How to Play Subway Surfers

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: September 26, 2023

Subway Surfers is an endless runner game available on Android and IOS. This tutorial will show you the basics of playing the game, how to add friends from Facebook, and how to get high scores and lots of coins!

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Playing the Game

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This lets you jump over obstacles and collect coins in the air. You can't jump high enough to get on the top of a train unless you have the Super Sneakers powerup.
You'll need to roll to get under low obstacles.

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Switch lanes to avoid trains, walls, and other obstacles.
Your hoverboard allows you to collect more coins and will protect you from a crash.
Coins are scattered throughout the levels, and you'll need to move quickly to collect as many as possible.
6
Collect glowing powerups for boosts. There are four different powerups that you'll come across while playing:
- Jetpack - Makes you fly above the train track and lets you grab additional coins.
- Super Sneakers - Makes you jump higher.
- Coin Magnet - You'll attract any nearby coins without having to touch them.
- 2x Multiplier - Doubles your current score multiplier (e.g. x3 now becomes x6).

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Surviving a Run

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You'll see ramps on the ends of some train cars. Use these to reach the top of the trains, where you can collect more coins and avoid obstacles.
When you swipe to move, your character will still take a moment to get over. Make sure you're leaving enough time to get out of the way of approaching obstacles.
3
Switch lanes while in midair or mid-roll. You can swipe to change lanes at any time, even if you're in midair. Try to plan ahead so that you end up exactly where you want.
- If you're on the left or right lane, you can swipe twice in midair to move across both lanes in one jump.
Rolling during a jump will cancel the jump animation and keep you on the ground. This can be very helpful for getting coins on the top of trains and to keep you from jumping too far with Super Sneakers.
5
Use a hoverboard to avoid a crash. A hoverboard will prevent you from any crash, so it's best top save them until right before you need one. If you're about to hit a train or a wall, double-tap the screen to use one of your hoverboards.
- Hoverboards cost 300 coins each, but you'll often get them as rewards as well.
- Save your hoverboards for your really good runs to maximize your score. Don't waste them to avoid a crash at the start of a run when you can just start over for free instead.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Getting Lots of Coins

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The key to getting a lot of coins is to upgrade a few important powerups. You can do this from the Shop menu.
Improving these two powerups will lead to many more coins in the long run.
4
Complete the Daily Challenge. Each time you complete a daily challenge, you'll receive a reward. Oftentimes this is a significant number of coins.
- To view the Daily Challenge, tap the Daily Challenge button at the top of the main menu.
- You only have until the timer runs out to complete the Daily Challenge and earn the reward.
Each day in a row that you complete the Daily Challenge, you'll get a more impressive reward. By completing five days in a row, you'll earn a Super Mystery box, which can contain a whole lot of coins. You'll get a new Super Mystery Box for each Daily Challenge you continue to complete in a row.
6
Complete Missions. While completing a mission will not directly result in coins, reaching Multiplier 30 will result in Super Mystery Boxes as mission rewards. These can contain a lot of coins, so try to complete as many missions as possible.
- To view your current missions, tap the Missions button on the main menu.
This costs $4.99, but is a one-time purchase that will permanently double all of the coins you earn. You can find this at the top of the Shop menu.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Adding Friends

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This app icon looks like a stylized version of "Subway Surfers."
It's at the bottom of your screen and looks like shadows of multiple people.
3
Tap Connect to Facebook to collect friend bonuses. The app will link to your Facebook account and connect with your FB friends that also play the game, giving you 5,000 coins.
- You can revisit this "Friends" tab to check their progress; for every 50 runs they complete, you get 350 coins.
- From this screen you can also see your Friends' stats, so you can try to beat their high score.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I start this?

Community Answer

When you start this game it will say "press anywhere to start" and then it will start.

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How do I go under in Subway Surfers?

Community Answer

Just slide your finger down on the screen and the character will slide under/go down.

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Sometimes there are gold balls on the tracks - what are they?

Community Answer

Just a few coins. They look like a gold ball, because there are more coins at the place. If you grab them, you'll get coins as usual.

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Tips

Double tap your screen and you will get the hoverboard powerup.

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Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
You can't jump from the rails to the top of trains unless you have the Super Sneakers.

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Buy boosts because they add to your score multiplier and make it easier to get high scores.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Turn on the coin magnet before jumping onto trains. It pulls in all nearby coins, so you quickly collect them hands-free!
Use keys to revive your character after crashing instead of starting a run over. Save keys for your really good runs.
Buy the jetpack power-up whenever you see one. It makes you way faster than running and lets you grab distant coins.
Prioritize upgrading the coin magnet and jetpack at the in-game shop first. These give you a huge advantage!
Check the Daily Challenges and Missions. Completing them earns you mystery boxes full of coins as rewards!

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