The London metro, which opened on January 9, 1863, was the first underground public transportation system in the world. Since then, metro systems have proliferated across the globe, connecting cities and facilitating urban mobility. Today, there are about 140 metro networks, and some of them are impressive in terms of size. Are you ready to travel through the largest metro systems in the world? Here are the top 10:

10 – Nanjing Metro

The Nanjing metro in China is one of the country’s most impressive networks, with 139 stations and a length of 260.5 kilometers. To put that into perspective, the Lisbon metro, which is the largest network in Portugal, has only 44 kilometers. A true giant compared to Lisbon’s system!

9 – Shenzhen Metro

Shenzhen, also in China, is another example of a large-scale metro system. Opened in 2004, the city’s metro has 199 stations and a length of 286.2 kilometers. Believe it or not, it’s still far from being the largest metro in the world, but it’s already a marvel of public transportation!

8 – Guangzhou Metro

The Guangzhou metro system is equally impressive, with 186 stations and a length of 308.7 kilometers. This metro serves one of China’s largest cities, allowing millions of people to move quickly and efficiently.

7 – Madrid Metro

The Madrid metro, which opened in 1919, is the second-oldest on this list. The Spanish city has 319 stations and a length of 311 kilometers. Madrid has continued to expand its metro network over the years, with the last major extension taking place in 2015, ensuring one of the most comprehensive metro systems in Europe.

6 – Seoul Metro

The Seoul metro in South Korea is a peculiar case. Although it has 21 lines, only 9 of them operate within the city of Seoul. Counting these 9 lines, the system has a length of 331.5 kilometers. However, if we consider all 21 lines, the length reaches an impressive 1108.7 kilometers, making it the longest metro system in the world in terms of total track length.

5 – Moscow Metro

Russia’s capital, Moscow, is famous for its grand metro, with 206 stations spread across 400.2 kilometers of tracks. Although the city’s central circle, often considered outside the metro system, is not included in the official measurement, the actual length of the Moscow metro is 346.1 kilometers. A high-level metro system indeed!

4 – New York City Metro

The New York City metro is one of the most famous in the world and also one of the largest. The network has 394 kilometers of track, placing the city’s metro in fourth position on this list. However, if we consider the train tracks and commuter trains, the length reaches an impressive 1370 kilometers, equivalent to almost the distance from Lisbon to Geneva!

3 – London Metro

The London metro, the first of its kind, not only made history but is still one of the largest in the world. With 402 kilometers of track across 270 stations, the London system remains one of the largest public transportation infrastructures on the planet.

2 – Beijing Metro

Beijing, China, has a vast metro network covering 574 kilometers across 345 stations, spread across 19 lines. The city continues to expand its metro system to cater to its growing population, making it one of the largest metropolitan systems in the world.

1 – Shanghai Metro

And finally, the largest metro system in the world is in China, specifically in Shanghai. With 364 stations and 588 kilometers of track, this system was opened in 1993 and has since been one of the most impressive transportation infrastructures in the world. A testament to innovation and rapid growth!

Conclusion

Metro systems around the world are true testaments to the evolution of urban infrastructure. From London to Shanghai, each of these systems plays a crucial role in the life of their respective cities, allowing for more efficient mobility and reducing car dependency. If you’re ready to explore the world beneath your feet, you now have an idea of the largest and most notable metro networks! Have you ridden on any of these massive metro systems?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the largest metro system in the world?

A: The largest metro system in the world is the Shanghai Metro, with 364 stations and 588 kilometers of track.