Metro. For a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, ride Line 6. In tourist-heavy areas, bilingual signage is displayed in French and English.
4. Rome
Charming piazzas, Renaissance art, bustling plazas, delicious eats, and breathtaking architecture abound in culture-rich Rome, Italy. The Rome Metro opened in 1955 and is the oldest subway system in the country. The Rome Metro offers three lines and 73 stations. Though not as extensive as the systems in London and New York, the Rome Metro offers tourists easy access to the Eternal City’s legendary sites such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, the Spanish Steps, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Circus Maximus, and more. The English-friendly system has signage in Italian and English.
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5. Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful and vibrant city, with Gaudi’s breathtaking Park Gueill and captivating Flamenco shows. The capital of Catalonia is well connected by the Barcelona Metro, which has traversed the sun-kissed, oceanfront city since 1863. Barcelona’s subway system includes 189 stations and 12 lines that offer convenient access to attractions such as Barceloneta Beach, Sagrada Familia Basilica, the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal shopping districts, and Ciutadella Park. The accommodating system offers signs in both Spanish and English.
6. Berlin
Berlin, Germany’s U-Bahn, is a history lover’s dream. The system has a long history, as it was impacted by the World Wars and the reunification of East and West Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The U-Bahn began operations in 1869 and has an extensive network encompassing 10 subway lines and 173 stations. The U-Bahn brings attractions such as the Schöneberg gay district, Gardenmarket, the Berlin Concert Hall, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Berlin Zoo, and the East Side Gallery Section of the Berlin Wall, which is covered in colorful murals, within reach. English language signage and train announcements are included in tourist-centric locations in the city.
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7. Amsterdam
The Amsterdam Metro system is an efficient way to see the sites in the Netherlands’ capital city. The Amsterdam subway is a modern system that opened in 1977. It includes five lines, four of which originate or connect from the Amsterdam Centraal major transit hub, and 39 stations. Additionally, Amsterdam is served by an extensive tram network and extensive cycling paths that offer an ideal alternative for exploring the city. In areas frequented by tourists, Dutch and English signage is displayed.
8. Milan
The Milan Metro, officially known as Metropolitana di Milano, opened in 1964 and is the largest and busiest in Italy, with 113 stations served by 5 lines. The subway provides an extensive network with stations near top attractions such as the Duomo di Milano Cathedral, AC Milan football at San Siro Stadium, Sforza Castle, the trendy Navigli District, Pinacoteca di Brera art gallery, and luxury shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. In Milan’s central areas, essential signs and maps are displayed in English and Italian.
9. Prague
The Prague Metro has served Prague, Czech Republic, since 1974. The subway system offers 61 stations served by three lines. The Prague Metro is an efficient and affordable way to explore the Czech Capital, and its signs in both Czech and English make it great for tourists. Popular destinations such as the picturesque Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and Prague Castle are just a sampling of the must-see sites located near subway stations.
10. Brussels
The Brussels Metro opened in 1967 and operates six subway lines that serve 60 stations. Though the Belgian subway system is not as extensive as those found in other European cities, the metro offers easy access to key tourist sites such as the Royal Palace of Brussels, Grand Palace, Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert shopping arcade, King Baudouin Stadium, European Parliament, and high-end shopping at Avenue Louise. The system is easy to navigate, with signs in Dutch, English, and French.
11. Vienna
Vienna, Austria’s U-Bahn, is among the best in Europe and has an extensive network of 109 subway stations served by 5 lines. The Vienna U-Bahn is easy to navigate and offers signage in Dutch and English. Belvedere Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Danube Canal, Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna State Opera, Riesenrad ferris wheel, and Prater Amusement Park are just some of the sights near subway stations. Most stations are wheelchair accessible, making the system an excellent option for travelers with limited mobility.
12. Munich
The Munich U-Bahn opened in 1971, just ahead of the 1972 Munich Olympic games. The system boasts 100 stations served by 11 subway lines. The U-Bahn is known for its fast trains, which run at higher speeds than most European subways, late-night service, and German and English signage in central areas. The Munich U-Bahn provides easy access to the Oktoberfest grounds, Central Square of Munich, Gärtnerplatz Square cafes and theaters, Englischer Garten Park, and Schwabing art galleries and nightlife.
13. Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s Metropolitano de Lisboa, or the Lisbon Metro, has operated since 1959. The system was the first in Portugal and offers 56 stations spread across four subway lines. The tourist-friendly subway offers signage and automated train announcements in Portuguese and English. Stops near tourist attractions are wheelchair accessible. The Metro provides convenient transport around the Portuguese capital. Travelers can access shopping at Baixa-Chiado and enjoy sightseeing at Rossio Square with the help of the Metro. The system also provides direct rides to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport.
14. Budapest
The Budapest Metro, operating since 1896, is among the oldest in Europe. The system consists of four lines that serve 52 stations in the Hungarian capital. Historically significant Line M1 is the oldest electrified underground railway on the European continent. Top sights such as St. Stephen’s Basilica, Szechenyi Baths (the largest thermal baths in Europe), Dohány Street Synagogue, and Budha Castle are just a few of the gems along the city’s subway routes. Signage throughout the system is written in Hungarian and English.
15. Madrid
Metro de Madrid, also known as the Madrid Metro, opened in 1919. The Madrid Metro is the lifeblood of the Spanish capital, with 302 stations and 13 subway lines. Key sightseeing destinations along the subway routes include the Royal Palace of Madrid, Plaza Mayor square, Retiro Park, Puerta del Sol, and shopping and nightlife in the Gran Vía district. The system also offers convenient access to Madrid-Barajas Airport. Signs throughout the Madrid Metro are written in both Spanish and English.
16. Washington, DC
The U.S. capital, Washington D.C., has a subway that opened in 1976. It includes 98 stations served by six subway lines. The D.C. Metro offers convenient access to the city’s major attractions, including the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, Nationals Park, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Capital One Arena, and all Smithsonian museums. The system also offers direct connections to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Union Station for AMTRAK intercity rail service. All stations are wheelchair accessible.
17. Tokyo
Dynamic Tokyo, Japan, boasts a subway system fitting the city’s cutting-edge reputation. The sprawling network of 290 subway stations is served by nine lines. Operating since 1927, the Tokyo Metro is entirely wheelchair accessible. It offers public restrooms, signs and announcements in Japanese and English, and platform doors in select stations. The Tokyo Metro is an exceptional way to explore the metropolis, with stops serving Tokyo Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, bustling Shibuya Crossing, Roppongi Hills, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shinjuku entertainment district, and Koishikawa Korakuen.
18. Athens
The birthplace of democracy, Athens, Greece, has a convenient subway system that opened in 1869. The Athens Metro was rapidly expanded in 2000. Though smaller than systems in London and Paris, the Athens Metro offers three lines and 69 stations that cover the city. Many stations have public restrooms and wheelchair accessibility, and multilingual signs — in Greek and English — are found throughout the system. Noteworthy sights served by the Athens Metro include the Acropolis, Syntagma Square, and Ancient Agora.
19. Copenhagen
Tourists can reach the colorful houses and breathtaking canals of Copenhagen, Denmark, with the Copenhagen Metro. The Copenhagen Metro offers four lines and 39 stations that reach the major tourist sites, such as the Little Mermaid Statue, Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn historic canals, and the Bohemian Christianshavn district. The system is fully accessible and offers public restrooms and multilingual signs in Danish and English.
20. Dubai
The Jewel of the Desert, Dubai, U.A.E., is known for lavish skyscrapers, opulent resorts, and sandy beaches. The city is also home to the equally impressive Dubai Metro subway system, a fully automated system consisting of two lines with 49 stations served by driverless trains. The system opened in 2009. It is fully wheelchair accessible, offering public restrooms, platform doors, women-only seating areas on train cars, and direct access to Dubai International Airport. Tourist attractions such as the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the Gold Souk, and Dubai Museum are located steps away from subway stations.
Travel Wisely
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