The 8 Sexiest Subway Systems In The World (PHOTOS, POLL)

When your taxi fare far exceeds the number of sights you want to see, its worth checking out the local metro system. In fact, some cities have subways so beautiful, they are must-see destinations in and of themselves. Check out our list of the eight sexiest subway systems in the world and let us know what you think.

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The Moscow Metro

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For many reasons, it’s no question why the Moscow subway boasts the greatest number of annual riders of all the subway systems in the world. The extravagantly designed Stalinist-era stations feature ornate golden chandeliers, magnificent marble molding, vaulted ceilings and intricate, painted murals. The Moscow Metro also makes sure you get where you want to go, when you want to be there. Trains travel up to 75 mph and arrive every 90 seconds during rush hour. The metro is also pet-friendly. Fare: 69 cents, with contact-less smart cards Hours: 5:30 AM to 1 AM

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For many reasons, it’s no question why the Moscow subway boasts the greatest number of annual riders of all the subway systems in the world. The extravagantly designed Stalinist-era stations feature ornate golden chandeliers, magnificent marble molding, vaulted ceilings and intricate, painted murals. The Moscow Metro also makes sure you get where you want to go, when you want to be there. Trains travel up to 75 mph and arrive every 90 seconds during rush hour. The metro is also pet-friendly. Fare: 69 cents, with contact-less smart cards Hours: 5:30 AM to 1 AM

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This Subway

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Touch and Go Oh Hell No

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Top Subway Systems In The World

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Top Subway Systems In The World

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Comments

[mamapower]

02:49 PM on 07/27/2010

Compare all the others to America's NYC subway. Eeeek!

This nation is done.

[princeza]

06:49 PM on 07/25/2010

Out of all of them, I spent the most time on the Beijing metro. The cards are a little inconvenient to buy (only certain stations sell them), but easy to refill. To say I hate the Line 1 is an understatement. I loathe it with a fiery passion. The Line 10 was alright though, even in summer.

The Madrid metro could be nice (Principe Pio comes to mind) but then it could be horrible (the circle line that I lived off of). Having the passes was nice, no worries. But the closures could make life difficult.

London (what little I used) was nice. And I didn't care for the NYC system, but I haven't used it much either.

[whyanything]

11:28 PM on 07/23/2010

So out of all these big city's only NYC is 24hr? I could never imagine not getting a train at any hour of the day or night..

[PYC]

04:41 PM on 07/23/2010

hmm I'm a little dissappointed that the DC metro didn't make the list. It is after all perhaps one of the cleaniest and futuristic (or really a great future movie shooting location) ever.

Agreed - the person that compile the list most definitely never used any of the metro lines that he/she listed. Could've at least done a twitter poll or some other useless analytics to pack up this ridiculous and fact-deprived list.

[BLACKCAT66]

02:16 PM on 07/24/2010

I agree, I used the DC metro a few years ago and was surprised how nice & clean it was and people made eye contact with each other. The only other subway I've been on at the point was NYC.

[Notoriety]

04:14 PM on 07/23/2010

Whoever compiled this (and I can never understand the arcane calculus behind these lists) has clearly not ever actually used the subway system of Beijing. The TVs they mention are useless, not to mention glitchy and broken half of the time. It's crowded and not well-ventilated, leading not only to heat but also to some terrible smells. Their obsession with this ridiculous "ring" system for roads and subway lines means thousands of people waste about an hour every day because it's impossible to cross the city diagonally... Is that enough? I can continue...

[princeza]

06:42 PM on 07/25/2010

The TVs were sporadic, but I had pretty good experiences on the Line 10. The Line 5 could get uncomfortably crowded, the Line 2 was dingy and also uncomfortable at times and I loathe the Line 1 with a fiery passion. Beijing has work to do to improve the subway lines. But sometimes the out of the way subways are better than the buses, especially on the ring roads.

[Liberalicious]

02:51 PM on 07/23/2010

Meh, give me Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross anyday. Granted, it only has one destination.

[Notoriety]

04:10 PM on 07/23/2010

But it's also the only destination I would ever need

[padrushka]

04:24 AM on 07/23/2010

moscow! the tube while well marked is : (

[killerlawngnome]

10:38 PM on 07/22/2010

I've been on most of these- I've got a soft spot in my heart for the Tube. I can't think of the NYC metro without thinking of "The Warriors" =] Tokyo was always scary during rush hour, my cell phone should not be pocket-dialing and my iPod should not be turning on from having people crushed up against me but that's just how it is.

[dubbleplusgood]

09:58 AM on 07/22/2010

how in the world is Montreal's wicked metro system not included here but that loud, nasty looking gutter called the NYC subway system is?

[Avsolute]

01:27 PM on 07/22/2010

Agreed...I was shocked it didn't make the list...It's one of those systems that you look forward to see every station just for the change in artistic expression...the rubber tires give it such a smooth ride as well.

[mamapower]

02:50 PM on 07/27/2010

Got that right!

[pommefritz]

09:49 AM on 07/22/2010

The Tokyo entry is completely insane - I was shocked to find it on here. Not only is there not one subway in Tokyo - two companies run the variety of lines and you often can't transfer seamlessly - but the information is totally inaccurate. There is no swipe card (IC/contactless cards have been the norm for...ever), you pay per destination, and most importantly, the metro/subway systems are some of the grimiest and oldest-looking (and actually oldest) lines in Tokyo. As a current resident I do use the subway but even my neighborhood streetcar (the only one left) has better upgraded vehicles than the damn dirty-looking 70s-throwback metro. Wherever this magical floor is installed, it must be hidden under the 50-year-old linoleum and projectile-vomit stains because I haven't seen it!

[GraniteSkyline]

09:37 AM on 07/22/2010

Sexiest subway systems? Some one has time on their hands and an very active imagination.

[bola47]

09:01 AM on 07/22/2010

the hong kong mtr is far and away the best. spotless air conditioned stations and trains. very clear and understandable signage. the butterfly card does not have to be taken out of your wallet to be scanned and cell phones have always been usable underground.

[KIVPossum]

04:47 AM on 07/22/2010

The Moscow metro is the BEST people mover I've tried. Plus most of the stations are beautiful. It makes getting around a huge city very easy. Yet, a nod should be given to the Petersburg system. Not as large nor as good about getting you where you want to be, yet the older stations are beautiful. For some reason I manage to get lost on the Paris metro.

If you want something grim try the Bucharest. For fun, test the funicular Tunel in Istanbul.

[xiaodashan]

01:57 AM on 07/22/2010

New Delhi for it's peacefulness(not too many lashing out for the fare),ease of use and surreal scenery when you arrive at your destination..quite cool/relaxing down there too in comparison to the fierce and wild world above..makes it a sexy choice in my book .Shanghai's too has character(reminds me a little of the Tube) with vast possiblilties for exploration and people watching....... I got turned on by Kolkata's metro too!Makes transversing a huge chaotic polluted city so much easier.

[Mouselord]

06:08 PM on 07/21/2010

It's been a few years since my last visit, but I would definitely have included the Athens Metro they built for the olympics. It was the biggest dig in the history of a very historied city, and many of the stations are mini museums of treasures they found while excavating.