The London Tube is perhaps one of the more iconic symbols of public transportation when it comes to underground rail systems.  Thanks in part to their red and blue logo and their unique tubular shape; they have come to epitomize the modern system of urban underground rail transportation.  Personally, I’ve only had a few opportunities to take the log-flume like ride and I must say that it’s definitely not for the claustrophobic or the ones seeking to get around on a bargain. A ride on these rails will cost you about 8 dollars a ride with the current USD/Pound conversion rate!

Ok, so if Washington D.C.’s metro system was ‘tiny’ then this one has to be considered microscopic. It consists of one line! That’s right folks, one, uno, une ligne. They even color coded it (they call it the red line) so as to not confuse it with… wait, there’s only one line! I can sit here and laugh all day about it but now that I’m in Houston and most likely going to be here a while, I perhaps shouldn’t make fun of what’s eventually going to get me to work on a daily basis. Also, in Houston’s defense, the city is rather small in comparison to the other areas that I mentioned before so perhaps its just a matter of time before they get serious in building a true metro rail system. Still, one line!? Did they really even need it?

Washington D.C.’s rail system looks infantile compared to the behemoth systems of Paris and Tokyo but it still offers its riders a unique experience. Almost all the stations, except those above ground, have barrel and cross vaulted ceilings reminiscent of the grand churches of Europe. The dim lighting also adds an extra level of surrealistic ambiance to the setting as it intensifies the contrast of the light and dark shadows cast by the ceiling’s uniform pattern. This is definitely a must ride for those wanting a unique metro experience… though it does get old rather quickly.

Not be outdone by Tokyo’s vast system of rails is Paris’ own subway system. Now, before anyone makes a premature conjecture that Paris’ system is more vast than the Tokyo rail system, keep in mind the sheer size difference we’re talking here. Also to note: despite the fact that Paris has a metro stop every few blocks inside the city limits, getting any use out of it when they are strike is next to impossible!

I do quite a bit of travelling (well I used to anyway), and whenever I travel I try to use the public transportation system as much as possible; whenever possible – Parisians, that last remark was for you! *@#%$ Metro Strikes. Anyway, I prefer to take trains so I started a collection of metro rail maps of the cities that I’ve been to. Hopefully some of you will find these useful at some point in the near future. For starters here’s a map of the Tokyo rail system. Good luck navigating this web!

p.s. These maps were taken from online sources; usually from their corresponding metro site. However, if they are proprietary maps, please let me know and I will take them down.