You hear “urban subway systems” and crowded, utilitarian spaces typically come to mind. But scattered across the globe are underground networks that transform the daily commute into something unexpectedly magical for families. Along these tracks and stations, you can discover art, history, and architectural wonder without ever stepping outside. Or, they can simply make for entertainment when schlepping from one destination to the next. These trains serve as gateways to exploration, turning travel time into adventure.
Stockholm Metro, Sweden
The Stockholm Tunnelbana runs for about 68 miles (110 kilometers) through solid bedrock — a whole underground world carved into stone. More than 90 of its 100 stations show off art from over 150 artists. At T-Centralen, blue vines twist up white cave-like walls. A few stops later, Solna Centrum explodes in reds and greens so vivid it’s like somebody split open a forest right at sunset. I remember standing there once, next to this kid—maybe six, maybe seven—and he just stared at the wall for a second before saying, “It looks like the sky’s melting.” I laughed out loud. Couldn’t have described it better myself.
Tokyo Metro, Japan
The trains in Tokyo glide in right when they’re supposed to—down to the second. The staff bow in perfect sync, like they’ve practiced it forever, and every station has its own little jingle before the doors close. After a few rides, you catch yourself humming along without even noticing.
But honestly, it’s what’s underneath that blows you away. There’s this whole hidden world down there—endless rows of capsule toy machines, cozy little anime cafés, bakeries that smell way too good, and food halls showing off plastic sushi so realistic you kind of want to poke it just to check.
And if you’re really lucky—or happen to time it right—you might catch a glimpse of Dr. Yellow, Japan’s famous bright yellow bullet train used for track inspection on the Shinkansen lines. It’s nicknamed “the doctor” because it checks rails, overhead wires, and signals while zooming at nearly 170 miles per hour. It doesn’t carry passengers, so spotting it is a rare treat. Kids across Japan call it a “lucky train,” believing good things happen if you see it.
Naples Metro, Italy
Naples merges sleek modern design with layers of buried antiquity. Toledo station plunges riders through a crater of blue and white light installations by artist William Kentridge, like diving into a dream. Museo station literally incorporates an archaeological museum, with glass floors revealing Roman ruins below. And yet again, the city refuses to hide its past. Subway construction didn’t bury history; it put it on display. For families, it’s an effortless history lesson underfoot, where a quick afternoon ride reveals artifacts nearly 2,000 years old. Not bad for the price of a metro ticket.
SBB Trains, Switzerland
Switzerland and trains just go together. But honestly, the country doesn’t really do ordinary trains. Riding a train in Switzerland feels less like getting from point A to point B and more like stepping into a moving postcard. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) runs some of the most jaw-dropping routes you’ll ever see—trains gliding past lakes so calm they look fake, winding through green valleys, then disappearing straight into the mountains like some magic trick.
And here’s the fun part for families: some of the long-distance trains actually have playground cars. Yep, a real play area on wheels—tiny slides, climbing frames, bright murals with dragons and castles and snowy peaks. Parents can finally sit back with a coffee while the kids go wild. Top that off with a cheerful conductor who strolls by offering Swiss chocolate, and you realize why families love Switzerland so much.
