Metro, Tube, or Subway? Why Every City Has Its Own Word for Underground Travel

If you live in Paris, you take le métro. If you visit London, you ride the Tube. But in New York? You hop on the subway. Three different words, all describing the same thing: an underground transport system.

As an English teacher, I often hear my students refer to the Paris Metro as the subway, and every time, I want to shout, No! It's the metro! Why do different cities have different names for their underground trains? And what does this tell us about history, culture, and language? Let’s take a journey through underground transport—without even needing a ticket!

A Quick History of Underground Travel

London: The Tube 🚇

London was the first city in the world to build an underground train system. The Metropolitan Railway opened in 1863, and by the early 20th century, the deep tunnels and round train carriages earned the system the nickname The Tube. While Metropolitan is a long and formal word, Tube is short, easy to say, and perfectly British.

👉 Key fact: Londoners almost never call their system the metro. If you ask where the metro is, they might just look at you in confusion!

Paris: Le Métro 🇫🇷

Paris followed London and opened its underground system in 1900. The name comes from "Chemin de fer métropolitain", meaning "Metropolitan railway." Over time, people shortened it to Métro, and the name became so popular that it spread to other languages, including Spanish and Russian.

👉 Key fact: The word metro is now used internationally, but not in New York or London!

New York: The Subway 🗽

The New York City subway opened in 1904. Unlike London’s deep tunnels, New York’s underground system was built using a cut-and-cover method, meaning workers dug trenches and covered them over with roads. Because of this, Americans referred to it as a sub-way—literally a “way under” the streets.

👉 Key fact: Americans use subway as a general term for underground transport. If you say metro in the U.S., people might think you mean the Washington Metro or the Los Angeles Metro!

Why Language Matters

Now you know why different cities use different words, but why is this important?

1️⃣ Language reflects culture – British people say Tube because of the shape of their tunnels. French people say métro because of their railway company’s name. Americans say subway because of how their system was built. Language isn’t just about communication—it tells a story!

2️⃣ Direct translations don’t always work – If you say, I'm taking the subway in Paris, English speakers might think you’re in New York. If you say, I'm on the Tube in New York, it sounds completely wrong!

3️⃣ Pay attention to regional English – If you want to sound more natural in English, it helps to use the right word in the right city.

Now you know why we say metro in Paris, Tube in London, and subway in New York. These names aren’t just random—they tell us about history, culture, and even how things were built. Next time you travel, try using the correct word and see how locals react!

And remember, in Paris, it’s the metro—never the subway! 😉

Grammar Review: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

Let’s practice how to talk about transport correctly using two important tenses in English.

Present Simple 🚆

We use the present simple for facts and things that don’t change.

✔️ The Paris Metro has 16 lines.

✔️ The London Underground is the oldest metro system in the world.

✔️ In New York, most people take the subway to work.

Present Continuous 🚋

We use the present continuous for actions happening right now.

✔️ I am waiting for the next train.

✔️ She is taking the Tube to work this morning.

✔️ They are riding the subway in New York.

📝 Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Right now, I _______ (take) the metro to my English lesson.

2. The London Underground _______ (have) 272 stations.

3. She usually _______ (ride) the Tube, but today she _______ (take) the bus.

4. The Paris Metro _______ (be) one of the busiest systems in Europe.

5. We _______ (wait) for the subway—there is always a delay!

Comprehension Questions

Multiple Choice

1. Why is the London Underground called the Tube?

   1. Because it was originally called the "Tube Railway"

   2. Because the tunnels and trains are tube-shaped

   3. Because the first train engineer was named Mr. Tube

2. What does the word subway refer to in American English?

   1. An underground passageway

   2. A train system under the streets

   3. A type of sandwich

3. Why do French people say métro?

   1. Because it is short for "Métropolitain"

   2. Because it sounds like "metrobus"

   3. Because it was inspired by London

True or False?

1. The New York subway is the oldest underground transport system. ❏ True ❏ False

2. Londoners often say metro instead of Tube. ❏ True ❏ False

3. The word metro is now used in many countries. ❏ True ❏ False

   
   

Answer Key for Exercises

Grammar Review: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

1. Right now, I am taking (take) the metro to my English lesson. ✅ (Present Continuous: action happening now)

2. The London Underground has (have) 272 stations. ✅ (Present Simple: fact)

3. She usually rides (ride) the Tube, but today she is taking (take) the bus. ✅ (Present Simple for habit, Present Continuous for temporary action)

4. The Paris Metro is (be) one of the busiest systems in Europe. ✅ (Present Simple: fact)

5. We are waiting (wait) for the subway—there is always a delay! ✅ (Present Continuous: action happening now)

Comprehension Questions

1. Why is the London Underground called the Tube?✅ b) Because the tunnels and trains are tube-shaped

2. What does the word subway refer to in American English?✅ b) A train system under the streets

3. Why do French people say métro?✅ a) Because it is short for "Métropolitain"

True or False?

1. ❌ False – The London Underground is the oldest system, not New York.

2. ❌ False – Londoners say Tube, not metro.

3. ✅ True – The word metro is used in many languages today.