Is traveling faster than a plane not a dream? The world’s 10 fastest trains chase the ultimate speed thrill

▲ Shanghai Maglev (Photo / Wikipedia)

By Rita

According to the well-known travel website Conde Nast, taking the train in Europe is already faster than flying. Japan has just conducted track tests for its latest train—can you believe it? This train has reached speeds of 600 km/h. Although it’s not yet in service, there are already many ultra-fast trains around the world with astonishing speeds today.

1. Shanghai Maglev, 430 km/h
The maglev doesn’t mean sky-high ticket prices—in fact, the Shanghai Maglev connects Pudong Airport to Longyang Metro Station, a relatively short distance covered in just seven minutes, with tickets costing around NT$240.

2. Shanghai Harmony CRH380A, 380 km/h
This is the world’s fastest non-maglev train, connecting Shanghai to Nanjing, Shanghai to Hangzhou, and Wuhan to Guangzhou.

3. Italy’s Red Arrow (Trenitalia Frecciarossa), 355 km/h
The Red Arrow is Europe’s fastest train, taking less than three hours from Milan to Florence or Rome. Importantly, 100% of the train’s components are made from eco-friendly materials.

▲ Spain’s Renfe AVE (Photo / Wikipedia)

4. Spain’s Renfe AVE, 350 km/h
Spain’s fastest train, mainly used for long-distance travel, connects major Spanish cities and also links Barcelona to Paris.

5. Germany’s ICE (InterCityExpress), 330 km/h
Germany’s fastest train, and the big news is that Deutsche Bahn plans to open a Frankfurt to London route in the future.

▲ Eurostar (Photo / Wikipedia)

6. Eurostar & TGV, 320 km/h
Mainly operates between major European cities and is a favorite among travelers.

7. Tohoku Shinkansen, 320 km/h
The classic route runs between Tokyo and Osaka, and now extends to Shin-Aomori Station and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.

8. Thalys, 300 km/h
An important European rail service connecting major cities across the continent.

▲ Japan’s Hokuriku Shinkansen (Photo / Wikipedia)

9. Japan’s Hokuriku Shinkansen, 260 km/h
When it launched in 2015, all tickets were sold out within 25 seconds because it connects Tokyo to Toyama and Kanazawa, cutting the original 4-hour journey down to just 2 hours. This route also passes through famous historical sites where many tourists come to experience geisha and samurai culture.

10. US Amtrak Acela Express, 240 km/h
This train offers Wi-Fi and primarily connects Boston, New York, Florida, Baltimore, Washington, and more.