Top 10: What is the Oldest Subway in the World?
Subways, metros, underground trains… however they’re referred to, underground (or partially underground) trains are among the most efficient and convenient ways to navigate numerous major cities nowadays, with over 100 million people relying on these complex systems each day, but have you ever taken the time to think about how long this means of transport has been around? Here at Civitatis, we were wondering just that, and so today, we’re exploring some of the oldest subways in the world! All aboard!
1. London Underground History (1863) – The World’s First Subway System
The London Underground, or Tube in London, is the oldest transport system of its kind in the world. It opened on the 10th of January 1863 with steam locomotives. Today, London’s tube consists of a vast underground network of 253 miles (408 kilometers) of active lines that can take you anywhere in the city. Don’t miss the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden if you fancy finding out more fun facts about the oldest subway system in the world!
2. The Chicago ‘L’ (1892) – America’s Entry into Underground Trains
That’s right, the iconic Chicago ‘L’ is one of the oldest subways in the world! Beginning operations on the 6th June 1897, the ‘L’ in its name refers to ‘elevated’, as there are parts where the sections of the network where the train comes up above the surface. Today, the ‘L’ is the third-busiest subway in the United States, with an average of around 360,000 riders per weekday.
3. Budapest Metro (1896) – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Budapest Metro, which opened in 1896, was the first metro line to open on the continent. Today, the Budapest Metro boasts 4 lines, but the original line (M1) is still the most famous, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Line 1 was launched in 1896 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, for its innovative electric operation, bidirectional motor carriage, electric lighting, and cultural significance.
4. Glasgow Circular Underground (1896) – ‘Clockwork Orange’
Opened in 1896, Glasgow’s subway is compact, circular, and… orange. Nicknamed ‘the Clockwork Orange’, the system runs on a 6.5-mile (10.4 km) loop entirely underground. The fourth-oldest metro in the world, the Glasgow Circular Underground, is small in comparison to some other entries on this list, taking a total of 24 minutes to do a full loop of the network.
5. The Paris Métro (1900) – An Icon of the City
The fastest way to visit the iconic monuments around the ‘City of Love’ is to use the Métro de Paris, which also happens to be the 5th oldest subway in the world! The first line was inaugurated on the 19th of July 1900, accompanied by some gorgeous and truly unusual underground entrances. These entrances were designed by Hector Guimard as a part of a design competition, which was run in order to quell public fear that the cityscape would be become more ‘industrial’ following the introduction of the metro. The end result is these spooky, Art Nouveau-style entrances that have become a veritable symbol of the city.
6. The Boston MBTA Subway (1901) – Old (un)Reliable
Boston’s MBTA Subway was the first subway in the United States. Opening in 1901, it now consists of 3 lines, 52 stations, and 40 miles (63 kilometers) of tracks, making it also one of the largest public transit systems in the US. Despite functionality problems, especially with inclement weather, the Boston T is a good value, a great way to get to most major tourist attractions, and it will still generally save you time over driving through the city.
7. The Berlin U-Bahn (1902) – A Subway with History
The U-Bahn reaches 44.7 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour), has 175 stations, and almost 93 miles (150 kilometers) of track. This network, which was opened in 1902, has seen lots of Berlin’s turbulent history, from being used as a bunker during the war, to Soviet-Union-occupied East Berlin, where citizens could only use the U-Bahn with various restrictions in place.
8. The Athens Metro (1904) – An Underground Museum
The Athens Metro, first launched in 1904, is one of the oldest subway systems in the world and today serves as the backbone of public transport in Greece’s capital. The original line (now part of Line 1, the Green Line) connected Piraeus, the historic port of Athens, with the city center. Since then, the network has expanded, and in the process, workers have found over 50,000 artifacts, and even roads, workshops, water systems, and burial sites dating all the way back to Ancient Greece. Some of these discoveries are now on display in metro stations like Syntagma and Monastiraki.
9. New York Subway (1904) – America’s Most Expansive Subway
Visiting the ‘Big Apple’ and taking a picture with the Subway sign goes part in parcel. New York’s Subway is one of the oldest in the world, and has become deeply ingrained in the city’s history since its opening in 1904, when it only cost 5 cents to ride! Open 24 hours per day, the New York Subway is also the largest public transportation network in North America, stretching 248 miles (399 kilometers)!
10. The Philadelphia SEPTA (1907) – Tying Together the City
Philadelphia’s SEPTA subway system, opened in 1907, is the oldest in the United States outside of Boston and New York. Today, the network consists of multiple lines running underground and above ground, serving over 100 stations and connecting commuters across the city. Known for its historic stations and efficiency, SEPTA remains a key part of Philadelphia’s public transport and a convenient way to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant neighborhoods!
Special Mentions
The Istanbul Tunnel (1875) – Istanbul’s Underground Urban Rail Line
The Tünel in Istanbul began running in 1875, though it is not a Subway in a traditional sense. In fact, the Tünel is an underground funicular! And, despite its short distance of 1,880 feet (573 meters), it carries 12,000 passengers every day. Make sure to visit on your next trip to Istanbul, the whole journey will only take you 90 seconds!
Buenos Aires Underground (1913) – The First Subway in Latin America
The Subterráneo de Buenos Aires (Subte) was the first underground railway in the Spanish-speaking world and the Southern Hemisphere. Over the last hundred years, another 5 lines have opened, with 35 miles (56 kilometers) of tracks connecting the city!
Tokyo Metro (1927) – Asia’s First Subway
Japan’s first subway line opened in Tokyo in 1927, between Asakusa and Ueno, making the Tokyo Metro the oldest subway system in Asia. From that modest beginning, the Tokyo subway has grown into one of the busiest and most complex networks in the world, moving millions of passengers daily with an astonishing level of precision and punctuality. With its famously clean stations, seamless connections, and clear signage, the Tokyo Metro has become a model for rapid transit systems worldwide. For visitors, it’s not just a way to get around the sprawling metropolis—it’s part of the Tokyo experience itself!
There you have it! If you’re planning a trip to any of these cities (or somewhere else, for that matter), check out tours & experiences with Civitatis, and fill your trip!
17 thoughts on “Top 10: What is the Oldest Subway in the World?”
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Philadelphia\’s Suburban Station was the terminus of the Pennsylvania Railroad\’s Main Line, class-I railroad.
The approach to the terminus was originally above grade. The lines were placed below ground to accomodate the \”Transportation Building\” as it came to be known, and it served as the head office of the railroad from 1930.
Strictly speaking Suburban Station is not a subway station.
The most interesting Philadelphia subway station was built beneath (and without disturbing) the existing City Hall building, which includes the tallest masonry-only tower in the world. It connects to area buildings and other lines through a labyrinth of tunnels
City Hall station was the centerpiece of a system of rapid transit designed by A. Merritt Taylor and opened in 1915.
Correction. The groundbreaking for the City Hall station was 1915. It was not actually completed until 1928
This is wrong. Buenos Aires subway system is older than Madrid. Line A is from 1913.
Why isn\’t Hamburg Metro on the list? It opened in 1912
Boston is left off the list even though the Tremont underground subway was the first in the United States. Construction having started in 1895 and opened to the public in 1897, parts of the original tunnels and stations are in use in this colonial historic city. Boston gave us the revolution and the subway. Chicago had mass transit but it was elevated – not subterranean. Boston’s was before New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Paris’ Metro. Pretty big oversight and questions the research done for a supposed informative article.
Buenos Aires. May have been built by the Brits, but it still counts.
Boston, 1897.
Hi Laura, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! You’re totally right, the MBTA subway opened in 1897, making it the oldest transit subway in the USA which is still in use today. We’ll be sure to update the blog accordingly. Thanks again!
AFAIK the second (after London) was in Liverpool in 1886. The one record I believe it holds is that it was the first proper railroad under a river.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mersey_Railway#:~:text=The%20railway%20opened%20in%201886,oldest%20underground%20railway%20outside%20London.
Still runs. Been there, born there, done that – plus 5 of the other non-medallists.
Hi Paul, thank you for your comment! It’s true that the Mersey Railway Tunnel opened in 1886, though we didn’t include it in our list as it wasn’t a subway system per se. That said, it was certainly an incredible architectural achievement. Cheers!
Check your research. You forgot Buenos Aires, which first line opened in 1913…
Hi Luis! You’re right! We’ll be sure to add Buenos Aires to our list when we next update the post. Thank you!
Buenos Aires subway is older than Madrid.
Hi! Thanks for your comment. We’ve taken a look into it and you’re right! We’ll be sure to add Buenos Aires to our list when we next update this post. Thank you again!
As you update, consider this — Boston’s may have been the first electric drive subway. Frank Sprague is one of the great electrical engineers (with Edison and Tesla). Sprague invented variable-speed electric motors and many of the other technologies that made electric trains possible. Please research to confirm these facts.
Boston is the oldest Subway system in the western hemisphere not Chicago ..
Do not forget it was also where Alexander Bell invented the telephone, the oldest university in the western hemisphere , Harvard , the pizza ( the Italian North End ) the revolution , the microwave oven, and so many other firsts In cant name them .
Hi Paul, thanks for your comment. You’re right, Boston has a storied history, and has been the setting of countless ‘firsts’, disproportionately contributing to technological advancement. Also, yes, the MBTA subway opened in 1897, making it the oldest transit subway in the USA which is still in use today. We’ll be sure to update the blog accordingly. Cheers.