Which cities are best for playing real-world transit hide-and-seek?

Cities with dense, frequent rail and subway networks with clear zone boundaries make the best playing fields. Top global cities include New York City (MTA Subway), London (Underground and Elizabeth Line), Chicago (CTA 'L'), Berlin (S-Bahn Ringbahn and U-Bahn), and Tokyo (Yamanote Line and Tokyo Metro).

How large should our playable city border be?

For a 2-3 hour casual game, a single borough or downtown zone (3 to 6 miles across) is ideal. For a full-day event (4 to 8 hours), a metropolitan regional transit boundary with 45-60 minute hiding countdowns creates an epic chase.

City Transit Hide and Seek Guides

Turn your city into the ultimate game board. Near includes pre-built city presets and public borders for major metropolitan transit networks around the globe. Discover recommended boundaries, transit strategies, and safety tips for each city below.

Featured Cities

New York City Guide →

United States

🚆 MTA Subway & Staten Island Ferry

Manhattan grid, express vs. local subway lines, and iconic river crossings.

View New York City Guide & Playable Borders

London Guide →

United Kingdom

🚆 London Underground, Overground & Elizabeth Line

Zonal fare boundaries, Thames river chokepoints, and high-speed cross-city transit.

View London Guide & Playable Borders

Chicago Guide →

United States

🚆 CTA 'L' Trains & Metra

The historic Loop, elevated downtown corridors, and Lake Michigan shoreline borders.

View Chicago Guide & Playable Borders

Berlin Guide →

Germany

🚆 S-Bahn Ringbahn & U-Bahn

The iconic Ringbahn S41/S42 loop and expansive Zone A/B public transit grid.

View Berlin Guide & Playable Borders

Tokyo Guide →

Japan

🚆 Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway

The world's densest rail network, circular loop lines, and massive multi-level stations.

View Tokyo Guide & Playable Borders

How Near Coordinates City Games

In Near, you don't have to draw a border from scratch. You can select a pre-made city preset or pick a verified community border from Public Borders. Near automatically clips transit stations, draws rail lines on your map, and lets you route walking and train directions in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we play in a city not listed here?

Yes! Near works in every city, town, and rural area worldwide. You can use the custom border tool to draw any boundary on the live map in seconds.

What transit rules should our group follow?

Always obey local transit authority rules, purchase valid fares or day passes, stay within public passenger areas, and never cross tracks or board moving trains unsafely.