The incredible European city that is the smallest with its own underground railway

Lausanne in Switzerland has its own metro (Image: Getty)

The London Underground is famously the world’s oldest subsurface metro system - and many would argue that it is by far the best. The first section, then known as the Metropolitan Railway, opened more than 160 years ago in January 1863. But the UK’s capital city is by no means the only place with its own similar network, as many more have been constructed across the globe.

This includes on the continent, such as the one serving locals and visitors in Lausanne in Switzerland. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the city has a population of only 140,000. It is thought to be the smallest in the world with its own metro system. The network consists of two lines and 28 stations, with one line being fully underground and the other partially below the surface.

The Lausanne metro is set to be extended (Image: Getty)

Lausanne has been described as a “beautiful city” on Reddit, with a person who previously lived there adding that it has “really well maintained infrastructure”.

They also said: “The metro system takes you from the lake in Ouchy to the top of the hill above the city, with stops all along the way of course. I highly recommend a visit there. It's a great town!”

Some like the fact that a place as relatively small as Lausanne has its own railway network to inspire officials in other settlements to build their own.

One person asked: “So what excuse do US cities have? Or even Chinese ones for that matter.”

Switzerland’s tourist board highlights that the trains are fully automated and remotely controlled. Officials add that they spend half their time underground. It is said, therefore, that, if you stand at the front of the carriages, it feels like you are driving the train yourself.

The M2 line opened in 2008 and cost SFr740million ($668million). The almost six kilometres long line covers a bigger altitude difference than any other underground railway: 336 metres, with a maximum gradient of 12%.

The M2 route on the Lausanne metro was opened in 2008 (Image: Getty)

Another line is planned in the years to come, which would stretch from Blécherette via Palais de Beaulieu to Flon, as well as further on to a new terminus at the SBB railway station.

Swiss tourism bosses add: “Once comprising two funicular railways known as ‘La Ficelle’ (the string), then converted to cog railways and now run on solid rubber wheels much like the Paris Métro, the Lausanne city railway has an interesting history of development that began way back in 1877.

“The Ouchy-Flon funicular railway was the very first in Switzerland, while the parallel line from the Lausanne SBB station to Flon was the world's first cableway.

“The ropeway carriages were also once used to push ordinary rail freight wagons.”