The world is full of incredible travel opportunities, but nothing compares to the thrill of taking a journey by high-speed rail. For a truly unique and unforgettable experience, check out the 10 best high-speed rail routes across the globe. From the sleek and modern Shinkansen in Japan to the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps, these routes offer a perfect blend of convenience and excitement. With high-speed trains reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, you’ll get to your destination in no time. And with comfortable carriages, plush seating, and plenty of space for luggage, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the ride. So put on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride! Here are the 10 best high-speed rail routes across the globe.
Shinkansen: Japan’s High-Speed Rail Network
The Shinkansen is Japan’s legendary high-speed rail network that first opened in 1964. Spanning 2,229km, the network connects 47 stations across the country, but it’s the Tokyo to Hakata run that is most famous. This section of the line is operated by the world’s first-generation N700-700 series trains, which are capable of reaching a top speed of 210 mph. The Shinkansen is one of the fastest trains in the world and a journey from Tokyo to Hakata takes just 2 hours and 10 minutes. The network also hosts a world-record-breaking N700-900 series, which hit a top speed of 320 km/h on a trial run in 2010. This route is operated by JR Central and connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka in just 2 hours and 22 minutes. In 2019, a new section of the Shinkansen was opened between Shin-Yokohama and Nagoya. The new line has cut journey times in half, with the Shin-Yokohama to Nagoya leg taking 2 hours and 14 minutes. The Shinkansen is operated by several different companies and the network spans the length of Japan, connecting Tokyo, Hakata, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and a number of other cities.
Eurostar: London to Paris
Launched in 1994, the London to Paris Eurostar route is one of the busiest high-speed rail lines in the world. The Eurostar train completes the journey in just 2 hours and 15 minutes, although delays due to customs checks have become more common since the UK voted to leave the EU. The high-speed train is operated by the French rail company SNCF and connects London’s St Pancras and Paris’s Gare du Nord stations. The Eurostar is a real engineering marvel, and it’s able to reach a top speed of over 300 mph thanks to its powerful, specially-designed engines. The train’s sleek and futuristic design has made it a popular choice among tourists since its launch. The Eurostar is also a very practical choice for regular commuters, as the London to Paris route takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Thalys: Paris to Brussels
The Thalys high-speed rail line is a 1,320km route that connects 41 stations across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The journey from Paris to Brussels takes just 1 hour and 15 minutes, making it one of the world’s fastest train routes. The Thalys route is operated by the French railway company SNCF and the Belgian railway company SNCB, and the train completes the journey using specially-designed high-speed tracks. The Thalys train is a real engineering marvel, and it’s able to reach a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour thanks to its powerful, specially-designed engines. The train’s sleek and futuristic design has made it a popular choice among tourists since its launch. The Thalys is also a very practical choice for regular commuters, as the Paris to Brussels route takes just 1 hour and 15 minutes.
AVE: Madrid to Seville
The Madrid to Seville AVE route is one of the world’s fastest high-speed rail lines, making it a popular choice among commuters and tourists alike. The AVE train operates on the high-speed tracks of the Madrid-Seville line, which is the longest high-speed rail line in Europe. The journey takes just 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is considerably shorter than the journey time by car. The AVE is operated by the Spanish national rail operator, RENFE, and the high-speed train is a real engineering marvel. It’s able to reach a maximum speed of 350 km/h thanks to its powerful and specially-designed engines. The AVE is also very comfortable and spacious, making it the perfect way to travel between Madrid and Seville.
ICE: Berlin to Munich
The Berlin to Munich ICE route is a 926km high-speed rail line that connects 25 stations across Germany. The ICE train completes the journey in just 3 hours and 40 minutes and holds the title of the fastest scheduled train service in Germany. It’s also one of the fastest high-speed trains in the world, hitting a top speed of 330 km/h on the high-speed tracks. The ICE is operated by the German national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, and the high-speed train is a real engineering marvel. It’s able to reach a maximum speed of 320 km/h thanks to its powerful and specially-designed engines. The ICE is also very comfortable and spacious, making it the perfect way to travel between Berlin and Munich.
Renfe: Barcelona to Madrid
The Barcelona to Madrid Renfe route is a 972km high-speed rail line that connects 26 stations across Spain. The journey takes just 2 hours and 20 minutes and is the most popular route in Spain. The Renfe train is operated by the Spanish national rail operator, RENFE, and the high-speed train is a real engineering marvel. It’s able to reach a maximum speed of 310 km/h thanks to its powerful, specially-designed engines. The Renfe is also very comfortable and spacious, making it the perfect way to travel between Barcelona and Madrid.
Frecciarossa: Rome to Milan
The Rome to Milan Frecciarossa route is a 725km high-speed rail line that connects 24 stations across Italy. The journey takes just 2 hours and 40 minutes and is operated by the Italian national rail operator, Trenitalia. The Frecciarossa train is a real engineering marvel, and it’s able to reach a top speed of 320 km/h thanks to its powerful, specially-designed engines. The Frecciarossa is also very comfortable and spacious, making it the perfect way to travel between Rome and Milan.
Glacier Express: Zermatt to St. Moritz
The Zermatt to St. Moritz Glacier Express route is a 141km high-speed rail line that connects 17 stations across Switzerland. The journey takes just 5 hours and is operated by the Swiss national rail operator, SBB. The Glacier Express train is a real engineering marvel, and it’s able to reach a top speed of up to 200 km/h. The train also runs all year round, making it the perfect way to travel between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
Conclusion
The world is full of incredible travel opportunities, but nothing compares to the excitement of taking a journey by high-speed rail. For a truly unique and unforgettable experience, check out the 10 best high-speed rail routes across the globe. From the sleek and modern Shinkansen in Japan to the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps, these routes offer a perfect blend of convenience and excitement. With high-speed trains reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, you’ll get to your destination in no time. And with comfortable carriages, plush seating, and plenty of space for luggage, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the ride. So put on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!
