The 13 Oldest Subway Systems in the World (#1 Is 160 Years Old!)

In major cities across the globe, the subway system serves as a means to get from Point A to Point B. You don’t have to sit in traffic for an hour and you can comfortably sit reading a book while you commute to your destination. The subway system has revolutionized the way humans travel. These systems started popping up in the mid-1800s with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, escalating in the 20th century with over a hundred cities constructing subway systems.

Let’s explore the 13 oldest subway systems in the world. The oldest one is a whopping 160 years old! We’ll give you some fun facts about each subway system, too.

London Underground

Location: London, UK

Service Established: 1863

Nicknamed the Tube, the opened on January 10, 1863, and it was the first underground railway in the world. The London Underground used steam locomotives to haul gas-lit wooden carriages between Paddington and Farrington. About 38,000 passengers used the service on its first day. Because of its success, more lines were added. Electric locomotives were used starting in 1890. Today, there are 11 lines and 272 stations serving Greater London and its surroundings.

Athens Metro

Location: Athens, Greece

Service Established: 1869

The Athens Metro opened one line using a steam locomotive, which then transitioned to using electric locomotives in 1904. Called Line 1, it opened on February 27, 1869, and transported people from Piraeus to Thiseio. It was the only line for over a hundred years until Lines 2 and 3 started construction in 1991. Today, the Athens Metro has 3 lines and 66 stations.

Chicago “L”

Location: Chicago, US

Service Established: 1892

The Chicago “L” started as the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad and opened to the public on June 6, 1892. A steam locomotive hauled four wooden coaches from 39th Street Station to Congress Street Terminal. Over the years, Chicago started building more elevated (which is where the “L” came from) rails. Today, the eight lines in use are color-coded and there are a total of 145 stations.

Budapest Metro

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Service Established: 1896

Although the is the oldest subway system in the world, it is the Budapest Metro that is the oldest electrified railway system in the world. Metro Line M1 opened on May 2, 1896 and ran from Vörösmarty tér to Széchenyi fürdő. It was until more than 50 years later that construction on Line 2 started. Today, the Budapest Metro has four lines and 48 stations.

Glasgow Subway

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Service Established: 1896

The Glasgow Subway opened on December 14, 1896, and was operated by a cable car that was powered by a steam plant. Opening day started calmly and with success, but at the end of the day one cable car ran into another and the subway was closed for more than a month. It resumed activities and later expanded. Today, there is still only one line and the Glasgow Subway has 15 stations.

MBTA Subway

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Service Established: 1897

Following congestion in Boston, the government and stakeholders decided to build a subway that opened in September 1897. An elevated opened four years later. The Tremont Street Subway, now the Green Line, operated between Park Street and Boylston Street stations. Today, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates three heavy rail lines, 2 light rail lines, and a rapid bus line with a total of 153 stations.

Paris Metro

Location: Paris, France

Service Established: 1900

The is one of the most famous metro systems in the world and a cultural symbol for the city. Opening on July 19, 1900, construction for the metro system started two years before using the cut-and-cover method. Line 1 ran from Porte Maillot to Porte de Vincennes and was styled in Art Nouveau. Afterward, the construction of nine more lines happened quickly and by 1920, most of the construction had been completed. Today, there are 16 lines with 4 more under construction and a current total of 308 stations.

Berlin U-Bahn

Location: Berlin, Germany

Service Established: 1902

The Berlin U-Bahn opened on February 18, 1902, and operated between Stralauer Tor and Potsdamer Platz. Before World War I, four more lines were built. Many of the stations, however, were bombed during the Nazi regime and World War II. They were rebuilt afterwards and during the Cold War, much of the underground was severed because of the division between East and West Berlin. Today there are 9 lines and 175 stations.

New York City Subway

Location: New York City, US

Service Established: 1904

Construction on the Subway started in 1900 and officially opened on October 27, 1904. The service was 9.1 miles and it was called the “Manhattan Main Line,” which ran from City Hall station going northward. It also curved in Times Square and ended at 145th Street in Harlem. Today, the New York City Subway operates 36 lines and 28 services with 472 total stations.

SEPTA

Location: Philadelphia, US

Service Established: 1907

The Market-Frankford Line was the first line that opened in Philadelphia on March 4, 1907, and it ran from the 15th Street and 69th Street stations. Throughout the 20th century, the transportation system greatly expanded and is now part of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. SEPTA runs all public transit including commuter rail, light rail, buses, and trolleys. There are a total of 196 lines and 200 stations.

Hamburg U-Bahn

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Service Established: 1912

The city of Hamburg became the third city to create an underground rail system. Construction began in 1906 and officially opened on February 15, 1912. The system had a circular shape that would connect the entire city. Today, there are both underground and elevated systems. There are currently four lines and 93 stations.

Buenos Aires Underground

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Service Established: 1913

The Buenos Aires Underground opened on December 1, 1913, thus becoming the first subway system in Latin America and the Spanish-speaking world. The first section of the line ran from Plaza de Mayo to Plaza Miserere. Throughout the 20th century, the underground system expanded substantially and now has a total of seven lines and 104 stations.

Madrid Metro

Place: Madrid, Spain

Service Established: 1919

Construction began on the in September 1916 and it officially opened to the public on October 19, 1919. The line ran from Puerta del Sol to Cuatro Caminos. Throughout the 20th century, the metro expanded with the addition of several lines. It was from 1995 to 2007 that the greatest expansion happened with several new lines and many new stations, considered one of the fastest expansions in the world. Today, the Madrid Metro has 13 lines and 276 stations.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the 13 oldest subway systems in the world. Although eight of them are in , each one is unique to its city and the ridership varies from millions to even a billion. These subway systems have connected people from all parts of a metropolis. As you ride the metro, think about the past and the people who have ridden that particular line you’re on. You’re following in the footsteps of so many, riding in a train system that revolutionized the world.

The 13 Oldest Subway Systems in the World