You'll never guess that Moscow's metro handles more riders than New York's or any other U.S. subway by looking at the impeccable, museum-like conditions of its underground stations.

Moscow's subway system is the second largest in the world (after Tokyo's). It was the first underground railway in the former Soviet Union, opened in 1935. It is 187 miles (301.2 km) long and has 182 stations.

And if that's not enough to make you jealous of Moscow's magnificent metro system, check out their fare rates: a one way fare on the Moscow metro costs 26 rubles, or $0.86 USD. And a 30-day unlimited card costs 1,480 rubles, or $48.82 USD.

(And New Yorkers will be paying $2.50 a ride and $104 a month after a hike due on Dec. 30, 2010.)

Novokuznetskaya Metro Station

By Empirically Grounded on flickr

Moscow, Russia - Another Moscow metro station - this one has beautiful paintings on the ceilings.

Source: Empirically Grounded via Flickr

Ploshchad Revolyutsii Metro Station

By Empirically Grounded on flickr

Inside the Ploshchad Revolyutsii Metro Station in Moscow. The dog's nose is polished bright because as people walk past, they touch the nose - I have no idea as to why. But as I was waiting for chances to take photos, I saw at lease five people reach up and rub the nose as they walked by.

Source: Empirically Grounded via Flickr

Komsomolskaya Metro Station

By Empirically Grounded on flickr

The Komsomolskaya Metro Station in Moscow, Russia. I read about the beautiful metro stations built in the 30's and spent the morning riding the subway system to visit all of the stations cited in my guide book. This was by far the most interesting of the lot.

Source: Empirically Grounded via Flickr

Novokuznetskaya Metro Station

By Empirically Grounded on flickr

Another Moscow metro station - this one has beautiful paintings on the ceilings.

Source: Empirically Grounded via Flickr

Prospekt Mira Metro Station

By Empirically Grounded on flickr

This is another metro station, but it was simply one that I saw as I moved through the system and was not in my guide book as one to visit - but it still looks great. The name of this one is the Prospet Mira Metro Station.

Source: Empirically Grounded via Flickr

Novoslobodskaya Metro Station

By Empirically Grounded on flickr

While waiting in one of Moscow's underground stations for a chance to take a photograph, I took a long exposure shot at the moment when a train arrived and a large group of travelers came out and went directly up the stairs. The result was kind of strange.

Source: Empirically Grounded via Flickr

Mayakovskaya

Wikimedia Commons

Slavyansky bul'var

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Ulgorchakova

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Alexandrovsky Sad

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons

BONUS: Check Out Moscow's Subway Map

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/moscow-s ... z1ykqJp4T7