Flying at incredible speeds: The world’s fastest trains

With climate change becoming a global priority, short-haul flights are increasingly being seen as less appealing by many travelers. The 'flygskam' (flight shame) movement that began in Scandinavia is encouraging more people to cut back on air travel.

For journeys under 700 miles, high-speed rail remains the most efficient alternative to flying—offering speeds of 180 mph and beyond, making it a powerful mix of speed and convenience for passengers traveling between city centers.

Rail travel’s capacity to move large numbers of people swiftly makes it far more practical than emerging, low-capacity concepts like the Hyperloop.

Since the 1980s, billions of dollars have poured into developing high-speed rail networks across Europe and Asia, with Japan’s Shinkansen and France’s TGV leading the way in setting the standard.

Over the past decade, China has risen to dominate global high-speed rail, constructing a vast 38,000-kilometer network that spans nearly every region of the country.

Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the UK are expanding Europe’s rail network, with other nations set to join the expansion by the 2030s.

In 2018, Africa introduced its first high-speed rail line with Morocco’s Al-Boraq, and Egypt is poised to follow suit before the end of the 2020s.

Other regions, such as South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan, have rolled out high-speed rail lines, while countries like India, Thailand, Russia, and the United States are moving forward with plans to create new rail links connecting major cities at speeds over 250 kph (155 mph).

So, where can you experience the world’s fastest trains in 2023?

1: Shanghai Maglev - 460 kph/286 mph (China)

The world’s fastest public train stands out as the only one currently using magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology instead of traditional steel wheels on rails.

Linking Shanghai’s Pudong airport with Longyang Road station in the city center, it reaches a top speed of 460 kph, covering the 30-kilometer (19-mile) route in just seven and a half minutes.

Built on German technology, the Maglev trains glide along an elevated track, using powerful magnets to deliver a smooth, frictionless ride.

Leveraging over a decade of operational experience, China has developed its own Maglev trains capable of reaching 600 kph (373 mph), with plans to create a nationwide network, including a route connecting Shanghai and Hangzhou.

2: CR400 ‘Fuxing’ – 350 kph/217 mph (China)

Not only does China have the world’s largest high-speed rail network, but it also operates the fastest scheduled trains globally.

The CR400 'Fuxing' trains are built for commercial speeds of 350 kph (217 mph), but have been tested at 420 kph (260 mph). These advanced trains are the result of China’s rapidly growing rail technology sector, evolving from earlier high-speed models originally based on European and Japanese innovations.

With up to 16 carriages and a capacity for 1,200 passengers, this impressive fleet of trains is packed with cutting-edge features like at-seat entertainment, smart glass displays, wireless charging, “smart cabins,” and even models designed for extreme weather and autonomous operation – making them the world’s only fully automated high-speed trains.

The fastest CR400 models are currently operating on key routes such as Beijing-Shanghai-Hong Kong and Beijing-Harbin.

3: ICE3 – 330 kph/205 mph (Germany)

Germany’s renowned InterCity Express (ICE) brand includes a diverse range of high-speed trains, serving a broad network of routes across the country.

The fastest member of the 'White Worm' family is the 330 kph (205 mph) ICE3, introduced in 1999. Originally designed for the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed route, these sleek trains have reduced travel times between the two cities from two and a half hours to just 62 minutes since 2002.

While the typical operating speed is 300 kph (186 mph), the ICE3 can reach up to 330 kph when necessary to make up for delays. During test runs, it has hit a top speed of 368 kph (229 mph). The train's exceptional performance is powered by 16 electric motors spread across its eight-car configuration, delivering an impressive 11,000 horsepower.

The ICE3 fleet operates extensively across Germany and also serves international routes connecting major German cities to Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.

The ICE3 design also forms the foundation for the Siemens 'Velaro' family of high-speed trains, which has been sold to Spain, Russia, Turkey, China, and used for the second generation of Eurostar international trains.

4: TGV – 320 kph/198.5 mph (France)

France still holds the world speed record for conventional trains, set at an incredible 574.8 kph (357 mph) on April 3, 2007. That’s nearly twice the normal top speed of Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) services, which have long been a leader in high-speed rail technology.

Europe’s first dedicated high-speed rail network is still its most well-known and successful, extending well beyond France. The French railway sector has been pushing the limits of what conventional trains can achieve since the 1950s, setting record speeds in 1955 (331 kph), 1981 (380 kph), and 1990 (515.3 kph).

Today, high-speed rail lines radiate from Paris to cities like Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, as well as Brussels and London, with some routes reaching speeds of up to 320 kph. Over the past 40 years, the TGV trains have evolved through multiple generations as the network has expanded.

The classic orange TGV trains of the 1980s have been replaced by the more advanced 'Duplex' trains, which offer higher capacity and can operate across neighboring countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. The newest TGV-M double-decker trains are currently undergoing testing and are set to be introduced in 2024.

High-speed rail has become a major export success, with TGV technology sold to countries such as Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Morocco, Italy, and the United States over the last three decades.

5: JR East E5 – 320 kph/200 mph (Japan)

Japan pioneered high-speed rail with the introduction of the Shinkansen in 1964, and continues to be a global leader in advancing speed, capacity, and safety on its rail network.

While most Shinkansen trains top out at 300 kph (186 mph), the E5 'Bullet Trains' of Japan Railways East (JR East) reach speeds of up to 320 kph (200 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen, which runs from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori in the north.

Each E5 train features 731 seats and is powered by 32 electric induction motors that generate an impressive 12,900 horsepower. Built from lightweight aluminum alloy, the E5s are equipped with 'active suspension' to maintain high speeds even on curved tracks.

The exceptionally long nose of the E5 trains is designed to minimize sonic booms as they enter tunnels at high speed.

Introduced in 2011, a total of 59 trains were built, and since 2016, they have also been operating on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, extending north of Aomori. This line is connected to Japan’s main island of Honshu via the 54-kilometer (3-mile) Seikan Tunnel, which runs beneath the Tsugaru Strait.

6: ‘Al Boraq’ 320 kph/198.5 mph (Morocco)

Africa’s first and currently only dedicated high-speed railway opened in November 2018, connecting the port city of Tangier with Casablanca in Morocco.

Named ‘Al-Boraq’ after a mythical creature that carried Islamic prophets, this service marks the first phase of Morocco’s ambitious 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) high-speed rail network.

French-built TGV Euroduplex double-decker electric trains now operate on a dedicated 186-kilometer (116-mile) line between Tangier and Kenitra, reaching speeds of up to 320 kph (200 mph).

Once the new line to Casablanca is completed, the travel time will be reduced to just 90 minutes.

Al-Boraq also holds the African rail speed record – during pre-service testing in 2017, one of the 12 Alstom-built trains hit 357 kph (222 mph) on the new line, more than twice as fast as the next fastest trains currently operating in Africa.

7: AVE S-103 – 310 kph/193 mph (Spain)

Spain entered the high-speed rail scene in 1992 with TGV technology from France. Since then, it has developed its own cutting-edge trains and constructed Europe’s longest network of dedicated long-distance routes, connecting Madrid to cities like Seville, Malaga, Valencia, Galicia, and Barcelona.

AVE, which stands for Alta Velocidad España (High-Speed Spain) and also means ‘bird’ in Spanish, typically operates at a maximum speed of 310 kph (193 mph). The flagship trains are the S-102 Talgo and the S-103 ‘Velaro’ trains, the latter being a more powerful version of Germany’s ICE3.

The S-103 trains are certified to reach speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph) and have a seating capacity of 404. They share routes between Spain’s two largest cities with the homegrown Talgo S-102 high-speed trains.

In July 2006, an S-103 train set the Spanish rail speed record at 404 kph (251 mph), which was also a world record for an unmodified commercial passenger train at the time.

For many years, Spanish railways were infamous for slow speeds and frequent delays. However, in the past 30 years, AVE has revolutionized long-distance travel across the country. With the network expanding to connect even more regions, this transformation shows no sign of slowing down.

Now, AVE faces stiff competition from two newcomers supported by French and Italian national railways. Ouigo España offers a budget-friendly option using French TGV trains, while Iryo has introduced the elegant Italian ‘Frecciarossa’ (Red Arrow) trains for a more premium experience.

8: KTX 305 kph/190 mph (South Korea)

Since 2004, South Korea has rapidly expanded its high-speed rail network, bypassing older routes where challenging terrain made travel times slow and uncompetitive.

Beginning with the Seoul-Busan route in 2004, KTX trains can reach speeds of up to 330 kph (205 mph), though the usual operating speed is 305 kph (190 mph). The first-generation KTX-I trains, based on French TGV technology, have cut the Seoul-Busan travel time from over four hours to just two hours and 15 minutes.

South Korea is one of only four countries to have developed a train capable of exceeding 420 kph (260.4 mph), alongside France, Japan, and China. In 2013, the HEMU-430X prototype reached a speed of 421.4 kph, surpassing the previous Korean rail speed record of 352.4 kph, which was set by the second-generation KTX HSR-350x.

The latest generation of KTX trains uses domestically developed technology and features pressure-sealed cabins and triple-glazed windows to minimize noise and improve comfort, especially in tunnels.

With up to two departures every hour on major routes and trains as long as 20 cars, KTX serves as a high-speed mass transit system, transporting hundreds of millions of passengers annually. The KTX network also connects Seoul with southern cities like Gwangju, Mokpo, and Yeosu, as well as Gangneung in the northeast—an extension built specifically for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.

9: Trenitalia ETR1000 – 300 kph/186 mph (Italy)

The Italian State Railways introduced the high-speed Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) trains in 2017 as a direct response to new competition from a privately owned rival.

Built for a top speed of 400 kph (250 mph), the Frecciarossa lives up to its name with a sleek, arrow-inspired design, delivering 10,000 horsepower and exceptional performance on the tracks.

Although officially rated for a maximum of 360 kph in passenger service, one Frecciarossa reached an impressive 394 kph (245 mph) during a test in 2016.

Each 200-meter-long train features 457 seats across four classes, ranging from standard to business, premium, and executive, with the latter offering only 10 luxurious reclining armchairs and personalized service.

Frecciarossa trains operate on Italy's extensive T-shaped high-speed network, connecting northern cities like Turin, Milan, and Venice with central and southern destinations such as Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples.

While regular services run at a maximum of 300 kph (186 mph), this speed has already transformed intercity travel in Italy, significantly increasing rail’s market share on major routes like Milan-Rome, and contributing to the decline of national carrier Alitalia.

Since 2022, the 'Red Arrow' has been directly competing with French TGVs on the Milan-Paris route, offering passengers more options and additional train services. This has led to lower ticket prices and a 50% increase in passenger numbers. A new fleet of Red Arrows is also taking on Spain's National Railways on key high-speed routes from Madrid.

10: Haramain High-Speed Railway – 300 kph/186 mph (Saudi Arabia)

Despite the challenging conditions of scorching heat and frequent sandstorms, Saudi Arabia's Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) connects the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina, operating at speeds up to 300 kph (186 mph).

Operating with 35 Talgo trains, specially adapted for desert conditions withstanding temperatures up to 50°C (122°F), the 450-kilometer (279-mile) trip between Mecca and Medina is completed in just two hours.

Each train is made up of 13 cars with a total of 417 seats in both economy and business class. The Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) can accommodate up to 60 million passengers annually. During the Hajj pilgrimage, when over two million Muslims visit Mecca's holy sites, this capacity is crucial. Since its opening in 2018, HHR has quickly become the preferred mode of transport between Medina and Mecca, offering a stark contrast to the ten-hour drive alternative.