List of Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World

List of Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World: The Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World are Shanghai Metro(China), Beijing Subway(China), London Underground(United Kingdom), Guangzhou Metro(China), New York City Subway(United States), Delhi Metro(India), Moscow Metro(Russia), Wuhan Metro(China), Seoul Metro(South Korea), Madrid Metro(Spain).

Metro systems, also known as subways or underground railways, are high-capacity urban rail systems that improve the efficiency of urban transport systems and people’s mobility. Shanghai Metro(China) is the largest metro system in the world, with 16 subway lines and 705-kilometer lines. It also has the highest annual ridership at 2.83 billion trips.

In this article, we will discuss the Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World with their features, number of stations, and the total length of the metro network.

Largest Metro Networks in the World

About the Metro Networks In The World

As of 31 December 2023, over 200 cities in 62 countries have a metro system. In 2023, China has the most metro systems in the world, with 46 in operation. The United States has 32 metro systems, and India has 16. Metro systems, also known as subways, undergrounds, tubes, U-Bahn, or MRT or MTR, are high-capacity urban rail systems that run through underground tunnels. They are primarily electric, run on fixed routes, and transport millions of commuters every day. They are often considered the backbone of urban transportation systems.

The world’s oldest metro system is the London Underground, which opened in 1863. The world’s longest metro network is the Beijing Subway, which is 815.2 kilometers long. The world’s busiest metro system is the Shanghai Metro, which has 2.83 billion annual trips.

List of Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World

Below is the list of the Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World.

Metro Network	Country	Stations	Network Length(km)
Shanghai Metro	China	508	831
Beijing Subway	China	490	669.4
London Underground	United Kingdom	272	402
Guangzhou Metro	China	302	621.05
New York City Subway	United States	472	399
Delhi Metro	India	256	350.42
Moscow Metro	Russia	236	456
Wuhan Metro	China	300	486.3
Seoul Metro	South Korea	315	340.4
Madrid Metro	Spain	302	293

Largest Metro Network in the World : Shanghai Metro – China

Shanghai Metro is the world’s longest metro network, measuring 831 kilometers long and with 508 stations across 20 lines. It’s also the world’s busiest metro, with over 3.7 billion riders annually, after the Beijing Subway. It is a rapid transit system in Shanghai, that provides urban and suburban transit services to 14 of its 16 municipal districts.

• The metro system was launched in the year 1993.
•  It’s the third-oldest rapid transit system in mainland China, after the Beijing Subway and the Tianjin Metro.
• The Shanghai Metro operates almost 24 hours a day, from 3 AM to 11:30 PM. 
• The maximum driving speed is 80 km/h (50 mph) on most lines, with the exception of lines 11 and 17, which have a maximum operating speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). Route 16 has a maximum operating speed of 120 km/h (75 miles).
• The Shanghai Metro is still expanding and the Phase IV track, which is expected to open in 2024, will extend the network line to approximately 453 kilometers.

Second Largest Metro Network in the World : Beijing Subway – China

The Beijing Subway is a rapid transit system in Beijing, China. It has 27 lines, including 22 rapid transit lines, two airport rail links, one maglev line, two light rail lines, and 490 stations. The lines are numbered from 1 to 19, with additional lines designated by letters. Each line is identified by a different color on subway maps and signs.

• The Beijing Subway was the first subway in China, opened in 1971.
• It is the oldest metro system in mainland China and on the mainland of East Asia.
• It is the second longest subway in the world, after the Shanghai subway, and is larger than the subways of London, Moscow, and New York.
• It serves 10 million daily riders and rank first in annual ridership at over 3.8 billion.
• The Beijing subway is excellent and the quickest and cheapest way to get around the city. 

Third Largest Metro Network in the World : London Underground – United Kingdom

The London Underground, also known as the Tube, is a rapid transit system that serves Greater London and parts of the surrounding counties. It’s one of the world’s oldest metro systems, opening in 1863. The Tube has 11 lines that cover 402 km and serve 272 stations.

• It handles up to five million passenger journeys a day, with more than 543 trains at peak times.
• It is the world’s first underground passenger railway.
• It is 45% underground and serves 5 million daily and over 1 billion riders annually.
• London Underground is part of the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. 
• The London Underground comprises 11 lines, each identified by a specific color. The system is divided into nine fare zones, and the fare depends on the number of zones travelled through.

Fourth Largest Metro Network in the World : Guangzhou Metro – China

Guangzhou Metro is a rapid transit system in Guangzhou, China’s Guangdong Province.It opened in 1998 and is the third busiest metro system in the world. Guangzhou Metro has 16 lines in operation. It is the fourth largest metro network iin the world. Guangzhou Metro has 302 stations and 621.05 km of lines.

• The state-owned Guangzhou Metro Corporation operates the system.
• It’s the fastest metro line in the world and China’s first all-underground urban express line. Line 18 of the Guangzhou Metro has a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour (99 miles per hour). 
• Guangfo Line connects Guangzhou and Foshan and is the first metro line between two cities in the country.
• Daily service hours start at 6:00 am and end at midnight and has daily ridership of around 8 million.

Fifth Largest Metro Network in the World : New York City Subway – United States

The New York City Subway is the fifth-largest metro system in the world at 399 kilometers long. It is also one of the largest rapid transit systems in the world with 472 stations and 394 kilometers of routes on 1112 kilometers of railway track. It’s one of the largest and busiest subway systems in North America.

• The New York City Subway opened on October 27, 1904. 
• It’s owned by the New York City government, which leases it to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). 
• The subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The subway system uses a flat-rate fare system, where passengers pay a single fare regardless of the distance travelled.
• It serves 1.6 million annual riders and is the ninth busiest system in the world.

Sixth Largest Metro Network in the World : Delhi Metro – India

The Delhi Metro is a mass rapid transit system (MRTS) that serves Delhi and its satellite cities. It has 10 color-coded lines, 256 stations, and a total length of 350.42 kilometers. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) operates the Delhi Metro. The Delhi Metro consists of multiple lines, each designated by a specific color.

• The Delhi Metro started operations in 2002 with the opening of its first line.
• Delhi Metro is India’s largest and busiest metro and the second oldest after the Kolkata Metro. 
• The Delhi Metro operates approximately from 5:00 a.m. to 23:30 p.m.
• It earned an UN recogintion for reducing carbon emission.
• The Delhi Metro uses a distance-based fare system, where the fare depends on the distance traveled.

Seventh Largest Metro Network in the World : Moscow Metro – Russia

The Moscow Metro is a state-owned metro sysytem that is 449 kilometers long and has 263 stations. The Moscow Metro was originally named the L. M. Kaganovich Metropolitan System, but was later renamed after Lenin in 1957. The metro system is made up of 14 radial lines that run spoke from the city center to the outskirts, plus the Number 5 (Koltseveya) line, which runs around the city in a circle.

• It opened in 1935 as the Soviet Union’s first underground railway system.
• The lines are organized in a spoke-hub distribution paradigm, with most running radially from the center of Moscow to the outlying areas. 
• The system also includes a monorail and two circle lines that connect suburban stations at different distances from the center. 
• In 2023, the Big Circle line was completed, making it the longest subway ring in the world.

Eighth Largest Metro Network in the World : Wuhan Metro – China

Wuhan Metro is a rapid transit system in Wuhan, Hubei, China. It has 12 lines, 300 stations, and a 486.3 km route length. The Wuhan Metro Group Corporation limited owns and operates the system. It is the eight largest system globally that was founded in 2004. The Wuhan Metro consists of multiple lines, each identified by a specific color, serving various parts of Wuhan.

• It is the sixth-busiest rapid transit system in mainland China.
• It operates underground and as an elevated express service.
• The Wuhan Metro typically uses a distance-based fare system, where the fare is calculated based on the distance traveled.
• The metro uses modern technology, including automated trains and advanced safety features.
• It is the first underground rail line crossing the Yangtze River. The system has since undergone rapid expansion.

Ninth Largest Metro Network in the World : Seoul Metro – South Korea

The Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit, or Seoul Metro, is one of the world’s largest urban railway networks and serves the capital city of Seoul and the provinces of Gyeonggi, Incheon, and northern Chungnam. The Seoul Subway is the best metro system in the world and began operating on August 15, 1974.

• The Seoul Metro has nine lines that extend 327 kilometers (including 290 kilometers underground).
• It is owned by Seoul Metropolitan Government and has nine lines, 302 stations.
• It serves millions of passengers every day and is as long as the New York and London subway systems.
• The Seoul subway system has a distance-based fare system. 
• The average number of passengers per day is 7.2 million and per year is 2.6 billion.
• The Seoul Metro has two types of public transportation cards: T-money and Cash-bee. 

Tenth Largest Metro Network in the World : Madrid Metro – Spain

The Madrid Metro is a rapid transit system that serves Madrid, Spain’s capital city. It is the 10th largest rapid transit system in the world, stretching 293 km. The Madrid Metro opened its first line in 1919, and it has since become one of the largest and busiest metro systems in Europe.

• Madrid’s metro system has 12 lines, 231 stations, and one branch line. 
• The Madrid Metro consists of multiple lines, each designated by a number and a specific color.
• The Madrid Metro uses a zone-based fare system, where the fare depends on the number of zones traveled.
• The Madrid Metro utilizes modern technology, including automated trains and advanced safety features.

Conclusion – Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World

In conclusion, the exploration of the 10 largest metro networks in the world highlights not only the remarkable scale of urban transportation systems but also the critical role they play in facilitating connectivity, economic growth, and sustainable development within bustling cities. From the extensive reach of Tokyo’s intricate subway system to the efficiency of Shanghai’s expansive network, each metro reflects the unique challenges and innovations of its respective city. As populations continue to grow and urbanization accelerates, the importance of efficient, reliable, and environmentally conscious public transit options becomes increasingly apparent. These top metro networks serve as models for future urban planning endeavors, emphasizing the significance of investment in transportation infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of global megacities. By prioritizing the expansion and enhancement of metro systems worldwide, cities can strive towards creating more accessible, livable, and interconnected urban environments for generations to come.

Summary Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World

The world’s largest metro networks play a vital role in urban transportation, connecting millions of people daily. The Shanghai Metro is the world’s largest metro system with 508 stations and a length of 831 km. It is the busiest metro in the world after the Beijing Subway, with over 3.7 billion ridership annually. The Beijing Subway is the longest metro network at 815.2 kilometers (507 mi). The New York City Subway has the greatest number of stations with 472. The Tokyo subway system in Japan is the busiest metro system in the world. It has served 310 km with 290 stops and 13 lines. The Seoul Subway in South Korea topped the list as the best subway system in the world.

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FAQs on Top 10 Largest Metro Networks In The World

Which is the largest metro network in the world?

The Shanghai Metro is the longest metro network in the world, measuring 694 kilometers. The Beijing Subway is the second longest, measuring 653 kilometers.

What is the rank of India in Metro Network?

India’s metro network is the third longest in the world, after the United States and China and has 895 kilometers of operational metro lines and 16 systems.

What is the rank of Delhi Metro in the world?

The Delhi Metro is the eighth-longest metro system in the world. It span over 389 kilometers and have more than 285 stations.

What is the fastest metro system in the world?

The Shanghai Maglev is the world’s fastest metro system train that travels at speed of 460 kilometers per hour.

What is the second largest metro system in the world?

The London Underground is the world’s second-longest metro system in the world with total length of 402 km.

Which is the best metro system in the world?

The Seoul Subway in South Korea is the best metro system in the world.

Which is the fastest built metro in India?

The Kanpur Metro is considered the fastest built and commissioned metro system in the world.