I use Adobe Illustrator exclusively when working on my maps. As a graphic designer, it’s the tool that I’m most used to and that’s most suited to the task at hand. Any vector-based illustration application would be fine, though. Lots of people who want to get into map making without the cost of an Adobe app swear by Inkscape, although I’ve never used it personally.

As for tutorials, I’ve pretty much learned all I know about making transit maps through my own experimentation and observation of other maps (the whole point of this blog, really!). Twenty-odd years of graphic design experience helps, too. I have compiled a list of tips and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way – you can read it here. And I’ve also written at length on why Adobe Illustrator’s “Round Corners” Effect is terrible for transit map making – read that here. Hope this helps!