The 10 Coolest Subways Around the World

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Subways are not just a means of getting from point A to point B. Across the globe there are entire sub-cultures bubbling beneath your feet. Waste no time, under space awaits you.

MUNICH

The progressive subway architecture of Munich’s underground wonderland pushes the envelope. The U-bahn is made up of mod, technicolor stations with little evidence of human finagling (i.e. no pissed on benches, trash or graffiti). While several stations are old as funk (as far back as the 1930′s), most have been newly renovated to resemble kaleidoscope-like wonders. We like the Sankt-Quirin-Platz station best for its quirky mix of old and new.

PARIS

It couldn’t get any easier than this to navigate the subway system of a non-English speaking country. We love this metro for its quaint charm.. The romantic art nouveau architecture of the second oldest subway system of the world will put you in the mood for public1am nookie on the comfy seats. Brush up on your French, and your train just might meet a tunnel, if you know what we mean.

HONG KONG

While it’s one of the most reliable systems we’ve ever ridden, the Hong Kong subway doesn’t have operators (time to replace all people with robots perhaps?). We think there’s a certain thrill to be on the fast track in a driver-less vehicle, even if the local population is a bit ho-hum about it. To make sure everyone is pleased with their human-less customer service, some stations are equipped with mood indicators (yes, a big WTF). Technocracy much?

PYONGYANG

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: sleuth out North Korea’s subway system—the best-kept subterranean secret in the world. At 150 meters deep, it was made to withstand nuclear attack and link covert underground military facilities. While tourist exploration is severely restricted (only two stations are open to public) we heard of a rogue reporter who snuck out of his guarded hotel to poke around the clandestine admin-only tunnels. There are no glitzy ads or art work to check out here; just the harsh commi faces of Kim Jong Il and other political leaders plastered to train walls.

MOSCOW

Moskovsky metropoliten has the largest ridership in the world, and that’s just counting humans. Believe it or not, the stray dogs of Moscow have trained themselves to board and disembark (bark, bark) at stations of their choice, because they have doggie jobs and families to get to (no, they’re looking for food, c’mon). They’ve taken a cue from fellow riders to avoid eye contact and have a dog’s sense to get off at the correct stop. Who could blame the bastards for wanting to check out the underground? Other marvels include the neoclassical station architecture, Komsomolskaya in particular.

STOCKHOLM

Finally, something to fill the void of Swedish-cool that ABBA and Bjorn Borg left behind—the tunnelbana. The Stockholm subway isn’t called the world’s longest art gallery for nothing: Over 90% of its stations are adorned with mosaics, installations, reliefs and paintings by hundreds of artists badass enough to take it down a level. You can find shards of old buildings at the Kungsträdgården station or descend to the Odenplan station on a staircase resembling agrand piano. Several stations on the blue line feature exposed bedrock, painted in psychedelic colors and patterns that are sure to derail your train schedule. Who needs a destination when you can visit Sweden’s largest alternative museum for the price of a single subway ticket?

TOKYO

Toei Chikatetsu is Tokyo’s futuristic subway system; the busiest metro in the world. What makes this metro so high tech? For starters: The extra busy Shibuya (she-boo-yah!) station, on the fourth floor of a trade center recently installed Piezoelectric flooring that harnesses kinetic energy from the rush hour footfall and uses it to power lighting and other electronic equipment. Put that in your eco tech nerd cocktail and stir it.

MADRID

OTP applauds your willingness to wear dirty clothes in order to save a little water. But get this, eco-warrior: the Madrid metro cleaning system recycles 80% of the water used down below. That’s even a better rate than that drizzle bath you call a shower! In fact, the whole system was designed with the Kyoto Protocol in mind. If this doesn’t raise your eco’nsceince, may the carbon footprint gods have mercy.

BEIJING

This baby got a sexy makeover for the 2008 Olympics, much like the rest of Beijing. Never a country to skimp on fancy technology for its metropolitan centers, all trains are now bright and beautiful and include sleek touch-screen maps, LCD televisions, underground cellphone reception and bilingual announcements. Forget the Forbidden City—we’ll just hang down here.

NEW YORK

What do mutant rats and NYC natives have in common? The New York City subway runs 24/7, has an express train on almost every line and always gets you within a few blocks of your destination.  What’s more, every other ride features a free show—whether you asked for it or not. With Michael Jackson moonwalking, Polish men playing on the platform and gospel acapella groups parading through the car, you’re bound to pass the next Beck or Bob Dylan during your commute. If you’re lucky, you might just get kicked in the face by a pole-swinging break dancer. All the racket pissing you off? Go treasure hunting instead for the abandoned subway station that’s been transformed into an art gallery by the Underbelly Project.

You don’t have to be a blind, burrowing mole to belong underground. The dark nether regions that swallow millions of people daily are more often than not bright and creative spaces to be explored. So get down there. That’s right, all the way down. You can thank us later when you come up for air.

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