ᐅ Subway Surfers: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE | Review + Tips for Survival ✅
The most common mistakes every beginner should avoid in Subway Surfers
It’s been years since Subway Surfers first appeared on our phones, and even today, it’s still one of the most downloaded and played games on mobile platforms. Occasionally, when I check the rankings on the Play Store or even Google Trends, I’m surprised to see how it stays on top, competing with new releases and state-of-the-art graphics. The reason? It’s the perfect formula of simplicity, rhythm, color and constant challenge.
This Subway Surfers beginner’s guide is designed just for those who, like me years ago, download it out of curiosity and end up completely hooked. Here I will share with you not only how to play and survive the first few games, but also tricks, real tips and a personal look at what it means to play Subway and Surfers in 2025.
My personal experience with Subway Surfers
I remember perfectly how I discovered Subway Surfers: it was on the recommendation of friends and because I kept seeing it on the top of popular games. I downloaded it without many expectations, and at first I thought it would be just another endless running game. But the truth is that it caught me immediately.
There is something very special in its gameplay. That sensation of increasing speed, the obstacles that appear without warning, the need for quick reflexes… All of this generates an adrenaline rush that few mobile games can achieve. And that’s not counting the visual design: moving trains, changing cities, characters with their own style and floating boards. Every game is a mix of tension, fun and “let’s see how far I get this time”.
I’ve played on different devices, both mid-range and basic, and the game always runs smoothly. The best thing: you don’t need internet connection to play. That has saved me many times when I want to be distracted without spending data.
Subway Surfers beginner’s guide
The first thing you should know if you’re just starting out is that Subway Surfers is an endless runner game. Your character runs automatically, and you control its direction with slides:
- Swipe left or right to change lanes.
- Swipe up to jump.
- Swipe down to duck or slide under objects.
The main objective is to run as far as possible without hitting obstacles such as trains, barriers, or fences. At the same time, you must collect coins, keys and power-ups that appear on your way. The longer you survive, the faster the game goes and the harder it gets.
Although it may seem easy at the beginning, I assure you that as you progress, the game becomes a challenge. And that’s where the tips that have helped me to improve and enjoy it much more come in.
Controls and mechanics
One of the most common mistakes that beginners make (I did it at first too) is sliding your finger too slowly or not doing it accurately. The game responds very well to quick gestures, so make sure you make steady movements.
It is also important to understand the use of power-ups:
- Coin magnet: attract all the coins nearby without having to move.
- Jumping shoes: increase your jumping ability, but be careful! It’s also easier to crash into high signs.
- Score multiplier: essential to level up faster.
- Jetpack: lifts you into the air for a few seconds, allowing you to collect coins without obstacles.
A good practice is to memorize the common obstacle routes. Many of the patterns repeat, so if you often play, you will begin to anticipate when a train is coming or when it is best to slide.
How to play Subway Surfers without making rookie mistakes
Here are some personal tips that I wish I had known when I started:
- Don’t pick up everything in a hurry: in your first few games, focus more on dodging than on collecting coins. Survival is more important.
- Use the life board in time: you can activate the life board by double tapping the screen. It gives you a second chance if you crash.
- Save keys: the keys are used to revive after losing. Don’t use them at the start; save them for when the game is running at full speed.
- Check the daily challenges: completing this gives you coins, keys and other rewards.
- Do the full tutorial: it may seem basic, but it gives you a clear idea of the controls and how to use each power-up.
Also, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the menu and missions. In the challenge section, you will see tasks like “Collect X coins in one game” or “Use a board 3 times”. These help you gain experience faster and unlock new characters.
Rewards, coins, and keys: how to progress faster.
One of the keys to progress in Subway Surfers is to know how to manage your resources, especially coins and keys. Coins are used to unlock characters, boards, power-ups, and also to participate in events. Keys, on the other hand, allow you to continue a game after crashing, which is very useful when you are about to break your record.
My personal advice is not to spend random coins. When I first started, I was excited every time I could unlock something new, but over time I learned to save up to get characters or boards that actually offered advantages. For example, some boards have abilities like extra speed, longer jump or boost on takeoff. Those are worth it.
Also, if you concentrate on completing missions and daily challenges, you will be able to collect coins faster than you think. There are also seasons and events that offer special bonuses, such as multipliers or chests with random rewards. Take advantage of these moments to accumulate resources.
Subway Surfers characters: which ones to unlock first
One of the most attractive aspects of the game is the variety of characters. Each has their own style, their own clothes, their own special animation. And while many are unlocked with coins, others require keys or even special tokens during limited events.
When I started, unlocking characters was my main motivation. Some of my favorites were Jake (the classic), Tricky, Yutani, and in special events, characters like Nico in Berlin or Aina in Hawaii. The choice depends a lot on your visual tastes, but if you have the option, prioritize those that come with an exclusive board or are linked to an event, as they tend to be more difficult to obtain later.
It is not mandatory to have all of them, but unlocking several allows you to experience different styles and give a fresh air to the game. Also, some challenges are linked to the use of certain characters.
Subway Surfers boards
Boards are much more than just a visual accessory. Some have special abilities that can give you a big advantage when the pace gets hectic. For example:
- Bouncer: allows you to jump higher.
- Hot Rod: gives an automatic acceleration when activated.
- Big Kahuna: has a different animation and is very stable.
- Lowrider: it is faster on long stretches.
Personally, I recommend using boards with active skills once you master the basic controls. They make the difference between going far or crashing just before the record. I’ve gone over 1,000,000 points thanks to a good combination of board + character + concentration.
And by the way, don’t forget that you can activate the board by double tapping the screen at any time during the game. This is vital to avoid dying after a silly mistake. Believe me, it will save you more than once.
Subway Surfers tricks that every beginner should know
Here are some Subway Surfers tricks that I have learned over time that really make a difference:
- Take advantage of corners: if you go around the sides, you have more room to react.
- Memorize patterns: obstacles are not random, they follow sequences.
- Check the daily login rewards: many times they give free keys or power-ups.
- Use the board as “insurance” in difficult moments: instead of reviving with a key, use the board first.
- Play with sound: there are effects that warn you of nearby objects or the approaching guard.
- Don’t open random chests: if you are saving keys or coins, wait for events that give you a better return for each opening.
What about Subway Surfers 2?
One question I get asked a lot is whether a Subway Surfers 2 is coming out. So far, there is no official sequel announced by Kiloo or SYBO, but they did keep the base game constantly evolving. With new cities, characters and monthly events, it seems that the studio has preferred to keep Subway Surfers updated rather than release a sequel.
I personally think that, if Subway Surfers 2 ever arrives, it would have to include something beyond aesthetics: maybe new mechanics, a story mode or real multiplayer. In the meantime, the current game is still alive, active and very entertaining.
Evaluation of Subway Surfers
Visual style and graphics - 9.1
Gameplay and controls - 9.3
Constant content and events - 8.7
Optimization on mobile devices - 8.5
Rewards and progress system - 8.3
8.8
Very Good
Subway Surfers is a modern classic of mobile gaming: fast, vibrant and action-packed. If you're looking for something casual, fun and visually striking, you can't miss it on your phone.
Is Subway Surfers worth playing in 2025?
After so many years, Subway Surfers is still one of my favorite mobile games. It’s accessible, light, entertaining and with a difficulty curve that engages. It doesn’t matter if you play for just a few minutes or if you want to break your own record: there is always something to do, a new character to unlock or a different city to explore.
In addition, it is ideal for both children and adults. Its fast and visually appealing gameplay means that anyone can enjoy it. I, for one, have had it installed for years and I don’t plan to uninstall it anytime soon. It has that charm that few games manage to maintain over time.
So if you’re thinking of starting, I hope this Subway Surfers beginner’s guide will help you have a better experience from the first game. Just a word of warning: once you start… chances are you won’t want to stop.