Subway Systems of the World
1 / 15Go underground with questions about the world's famous metro and subway systems!
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
Which city opened the world's first underground railway in 1863?
About Subway Systems of the World
Give your memory a workout with Subway Systems of the World: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 7 easy, 7 medium, 1 hard questions, free to play right in your browser. Go underground with questions about the world's famous metro and subway systems! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. Which city opened the world's first underground railway in 1863?
Answer: London
London's Metropolitan Railway opened on January 10, 1863, making it the world's first underground passenger railway. It initially ran between Paddington and Farringdon using steam locomotives.
2. The Moscow Metro is famous for the lavish decoration of its stations, often described as what?
Answer: Underground palaces
The Moscow Metro, opened in 1935, is often called a collection of 'underground palaces' due to its ornate stations featuring chandeliers, marble columns, mosaics, and sculptures in the Socialist Realist style.
3. Which city's metro system is the busiest in the world by annual ridership?
Answer: Beijing
The Beijing Subway is the busiest metro system in the world by annual ridership, carrying over 3.8 billion passengers per year. It has expanded rapidly since 2000 and now has over 800 km of track.
4. The New York City Subway is notable for operating how many hours per day?
Answer: 24 hours
The New York City Subway operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it one of the few subway systems in the world to provide round-the-clock service. It has been running since 1904.
5. Which city's metro system features stations carved from natural rock, giving them a cave-like appearance?
Answer: Stockholm
Stockholm's metro (Tunnelbana) is often called the 'world's longest art gallery.' Many stations are carved from bedrock and left with exposed cave-like walls, decorated by over 150 artists with paintings, mosaics, and installations.
Things you'll learn along the way
- The third rail is an electrified rail that runs alongside the track and provides electrical power to subway trains. Trains collect power from it via a contact shoe. It typically carries 600-750 volts of direct current.
- Several Paris Metro lines use trains that run on rubber tires instead of traditional steel wheels on rails. This system, introduced in the 1950s, provides better acceleration, braking, and reduced noise.
- The New York City Subway has the most stations of any metro system in the world, with 472 stations. While other systems may have more track length or ridership, NYC leads in total number of stations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Subway Systems of the World take?
Most players finish Subway Systems of the World in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Subway Systems of the World?
If you enjoyed this general knowledge quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
Can I print Subway Systems of the World?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Subway Systems of the World fits comfortably in one sitting.
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