Traveling around a new city can be a nightmare, but having a reliable (and clean) mode of transportation makes all the difference.

You’re probably well accustomed to the ins and outs of at least one transit system, but these 20 across the globe make up the best of the best.

With features like heated seats, WiFi access, and custom-designed, art-filled stations, these subway systems will make traveling around a new city a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

NEW YORK CITY

1New York City

Though New Yorkers may complain about the subway, the New York City transit system is in fact one of the best in the world, thanks to its wide reach and the fact that it runs 24 hours a day—barring extreme weather, that is. Part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the largest transportation network in North America, the subway opened in October 1904 and provides easy access to Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens.

It's so expansive that if all of NYC’s subway tracks were laid out end-to-end, they would stretch from New York City to Chicago. Featuring 21 routes, approximately 1.7 billion people use the subway’s 468 stations each year, making it the most-used system in the U.S. Always making improvements, the MTA opened the new Fulton Center transit hub late last year; the staion features a massive skylight to brighten up the commute.

LONDON

2London Known coloquially as the Tube, the London Underground is the oldest underground railway in the world, dating back to 1863. The first electric line debuted in 1905, and today the Tube travels an average of 20.5 miles per hour through 270 stations. With plans in the works to update the system to stay ahead of the curve, Transport for London hopes to add 250 trains to select system lines, create air-cooled carriages, and increase accessibility and reliability to carry trains through the 2060s.

A number of notable names have taken historic trips on the Tube: Queen Elizabeth II became the first member of the British royal family to ride the system when she sat on the Victoria Line after it opened in 1969, and Mark Twain was one of the first passengers to ride the Central Line when it opened in 1900.

PARIS

3Paris The Paris Metro is one of the densest subway systems in the world, with just over 132 miles of tracks running through 245 stations within the 40 square miles that make up Paris.

Dating back to July 1900, the system is known for its notable Art Nouveau-styled entrances, designed by Hector Guimard, though only a few remain in existence today. The Greater Paris Metro project is in the works to upgrade the entire subway network, which more than 1.5 billion people use each year, by 2040.

MOSCOW

4Moscow The Moscow Metro provides transportation to more than 2.4 billion people each year (9 million on a daily basis), making it the busiest European system. It’s also one of the most beautiful, featuring marble and bronze designs, stained-glass windows, and chandeliers.

The Aquarelle Train, which was added to the system in 2007, even features framed artwork inside and an elaborate design on the outer shell. Additional stations and trains are frequently added to the system to continue to update the metro system and ease transportation, with plans to add 90 miles of lines by 2020.

STOCKHOLM

5Stockholm Also known as the world’s longest art exhibit (running more than 68 miles), this Swedish metro system features sculptures, paintings, installations, and unique, elaborate designs from more than 150 artists at most of the stations throughout Stockholm.

Some highlights of Stockholm’s Tunnelbana, which dates back to the 1950s, are the Kungsträdärden station, designed to resemble an archaeological dig, and the Östermalmstorg station, which celebrates women’s rights.

HONG KONG

6Hong Kong With free WiFi available in all of its stations, in addition to its reputation for being clean, cheap, and reliable, Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway is the envy of many across the globe. With a 99.9 percent on-time rate, more than 1.5 billion people take advantage of the system each year and praise it as the gold standard of subway systems. Made up of 10 lines and 87 stations, the rail system first opened in 1979.

When visiting, you can purchase a refillable Octopus card, which is used on the subway and other forms of public transit (with discounts on the normal fare), in addition to select grocery stores, Starbucks, and fast food restaurants.

BEIJING

7Beijing With more than 3.2 billion passengers each year, the Beijing Subway is the second-busiest in the world. The subway is continuing to adjust to keep up with the city's growing population: In December 2014, Beijing opened 37 miles of new tracks, in addition to the 235 miles added between 2007 and 2014, leading to a reach of 327 miles total—making Beijing the second-longest system in the world. And it’s only getting bigger, with plans to continue expanding over the next two years.

TOKYO

8Tokyo Since opening in 1927, Tokyo’s Metro has grown into the busiest one in the world, with more than 3.3 billion using the rails each year and more than 8.7 million every day.

While the result is crowded cars (with official “pushers” who work to fit everyone safely onto the train), the system operates smoothly, with trains that move quickly and arrive on time and lines and arrows on the ground telling people waiting where to stand. The 102 metro lines span 200 miles.

SEOUL

9Seoul Featuring a number of luxury amenities, such as heated seats, TV screens with announcements and news, and plenty of legroom, the Seoul Subway has many fans across the globe. With reasonably priced fares, more than 2.5 billion people use the city’s subway transit every year.

While you’re traveling, be sure to enjoy the view between the Hapjeong and Dangsan stops on Line 2, where the train travels above ground with a great view of the National Assembly. The Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 features artifacts from various Korean dynasties and displays from the Seoul Metro Art Center.

BUENOS AIRES

10Buenos Aires Also known as the Subte, the Buenos AiresUnderground first opened its doors in 1913, making it the oldest subway system in South America. If you travel on Line A, you can still board one of the historic train cars. Now the Subte has 83 stations and six train lines, with more than 252 million riding the system each year. The efficient system allows unlimited transfers between lines, a new feature that began in June 2014.

ATHENS

11.Athens When construction on the Athens Metro began in 1992, builders also took part in the largest archaeological excavation of a modern city, which led to the discovery and preservation of more than 50,000 artifacts from the classical Greek, Byzantine, and Roman periods.

Today, these items are on display in metro stations throughout Greece. The Athens Metro system, which has reduced traffic and smog in the area since its establishment, is made up of three rail lines and 65 stations, with more still in the works today. The trains travel up to 60 miles per hour beneath the historic city, meaning you're guarenteed to get to your destination with plenty of time to spare.