This list of metro systems includes electrified rapid transit train systems worldwide. In some parts of the world, metro systems are referred to as subways, undergrounds, tubes, mass rapid transit (MRT), metrô or U-Bahn. As of 1April2025,[update] 204 cities in 65 countries operate 916metro lines.
From top to bottom: Shanghai Metro is the metro system with the longest metro network and the highest annual ridership in the world. Beijing Subway has the most subway stations in the world. The London Underground is the oldest metro system.
The London Underground first opened as an underground railway in 1863 and its first electrified underground line, the City and South London Railway, opened in 1890,[1] making it the world's first deep-level electric metro system.[2] The Budapest Millennium Underground Railway, which opened in 1896, was the world's first electric underground railway specifically designed for urban transportation and is still in operation today.[3] The Shanghai Metro is both the world's longest metro network at 808 kilometres (502mi) and the busiest with the highest annual ridership reaching approximately 2.83 billion passenger trips.[4][5] The Beijing Subway has the greatest number of stations, with 424. As of 2024,[update] the country with the most metro systems is China, with 54 in operation, including 11 of the 12 longest networks in the world.
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Considerations
Summarize
Perspective
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".[6][7] The terms heavy rail (mainly in North America) and heavy urban rail are essentially synonymous with the term "metro".[8][9][10] Heavy rail systems are also specifically defined as an "electric railway".[8][9]
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. Some cities use "metro" as a brand name for a transit line with no component of rapid transit whatsoever. Similarly, there are systems branded "light rail" that meet every criterion for being a rapid transit system. Some systems also incorporate light metro or light rail lines as part of the larger system under a common name. These are listed, but the light rail lines are not counted in the provided network data.
Certain transit networks may match the service standards of metro systems, but reach far out of the city and are sometimes known as S-Bahn, suburban, regional or commuter rail. These are not included in this list. Neither are funicular systems, or people movers, such as amusement park, ski resort and airport transport systems.
This list counts metros separately when multiple metros in one city or metropolitan area have separate owners or operating companies. This list expressly does not aim at representing the size and scope of the total rapid transit network of a certain city or metropolitan area. The data in this list should not be used to infer the size of a city's, region's, or country's urban rail transit systems, or to establish a ranking.
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Legend
Countries shown in green have at least one operational metro system. Countries shown in yellow have at least one metro system under construction.
The most common English name of the metro system (including a link to the article for that system).
Year opened
Map of all the world's metro systemsThe year the metro system was opened for commercial service at metro standards. In other words, parts of the system may be older, but as parts of a former light rail or commuter rail network, so the year that the system obtained metro standards (most notably electrification) is the one listed.
Year of last expansion
The last time the system length or number of stations in the metro system was expanded.
Stations
The number of stations in the metro network, with stations connected by transfer counted as one.
System length
The system length of a metro network is the sum of the lengths of all routes in the rail network in kilometers or miles. Each route is counted only once, regardless of how many lines pass over it, and regardless of whether it is single-track or multi-track, single carriageway or dual carriageway.
Ridership
The number of unique journeys on the metro system every year. There is a major discrepancy between the ridership figures: some metro systems count transferring between lines as multiple journeys, but others do not. Numbers may also be counted via different methods – faregates/turnstiles or light barriers at entrances or vehicle doors being the most common but far from the only ones.
This list is sortable. Click on the icon in the column header to change sort key and sort order.Note: This list may not be fully representative, as yearly ridership numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic are shown for some systems, while others have numbers from previous years.
The following is a list of new worldwide metro systems that are currently actively under construction. In some cases it is not clear if the system will be considered a full metro system once it begins operational service. Only metro systems under construction are listed where there are no metro systems currently in operation in the same city.
The countries of Ivory Coast and Serbia are currently constructing their first ever metro systems.
Line A opened in stages between 1913 and 1914 by the Anglo-Argentine Tramways Company. Line A services continued as above-ground tram services through an access ramp at Primera Junta Station. Subway-surface services into Line A ceased in 1926, with the line and its rolling stock transitioned into pure rapid transit operation by 1927.[14][15]
The number is 78 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station, or 90 if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
Vienna's Metropolitan Railway (Wiener Stadtbahn) first opened for service in 1898, operating steam locomotive trains on mostly elevated or underground ROWs. From 1976 onwards, part of it was integrated into the newly established Vienna U-Bahn system (lines U4 and U6), operating as a modern metro.
The number is 126 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station, or 143 if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
The Beijing Subway's first line began trial operations on 1 October 1969. It opened to revenue service under trial operations on 15 January 1971. Initially, only members of the public with credential letters from their work units could purchase tickets, but this restriction was removed on 27 December 1972. The subway line passed its final inspections and ended trial operations on 15 September 1981. During the trial operations period, annual ridership rose from 8.28 million in 1971 to 55.2 million in 1980. See the history section of the Beijing Subway for details and references.
The number of stations is 424 if the 98 (71 2-line, 9 3-line) interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station, or 522 if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line. Out-of-station interchange stations with same name (e.g. Dazhong Si), are counted as one station. Both counts exclude the 20 stations of the Xijiao and Line T1 tram lines.[74]
There are 296 stations if the 51 (45 2-line, 6 3-line) interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station. There are 353 stations if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line. Excludes light rail line T2.
There are 263 stations if the 42 (36 2-line, 6 3-line) interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station. There are 312 stations if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
First line of Foshan Metro, the Guangfo Line, serves two cities – Foshan and Guangzhou. The Guangfo Line is operated by Guangzhou Metro and as such is included in Guangzhou's tally.
There are 276 stations if the 44 (40 2-line, 3 3-line) interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station. There are 323 stations if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
There are 254 stations if the 44 (40 2-line, 4 3-line) interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station. There are 302 stations if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
The first MTR route to offer metro service was the Modified Initial System in 1979, which consists of portions of the later Tsuen Wan Line and Kwun Tong Line. Though the eventual East Rail Line opened as a conventional railway in 1910, it did not offer metro service until at least in 1982 when it was electrified.
As of December2021,[update] the number of stations is 507 if the 82 interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) (69 2-line, 11 3-line, and 2 4-line) are counted multiple times, once for each line, while there are 408 stations if they are combined; shared tracks/platforms on Lines 3 and 4 are anyway counted as a single stations (nine in all between Hongqiao Road and Baoshan Road). Out-of-station interchange stations with same name (e.g. South Pudong Road), are counted as one station.[127]
As of 04 January 2025, there are 394 stations if the 75 interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted multiple times, while there are 319 stations if they are counted as one station.
There are 265 stations if the 35 (32 2-line, 3 3-line) interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station. There are 303 stations if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
The number is 232 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station, or 270 if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
There are 233 stations if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station. There are 284 stations if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
The number is 321 if stations are counted individually. If transfers are counted by just adding up the number of stops in each line, the number is 405.
The Green Line (Line 1), operated until 2011 by Athens–Piraeus Electric Railways, was opened in 1869 as a steam train railway line. It was electrified in 1904, extended with underground sections through the city in 1948, and extended to its full length to Kifissia in 1957 using the right-of-way of a former metre gauge suburban line. Full metro operation since 1904 between Piraeus and Athens and 1957 to Kifissia. In 2011, it was integrated with Athens Metro under the company STASY S.A.[197]
The network consists of 257 stations if transfer stations are counted more than once. If transfer stations are counted only once, the result will be 232 stations. Ashok Park Main station, where the two diverging branches of Green Line share tracks/platforms, is anyway counted as a single station. Stations of Noida Metro and Gurgaon Metro are not counted. If they were counted, then there would be 289 total stations.[221][222]
The lengths of the Noida Metro and Gurgaon Metro are not counted with the Delhi Metro. If they were counted, the total length of the three systems would be 393.26km (244.36mi).
The 43km (27mi) Line 1 of Karaj Metro (part of line 5 of Tehran metro) is a commuter rail line, and so is not included in the statistics here. If Line 1 is included, there would be 10 stations.
There are 131 stations if interchange stations are counted once, and 146 stations if they are counted multiple times. The 67.5km (41.9mi) Line 5 of the Tehran Metro is a commuter rail line, and so is not included in the statistics here – only metro Lines 1–4 and 6–7 are. If Line 5 is included, the total length of the system would be 292.1km (181.5mi), and there would be 142 unique stations, and 159 total stations.
As of July2023,[update] the number is 134 if the 9 interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted multiple times, once for each line, while it is 113 if they are combined.[279][280]
As of October2018,[update] the number is 106 if the 7 interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted multiple times, once for each line, while it is 99 if they are combined; Higashi-nihombashi station and Bakuro-yokoyama station, where an out-of-system transfer between Asakusa Line and Shinjuku Line is possible, are anyway counted as two stations.[302][303][304]
The Seoul Subway Lines 1-9 and Seoul Light Rapid Transit is actually operated by several different operators – Seoul Metro and Seoul Metro Line 9 Corporation (SLM9), plus through-operation services from Korail – but because all of these lines are owned by the City Government of Seoul, here in the table they are counted together as one system.
Seoul's Metropolitan Subway system can also be viewed as a comprehensive metro network made up of multiple owned/operated metro systems. If viewed as such, the combined route length of Seoul's comprehensive metro-standards network would be 564.2km (350.6mi).
The number is 138 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one, or 149 if stations are counted multiple times for each line.
The number is 163 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one, or 195 if stations are counted multiple times for each line.[328]
Some sections of the Rotterdam Metro (portions of Lines A, B, E) have some level crossings (with priority) and so could therefore be considered "light rail" instead of "metro".
These systems have similarities to light rail systems, because of the existence of a few road level crossings, but are listed since they are almost entirely separated from roads.
The first underground portion was opened in 1928, but that was a tram line. One surface line has origins from 1898. System opened as a full Metro in 1966.
The number of stations is 235 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms in a single complex) are counted as one station, or 300 if all stations on all lines are counted each.
The number is 65 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station, or 73 if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.
TMB-operated lines L1-L5 and L9-L11 only. FGC-operated lines L6-L8 share track with other FGC commuter lines, and thus do not qualify as metro-standards lines.
The first line, later known as Green Line, was opened by stages during the 1950s, partly converting to metro operations prior rapid tram alignments. These included the oldest tunnel, built in 1933, which name (Tunnelbana) and symbol were bequeathed to the new system.
As of January2020,[update] the number is 131 if the 12 interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted multiple times, once for each line, while it's 119 if they are combined. Out-of-station transfers at Banqiao and Xinpu - Xinpu Minsheng, which require leaving paid area, are counted as 2 stations each; transfer stations that provide cross-platform interchange are anyway counted as a single stations (four in all: Ximen, CKS Memorial Hall, Guting and Dongmen stations).[384][385]
As of March2024,[update] the number is 158 if the 12 interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted multiple times, once for each line, while it is 146 if they are combined.[401][402]
London's Metropolitan Railway first opened for service in 1863, operating steam locomotive trains in cut and cover tunnels. It began operating as a modern metro when electric-propulsion trains began operating on the system's first deep-level tube line in 1890.
Includes both MBTA's heavy and light rail lines, as the light rail utilizes the same tracks and system as the heavy rail. Does not include the Silver Line, as in actuality this is a bus route.
Heavy: Red Line, Orange Line, Blue Line
Light: Green Line
The originally-elevated Orange Line opened in 1901, sharing the Tremont Street Subway that had opened in 1897 as an underground streetcar tunnel (for the light railGreen Line).
Dated from the opening of the South Side Elevated on June 6, 1892. The "L" was first electrified in 1895 when the Metropolitan West Side Elevated opened. The entire system was unified and electrified in 1897 with the construction of the Union Loop.
This figure comes from the sum of the following figures from the accompanying reference (i.e. "Facts at a Glance". Chicago Transit Authority. December 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2013.): 35.8 miles of elevated route, 35.0 miles at grade level, 20.6 miles on embankments, and 11.4 miles of subway.
First regular elevated railway service, originally cable hauled, began in 1868. Elevateds converted to steam power in 1870, electrified by 1903. The first section of electrified subway opened in 1904.
The number is 423 if interchange stations (i.e. different sets of platforms) are counted as one station, or 472 if all stations on all lines are counted multiple times for each line.[427]
The last completely new stations were the current Newark and Harrison stations, which respectively replaced the Park Place and Harrison stations on a different alignment in 1937. According to PATH, its newest station is World Trade Center, which was completed in 2015 but replaced a previous station on the same site.
Opening of the Bridge Line, the precursor rapid transit line to PATCO's, which ran between 8th Street in Philadelphia and Broadway in Camden. The current PATCO Speedline, with service through to Lindenwold, opened in 1969.[438]
This figure excludes the eBART extension from Pittsburg/Bay Point to Antioch (9.2 miles) and the "BART to Oakland International Airport (OAK) elevated guideway" (3.2 miles).
By the end of 2014, Caracas Metro had a length of 54.03 km and 47 stations;[444] further 1.3 km was added with the single-station extension to Bello Monte in the following year.[445]Los Teques Metro contributes to the system's total with 11.9 km in length and four stations.[446]
This patronage figure is derived from OPAL trips (i.e. a tap-on/tap-off pair of the same OPAL card, including isolated tap-on or tap-off), non-OPAL ridership, as the users of some concessional cards or integrated tickets for events, is excluded.
All American Public Transportation Association figures are derived from unlinked transit passenger trips (i.e. a transfer between two lines counts as two passenger trips, transferring twice counts as three trips, etc.).
This ridership figure is the sum of the "Heavy Rail (HR)" and "Intermediate Rail (IR)" figures for Toronto from the APTA Ridership report – in other words, this figure includes ridership on the Line 3 Scarborough (RT) line which APTA considers to be "Intermediate Rail (IR)".
This ridership figure is the sum of the two "Μετρό" figures (Γ1 line, or "Ηλεκτρικός", formerly ran by IASA and Γ2 - Γ3 lines, formerly ran by AMEL) from the OAΣA's 2018 Activity Report.
Figure extrapolated from a sum of average daily ridership figures of lines 1 (3,54,610), 2A & 7 (1,80,726.37) over an year as mentioned in the cited reports
Compared to European or North American systems, Japanese rapid transit systems are generally neither thought of as metros nor as completely subterranean "subways" complicating whether only using the municipal subway statistic is accurate when comparing with other Metros around the world. As example Tokyo Metro and the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation's Toei Subway constitute only 22% of the 14.6 billion metropolitan railway ridership in Greater Tokyo (MLIT Yearly Statistics). In addition, when one considers intracity lines of JR East and private railway companies, Greater Tokyo (130 lines) has higher daily ridership than any other metropolitan area in the world with 14.6 billion passengers annually. The Osaka Municipal Subway also has only a minority share of all metropolitan railway ridership in Greater Osaka, constituting only 17.6% of Greater Osaka's 4.745 billion rail passengers annually in 2010. Including the municipal subway systems in both Kobe and Kyoto, the result still only comprises 22% of all rail travel in the Greater Osaka area with 1065.8 million passengers yearly (MLIT Yearly Statistics). For Greater Nagoya, the Nagoya Municipal Subway has only a minority share of all metropolitan railway ridership in Greater Nagoya constituting only 38% of Greater Nagoya's 1.095 billion rail passengers annually in 2010 (MLIT Yearly Statistics). For a complete list of urban rail systems in Japan with ridership statistics, see List of urban rail systems in Japan.
This figure counts only gate-passers, so it only includes Seoul Metro and Seoul Subway Line 9 riders. Other lines that function as separate systems within the greater Seoul urban rail network are excluded.
Ridership is based on unlinked passenger trips (i.e. a transfer between two lines counts as two trips, transferring between three lines counts as three trips, etc.).
This ridership figure is the sum of the total annual trips (수송인원, boarding and transfer passengers) on the two sections (Phase 1 and Phase 2) of the line, from the accompanying reference.
This figure is the sum of the passenger ridership on the two LRTA lines, L1 and L2, from the accompanying reference; it is based on unlinked passenger trips (i.e. a transfer between two lines counts as two trips, etc.).
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