Best subway systems in the world

How many of these subway systems have you travelled on?

There are lots of good reasons to try out a city's subway system when you visit. It can give you an idea of what navigating the place is like for the people who actually live there. Plus, stations are often worthwhile attractions in their own right, owing to features such as historical architecture, public art, warrens of shops, and top-of-the-line people-watching. Not to mention that public transit is often the most efficient way to get where you're going. But where can you take the most rewarding underground journeys? Here are the subway systems least likely to give travelers the subterranean homesick blues.

Best subway systems in the world

This list of metro systems includes electrified rapid transit train systems worldwide. In some parts of the world, metro systems are referred to as metro rails , subways , undergrounds , tubes , U-Bahn , or by various acronyms such as MRT or MTR. As of 31 December , [update] cities in 62 countries have a metro system. The London Underground first opened as an underground railway in and its first electrified underground line opened in , [1] making it the world's oldest metro system. The International Association of Public Transport L'Union Internationale des Transports Publics, or UITP defines metro systems as urban passenger transport systems, "operated on their own right of way and segregated from general road and pedestrian traffic". The dividing line between the metro and other modes of public transport , such as light rail [8] [9] and commuter rail , [8] [9] is not always clear. While light rail systems may share roads or have level crossings , a metro system runs, almost always, on a grade-separated exclusive right-of-way , with no access for pedestrians and other traffic. In contrast to commuter rail or light rail, metro systems are primarily used for transport within a city, and have higher service frequencies and substantially higher passenger volume capacities. Most metro systems do not share tracks with freight trains or inter-city rail services. It is not relevant whether the system runs on steel wheels or rubber tyres , or if the power supply is from a third rail or overhead line. The name of the system is not a criterion for inclusion or exclusion.

Additionally, tickets can either be bought in person at kiosks or online in a convenient app. Still, D.

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There are lots of good reasons to try out a city's subway system when you visit. It can give you an idea of what navigating the place is like for the people who actually live there. Plus, stations are often worthwhile attractions in their own right, owing to features such as historical architecture, public art, warrens of shops, and top-of-the-line people-watching. Not to mention that public transit is often the most efficient way to get where you're going. But where can you take the most rewarding underground journeys? Here are the subway systems least likely to give travelers the subterranean homesick blues. These include free Wi-Fi on every train, cars with TV screens for announcements and news clips, stations with extensive, full-color digital signage in several languages Korean, English, Japanese, and Mandarin , and even heated train seats in winter. The red roundel logo, the colorful tilework, and even the subway map have all become icons.

Best subway systems in the world

Traveling around a new city can be a nightmare, but having a reliable and clean mode of transportation makes all the difference. With features like heated seats, WiFi access, and custom-designed, art-filled stations, these subway systems will make traveling around a new city a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Though New Yorkers may complain about the subway, the New York City transit system is in fact one of the best in the world, thanks to its wide reach and the fact that it runs 24 hours a day—barring extreme weather, that is.

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While it can't compete with Spain's capital, Barcelona is proud of its transportation system. The city's Metro yes, that's what the system is called takes residents and travelers on almost million annual trips. Ningbo Rail Transit []. Plus there is something iconic about traversing the subway in New York, if you embrace the quirks. Do your due diligence beforehand to get a grasp on the available options. That said, the subway and buses can get extremely crowded here. The city has also introduced schemes that encourage the use of cargo bikes. Whether you are an annual season ticket holder, or prefer to buy your tickets on-the-fly, each subway system has been scored based on the cost of a single ride, a monthly ticket and if you can pay using contactless methods. Though buses certainly provide access to more places, they are not always reliable or convenient. Quang Ninh Metro. From pet friendly carriages, to step-free access, there are so many factors that make a metro journey comfortable. Guangzhou Metro [Nb 19].

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter. Instead of celebrating their centenary in , the Brugeoise cars are being retired on 12 January to make way for new Chinese versions.

Retrieved 21 December With more than stations covering an expanse of nearly miles, the Tokyo Metro can feel bewilderingly vast. The London Underground first opened as an underground railway in and its first electrified underground line opened in , [1] making it the world's oldest metro system. Bordeaux Metro. Many residents prefer to make their journeys on foot as well since the city is incredibly pedestrian-friendly. Cuttack , Bhubaneswar , Puri. McKinsey ranks Moscow highly in affordability, convenience and efficiency. But this is no creaking relic. The city stands out in terms of payment convenience, accepting numerous forms of payment that are convenient for visitors from different countries. Taichung Metro []. Phnom Penh Metro. Graz U-Bahn []. Shanghai modeled its public transit after New York but has bested its inspiration in almost every way.