Ever stood on a humid platform in New York or a gleaming, silent station in Seoul and wondered just how many of these things actually exist? It’s a simple question. But honestly, the answer is a total mess. If you ask a random commuter, they’ll tell you every city has one. If you ask a transit nerd, they’ll start arguing about "grade separation" and "axle loads."
Basically, there are about 211 cities on this planet operating what we’d call a "proper" metro or subway system as of early 2026.
That’s the short version. But you’ve probably noticed that the number feels low, right? That’s because the definition of a subway is surprisingly slippery. Some people count the London Underground (the "Tube") but ignore the Docklands Light Railway. Others count massive tram networks in Europe that dip underground for a few blocks. If we're being strict—talking about heavy rail, high-capacity, fully separated tracks—we're looking at roughly 211 systems across 63 countries.
Why the Number is Always Changing
It isn't a static list. Not even close.
While Western cities struggle for decades to add a single mile of track (looking at you, Second Avenue Subway), other parts of the world are popping out new lines like they're on a factory assembly line. China is the absolute heavyweight champion here. Just ten years ago, the list was way shorter. Today, China alone has over 54 cities with operational metros. That’s more than 25% of the entire world’s systems in just one country.
The growth is staggering. In 2024 and 2025, we saw massive expansions in places like India, where cities like Agra and Pune joined the club. Even as you read this in 2026, new lines are opening in Istanbul and Riyadh.
The "Subway" Identity Crisis
Here’s the thing: what you call a subway depends entirely on where you’re standing.
In the U.S., it’s a "subway." In the UK, it’s the "Underground" (or the Tube). In Germany, it’s the "U-Bahn." But technical experts at the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) use the term Metro. To them, a real metro has to meet three specific vibes:
- It’s an urban rail system (not a long-distance train).
- It runs on its own dedicated tracks (no cars or pedestrians allowed).
- It has high frequency (you don't need a timetable; you just show up).
This is why the Sydney Metro is a big deal. For decades, Sydney had a great train network, but it wasn't a "metro" because it shared tracks with freight and regional trains. When the automated Metro Northwest opened, Sydney finally officially joined the global subway count.
The "Light Metro" Gray Area
Then you have the weird middle children. Systems like the Vancouver SkyTrain or the REM in Montreal are often called "light metros." They are smaller than the massive 10-car trains in NYC, but they are still fully separated and run every few minutes. Most global databases now include these in the total count because, let's face it, if it looks like a subway and acts like a subway, it’s a subway.
The Global Heavyweights
If we look at the sheer scale of how many subways in the world are actually moving people, the numbers get ridiculous.
- China: The undisputed king. Shanghai and Beijing are constantly duking it out for the "World's Longest" title, with both networks hovering around 800 to 900 kilometers (500-560 miles).
- United States: We have about 16 to 19 systems depending on how mean you are to "light rail." NYC is the famous one, but Philadelphia, Chicago, and even Cleveland have their own versions.
- India: Currently the fastest-growing market. They’ve gone from a handful of systems to 15+ in record time.
- Russia: Specifically Moscow. The Moscow Metro is famous for looking like a palace, but it's also a beast, moving millions of people daily with surgical precision.
Interestingly, many countries have exactly one subway. Think Armenia (Yerevan), Algeria (Algiers), or the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo). Building these things is insanely expensive—often costing over $1 billion per mile in dense cities—so most countries only build them in their primary capital or most crowded hub.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Count
You’ll often see "The Top 10 Busiest Subways" lists online, and they usually get it wrong. People assume New York is the busiest because it has the most stations (472, which is wild). But New York isn't even in the top five for ridership.
The real heavy lifters are in Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, and Beijing. The Tokyo subway system is so complex it’s actually run by two different companies, and when you combine them, the ridership numbers make New York look like a quiet suburban bus route.
Also, "underground" is a lie. Most subways in the world are actually "overgrounds." In New York, about 40% of the track is outside. In London, more than half of the "Underground" is actually above the surface. We just call them subways because the tunnels are the cool part that everyone remembers.
The Future: Will the Count Keep Rising?
Kinda. But the trend is shifting.
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In 2026, we’re seeing a lot of cities "cheap out"—and I mean that in a good way. Instead of digging multi-billion dollar tunnels, many cities in South America and the U.S. are opting for BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) or Light Rail. It’s faster to build and does about 70% of the job for 20% of the cost.
However, for a city to truly become a "global megacity," a heavy rail subway is still the gold standard. Lagos, Nigeria, recently opened its Blue Line, marking a massive milestone for Sub-Saharan Africa. When a city gets to a certain density, buses just can't hack it anymore. You need the "big iron."
Your Transit Cheat Sheet
If you’re trying to keep track of this at home, don't get bogged down in the marketing names. Here is how to actually tell if a city has joined the global subway tally:
- Check for "Grade Separation": If the train has to wait for a red light at a street corner, it’s a tram or light rail, not a subway.
- Look at the Frequency: If the train only comes every 30 minutes, it’s a commuter train. Subways should come every 2 to 10 minutes.
- Platform Style: Subways almost always have "level boarding" (no steps up into the train) to handle massive crowds quickly.
So, next time someone asks how many subways in the world there are, tell them it's around 211, but remind them that by next Tuesday, China will probably have opened another one.
Actionable Insight: If you're traveling to a new city and want to know if the "subway" is actually good, look for the UITP classification. If it's listed as a "Full Metro," you can usually ditch the Uber and rely entirely on the trains. If it’s listed as "Pre-metro" or "Light Rail," give yourself an extra 20 minutes for the commute.