What is your favorite subway system, and why?
Tokyo and Paris - because of how comprehensively they cover the city. My main complaint with Paris is those damn paper tickets kept getting de-magnetized. I had purchased a 48 hour pass and had to replace my ticket four times on the first day. Eventually I just ended up buying new tickets for each journey (that was such a waste of 20 Euros). Tokyo is just incredible but I can imagine why it would be daunting for those not used to complex public transport systems.
It reminds me of the first time I went to Japan. My friends were in Ginza and I (having woken up late) was joining them there later. I reached Ginza station and my friend messaged me telling me to meet them at the station exit. I politely informed him of the number of exits and eventually managed to find them through sheer dumb luck. I intend to try this as a prank with someone someday as Shinjuku station.
Dubai because the stations are so incredibly clean. However, I wish the stations were easier to access - most months its too hot to walk and the station nearest to where I live has no easy pedestrian access.
Singapore, Seoul & Hong Kong also have good systems - easy to use and visitor friendly.
Vienna & Berlin both have comfortable & adequate systems given the sizes of those cities.
I want to like NYC's but it is far too filthy for my liking. Rome's was even worse.
What are some of the most enormous subway stations that you know of? How do you deal with them.
Shinjuku & Shibuya would have to rank up there and I deal with them by avoiding them entirely whenever possible.
What is your favorite airport for subway access to the downtown area it serves?
HKG, ICN, TYO are all great in this regard. VIE was incredible - easy to access the platform & really quick. BKK was terribly convoluted and I don't usually bother in NYC.
Ro