Forget the hassle of airport security lines and cramped airplane seats. The future of travel is grounded, sustainable, and unbelievably fast. Over the last decade, high-speed rail has revolutionized how we connect cities and countries.
If you have a need for speed, you’re in the right place. We are breaking down the top 20 fastest trains in the world, ranking them by their absolute maximum recorded or design speeds.
Buckle up—here is your ultimate guide to the undisputed kings of the railway.
Quick Look: Top 10 Fastest Trains in the World
Search engines love tables! Here is a quick reference guide for our top 10.
| Rank | Train Name | Country | Max Recorded/Design Speed | Tech Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L0 Series Maglev | Japan | 603 km/h (375 mph) | Maglev |
| 2 | CRRC Sifang Maglev | China | 600 km/h (373 mph) | Maglev |
| 3 | TGV POS | France | 574.8 km/h (357 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
| 4 | CR400 Fuxing | China | 460 km/h (286 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
| 5 | Shanghai Maglev | China | 431 km/h (268 mph) | Maglev |
| 6 | HEMU-430X | South Korea | 421 km/h (262 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
| 7 | Shinkansen ALFA-X | Japan | 400 km/h (249 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
| 8 | Frecciarossa 1000 | Italy | 400 km/h (249 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
| 9 | Italo AGV 575 | Italy | 360 km/h (224 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
| 10 | AVE Class 103 | Spain | 350 km/h (217 mph) | Traditional Wheel |
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The Countdown: Top 20 Fastest Trains in the World
20. Sapsan (Russia)
- Top Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) Operating between Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Sapsan (Russian for “Peregrine Falcon”) is a modified version of the Siemens Velaro. It is heavily adapted to withstand Russia’s brutal winter climates while keeping passengers comfortable.
19. Avelia Liberty / Acela (United States)
- Top Speed: 257 km/h (160 mph) Amtrak’s flagship high-speed rail runs along the Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington D.C.). While the U.S. lags behind Asia and Europe in high-speed infrastructure, the Avelia Liberty trains represent the fastest ground travel currently available in North America.
18. THSR 700T (Taiwan)
- Top Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) Based heavily on Japan’s Shinkansen technology, the 700T runs along the west coast of Taiwan, connecting Taipei to Kaohsiung. It cut the travel time between the two major cities from nearly five hours to just 90 minutes.
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17. Haramain High-Speed Railway (Saudi Arabia)
- Top Speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) This desert bullet train connects the holy cities of Mecca and Medina via Jeddah. Specially designed to operate in extreme heat and dusty conditions, it is a marvel of modern engineering that moves millions of pilgrims safely every year.
16. KTX-Sancheon (South Korea)
- Top Speed: 305 km/h (190 mph) Built by Hyundai Rotem, the Sancheon was the first high-speed train designed and developed entirely in South Korea. Its sleek, aerodynamic nose is inspired by the native cherry salmon.
15. Al Boraq (Morocco)
- Top Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Making history as Africa’s first high-speed rail, Al Boraq connects Tangier to Casablanca. It utilizes French TGV technology to drastically reduce travel times across the Moroccan coast.
14. Eurostar e320 (UK/France)
- Top Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Named for its top speed, the e320 connects London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam by zooming through the Channel Tunnel. It is a staple of European travel, offering a much faster and greener alternative to short-haul flights.
13. TGV Duplex (France)
- Top Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) France’s double-decker TGV trains are highly efficient, carrying a massive number of passengers across the country while maintaining blistering speeds. They are the workhorses of the SNCF rail network.
12. Shinkansen E5/H5 Series (Japan)
- Top Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Recognizable by their incredibly long, duck-billed noses (designed to reduce the “sonic boom” effect when entering tunnels), these trains are the backbone of Japan’s world-renowned bullet train network.
11. ICE 3 (Germany)
- Top Speed: 330 km/h (205 mph) Germany’s Intercity Express (ICE) network covers the entire country and spills into neighboring nations. The ICE 3 is their fastest operational class, known for its sleek design and panoramic glass cabins that let passengers look over the driver’s shoulder.
10. Talgo 350 (Spain)
- Top Speed: 330 km/h (205 mph) Nicknamed “El Pato” (The Duck) due to its unique nose shape, the Talgo 350 connects major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona. The aerodynamic design prevents pressure waves from destabilizing the train at high speeds.
9. AVE Class 103 (Spain)
- Top Speed: 350 km/h (217 mph) Another Spanish heavyweight, the AVE Class 103 holds the national speed record for commercial trains in Spain. Based on the German Siemens Velaro platform, it is an absolute powerhouse of European transit.
8. Italo AGV 575 (Italy)
- Top Speed: 360 km/h (224 mph) Operated by the private company NTV, this train uses the same technology as the French TGV POS but applies it to a luxurious, Ferrari-red passenger experience.
7. Frecciarossa 1000 (Italy)
- Top Speed: 400 km/h (249 mph) Known as the “Red Arrow,” this is Italy’s premier high-speed train. While it usually operates around 300 km/h for passenger comfort and efficiency, it was engineered for a top speed of 400 km/h, making it one of the most capable wheeled trains in Europe.
6. Shinkansen ALFA-X (Japan)
- Top Speed: 400 km/h (249 mph) Currently in its testing phase, the ALFA-X is the next generation of Japan’s bullet trains. It features an astonishing 22-meter-long nose designed to combat wind resistance and tunnel pressure, pushing the boundaries of traditional rail travel.
5. HEMU-430X (South Korea)
- Top Speed: 421.4 km/h (262 mph) The High-speed Electric Multiple Unit 430X is an experimental train that cemented South Korea as only the fourth nation in the world (after France, Japan, and China) to develop a train capable of exceeding 420 km/h.
4. Shanghai Maglev (China)
- Top Speed: 431 km/h (268 mph) The Shanghai Maglev holds the title of the fastest operating commercial train in the world. Using magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology, it hovers above the tracks, completely eliminating friction. It connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the city center in just over 7 minutes.
3. CR400 “Fuxing” (China)
- Top Speed: 460 km/h (286 mph) “Fuxing” translates to “Rejuvenation.” These trains represent China’s shift from using borrowed technology to creating their own indigenous high-speed network. While capped at 350 km/h for regular service, testing has pushed them well past the 450 km/h mark.
2. TGV POS (France)
- Top Speed: 574.8 km/h (357 mph) In 2007, a heavily modified French TGV POS train shattered the world speed record for a traditional train on steel rails. While you won’t ride it at this speed as a passenger, this legendary test run proved the absolute upper limits of conventional wheel-and-rail mechanics.
1. L0 Series Maglev (Japan)
- Top Speed: 603 km/h (375 mph) The L0 Series Maglev is officially the fastest train in the world. During a test run in 2015, this Japanese marvel hit an unbelievable 603 km/h. It uses superconducting magnets to levitate the train and propel it forward. It is currently being developed for the Chuo Shinkansen line, which will connect Tokyo and Osaka, completing a journey that usually takes three hours in just 67 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between Maglev and Traditional Rail?
Traditional trains use steel wheels on steel tracks, which creates friction and limits top speeds. Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) trains use powerful electromagnets to lift the train off the tracks and propel it forward. Because the train hovers, there is no mechanical friction, allowing for significantly higher speeds and a smoother ride.
What is the fastest train in the United States?
The fastest train in the U.S. is Amtrak’s Avelia Liberty (Acela) line, which operates on the Northeast Corridor. It is capable of reaching 160 mph (257 km/h), though it frequently operates at lower speeds due to aging track infrastructure.
What is the fastest operating public train right now?
While the Japanese L0 Series holds the ultimate speed record, it is still in testing. If you want to buy a ticket today, the Shanghai Maglev in China is the fastest operating public train, zipping passengers to the airport at a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph).
Will trains ever be faster than airplanes?
In terms of pure top speed, commercial airplanes (cruising around 880 km/h or 550 mph) still beat trains. However, when you factor in travel to the airport, security lines, and boarding times, high-speed rail is often faster for regional trips (under 600 miles/1,000 km) from city center to city center.
